A Heart of Thanksgiving: Leadership, Faith, and Resilience with Rear Adm. Dr. Endel Lee
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes Dr. Endel Lee, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Navy chaplain, to discuss leading with gratitude, even in the face of life's challenges. Endel Lee shares powerful stories from his time serving in combat and surviving Hurricane Katrina, explaining how those experiences helped him focus on what truly matters: people and faith. They discuss the idea that leadership is about influencing with compassion and conviction, not just authority. Endel Lee offers practical advice, like counting your...
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Leadership Across Borders with Alberto Aguilar of Carris Reels
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren talks with , President and CEO of Carris Reels, and Erick Ramos, Senior VP of Business Development at Threaded Fasteners. Alberto shares his journey from General Manager to CEO and discusses what makes Carris Reels unique, including their employee ownership and a focus on continuous improvement. For this special episode, most of the conversation is in Spanish, highlighting the importance of diversity and reaching a wider audience. Alberto talks about leadership principles, building a strong workplace culture, and the...
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Leadership Blueprint for Growth with Lynn Bruns
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy Duren welcomes , CEO of ISG Architect and Engineering Services. Lynn shares his journey from engineer to leader and the importance of recognizing leadership potential in others early on. He discusses how ISG’s unique growth model allows talent to flourish no matter their location, emphasizing trust, open communication, and a culture of celebrating wins and learning from challenges. Lynn highlights ISG’s Leadership Acceleration Program, which develops emerging leaders with coaching and group experiences. He describes how the...
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Sparking Innovation with Ray Brown
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Ray Brown, CEO and board chair of Scintilla EG holding company, which leads the Esco Group. Ray shares how the company's three unique business units, electric, automation, and safety, work together while embracing their own cultures. He explains why a holding company model allows each group to shine, drive innovation, and attract new opportunities through mergers and acquisitions. Ray and Billy delve into why automation and AI are crucial for manufacturers, not to replace workers, but to meet the increasing...
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Trust, Technology, and Teamwork from Jason Bader
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
On this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Jason Bader, principal of the and an expert in strategic business coaching for wholesale distribution companies. Jason talks about his journey from working in his family’s contractor supply business at a young age to becoming a teacher and trusted advisor in the distribution world. The conversation covers the importance of trust and communication between sales and operations, the challenge of managing change, and the need for setting clear goals and measures within organizations. Jason also shares...
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Cultivating Next-Generation Leaders: Strategies from Dr. Stacy Wellborn
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with , a serial entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and professor at . Stacy shares how her real-world business experience shapes her teaching, making classroom lessons more practical and relatable for students. She discusses the importance of blending academic theory with real examples, helping students prepare for real challenges after graduation. The conversation covers how today's students are interested in entrepreneurship and the idea of having control over their careers, including side hustles and the...
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The Coach’s Playbook for Leading Educators: Insights from Jimmy Messer
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with Jimmy Messer, Head of School at in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Jimmy shares how his background in basketball coaching shaped his approach to leading teams of educators, emphasizing the importance of putting the right people in the right roles and building a team culture focused on shared goals. Jimmy explains that a coachable attitude, being open to feedback and putting the team first, is key to successful leadership in any setting. He also highlights the value of modeling positive behaviors, consistent...
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Embracing AI at Light Speed: The Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly Approach with Don Monistere
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this episode of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren sits down with , CEO and President of , to talk all things artificial intelligence (AI) in the business world. Don explains how fast AI is changing and how companies are struggling to keep up. He shares that most leaders recognize the need to utilize AI but are unsure of where to begin. Don recommends a “crawl, walk, run, fly” approach—start small, learn quickly, and gradually use more advanced tools. They also discuss the importance of training employees on AI, being cautious with company data, and keeping everyone...
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Building Authentic Relationships and Strategic Storytelling with Shelby Sledge
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
On this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes , co-founder of , to discuss the power of authentic communication inside organizations and with customers. Shelby breaks down how her team helps companies tailor their messaging, like making a custom mixtape, so that it fits their unique needs and values. She explains why it's vital for organizations to align their internal messaging with how they communicate with customers, and shares why being genuine, transparent, and consistent builds trust. Shelby also dives into customer journey mapping, the importance of...
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Aligning Purpose and Practice with The Quotable Alex Moss
Nuts and Bolts of Leadership
In this special 50th episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, hosts Billy Duren talk with Alex Moss, co-founding principal at Praxis, to explore real-world leadership and governance for employee-owned companies. Alex shares his expertise on what truly makes a workplace thrive: creating ownership opportunities, building a healthy workplace culture, and helping both leaders and employees "lean in" and engage fully. Together, they bust old myths about leadership - it's not just about telling people what to do, but about coaching, listening, and building trust. Alex also explains the...
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Do you actually give yourself time to think? In this episode, Billy and Hali sit down with Rick Scruggs, CEO of Financial Designs and author of What’s Wrong With My Thinking, to break down why setting aside time to think is one of the most powerful leadership tools.
Rick shares that communication is often the missing link in a thriving company and how great leaders create space for growth, responsibility, and real decision-making. He talks about the importance of celebrating success instead of only focusing on what went wrong, the dangers of good outcomes from bad processes, and why every leader should earn a “PhD in mistakes.”
Rick breaks down the importance of having both the time and space to think, how structured thinking sessions change decision making, and why sometimes, the book you set aside is the one you need to finish. We also dig into practical leadership lessons: What does real succession planning look like, and do you have a bench plan? How do you avoid getting stuck in the gap and missing the gain? And why should an advanced leader aim to delegate 70% of what they do?
If you’re ready to shift your perspective, challenge old habits, and rethink how you approach leadership, this episode is for you.
Looking For More Leadership Nuggets?
Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode:
The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer by Steven Kotler
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
The Road Less Stupid: Advice from the Chairman of the Board by Keith Cunningham