Executive Access

46. The American Dream is Alive and Well with Adam Curran, Founder Curran Financial Partners

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Adam Curran, Founder of Curran Financial Partners [https://curranfinancialpartners.com/], a wealth management firm based in Charleston, SC. Jamie respects those who lead with conviction and spoke to Adam about his unapologetic, authentic way of representing himself and his company. Adam calls himself a "God-fearing, flag waving conservative" and discusses why he decided to become so vocal about his beliefs and how he encourages others in business to do the same, especially those who disagree with him. Jamie and Adam also discuss entrepreneurship, the changing views on retirement across generations, and how responding to the needs of his clients (something Jamie calls Customer Obsession!) led to him creating his high-performing God Bless America ETF. Adam is a witty, engaging, and direct leader. Whether you agree with Adam's political views or not, this episode will challenge you with the question, "How might I bring more of my authentic self to my work and leadership?" During this episode, Adam refers to the following books: * Principles by Ray Dalio [https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Life-Work-Ray-Dalio-ebook/dp/B071CTK28D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3FKR9YZOSLMYS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WmV_sOIOyeRLfJGEO0_K0a6kOylyIcbMi-KzoQnkDY-h0XBW18lNrumJTW8jKpEGJ4sA0hEOBmpj8RtzphB1cIlzJwYVpC1OBpwqp13BS6SQ-bx6V1Oa0YNgpeokJ6oB04SDZhADkBJf-vqVbmbfZ-SB4m_ll_EmHhyoMSeSV35Ub9yRdcBBatF_7h2Kx1SxddJkcWt9BIjmbUaqkJzgQ0IrJTT7abFssFDleEn9FxA.NJw_V0ZaKOdRMSCBzaVbbtslbJHwXS9JTqxcj8nZw2k&dib_tag=se&keywords=principles+ray+dalio&qid=1753666997&sprefix=principles+ray+dalio%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-1] * The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DJWQ7JN/?bestFormat=true&k=road%20less%20stupid%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_13_de&crid=UPKM9NF8UNM9&sprefix=road%20less%20stu] * John Maxwell works [https://www.amazon.com/Complete-101-Collection-John-Maxwell/dp/1400280605]

45. Leaders Must Let Go with Maggie Driscoll, Chief People & Culture Officer at Blackbaud

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Maggie Driscoll, Chief People and Culture Officer at Blackbaud, a large public technology company based in Charleston, SC.  Maggie spent her entire career in the human resources field, following her true passion for helping companies succeed and grow through building strong internal cultures and pathways for team members.  Maggie joined Blackbaud, moving to Charleston just weeks prior to the COVID pandemic that caused massive uncertainty and challenges for people leadership.  Maggie and the Blackbaud senior leadership team remained agile, listened to their team members, and received many external accolades for the way they rebuilt their company workstyle, honoring their team members and serving their clients, an approach Blackbaud calls "remote first flexible."  Maggie and Jamie also discuss three pivotal career stages that leaders go through -- first-line manager, second-line manager of managers, and broad business leader -- and the unique challenges and pitfalls of each.  Maggie shares why leading authentically is so important and why her leadership style emphasizes the avoidance of surprises.  Maggie and Jamie close with a discussion on how the "employee deal" may be changing with the latest generation of team members entering the job market.  Maggie is an accomplished Human Resources professional, highly recognized in the tech industry and sought after as an advisor in her profession.

44. Connect Work With Your God-Given Purpose

In this short, 7-minute episode, Jamie gets real about how top performers often feel a quiet discontent while at work, impacting both them and the organizations they work with. Top performers are wired to hit the gas pedal, so busy achieving that they don't often take time to reflect on their dreams or acknowledge them.  Each of us is wonderfully and uniquely made with a God-given purpose.  When we can't connect our work to that purpose, discontent grows until it boils over.  Jamie shares 3 steps you can take to find clarity and make your work epic, benefitting both you and the organization you work with.     In this episode, Jamie refers to the following work: * The "I GOT THIS Framework" [https://theideallife.com/about-the-framework/] for identifying your purpose and setting goals * Find your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team [https://www.amazon.com/Find-Your-Why-Practical-Discovering-ebook/dp/B01CZCW3ZA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3VOQAIY5YD6A4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q8Jlyf1C5SCry5Xh9EdPegHpFp-7lRoLhTML4hfwUjsBhIIC9PJW98Bsp6dJGUty6JjtmhRfRI2vrBwBzxaKziDaGrPRy54Snp33jS5MSRYRp09bfqqG54ZpQvzoZ1O0aUxHt_XwgboKYvbg7NoaK-y423csvcAz-pkeuIPD5xziopAcW6f45TYFXDWqyo84SDn4Cpoxfc5SGPwE_-KGvNWEDLqVqiUIDSGd7mJi5U8.ctQTCCCYt3mmTReozk0lpvSPmI2TaayIpB6C8TrvV24&dib_tag=se&keywords=find+your+why+simon+sinek&qid=1748558464&sprefix=find+your+why%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] by Simon Sinek   Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheideallife.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C0961c7163c034ed6334708dc9562e3de%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638549499161559005%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vQpP2N4FK%2FEJbCdCfVDC%2Ba9h%2FNdAMVhm6qtnOvyxBNs%3D&reserved=0], a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

43. Define Success YOUR Way with Melanie Stith, Founder/ CEO Culture Wins

In this episode, Jamie speaks with Melanie Stith, former healthcare executive and Founder/ CEO of Culture Wins Culture Wins, LLC | Transform Your Organizational Culture [https://www.culture-wins.com/]. From attorney, to HR executive, to government relations executive, Melanie wasn't afraid to "change lanes" in her career while building broad business experience.  She shares that she recently completed a year of personal reflection and growth after transitioning from her high-powered corporate position into founding her own consulting business.  Melanie shares several specific examples about how she grew her leadership over the course of her career.  One lesson learned is how embracing vulnerability leads to authenticity and deeper relationships. Melanie is a highly respected leader whose willingness to share personal insights is not only refreshing, but will be significantly encouraging to many of my listeners contemplating their own transitions.   During this episode, Melanie and Jamie refer to the following work: * Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life [https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Finding-Success-Happiness-Purpose-ebook/dp/B08WCKY8MB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21EGSQG623BC2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wpAmz97y0yuJ3AWDBjOUPmAvZWVLa1HFW6xae2naqjA_a4Qd5-P-p4D6kKTCNet1EbhmQFo1rQMLYcHtpx7Hsum3xqrBhFhIwkCfhw_E7q5E3bB16nQkAhK9ANUsg6kZoWj4EJgv2yOzFtasHBGhC1etkwRE4p6DjlFaouXejoPHxdDSbXeJRIyngJ8bRm_MBqFbasvp7gqI30GJerS2AngdTYcMhc7fKcu375b6M30.lh2tfia1qQNaamg0qGasLW0YrR60B1vjcfEapxJZSEw&dib_tag=se&keywords=strength+to+strength&qid=1748555973&sprefix=strength+to+strength%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1] by Arthur C. Brooks * The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life [https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Positive-Brain-Success-ebook/dp/B003F3PMYI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RIYPZ9UEZXCI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.139oNAUntf9GzL_-_J9XSK-AUMZhaWJLHu2C6CKvvErKyHHdWAprL5s5_ZotMBZiO9-moTKLxXCA4-vE2ATO0dWVo7H6PaifTo2Bq1_kJuFoMluyvxrovBM5lDHJc-nGL63IHc5iv4rgKsoE7Q4qzcS1NWODt44lsDknCrtjN9sgZEtuKjxj7TVVuqByTaZfeJIp-eahot5DcuQN0S1yM5zwSfeEo0ABhsK1kEKFd7M.SVN-p4_nYtrsCaL18Oye1W2j8sIjyGcbKd9vD_-ht3g&dib_tag=se&keywords=happiness+advantage&qid=1748556180&sprefix=happiness+advantage%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1] by Shawn Achor * Does Bad News Travel Fast in Your Organization [https://youtu.be/iyQWZE1mOYU] by Executive Access Podcast   Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheideallife.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C0961c7163c034ed6334708dc9562e3de%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638549499161559005%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vQpP2N4FK%2FEJbCdCfVDC%2Ba9h%2FNdAMVhm6qtnOvyxBNs%3D&reserved=0], a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.

42. Philanthropy is Love of Humanity with Darrin Goss, Sr, CEO Coastal Community Foundation

In this episode, Jamie speaks with President and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation, Darrin Goss, Sr.  He describes his work as connecting people with the impulse to do good with the ability to do good. Darrin's leadership style was shaped early as an officer in the Army.  His transition into civilian life taught him the importance of finding purpose and aligning your career to pursue that purpose.  We also discussed how he successfully holds that tension line as a leader between valuing people and driving accountability, something he describes as taking courage to get right. His insights on influence leadership are excellent.  Finally, Darrin shares the importance of staying true to your values as a leader - two of his cornerstone values are faith and family.  Darrin is a deeply respected leader who is making a big impact in the communities of South Carolina through the coalitions he builds. During this episode, Darrin refers to the following work: * Lincoln on Leadership [https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Leadership-Executive-Strategies-Tough-ebook/dp/B002VPEL0W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35Y4LWT03LZKF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ydZWg9mtaAkoSPiJEZ0x66Ubr7cMAN9e17lGFoFooieiodTXHHiJS580wUQ9wg5dmJaplIeEgp1IUkwooIxqZNqch1f3EXbDSDyaLQacIhnPyR31YuLoXYmNjdnnr0KV8rhyulJKI_XkR6zvzOltR_AXl_-6W9ykOwW5OcZUo0-xJmYiGzbQrJ1yHFvsVMiqomcc7Z1i-2lDHBKiFzVtwlwUlUg76SZIHw6bk-A7Jeo.1r9_9zUKwMhe3G5_AKa-yy2F6n8QpPWcyLFJckriTjw&dib_tag=se&keywords=lincoln+on+leadership&qid=1748402047&sprefix=lincoln+on+leadership%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1] by Donald T. Phillips * Chief Executive Magazine [https://chiefexecutivenetwork.com/magazine/]   Executive Access is produced by The Ideal Life [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheideallife.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C0961c7163c034ed6334708dc9562e3de%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638549499161559005%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vQpP2N4FK%2FEJbCdCfVDC%2Ba9h%2FNdAMVhm6qtnOvyxBNs%3D&reserved=0], a platform that provides coaching, community, and content for people to grow both personally and professionally.