Bold Journeys Podcast

Bold Journeys is a faith-based podcast for people navigating challenge, change, or reinvention. We share real stories from people who have endured deep trials or undertaken extraordinary adventures — and emerged stronger. Hosted by Rob Spee, a former global high-tech executive and devoted Christian, each episode explores grit, adventure, and faith through honest conversations about the challenges our guests have faced and the wisdom they’ve gained. If you’re coping with loss or uncertainty — or seeking a more grounded, authentic, and purposeful life — this podcast exists to remind you that you are not alone, and that joy and meaning can be found on the other side of suffering.

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