Bold Journeys Podcast

All around us, people are overcoming extraordinary challenges. Where do they find the resilience and perseverance to move forward? At Bold Journeys, we share stories of grit, adventure, and faith from those whose journeys have both tested them and shaped who they’ve become. Hosted by Rob Spee, each episode of the podcast explores the resilience it takes to carry on – offering encouragement, perspective, and a reminder of what’s possible. We seek guests who’ve walked through the fire, whether it’s a challenge they chose like climbing Mt. Everest, or a knock-down punch life throws at you. If you’re ready to reflect, grow, and live boldly... you’re in the right place. New episodes every Tuesday

After the Mission: A Fighter Pilot’s Path to Purpose 04/14/2026

After the Mission: A Fighter Pilot’s Path to Purpose Christian “Boo” Boucousis flew nearly 1,600 missions as an Australian fighter pilot before life forced him into a completely different path. He talks about what happens when the mission ends—how operating at the peak of the stress curve, mastering the basics until they’re automatic, and building identity through call signs shaped the man he became. He also shares how long‑term visualization and relentless reps helped him push through average grades and undiagnosed ADHD to earn the cockpit. His fighter pilot career ended after a medical discharge from an autoimmune joint disease, and he had to rebuild from the ground up. Boo walks through the transition from the cockpit to entrepreneurial success in Afghanistan. The success came with real cost: PTSD, divorce, and a complete reset of identity. Boo opens up about getting help from an unexpected source, rediscovering a faith centered on joy, purpose, and responsibility. His story shows what it looks like to find purpose again when the mission changes, and how discipline, vision, and service can rebuild a life from the inside out. Key Takeaways Purpose has to outlast the mission. When the cockpit disappeared, Boo had to rebuild who he was without the uniform, the call sign, or the structure that shaped him. Discipline and identity travel with you. The habits, awareness, and standards forged as a fighter pilot became the backbone of how he navigated entrepreneurship, pressure, and uncertainty. Awareness is a survival skill in life, not just in the air. Knowing what you know, what you don’t, and what’s happening around you guided him through Afghanistan, leadership, and personal upheaval. Rebuilding requires humility, service, and a clear sense of purpose. Boo’s path back—through PTSD, loss, and faith—shows that the next mission is often internal, not external. Join the Journey If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today. YouTube: Instagram: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 Peak Stress Curve 01:00 Fighter Pilot Call Sign Origins 06:44 Inside the Cockpit 12:24 Awareness and Senses 14:55 Queensland Roots 17:54 Obsessed With Aviation 26:36 Checklist Mastery Under Pressure 27:57 Programming the Brain Networks 30:36 Afghanistan by Choice 33:36 Fear on the Ground 35:48 PTSD and Life Unraveling 37:55 Discharge and New Direction 40:41 Why Afghanistan Made Sense 45:05 Faith Reframed and Joy /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/40861145

Divine Intervention: Finding Joy After Trauma and Homelessness 04/07/2026

How to Stay Resilient & Optimistic: Lessons from a Mindfulness Guru 03/31/2026

From Shame to Strength: How Honesty, Community, and Courage Sparked Transformation 03/24/2026

Grit. Faith. Lesson From The First 10 Episodes 03/17/2026

Overcoming Life's Hardest Challenges: Faith & the Warrior Mindset 03/10/2026

Overcoming Life's Hardest Challenges: Faith & the Warrior Mindset What makes one person collapse under adversity while another rises? In this conversation, business leader turned sailor and Sailing Life Warriors founder Dave Mortell opens up about a life shaped by childhood abuse, near‑death medical crises, and the loss of his first boat and two dogs in a fire — and how faith, grit, and a long‑held dream to sail the world carried him forward. Dave’s journey from trauma to the South Pacific is raw, honest, and deeply human. If you’re navigating your own storms, his story will show you the life that can be carved out of pain through a warrior mindset and faith. What Dave Learned the Hard Way Trauma can bury you or build you. His “warrior” mindset isn’t bravado — it’s the discipline of getting back up when life hits hard. Healing takes time and truth. He didn’t fully face his childhood abuse until maturity and mentors gave him the tools to do it. Faith is a lifeline, not a slogan. Dave learned to talk to Jesus like a friend and trust that God wasn’t finished with him — even when cancer and medical crises said otherwise. Marriage requires presence. He regrets not supporting his wife well through miscarriages and learned that faith should never replace empathy. Big dreams demand resilience. Losing a boat and two dogs could have ended the journey. Instead, it clarified what mattered: family, preparation, and a community built on shared values. Join the Journey If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who is searching for more courage and faith. YouTube: Instagram: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 Two Choices Mindset 02:56 Sea Life Warrior Origin 06:45 Childhood Trauma Story 08:45 Faith After Abuse 10:44 Air Force Turning Point 16:15 Miscarriages and Marriage Strain 23:32 Aneurysm Scare and Recovery 27:15 Stage Four Melanoma Fight 34:29 Sailing Dream Origins 37:48 Quitting Career for Family Time 38:55 Choosing the First Catamaran 40:18 Cardiologist Shock and Stents 43:07 Boat Fire and Losing the Dogs 56:50 Faith and the Adventure Mindset 01:00:40 Rapid Fire Sea Stories 01:05:32 God and a Personal Relationship 01:11:43 Advice for Aspiring Cruisers /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/40376080

Transformational Leadership: How Personal Growth Shapes Your Career 03/03/2026

Transformational Leadership: How Personal Growth Shapes Your Career Transformational leadership isn’t something you inherit. It’s built through mindset, resilience, and the willingness to do the inner work. This episode of Bold Journeys goes deep into that process with Raj Gupta, Global Head of Partnerships at TCS — a leader shaped not by titles, but by discipline, humility, and purpose. Raj’s story begins in a middle‑class home in India, where he watched his father work without ever checking the clock. A major setback early in life forced him to retake his engineering exams, eventually ranking seventh in his state. That moment became a defining lesson in resilience and honest self‑assessment — a theme that runs through his entire career. Across his journey from electronics to software, from India to the U.S., and from contributor to global leader, Raj shares the mindset shifts that shaped his growth. He talks openly about being passed over for opportunities and the discipline of building for the next role while honoring the current one. We explore the habits that keep a leader adaptable and close with the anchors that keep him grounded: health, family, faith, and the belief that leadership is measured not by the followers you gather, but by the leaders you develop. Key Takeaways Mindset drives growth. Your attitude, work ethic, and willingness to do the inner work shape your trajectory more than any opportunity or title. Setbacks are feedback. Honest self‑assessment, clarity of purpose, and the courage to restart turn failure into fuel. Curiosity is a leadership advantage. In a world shaped by AI and rapid change, adaptability matters more than tenure. Keep unlearning and relearning. Humility sustains leadership. Pause before reacting, admit mistakes, listen deeply, and build leaders — not followers. Join the Journey Stay with us, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who is looking for more resilience, purpose, and advancement in their career. YouTube: Instagram: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 Quick Tips from Raj 03:10 Raj’s Global Role at TCS 04:33 Growing Up in India 07:54 Early Leadership Instincts 09:20 Moving to the United States 15:20 Purpose Over Money 18:01 Fear of Failure Reframed 22:08 Unlearning Over Experience 23:40 Learning from New Grads 25:56 Curiosity in the AI Era 28:24 Culture And Skip Level Leadership 30:35 Leading Gen Z with Humility 32:12 The Parable of the Dirty Window 36:36 Rapid Fire Leadership Rules 40:58 Health Family Work Balance 43:58 Legacy And Admitting Mistakes /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/40257725

Staying Calm When It Matters: Lessons from 300,000 Miles Offshore 02/24/2026

Staying Calm When It Matters: Lessons from 300,000 Miles Offshore Some people chase adventure. Others build a life around it. Offshore captain Hank Schmitt has done both. In this conversation, Hank traces the long arc of his sailing life, from Long Island summers and high school racing, to oil rig shifts, boat work, deliveries, and eventually founding Offshore Passage Opportunities (OPO). Hank walks through the defining moments that shaped his leadership at sea — dismastings, jury rigged steering, a mid winter rescue, and the quiet discipline required to keep a crew steady when the ocean has other plans. We talk about navigation before GPS, the mindset of a solo Atlantic crossing, and why self‑reliance still matters in a world where Starlink can make the ocean feel smaller than it is. And we explore OPO’s decade of work in Dominica — rebuilding after hurricanes, expanding moorings, and strengthening a local sailing community. Hank shares how OPO began in the pre‑internet days, after watching aspiring crew fly to the Canaries to “walk the docks” hoping for a ride. He built a better way to connect captains, delivery skippers, and sailors who want real sea miles — a system that’s helped hundreds of sailors gain confidence, competence, and offshore experience. Here are five of my takeaways from Hank’s approach to staying calm under pressure and how we can apply them in our lives: 1. Lead without leaking panic At sea, a skipper’s energy sets the tone. On land, it’s the same. People read your face before they hear your words. When you stay steady, you give others permission to stay steady too. Calm leadership isn’t about pretending everything is fine — it’s about refusing to amplify fear. 2. Deal with what’s in front of you Good seamanship is solving the problem that exists, not the one you’re afraid might happen next. Life works the same way. Most situations get worse when we dramatize them. They get better when we take the next clear step, then the next, without spiraling. 3. Slow down before you act On a boat, taking the wrong action can make a small issue a big one. In life, rushing decisions often does the same. The discipline is the pause — taking a breath to choose intention over impulse. 4. Repetition builds self‑reliance Confidence offshore comes from miles, mistakes, calms and storms. Confidence in life comes from the same ingredients. You don’t become resilient by reading about resilience. You become resilient by living through things, learning from them, and showing up again. 5. Expect systems to fail — and stay adaptable Boats break. Plans break. Technology fails. People disappoint. Calm comes from expecting that reality and preparing for it, not from hoping everything goes smoothly. When you know your backups — your skills, your values, your ability to improvise — you stop fearing the unknown. Join the Journey If this conversation resonates, follow the show for more real stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who could use a steady voice in their corner. YouTube: Instagram: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 Staying Calm at Sea: Pressure, Leadership, and Problem-Solving 01:55 Podcast Intro: Meet Hank Schmidt & Offshore Passage Opportunities (OPO) 05:10 300,000 Miles of Experience: Dismastings, Jury Rigs, and Self-Sufficiency 10:40 Where the Calm Comes From: Early Independence and Life Choices 11:37 Building OPO Before the Internet: Boat Shows, Side Hustles, and Survival 14:19 Falling in Love with Sailing: Long Island Childhood to High School Racing 17:12 First Big Passages: Florida Dockwalking to Offshore Oil Rigs 23:59 Solo Crossing on a Shoestring: Minimal Gear, Old-School Navigation 24:52 Speed vs. Soul Offshore: Tech, Starlink, and the Changing Ocean Experience 28:43 OPO’s Core Concept: Matching Crew, Building Skills, and Win-Win Deliveries 32:02 Rob’s Path Through OPO: From Dominica to the SWAN Program 34:12 Why Dominica Became a Focus & Building a Mooring Field 39:01 Dominica’s “Back in Time” Cruising & Why It’s So Special 46:48 Modern Forecasting, Weather Windows, and Fast Swan Passages 48:25 Why Offshore Sailing Hits Different: Quiet, Connection, and Community 51:58 Rapid Fire + Real Skills: Gear, Autopilot Myths, and Steering Lessons 58:17 Scariest Moment & Dream Sailor to Meet (America’s Cup Story) 01:01:50 Rallies, Self-Reliance, and Getting Younger People into Sailing 01:06:18 Legacy, Scaling Back, and How to Take Your First Step into Sailing /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/40203910

From Infidelity to Redemption: How God Saved a Man and His Marriage 02/17/2026

From Infidelity to Redemption: How God Saved a Man and His Marriage In this Bold Journeys conversation, host Rob Spee sits down with Carlos Hidalgo for a raw, unfiltered story of infidelity, redemption, and God’s relentless grace. Carlos opens up about growing up in church, learning to “perform” Christianity, and living a double life—successful on the outside but driven by anger, selfishness, and the need to control everything around him. He shares how casual pornography use while traveling escalated into a two‑year affair, the moment his wife uncovered the truth in 2015, and the devastation that followed: a broken marriage, fractured trust with his kids, and the collapse of the life he built. Carlos explains how restoration only began when he finally surrendered—letting God dismantle his manipulation, pride, and illusion of control. The grace, forgiveness, and rebuilding of the family prepared them for what came next - a hemorrhagic stroke that hit Carlos suddenly while he was alone in a church weight room. He recounts losing vision, the emergency life flight to Albany Medical, and the sobering risks of brain bleeds. Through it all, he describes a surprising peace, the strength of community, and how suffering reshaped his priorities toward urgency, gratitude, and deeper relationships. Carlos shares the spiritual anchors that carried him—prayer, Job 23:10, and the hymn “And Can It Be” (the hymn you hear in the background of the opening clip) —and offers this hope to anyone walking through darkness: God can redeem what feels impossible, and joy can coexist with hardship. Key Takeaways Rock bottom revealed the real fight: When his affair was exposed, Carlos faced a defining moment—keep fighting for control or finally surrender to God. “Getting life back” wasn’t love: A counselor confronted him with the truth: his push to restore life on his terms was manipulation, not transformation. Redemption required surrender: Healing came only when Carlos stopped trying to be sovereign and yielded fully to God’s authority. Small compromises lead to collapse: Pornography wasn’t harmless—it was the first step in a long chain of choices that eroded his integrity. Suffering reframed everything: After a hemorrhagic stroke, Carlos embraced a “win‑win” outlook—life with family or life with Jesus—and committed to urgency, gratitude, and intentional relationships. Join the Journey Stay with us, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who seeks the courage to transform pain into redemption. Together, let's foster a world where divine love and faith conquer the toughest trials. YouTube: Instagram: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 Rock Bottom: ‘Are We Still Doing This?’ 02:11 Bold Journeys Intro: A Story of Betrayal, Grace & Redemption 04:32 Carlos Returns: From BMC Days to This Conversation 05:02 The Hemorrhagic Stroke: Symptoms, Fear, and the Hospital Dash 08:09 Finding Meaning in Suffering: Valleys, Not Mountaintops 09:36 Growing Up in Church, But Not Knowing God 11:53 Rebellion in Disguise: ‘Independent’ and a Workplace Chameleon 15:19 The Slow Drift: Porn, Escalation, and the Affair That Blew Up Everything 19:13 Surrender and the Long Road Back: Pikes Peak Prayers & Family Restoration 21:18 Aftermath: Anger, Emptiness, and Becoming a Trophy of Grace 23:05 From Intensity to Surrender: Chasing Success vs. True Fulfillment 24:41 The Stroke Reality: Pain Meds, Chest Pains, and a Second Scare 27:35 Knowing About God vs. Knowing Him: Joy, Control, and Community 30:15 Reframing the Future: Mission, Speaking, and Living With Urgency 33:19 Rapid-Fire Faith: Win-Win Perspective, Verses, Prayer, and Worship 38:37 After the Stroke: Relationships, Gratitude, and the 'Why' Question 41:19 Advice for Dark Seasons: 'God Has You Right Where He Wants You' 43:36 Closing Reflections: Owning the Story and Giving God the Credit /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/40132090

How to Rewire Stress: The Power of Physical Intelligence and Surrender 02/10/2026

How to Rewire Stress: The Power of Physical Intelligence and Surrender What if you could rewire stress from the inside out? In this episode of Bold Journeys, host Rob Spee explores how surrender, resilience, and a science‑backed practice called Physical Intelligence can transform the way you move through adversity. After losing his wife to a sudden brain aneurysm, resilience coach and speaker Rob Swymer found himself rebuilding his life from the ground up. What helped him rise wasn’t willpower alone — it was learning how to surrender to adversity and work with his body’s chemistry instead of fighting against it. Rob shares how adversity shaped his mission, how surrender became a turning point, and how Physical Intelligence can help you regulate stress, shift your emotional state, and reconnect with purpose. You’ll even learn a simple PI exercise you can try today. If you’re navigating stress, grief, or a major life transition, this conversation offers grounded, practical tools for finding strength, clarity, and hope. What You’ll Learn How surrender can create clarity in hard seasons A simple Physical Intelligence practice to help regulate stress How your body’s natural chemicals can support emotional stability The role of gratitude in blocking fear and anger How Rob transformed profound loss into a mission to help others If this episode resonates, hit Like, Subscribe, and drop a comment. Your support helps Bold Journeys reach more people who need these conversations. Join the Journey If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today. YouTube: Instagram: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 A Tragic Night in Atlanta 00:31 Understanding Resilience 01:12 Introduction to Bold Journeys 01:14 Meet Rob Swymer 01:33 Rob's Life-Altering Event 01:46 The Concept of Physical Intelligence 02:17 Rob's Journey of Transformation 04:10 The Power of Surrender 09:09 Rob's Childhood and Early Challenges 11:42 Struggles with Alcohol and Sobriety 16:00 Finding Purpose and Spirituality 23:24 Embracing Adversity and Gratitude 29:37 Parenting and Resilience 30:28 Mental Health Pandemic 30:44 Mission to Teach Self-Activation 32:50 Physical Intelligence Explained 33:58 Four Quadrants of Physical Intelligence 37:49 Manifesting Goals and Purpose 42:59 Living with Gratitude 47:58 Rapid Fire Round /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/40011780

Resilient Leadership: Lessons from Service, Failure, and Hard-Won Success 02/03/2026

Resilient Leadership: Lessons from Service, Failure, and Hard-Won Success What does resilient leadership look like when the stakes are life‑and‑death? In this episode of Bold Journeys, Rob Spee sits down with MK Palmore — Marine, retired FBI executive, cybersecurity leader, and now founder of his own enterprise risk consulting firm — to explore how true leadership is forged through failure, discipline, and hard‑won experience. From childhood to the Marine Corps to a 22‑year FBI career, MK shares the defining moments that shaped his philosophy on courage, integrity, and leading under pressure. This conversation cuts through clichés and gets to the heart of what makes a leader resilient in the real world. What You’ll Learn How early conversations shaped MK’s leadership mindset Why failure is essential for growth — and how to recover from it Lessons from the Marine Corps and FBI that apply to everyday leadership How MK transitioned from public service to entrepreneurship The role of values, discipline, and courage in resilient leadership Why This Episode Matters If you’re navigating a demanding season — in leadership, career, or personal life — MK’s story offers a roadmap for staying grounded, acting with integrity, and rising stronger from every setback. About MK Palmore MK is a former Marine officer and retired FBI executive with decades of experience in crisis leadership, cybersecurity, and enterprise risk. Today he advises organizations on resilience, risk, and strategic leadership. Join the Journey If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, faith, and the kind of leadership shaped in the fire. Instagram: YouTube: Through The Fire Newsletter: Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:24 Childhood and Early Influences 08:59 Dreams of the Naval Academy 13:00 Joining the Marines 15:38 Transition to the FBI 18:55 Challenges and Failures 23:41 Grit and Resilience 28:32 Are Leaders Born or Made? 29:31 The Impact of Parental Influence 30:23 Rapid Fire Round: Business and Leadership 32:33 Morning Routines and Core Values 38:56 Transitioning from Public to Private Sector 40:15 Writing a Leadership Book for Youngsters 45:50 Challenges and Running as an Outlet 52:30 Final Words of Advice /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/39956335

Through Hell and Back: A Story of Faith and Endurance 01/26/2026

Through Hell and Back: A Story of Faith and Endurance Mitch Lewandowski’s story is a raw, unfiltered journey through illness, loss, faith, and triumph. It's the kind of adversity that reshapes a life. From a near‑fatal battle with COVID‑19 to a MRSA infection that almost cost him his leg — and then walking with his wife through stage‑four cancer — Mitch’s path is a powerful testament to resilience and strength forged in the hardest seasons. In this episode of the Bold Journeys Podcast, Mitch shares how early hardship shaped his grit, how faith carried him through the unthinkable, and why “doing hard things” became the foundation for rebuilding a healthy, whole, and purposeful life. What You’ll Discover · The medical crises that nearly took Mitch’s life - twice How early adversity shaped his grit and character The turning points that sparked his transformation The role of faith, surrender, and determination in rebuilding Practical ways to find purpose and courage in your own storm If you’re navigating loss, uncertainty, or a season you didn’t choose, Mitch’s story will remind you that hope is never out of reach — and that a meaningful life can be rebuilt from the hardest places. If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, adventure, and faith — and share it with someone who needs strength today. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY CHAPTERS 00:00 A Miraculous Survival Story 01:37 Mitch's Humble Beginnings 02:58 The Impact of a Bicycle 04:54 Realizing Socioeconomic Differences 06:32 Chasing Success and Its Consequences 08:30 A Life-Altering Realization 10:43 Facing Life-Changing Events 12:20 Surviving COVID Against All Odds 18:41 Battling MRSA and Personal Loss 22:37 Embracing the Journey of Life and Death 27:05 Drawing Strength from Adversity 29:28 Understanding Pain vs. Suffering 32:00 Cycling as a Metaphor for Life 36:58 The Importance of Faith and Devotion 38:01 Rapid Fire Questions 46:12 Empathy and Leadership 48:57 Advice for Personal Storms /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/39863480

Climb Beyond Your Limits: Lessons from the World’s Tallest Mountains 01/20/2026

Climb Beyond Your Limits: Lessons from the World’s Tallest Mountains Join us for a powerful episode of Bold Journeys as we explore the real‑world mountaineering experiences of Louise McEvoy, a high-altitude mountaineer who has summited 6 of the Seven Summits ⛰️ including Mt. Everest. Louise breaks down what it takes to tackle the world’s tallest mountains and how the grit she developed on the slopes fuels her success in work, leadership, and life. By day, Louise is a high‑impact channel executive who helped shape Trend Micro’s award‑winning partner ecosystem and now leads global channel sales at Keyfactor. By night (and often at 20,000+ feet), she’s pushing her limits on some of the harshest terrain on earth. In this conversation, Louise shares: - What climbing Everest and Denali taught her about resilience - How mountaineers manage fear, fatigue, and mental overload - The training required for high‑altitude expeditions - How to handle disappointment, setbacks, and unexpected danger - Why pursuing passion outside of work builds stronger leaders - The story behind She Summits Fourteeners, her initiative empowering women through mountaineering This episode isn’t just about climbing mountains — it’s about building the mental toughness to face life’s biggest challenges and emerging stronger on the other side. 💪 What’s the “mountain” you’re climbing right now, and what’s one step you’re taking toward the summit? JOIN OUR COMMUNITY CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Everest Experience 01:27 Lou's Climbing Pedigree 04:35 Challenges on Denali 07:22 Lou's Childhood and Early Influences 08:49 The Journey to Everest 17:19 Training and Mental Toughness 27:41 Surviving a Knee Injury in the Wilderness 30:00 Glorious Moments in Mountaineering 33:05 Challenges and Decisions on the Summit 35:44 Overcoming Fear in Rock Climbing 38:38 Rapid Fire Questions with Lou 48:21 The SHE Summit: Empowering Women Climbers 52:09 Life Lessons from the Climb /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/39751980

How to Handle Life's Hardest Moments: Learn this Mental Model for Resilience 01/13/2026

How to Handle Life's Hardest Moments: Learn this Mental Model for Resilience What if you could develop a systematic way to build grit and resilience, a mental model that would help you handle life's hardest moments without falling apart? 🌟 Join us in this profound episode as we explore Jay McBain’s journey of systems thinking—a way of living that’s both practical and transformative. Jay McBain is one of the most respected voices in the tech channel world, known for helping companies understand where partnerships and ecosystems are heading. He’s widely recognized for helping businesses navigate the fast‑changing world of partner strategy and go‑to‑market models. Growing up in Canada, Jay’s childhood was filled with pivotal moments that shaped his logical and resilient mindset. Discover how early lessons in financial planning, sports, and technology prepared him to face life’s toughest challenges, from the heartbreak of divorce to the failure of a tech startup. This conversation is essential for anyone seeking courage, clarity, faith, or reinvention. You’ll come away with practical strategies for: 1️⃣ Compartmentalizing life’s challenges to avoid overwhelm. 2️⃣ Using statistical and logical thinking to overcome emotional hurdles. 3️⃣ Embracing gratitude and acknowledging privilege in personal success. 4️⃣ Finding adventure in travel and life’s unexpected turns. Jay’s wisdom offers a fresh perspective, empowering you to approach your storm with a heart full of determination and a mind ready for calculated action. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will elevate your sense of possibility and prepare you to face your own storm with a resilient heart. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to System Thinking 01:31 Jay's Early Life and Family Background 02:17 Childhood Memories and Early Influences 04:00 Pivotal Moments and Early Career 06:59 Financial Lessons and First Motorcycle 12:57 Building a Future and Facing Adversity 22:31 System Thinking and Resilience 26:04 Prostate Health and Genetic Testing 27:29 Family History and Genealogy 29:41 Christmas and Family Traditions 31:13 Adventurous Travels and Rollerblading Tour 35:21 Skydiving Proposal and Rapid-Fire Questions 41:49 Reflections on Life's Challenges and Advice /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/39701220

Introducing Bold Journeys: Stories of Grit, Adventure and Faith 01/06/2026

The Grit, Adventure, and Faith Behind the Channel Journeys Pivot - CJ182 12/22/2025

The Grit, Adventure, and Faith Behind the Channel Journeys Pivot - CJ182 Hello, Channel Pros! Welcome to the final episode of Channel Journeys—a moment that’s both nostalgic and exciting. After celebrating our voyage with highlights from ten fantastic guests in the last episode, it’s time to chart a new course toward “Bold Journeys.” This December, in the spirit of advent—a season of anticipation and joy—I reflect on the past seven years of Channel Journeys and the joy it has brought me. Through insightful conversations with astonishing people, we’ve explored channel stories that resonated with our ecosystem, the channel community. The podcast has evolved from an emerging platform to a sought-after space where guests frequently requested to share their partnering wisdom. But as I transitioned from my career as a channel chief, my passion for sharing channel stories shifted to adventures, grit, and faith. Join me in this final episode as we dive into grit, adventure and faith behind the pivot to Bold Journeys. You’ll hear stories from Jay McBain, Louise McEvoy, and Mitch Lewandowski that personify these themes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Grit: A Formula for Success Grit combines passion and perseverance, serving as a cornerstone for long-term achievement. Often more crucial than natural talent, grit fuels persistence in challenging times. Jay McBain, known for his analytical approach as a chief channel analyst, transforms obstacles into manageable challenges. During our interview, he emphasized the importance of compartmentalizing life’s difficulties, aiming to prevent overwhelming piles of stress. His analytical mindset is a hallmark of his ability to overcome life’s hurdles. Adventure: Stepping into the Unknown Adventure starts where certainty ends. It’s about embracing risks for rewarding experiences. Louise McAvoy, a partnering executive and avid mountaineer, embodies this spirit. Inspired by reading about the 1996 Everest Disaster, she set her sights on climbing Everest. What started as a simple promise turned into a 14-year journey to the summit. Her narrative illustrates that adventure is a choice to leave comfort behind and discover personal limits, whether in careers, relationships, or personal growth. Faith: Trust in the Unseen Faith is the compass guiding our journey, even amidst unseen challenges. For Mitch Lewandowski, faith was a lifeline through three critical life challenges, including a near-death experience with COVID. Emerging from his trials stronger, Mitch highlights how faith fuels perseverance, molding us for future challenges. His conviction that trials develop character echoes deeply as we navigate our own journeys. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Final Episode Announcement 01:17 The Pivot to Bold Journeys 02:30 Sneak Peek: Grit, Adventure, and Faith 03:05 Exploring Grit with Jay McBain 06:21 Adventures with Louise McEvoy 09:27 Faith and Perseverance with Mitch Lewandowski 12:22 Conclusion and Invitation to Bold Journeys THANK YOU! As we embark on “Bold Journeys,” I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our distinguished guests—Jay, Louise, and Mitch—for their inspiring narratives and insights. Thank you, too, to our devoted listeners who’ve been part of the Channel Journeys community and all of the guests who have shared their stories over the past 7 years. While bidding farewell to Channel Journeys, I invite you to join me on this new adventure. When it launches in January, subscribe, share, comment, and let’s be bold and courageous together. Thank you so much for being an integral part of the Channel Journeys adventure and for embracing the upcoming Bold Journeys. /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/39495875

10 Lessons from 7 Channel Champions - CJ181 11/29/2025

10 Lessons from 7 Channel Champions - CJ181 Host Rob Spee shares a tribute to 7 years of Channel Journeys with powerful clips from ten prior guests on this last episode as Rob transitions to Bold Journeys. Seven years ago, in December 2018, I launched Channel Journeys, on a mission to explore the stories behind the partnerships and partner leaders who shape our industry. My goal was to help all of us become better partnering professionals. Over the past 7 years, I’ve had so many incredible guests who’ve shared so much channel wisdom. This episode is a tribute to all of my guests who’ve joined me over the past 180 episodes. It’s a celebration of the voices that made this journey unforgettable. I enjoyed meeting all of my guests. And what I found getting to know them was often something deeper than their channel story. I heard stories of grit, grace, and transformation. And that’s where I’m being pulled, to dig more into those stories of perseverance, endurance and coming out of failure and challenges stronger than ever. Today, as I prepare to launch Bold Journeys, I want to pause and say thank you. Thank you to the guests who shared their wins and losses, challenges and successes. And thank you to all of you listeners who’ve joined me on this awesome journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS Here are the top 10 lessons from the distinguished guests featured in this episode: 1. Visionary Ecosystems – : Jay highlights the shift from transactional partnerships to transformational ecosystems. His insights remind us that modern channel programs are comprehensive ecosystems accommodating a diverse array of partnerships. 2. Agile Collaboration – : Rich’s metaphor of ‘seagull behavior’ in sales emphasizes the need to embrace a hybrid approach. Collaborating with partners is essential to overcoming classic sales challenges. 3. Relational Leadership – : Theresa’s belief in the exponential growth factor through trust and internal cultural transformation reshapes our approach to partnership growth. 4. Cultural Alignment – : Tim emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership around a shared vision before executing the mission. This cultural foundation drives successful channel outcomes. 5. Strategic Reinvention – : Raj teaches us that reinvention in channel strategy isn’t failure, but faith in motion. Building mind share and heart share within enterprises is essential. 6. Embracing Change – : Louise shows us how courageously embracing change leads to growth and innovation. Her insights inspire leaders to face risks head-on and learn from experiences. 7. Coachability – : Bart reminds us that being coachable is key to effective leadership. Collaboration and openness to learning facilitate stronger team dynamics. 8. Ecosystem Leadership – : Janet stresses targeting future-oriented connections to influence tomorrow’s behaviors, encouraging leaders to look beyond traditional networks. 9. AI Leadership – : Noel emphasizes the modern leader’s role in managing AI systems, highlighting clarity in communication and results-driven strategies in AI adoption. 10. Empowering Partners – : Jessica showcases how empowering partners with knowledge in AI and prompting skills enhances loyalty and trust, enriching partnership dynamics. Thank you for being a part of this journey and for contributing to its success. As we transition to Bold Journeys, we hope to delve into deeper stories of grit, adventure, and faith, drawing on all the invaluable lessons learned here. Until next time, be bold and have a great channel journey! /episode/index/show/8e35eaf0-971c-493c-9ffb-f2757cd361ca/id/39204320