{"id":978,"date":"2024-09-27T17:21:12","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T17:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/?page_id=978"},"modified":"2024-09-27T17:41:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T17:41:50","slug":"cultureproof-podcast","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/cultureproof-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"CultureProof Podcast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Cultureproof Leadership Podcast is where personal growth meets practical business know-how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join Sam Gembel as he shares the real-life leadership, business, and coaching lessons that take the guesswork out of running a successful company. Each episode is packed with empowering insights from Sam\u2019s entrepreneurial journey, offering you clear, actionable takeaways you can apply immediately to lead yourself and your team with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, build better habits, master time management, or develop a top-notch team, Sam\u2019s got you covered. Perfect for anyone in the landscaping or home service industry looking to level up and build a culture that lasts!<\/p>\n\n\n\t\r\n\t<div id=\"podcast-subscribe-button-975\" class=\"secondline-psb-radius-style secondline-psb-alignment-none\">\r\n\t\t\n\n<div class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-inline\"><span class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-Apple-Podcasts\"><a onMouseOver=\"this.style.color=`#ffffff`; this.style.backgroundColor=`#2a2a2a`\" onMouseOut=\"this.style.color=`#ffffff`; this.style.backgroundColor=`#000000`\" style=\"color:#ffffff; background-color:#000000\" class=\"button podcast-subscribe-button\" href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/cultureproof-with-sam-gembel\/id1770347352\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-img\" src=\"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/podcast-subscribe-buttons\/assets\/img\/icons\/Apple-Podcasts.svg\" alt=\"Apple Podcasts\" \/>Apple Podcasts<\/a><\/span><span class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-Spotify\"><a onMouseOver=\"this.style.color=`#ffffff`; this.style.backgroundColor=`#2a2a2a`\" onMouseOut=\"this.style.color=`#ffffff`; this.style.backgroundColor=`#000000`\" style=\"color:#ffffff; background-color:#000000\" class=\"button podcast-subscribe-button\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/1oOjkUI7p1Sp3SGYfPi3kZ?si=39591ddbcf494a9c\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-img\" src=\"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/podcast-subscribe-buttons\/assets\/img\/icons\/Spotify.svg\" alt=\"Spotify\" \/>Spotify<\/a><\/span><span class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-iHeartRadio\"><a onMouseOver=\"this.style.color=`#ffffff`; this.style.backgroundColor=`#2a2a2a`\" onMouseOut=\"this.style.color=`#ffffff`; this.style.backgroundColor=`#000000`\" style=\"color:#ffffff; background-color:#000000\" class=\"button podcast-subscribe-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iheart.com\/podcast\/269-cultureproof-with-sam-gemb-219763664\/?embed=true\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"secondline-psb-subscribe-img\" src=\"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/podcast-subscribe-buttons\/assets\/img\/icons\/iHeartRadio.svg\" alt=\"iHeartRadio\" \/>iHeartRadio<\/a><\/span><\/div>                                       \n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style>\n\t\t\t<div id=\"pp-podcast-7409\" class=\"pp-podcast has-header header-hidden has-featured playerview media-audio\"  data-teaser=\"\" data-elength=\"18\" data-eunit=\"\" data-ppsdata=\"{&quot;ppe-7409-1&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep16 &#8211; Navigating Leadership: The Hidden Trap of Success&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel discusses the often unspoken challenges of leadership, particularly the feeling of emptiness that can accompany success. He explores the concept of the moving goalpost in leadership, emphasizing that as leaders achieve their goals, new ones emerge, leading to a constant sense of incompleteness. Sam highlights the shift from being an operator to a builder, where leaders must learn to find fulfillment in developing others rather than just completing tasks. He provides actionable takeaways for leaders, including the importance of creating short-term wins, building personal finish lines, and scheduling recharge time to prevent burnout. Ultimately, he stresses that success without a sense of completion can lead to dissatisfaction and urges leaders to celebrate their progress and achievements. Get the notepad ready!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;February 23, 2026&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18733863-ep16-navigating-leadership-the-hidden-trap-of-success.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18733863-ep16-navigating-leadership-the-hidden-trap-of-success.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;46:06&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1771873200,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;8fb276fc5014414738bf9f70a6606326&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-2&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep15 &#8211; Right Person. Right Seat. Everything Changes.&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;**Bonus inside**&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;In episode 15 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel sits down with serial entrepreneur and operator Brandon Vaughn to tackle one of the biggest growth constraints in business: people in the wrong seats in our organizations.\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Together, they unpack why most hiring problems aren\\u2019t talent issues &#8211; but expectation, alignment, and leadership clarity issues. From paycheck-driven vs. mission-driven employees to defining what an A-player actually looks like by role, this conversation gives owners and leaders a practical framework for building stronger teams and healthier culture.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Brandon shares real-world insights from scaling companies, using performance reviews effectively, and leveraging tools like HireBus to improve recruitment, onboarding, and employee development. They also dig into the real cost of keeping the wrong people too long, when underperformance is actually a leadership issue, and how the \\u201cFirst Who, Then What\\u201d mindset changes everything.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;If you\\u2019re serious about leadership, hiring, team building, and organizational growth &#8211; this episode will challenge how you think about people decisions. Buckle up!\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Brandon also has a special offer for our Cultureproof community which you can find here\\u2026&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&#039;https:\\\/\\\/hirebus.com\\\/cultureproof&#039;&gt;https:\\\/\\\/hirebus.com\\\/cultureproof&lt;\\\/a&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&#039;https:\\\/\\\/bit.ly\\\/culture-proof-growth&#039;&gt;https:\\\/\\\/bit.ly\\\/culture-proof-growth&lt;\\\/a&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;January 17, 2026&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18522166-ep15-right-person-right-seat-everything-changes.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18522166-ep15-right-person-right-seat-everything-changes.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:0,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:13:44&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1768611600,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;f2a08f75c739845b836f592daba08903&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-3&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep14 &#8211; People First, Then Processes&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;As we close the door on 2025 and look ahead to a new year, this episode asks a question every leader has to answer &#8211; whether they realize it or not:&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;What are you choosing to focus on first\\u2026 people or processes?&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;In Episode 14 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel digs into a tension most leaders feel but rarely articulate. When things feel messy, inefficient, or frustrating, our instinct is often to fix the process. But what if the real issue isn\\u2019t the system at all?&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;This episode challenges the idea that better processes automatically create better outcomes. Sam unpacks why most \\u201cprocess problems\\u201d are actually people problems in disguise &#8211; and why caring deeply about your people can feel exhausting, misunderstood, and even risky as a leader.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;You\\u2019ll hear why compassion is often mistaken for passivity, why AI can build workflows but not leaders, and why culture is formed in conversations &#8211; not binders, SOPs, or software. As we step into a new year, this is a moment of reflection: who is better because of your leadership?&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;As you plan for what\\u2019s next, this episode invites you to decide what comes first &#8211; building tighter systems, or developing stronger people. Because when you get the people right, the processes tend to follow.&lt;\\\/p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;December 23, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18407587-ep14-people-first-then-processes.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18407587-ep14-people-first-then-processes.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;38:00&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1766516400,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;70233b1992d0cd96e633d1f54891b3a8&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-4&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep13: Leading From The Middle &#8211; Influencing Up &amp; Influencing Down&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel breaks down one of the most overlooked &#8211; and most powerful positions in any organization: the middle leader. Forget titles. Forget hierarchy. Leadership is about influence, and the people in the middle carry more influence than they often realize.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Sam dives deep into what it really means to lead from the middle, how middle leaders serve as the bridge between ownership and the field, and why the overall health of a company lives or dies by the strength of its middle leadership team.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;You\\u2019ll learn how to influence up by bringing solutions, vision, and clarity to the owner &#8211; and how to influence down by setting the tone, lifting standards, and shaping how your team feels under your leadership. Sam also unpacks the challenges middle leaders face, the traps they fall into, and the practical habits that separate true leaders from people simply holding a position.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;From championing culture, to training their replacements, to becoming the kind of leader A-players want to follow &#8211; this episode is a blueprint for anyone who wants to expand their impact, regardless of their title.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;If you\\u2019re in the middle, this one\\u2019s for you: you are already leading, now it\\u2019s time to lead well.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Get those notepads ready!&lt;\\\/p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;November 26, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18260187-ep13-leading-from-the-middle-influencing-up-influencing-down.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/18260187-ep13-leading-from-the-middle-influencing-up-influencing-down.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;54:29&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1764190800,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;32bba4ff6947c097b4db57f0abe45716&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-5&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;EP12: \\u201cStepping Back to Lead Forward W\\\/ Greg \\u2018The Pond Guy\\u2019 Wittstock&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;This episode of the Cultureproof Podcast is a powerhouse conversation on leadership, culture, and building a team that thrives &#8211; and it just so happens to mark the 1-year anniversary since we launched the podcast!\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Greg Wittstock breaks down the early days of his pond building and vlogging journey, how he started sharing the day-to-day of the jobsite, and what it taught him about leadership in real time.\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;We dive into the moment he made the bold decision to step off the jobsite, fully trusting his foreman to take the lead &#8211; even when the projects were messy, chaotic, or downright horrendous! Greg also shares his approach to leading as a CEO today, how he cultivates a strong company culture, and why empowering others is the KEY to growth.\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to level up their leadership, build trust in their team, and create a culture where people thrive.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;September 30, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17934182-ep12-stepping-back-to-lead-forward-w-greg-the-pond-guy-wittstock.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17934182-ep12-stepping-back-to-lead-forward-w-greg-the-pond-guy-wittstock.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:2,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:12:49&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1759258800,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;1e8b3ffc6708c979dc92747b0de41767&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-6&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;EP11: Marriage &amp; Business: How to Grow Rich in Life W\\\/ guest Dr. Travis Parry&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In Episode 11 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel sits down with Dr. Travis Parry, the bestselling author of Marry and Grow Rich and founder of the Make Time Institute. Dr. Parry shares his groundbreaking insights on how personal growth, shared vision, and a balanced marriage can fuel both business success and family harmony.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0Dr. Parry brings a unique perspective on how couples can work together to grow their businesses while nurturing their relationships. They dive deep into the importance of aligning values, supporting each other&amp;apos;s personal growth, and the power of communication to overcome adversity &#8211; both in marriage and in business.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0Dr. Parry discusses how shared goals &#8211; financial, personal, and spiritual, can help couples navigate life&amp;apos;s challenges and come out stronger. He also highlights the importance of inspiring rather than requiring your children to follow in your footsteps, offering a powerful example of how he\\u2019s leading his eight children.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0This episode is packed with actionable advice, personal stories, and the wisdom of a seasoned leader who\\u2019s learned how to balance business, family, and faith.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0Whether you&amp;apos;re navigating the complexities of marriage, business, or both, this episode will equip you with the tools to grow rich &#8211; relationally, spiritually, and financially!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Cheers!\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;August 18, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17689980-ep11-marriage-business-how-to-grow-rich-in-life-w-guest-dr-travis-parry.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17689980-ep11-marriage-business-how-to-grow-rich-in-life-w-guest-dr-travis-parry.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;58:46&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1755532800,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;956cef0d26a28c5b0787324023550446&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-7&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep10: Battlefield of the Mind W\\\/ Guest Josh Latimer&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In this power-packed episode, Sam sits down with Josh Latimer to unpack the real war every entrepreneur must win &#8211; the battle of the mind!&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0From a trailer park beginning to selling multiple businesses, including Conquer, Josh shares his raw and honest journey of entrepreneurial growth, mindset shifts, and redefining identity beyond success. Together, they reflect on how their paths crossed through Conquer, the value of accountability groups, and why some of the most impactful business growth happens in small, deeply connected circles.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0Josh dives into the evolution from an &#8221;orphan mindset&#8221; to an ownership mentality, sharing lessons learned from mentors like Myron Golden and his own experiences scaling businesses. They explore how subconscious beliefs shape actions, why identity determines success, and how self-sabotage shows up when business owners let their bank account balance dictate their worth.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0Sam opens up about his own discomfort with the CEO label and the tension between business success and personal identity &#8211; leading to a rich dialogue on legacy, leadership, and truth practices that reset your mindset daily.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0This episode is for the entrepreneurs and leaders who know the biggest obstacle isn\\u2019t the market &#8211; it\\u2019s the mirror! Get those notepads ready!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;July 8, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17472207-ep10-battlefield-of-the-mind-w-guest-josh-latimer.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17472207-ep10-battlefield-of-the-mind-w-guest-josh-latimer.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:20:07&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1752001200,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;ddf02567b3a52e54f91701d847efc16f&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-8&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep9: Learn My ABC&#8217;s &#8211; Attracting, Recruiting, and Retaining A Players&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Ready to build an unstoppable team? In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel dives deep into what it really takes to attract, recruit, and retain A players &#8211; the kind of talent that will elevate your organization to new heights. You\\u2019ll learn how to identify A, B, and C players on your team and why settling for anything less than an A player is holding your business back.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0Sam challenges you to look at your leadership and ask, \\u201cAre you an A Leader?\\u201d If you want a team of high performers, you need to step up and lead like one. This episode will push you to rethink your approach to hiring, leadership, and creating a culture where A players thrive.&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0&lt;br \\\/&gt;\\u00a0If you\\u2019re ready to disrupt the comfort and build a powerhouse team, hit play now!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;June 10, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17314401-ep9-learn-my-abc-s-attracting-recruiting-and-retaining-a-players.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17314401-ep9-learn-my-abc-s-attracting-recruiting-and-retaining-a-players.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;43:45&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1749578400,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;53b1fc9daa4b9e70c0b2b2afc7060aa9&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-9&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep8: Breaking Free From The Blame\\\/Shift\\\/Trap&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In this no-fluff episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel drops a leadership truth bomb: It\\u2019s not the economy. It\\u2019s not the employees. It\\u2019s you!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;If you&amp;apos;re stuck in cycles of frustration, venting on social media, blaming the market or your team &#8211; it&amp;apos;s time for a gut check. Sam dives deep into the most common traps leaders fall into: The blame game, the lowballer excuse, and the \\u201cnobody wants to work\\u201d narrative.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;You\\u2019ll learn how to shift from victim to victor, rebuild a mindset rooted in ownership, and create a company culture that top talent wants to be part of.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;The episode wraps with a bold call to action &#8211; one that will challenge you to look in the mirror and ask: Where am I shifting blame when I should be taking ownership?&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Because the truth is simple: You can blame or you can build &#8211; but you can\\u2019t do both.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Get those notepads ready!&lt;\\\/p&gt;&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;April 22, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17021098-ep8-breaking-free-from-the-blame-shift-trap.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/17021098-ep8-breaking-free-from-the-blame-shift-trap.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:0,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;48:48&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1745334000,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;c0771dd48114233945ea962b29737e3d&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-10&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Ep7: How To Have Your Best Year Yet W\\\/ Guest &#8211; Tommy Mello&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Welcome to this power-packed episode of the Cultureproof Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Tommy Mello, the dynamic owner of A1 Garage Door, a true leader in the home service industry. Tommy brings boundless energy and invaluable insights to the table as we dive into how he scaled his business from the ground up, beginning all the way back with his entrepreneurial roots in landscaping.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Get ready to be inspired as Tommy shares his journey, from early lessons of startup, to scaling A1 Garage Door into a $200+Million dollar operation! We talk about everything from the importance of setting up your year for success, to the role health and fitness play in peak leadership performance, and how investing in people has been key to his company\\u2019s success.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;You&amp;apos;ll hear Tommy\\u2019s thoughts on building a winning team, elevating sales performance, and implementing systems that not only sustain but scale a business. He also reveals the leadership principles that have guided him through challenges and triumphs alike.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;In this episode, you\\u2019ll takeaway\\u2026&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;ol&gt;\\n&lt;li&gt;Why leadership is about influence and vision.&lt;\\\/li&gt;\\n&lt;li&gt;How to structure your year for success.&lt;\\\/li&gt;\\n&lt;li&gt;The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.&lt;\\\/li&gt;\\n&lt;li&gt;And so much more\\u2026&lt;\\\/li&gt;\\n&lt;\\\/ol&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Plus, stick around for a lightning round of fun and rapid-fire questions with Tommy at the end.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Whether you\\u2019re an entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone just starting your journey, Tommy\\u2019s wisdom will leave you fired up and ready to make this your best year yet.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Don\\u2019t miss out &#8211; listen now and join us for an inspiring conversation with one of the home service industry\\u2019s TOP leaders!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;March 12, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16782688-ep7-how-to-have-your-best-year-yet-w-guest-tommy-mello.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16782688-ep7-how-to-have-your-best-year-yet-w-guest-tommy-mello.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:04:22&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1741820400,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;8d9089b5af82c43e05f969cefb8636cd&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-11&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof Ep6: Building a High Performance Team in Your Landscape Business W\\\/ Guest &#8211; Marty Grunder&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;What does it take to build a high-performance team in the landscape industry? In this episode, I sit down with Marty Grunder, founder of Grunder Landscaping and The Grow Group, to break down the mindset, leadership strategies, and systems that drive success in the green industry. Marty shares his journey from pushmowing as a young entrepreneur to leading a multimillion-dollar landscape business and coaching top industry leaders. We hit on the lessons that shaped his approach to scaling a business, developing leaders, and creating a culture of accountability. ***Spoiler alert*** I got goosebumps when Marty shares the best life &amp; leadership advice he\\u2019s ever received! This episode is packed with tactical leadership wisdom for landscape business owners looking to level up themselves, their teams, be a better leader for their family and build a company that runs without them having to do it all themselves! LET&amp;apos;S GO!\\u00a0&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;February 5, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16569505-cultureproof-ep6-building-a-high-performance-team-in-your-landscape-business-w-guest-marty-grunder.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16569505-cultureproof-ep6-building-a-high-performance-team-in-your-landscape-business-w-guest-marty-grunder.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:00:01&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1738771200,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;dca58086e81a1b4d3f5b51be21f678bb&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-12&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof Ep1: The Difference Between Leading and Managing&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;EP1 revolves around the differences between leading and managing a business. While it might seem like they&amp;apos;re both the same, they&amp;apos;re actually VASTLY different! Check out how!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;January 17, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/15781771-cultureproof-ep1-the-difference-between-leading-and-managing.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/15781771-cultureproof-ep1-the-difference-between-leading-and-managing.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;53:37&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1737136800,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;65391055fb1efbb03018e8d6cb3eb423&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-13&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof Ep2: What IS &#8220;Cultureproof&#8221;??&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;On EP2 Sam dives into the origins of the term &#8221;Cultureproof&#8221; and explains how it applies to creating a resilient, thriving company culture. You&amp;apos;ll learn valuable insights and actionable strategies to safeguard your organization from internal and external threats, ensuring a strong, unified culture that can withstand challenges. Whether you&amp;apos;re leading a small team or a large organization, these takeaways will help you start building a culture that supports long-term success. Tune in to discover how you can &#8221;Cultureproof&#8221; your business today!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;January 17, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/15882143-cultureproof-ep2-what-is-cultureproof.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/15882143-cultureproof-ep2-what-is-cultureproof.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;56:01&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1737136800,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;8a7e7d9657b82a0d4f619e37c6bf7c9e&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-14&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof Ep5: Breaking Out of Complacency \\u2013 Operational Fat vs. Strategic Growth&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In this game-changing episode, we\\u2019re joined by the incredible Jerry Schill, founder of Schill Grounds Maintenance &#8211; one of the Top 25 largest landscape companies in the U.S. With over 32 Years in the industry, Jerry has built a full-service maintenance and snow company that operates in 30 locations across 7 states (and even Ontario, Canada), employs over 1,600 team members, and generates $100+ million in annual revenue!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;We dive deep into the mindset and strategies behind getting lean, breaking free from complacency, and fueling strategic growth in your business. Jerry shares powerful insights on thinking differently as a leader, taking decisive action, and the steps you can take today to level up.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Whether you&amp;apos;re feeling stuck or striving to refine your operations, grab your notepad because this episode is packed with actionable wisdom to help you achieve your next breakthrough.&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;January 15, 2025&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16443958-cultureproof-ep5-breaking-out-of-complacency-operational-fat-vs-strategic-growth.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16443958-cultureproof-ep5-breaking-out-of-complacency-operational-fat-vs-strategic-growth.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:06:21&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1736967600,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;f96e47599b68cfd9d97b797c704e9214&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-15&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof Ep4: Stewarding Faith in Business&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;On Ep4 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam dives into his personal faith journey and shares how God has consistently shown up in the business world, guiding us through both triumphs and challenges. He explores how you can integrate your faith into your organization in a way that honors God while respecting the diverse perspectives of your employees and clients. With practical takeaways, you&amp;apos;ll learn how to model the teachings of Jesus in your leadership and daily operations, creating a workplace culture that reflects your values without alienating others. Tune in for insights on becoming a faith-driven leader who positively influences both your business and those you serve!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;December 16, 2024&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16288981-cultureproof-ep4-stewarding-faith-in-business.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16288981-cultureproof-ep4-stewarding-faith-in-business.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;59:57&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1734372000,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;a45a60b6f4e4b522e55a1ce000934f70&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;ppe-7409-16&quot;:{&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof Ep3: Comfort &#8211; The Enemy of Progress&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;On Ep3, Sam dives into the power of stepping outside of your comfort zone with two incredible industry leaders: Kory Ballard from Ballard Products and LeRoy Mains from Brilliant Borders. Both Kory and LeRoy share their personal journeys of growth, transformation, and the mindset shifts that have propelled them to new levels of success. We explore how embracing discomfort leads to breakthroughs, how to overcome the fear of failure, and the lessons they\\u2019ve learned along the way. Whether you\\u2019re a business owner, leader, or someone striving for personal development, this episode offers valuable insights on how to push through self-imposed limits and take bold steps towards your next big breakthrough. Listen in for powerful stories, actionable advice, and a fresh perspective on what it really takes to grow beyond the familiar!&lt;\\\/p&gt;\\n&quot;,&quot;author&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;November 14, 2024&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16102950-cultureproof-ep3-comfort-the-enemy-of-progress.mp3&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.buzzsprout.com\\\/2405979\\\/episodes\\\/16102950-cultureproof-ep3-comfort-the-enemy-of-progress.mp3&quot;,&quot;featured&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;featured_id&quot;:0,&quot;mediatype&quot;:&quot;audio&quot;,&quot;season&quot;:1,&quot;categories&quot;:[],&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;01:04:40&quot;,&quot;episodetype&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;timestamp&quot;:1731542400,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;14fd0c9c2339b401bbcfc86eca4affc9&quot;,&quot;fset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fratio&quot;:1},&quot;load_info&quot;:{&quot;loaded&quot;:16,&quot;displayed&quot;:10,&quot;offset&quot;:0,&quot;maxItems&quot;:16,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;65918b96fd46cc22f675daaca054f145&quot;,&quot;step&quot;:10,&quot;sortby&quot;:&quot;sort_date_desc&quot;,&quot;filterby&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;fixed&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;args&quot;:{&quot;imgurl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;imgset&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;display&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;hddesc&quot;:0,&quot;hdfeat&quot;:0,&quot;oricov&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/storage.buzzsprout.com\\\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg&quot;,&quot;elength&quot;:18}},&quot;rdata&quot;:{&quot;permalink&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/samgembel.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-json\\\/wp\\\/v2\\\/pages\\\/978&quot;,&quot;fprint&quot;:&quot;65918b96fd46cc22f675daaca054f145&quot;,&quot;from&quot;:&quot;feedurl&quot;,&quot;elen&quot;:18,&quot;eunit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;teaser&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cultureproof with Sam Gembel&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}\"><div class=\"pp-podcast__wrapper\"><div class=\"pp-podcast__info pod-info\"><div class=\"pod-info__header pod-header\"><div class=\"pod-header__image\"><div class=\"pod-header__image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"podcast-cover-image\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.buzzsprout.com\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 25vw\" alt=\"Cultureproof with Sam Gembel\"><\/div><span class=\"pod-header__image-style\" style=\"display: block; width: 100%; padding-top: 100%\"><\/div><div class=\"pod-header__items pod-items\"><div class=\"pod-items__title\">Cultureproof with Sam Gembel<\/div><div class=\"pod-items__desc\"><p>The Cultureproof Leadership Podcast is where personal growth meets practical business know-how. Join Sam Gembel as he shares the real-life leadership, business, and coaching lessons that take the guesswork out of running a successful company. Each episode is packed with empowering insights from Sam\u2019s entrepreneurial journey, offering you clear, actionable takeaways you can apply immediately to lead yourself and your team with confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, build better habits, master time management, or develop a top-notch team, Sam\u2019s got you covered. Perfect for anyone in the landscaping or home service industry looking to level up and build a culture that lasts!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pp-podcast__content pod-content\"><div class=\"pp-podcast__single\"><div class=\"pp-podcast__player\"><div class=\"pp-player-episode\"><audio id=\"pp-podcast-7409-player\" preload=\"none\" class=\"pp-podcast-episode\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/18733863-ep16-navigating-leadership-the-hidden-trap-of-success.mp3\" \/><\/audio><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pod-content__episode episode-single\"><button class=\"episode-single__close\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Close Single Episode\"><span class=\"btn-icon-wrap\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-x\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-x\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-x\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/button><div class=\"episode-single__wrapper\"><div class=\"episode-single__header\"><div class=\"episode-single__title\">Ep16 &#8211; Navigating Leadership: The Hidden Trap of Success<\/div><div class=\"episode-single__author\"><span class=\"byname\">by<\/span><span class=\"single-author\">Cultureproof<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"episode-single__description\"><p>In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel discusses the often unspoken challenges of leadership, particularly the feeling of emptiness that can accompany success. He explores the concept of the moving goalpost in leadership, emphasizing that as leaders achieve their goals, new ones emerge, leading to a constant sense of incompleteness. Sam highlights the shift from being an operator to a builder, where leaders must learn to find fulfillment in developing others rather than just completing tasks. He provides actionable takeaways for leaders, including the importance of creating short-term wins, building personal finish lines, and scheduling recharge time to prevent burnout. Ultimately, he stresses that success without a sense of completion can lead to dissatisfaction and urges leaders to celebrate their progress and achievements. Get the notepad ready!<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ppjs__img-wrapper \"><div class=\"ppjs__img-btn-cover\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ppjs__img-btn\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.buzzsprout.com\/ey77gaos9s4wikiuaxou9p34c3ba?.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 300px\" alt=\"Ep16 &#8211; Navigating Leadership: The Hidden Trap of Success\"><\/div><span class=\"ppjs__img-btn-style\" style=\"display: block; width: 100%; padding-top: 100%\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pod-content__list episode-list\"><div class=\"episode-list__filters\"><div class=\"episode-list__search\"><label class=\"label-episode-search\"><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Search Episodes<\/span><input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search Episodes\" title=\"Search Podcast Episodes\"\/><\/label><span class=\"episode-list__search-icon\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-search\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-search\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-search\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/div><button class=\"episode-list__clear-search pod-button\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-x\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-x\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-x\"><\/use><\/svg><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Clear Search<\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"episode-list__wrapper\">\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-1\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep16 &#8211; navigating leadership: the hidden trap of success\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/18733863-ep16-navigating-leadership-the-hidden-trap-of-success.mp3\">Ep16 &#8211; Navigating Leadership: The Hidden Trap of Success<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">February 23, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-2\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep15 &#8211; right person. right seat. everything changes.\" data-cats=\"\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/18522166-ep15-right-person-right-seat-everything-changes.mp3\">Ep15 &#8211; Right Person. Right Seat. Everything Changes.<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">January 17, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-3\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep14 &#8211; people first, then processes\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/18407587-ep14-people-first-then-processes.mp3\">Ep14 &#8211; People First, Then Processes<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">December 23, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-4\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep13: leading from the middle &#8211; influencing up &amp; influencing down\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/18260187-ep13-leading-from-the-middle-influencing-up-influencing-down.mp3\">Ep13: Leading From The Middle &#8211; Influencing Up &amp; Influencing Down<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">November 26, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-5\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep12: \u201cstepping back to lead forward w\/ greg \u2018the pond guy\u2019 wittstock\" data-cats=\"s-2\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/17934182-ep12-stepping-back-to-lead-forward-w-greg-the-pond-guy-wittstock.mp3\">EP12: \u201cStepping Back to Lead Forward W\/ Greg \u2018The Pond Guy\u2019 Wittstock<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">September 30, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-6\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep11: marriage &amp; business: how to grow rich in life w\/ guest dr. travis parry\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/17689980-ep11-marriage-business-how-to-grow-rich-in-life-w-guest-dr-travis-parry.mp3\">EP11: Marriage &amp; Business: How to Grow Rich in Life W\/ guest Dr. Travis Parry<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">August 18, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-7\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep10: battlefield of the mind w\/ guest josh latimer\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/17472207-ep10-battlefield-of-the-mind-w-guest-josh-latimer.mp3\">Ep10: Battlefield of the Mind W\/ Guest Josh Latimer<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">July 8, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-8\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep9: learn my abc&#8217;s &#8211; attracting, recruiting, and retaining a players\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/17314401-ep9-learn-my-abc-s-attracting-recruiting-and-retaining-a-players.mp3\">Ep9: Learn My ABC&#8217;s &#8211; Attracting, Recruiting, and Retaining A Players<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">June 10, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-9\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep8: breaking free from the blame\/shift\/trap\" data-cats=\"\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/17021098-ep8-breaking-free-from-the-blame-shift-trap.mp3\">Ep8: Breaking Free From The Blame\/Shift\/Trap<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">April 22, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ppe-7409-10\" class=\"episode-list__entry pod-entry\" data-search-term=\"ep7: how to have your best year yet w\/ guest &#8211; tommy mello\" data-cats=\"s-1\">\n\t<div class=\"pod-entry__wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2405979\/episodes\/16782688-ep7-how-to-have-your-best-year-yet-w-guest-tommy-mello.mp3\">Ep7: How To Have Your Best Year Yet W\/ Guest &#8211; Tommy Mello<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__date\">March 12, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pod-entry__author\">Cultureproof<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"lm-button-wrapper\"><button class=\"episode-list__load-more\"><span>Load More<\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"episode-list__search-results episode-search\"><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Search Results placeholder<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ppjs__list-reveal\"><div class=\"ppjs__button\"><button class=\"pp-prev-btn\"><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Previous Episode<\/span><span class=\"btn-icon-wrap\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-previous\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-previous\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-previous\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"ppjs__button\"><button class=\"pp-list-btn\"><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Show Episodes List<\/span><span class=\"btn-icon-wrap\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-show-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-show-list\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-show-list\"><\/use><\/svg><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-hide-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-hide-list\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-hide-list\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"ppjs__button\"><button class=\"pp-next-btn\"><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Next Episode<\/span><span class=\"btn-icon-wrap\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-next\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-next\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-next\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pod-content__launcher pod-launch\"><button class=\"pod-launch__button pod-launch__info pod-button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"ppjs__offscreen\">Show Podcast Information<\/span><span class=\"btn-icon-wrap\"><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-podcast\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-podcast\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-podcast\"><\/use><\/svg><svg class=\"icon icon-pp-x\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\" focusable=\"false\"><use href=\"#icon-pp-x\" xlink:href=\"#icon-pp-x\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Cultureproof Leadership Podcast is where personal growth meets practical business know-how. Join Sam Gembel as he shares the real-life leadership, business, and coaching lessons that take the guesswork out of running a successful company. Each episode is packed with empowering insights from Sam\u2019s entrepreneurial journey, offering you clear, actionable takeaways you can apply immediately &#8230; <a title=\"CultureProof Podcast\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/cultureproof-podcast\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about CultureProof Podcast\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-978","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=978"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":984,"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/978\/revisions\/984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samgembel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}