What does it take to successfully pivot your career and create meaningful impact?

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Dustin sits down with Alex Waters, a leader in the San Diego startup community and a key force behind Program Labs, an organization that designs and operates entrepreneurship programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities.

Alex shares the unconventional path that took him from aspiring doctor to philosophy student and ultimately into the dynamic worlds of startups, EdTech, and nonprofit innovation. He reflects on pivotal moments, unexpected transitions, and the lessons learned from failure that shaped his approach to leadership, learning, and social impact.

Whether you are considering a career change, building a venture, or developing programs that matter, this conversation delivers practical insight you can apply right away.

In this episode, we cover:

• Navigating career pivots with confidence

• How philosophy influenced Alex’s leadership style

• Lessons from startup culture and the EdTech sector

• The importance of relationships in long-term success

• Learning from failure and building resilience

• Why constraints can fuel creativity

• The mission behind Program Labs

• Strategies for entrepreneurs building momentum

About Alex Waters: For more than 15 years, Alex has helped support early-stage founders, strengthen institutions, and advance social impact initiatives through thoughtfully designed entrepreneurship programs.

Learn more:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/watersalex/

Program Labs: https://www.theprogramlabs.org/

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In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Eric Kapitulik, founder of The Program, to unpack what it truly takes to build elite teams and durable leaders.

Eric shares his journey from military service to working with professional sports teams and corporations across North America. At the core of the conversation is a simple but demanding idea. Success comes from consistent hard work, personal accountability, and a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself.

We talk about lessons from high-performance environments, the difference between happiness and satisfaction, and how parenthood reshaped Eric’s leadership philosophy. This episode is a practical look at emotional resiliency, lifelong learning, and why taking 100% responsibility is the foundation of trust, culture, and long-term success.

Key Takeaways

-Success starts with defining who you want to become

-Hard work, sacrifice, and discipline never go out of style

-Listening to understand is more powerful than listening to respond

-Emotional resiliency protects relationships and performance

-Taking 100% responsibility accelerates personal growth

-Lifelong learning is a leadership requirement, not a bonus

-Parenthood changes how you view leadership and legacy

-Time management reflects your real priorities

Chapters

01:36 Introduction to Eric Kapitulik

03:16 The journey behind The Program

08:02 Defining success and personal growth

10:56 Lessons from high-performance environments

14:52 Happiness vs satisfaction

17:17 Parenthood and leadership evolution

21:15 Lifelong learning and curiosity

24:58 Emotional resiliency and accountability

29:03 Lessons from Coach Snyder

34:52 Regret, reflection, and moving forward

41:48 Subscribe and outro

More from Eric

🌐 https://theprogram.org/

📘 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119574307

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-program-llc/

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kapitulik-6996a048/

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Overcoming adversity changes everything.

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with marathon runner, author, and podcast host Bishoy Tadros to explore resilience, endurance sports, parenting, empathy, and personal growth.

Bishoy shares his powerful story of battling leukemia as a child and how that experience shaped his mindset, values, and lifelong commitment to pushing past limits. From hosting the Mile 40 podcasts, to writing his books (Break Barriers, Mile 40, Audacious) , to running marathons and raising children with intention, Bishoy explains what it really takes to do hard things without losing yourself.

We talk about endurance sports as a metaphor for life, how empathy is forged through struggle, and why stubbornness can actually be a strength when it is rooted in values. This conversation is about persistence, grace, and finding motivation from within.

Key Takeaways

• Childhood adversity can shape lifelong resilience
• “Break Barriers” is built through lived experience
• Endurance sports teach patience and discipline
• Writing helps unlock authenticity and self-discovery
• Empathy deepens through hardship
• Parenting is about modeling values, not just advice
• Stubbornness can become long-term commitment
• Motivation often comes from both pain and purpose
• Community plays a critical role in growth
• Personal evolution never really stops

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bishoy Tadros 00:52 Writing Break Barriers 09:12 Overcoming Adversity Through Endurance Sports 14:30 The Power of Sharing Personal Stories 19:09 Writing, Authenticity, and Self-Discovery 24:13 Relationships and Personal Transformation 26:39 Empathy Built Through Experience 31:26 Endurance Events and Mental Strength 32:34 Parenting With Purpose and Example 36:12 Stubbornness as Commitment to Values 39:35 Finding Motivation From Within 46:08 Outlasting Doubts and Hard Seasons

Follow Bishoy

https://www.bishoytadros.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/btadros/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCHvuxTTbSiOPkggBR5A2AFg https://www.instagram.com/bishoy_tadros/

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Building a company is hard. Building one with the right culture while scaling fast is even harder.

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with David Walker, Co-founder and CEO of Spara, to talk entrepreneurship, AI, sales, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts.

David shares how his early influences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, why his first startup experience was a turning point, and how intention matters when transitioning from school into building companies. We dig into the realities of scaling, hiring for culture, and the mistakes founders often make when growth starts to accelerate.

We also unpack Spara’s mission and how they are using AI to enhance sales conversations without replacing the human element. David makes a strong case for why humans will continue to play an outsized role in sales, even as AI agents become more capable.

Key Takeaways

• Entrepreneurship is shaped early, often before the first startup
• College can be valuable for networks, not just credentials
• First startup experiences change how founders think long-term
• Company culture must be intentional, especially during growth
• Hiring decisions define culture more than policies ever will
• AI should enhance sales, not eliminate human interaction
• Real-time conversations create better sales outcomes
• Founders must adapt quickly as technology evolves

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to David Walker and Spara

02:35 Entrepreneurial Roots and Early Influences

05:18 College, Networking, and Early Decisions

07:51 First Startup Lessons

10:29 Transitioning from School to Entrepreneurship

13:01 Lessons from Building a Real Estate Company

15:31 Scaling Challenges for Founders

18:28 Building and Maintaining Company Culture

20:41 Hiring for Culture

21:48 Mentorship and Learning Through Experience

24:11 Launching a New Venture

25:39 The Role of AI in Sales

30:00 Innovative Sales Strategies with AI

34:26 Transforming Customer Conversations

37:46 Future-Proofing Sales Teams

40:56 What’s Next for Spara

Sound Bites

• “Culture is driven by people, not just policies.”
• “You have to decide what you want your culture to be.”
• “Humans will play an outsized role in sales.”

Connect with David Walker

🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwalker4/

🌐 Spara https://www.spara.co/

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In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Mitch McDermott, founder of Talent Ascension, to unpack what is really happening in today’s job market and why so many candidates and companies feel stuck.

Mitch shares his unconventional journey from the car business to building a successful executive search firm, including a bold move to Australia that reshaped his career and worldview. Along the way, we dig into how recruiting has evolved, how AI is changing hiring, and why automation has stripped too much humanity out of the process.

We talk about:

• Why hiring has started to feel like dating apps
• How generational shifts are changing expectations at work
• The dangers of over-automating recruiting with AI
• Why companies should hire for potential, not just resumes
• How job seekers can stand out in a crowded, impersonal market
• What it really means to connect with candidates on a human level

This conversation is especially relevant if you are a job seeker, founder, executive, recruiter, or leader trying to hire better people in a rapidly changing market.

Key Takeaways

• Recruiting is about alignment, not just filling roles
• Different industries require different hiring strategies
• Hiring for potential matters more than checking boxes
• Generational shifts accelerated after COVID
• AI is powerful, but it can create unintended barriers
• Mindset, resilience, and accountability drive long-term success
• Relationships still beat algorithms in hiring

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mitch McDermott

02:17 From the Car Business to Australia

05:33 Breaking Into Executive Search

11:06 Recruitment Styles by Industry

13:48 Consulting Companies on Hiring Strategy

17:27 The Reverse Interview Process

20:34 Generational Shifts in the Job Market

22:29 In-Demand Skills Today

23:27 Changes in Sales Organizations

24:19 AI’s Role in Recruiting

27:51 Personal Growth and Inspiration

30:08 Mindset and Resiliency in Business

33:11 Accountability and Leadership

35:03 Books That Shape High Performers

38:41 Why the Job Search System Is Broken

41:16 Bringing Humanity Back to Hiring

Sound Bites

• “The job search system is broken.”
• “We lost the humanity in hiring.”
• “Hiring feels like dating apps now.”

Connect with Mitch McDermott

🌐 Website https://www.talentascension.com/

🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-mcdermott-ba409387/

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Subscribe for weekly conversations with leaders, founders, innovators, and creatives across industries.

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In this special 100th episode milestone, Dustin sits down with his 12-year-old son, Charlie Sutton, for a fun and insightful conversation about growing up, youth sports, public speaking, and the world kids navigate today.

Charlie reflects on how his early public speaking experiences in elementary school built his confidence and why he enjoys presenting ideas more than doing skits or dances. He talks about the friendships he’s made through youth sports, the teamwork lessons that shaped him, and how YouTube and streaming culture influence kids his age.

The conversation also opens up about real life challenges. Middle school nerves. Taking risks. Trying new things. And Charlie’s humorous but honest take on chores, responsibility, and what parents should probably not trust kids with.

It’s a lighthearted, thoughtful look at personal growth from a young perspective and a meaningful father son moment to celebrate 100 episodes.

Takeaways

• Public speaking started for Charlie in third grade and sparked a love for sharing ideas.
• Youth sports helped him grow through teamwork, friendships, and competing with confidence.
• He prefers giving presentations over performing skits or dances.
• Middle school brings new experiences he’s excited to explore.
• Meeting new people through sports has been one of his favorite parts of growing up.
• Taking risks matters because life is short and every chance teaches you something.
• Personal connections matter more than winning.
• He offers some playful advice for parents about chores: “Don't trust us.”

Sound Bites

• "Don't trust us."
• "I probably gonna forget."

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Milestones: The 100th Episode

05:39 Exploring Sports and Team Experiences

11:26 The Impact of YouTube and Streaming Culture

16:49 Anticipating Future Experiences

22:33 Reflections on Responsibility and Parenting

33:44 The Journey of Public Speaking and Confidence

39:07 Exploring Sports and Team Experiences

45:10 Life Lessons from Youth Sports

47:53 The Influence of YouTube and Streaming Culture

54:33 Looking Ahead: Aspirations and New Experiences

Follow Tools, Talents & Techniques

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📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DustinCSutton

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If you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment, share it with someone who would appreciate it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

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Music Provided By C€$ (Charlie Sutton!)

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In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Neil Soskin, a veteran in commercial real estate with nearly 40 years of experience as an advisor, coach, and leader. Neil shares his journey from CPA to trusted CRE advisor, opening up about the mentors, lessons, and mindset shifts that shaped his career. His approach blends the technical world of real estate with mindfulness, personal growth, and a deep commitment to meaningful relationships.

Neil reflects on the role spirituality and daily mindfulness have played in his life, how coaching became an extension of servant leadership, and why generational transitions in family businesses require patience, clarity, and intentional communication. He also talks openly about failure, identity, and why defining your personal vision is one of the most important investments you can make.

Walk away with insight into leadership, personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the importance of slowing down to become more effective in both business and life.

Takeaways

🏢 Nearly 40 years of commercial real estate experience

✨ Transitioned from CPA to CRE after guidance from a mentor

🤝 Relationships are the core of any successful real estate career

🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness and meditation help anchor daily decision making

Coaching is most impactful when grounded in servant leadership Generational transitions carry emotional and structural complexity

🗣️ Communication is key when navigating family business dynamics

Failure teaches powerful lessons when approached with awareness

🎯 Intentional vision setting supports personal and professional fulfillment

The journey of growth is as important as any outcome

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neil Soskin

02:05 Early Life and Career Beginnings

05:09 Transition from CPA to Commercial Real Estate

10:47 Tools, Talents, and Techniques in Leadership

12:03 Spiritual Awakening and Mindfulness

23:04 Coaching and Advising in Real Estate

25:31 Generational Transition in Family Businesses

27:33 Navigating Family Business Dynamics

32:39 The Importance of Relationships in Business

35:26 Lessons from Personal Experiences

38:07 Growth Through Discomfort

42:14 Redefining Failure and Identity

49:33 Vision and Intentionality in Life

Connect with Neil

🌐 Website: www.neilsoskin.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-soskin-29a0b835/

FOLLOW TOOLS, TALENTS & TECHNIQUES

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In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Kameshia L. Freeman, Senior Vice President at JLL and a nationally recognized leader in commercial real estate, government advisory, and organizational development. With more than two decades of federal service and an award-winning career in the private sector, Kameshia shares a powerful perspective on what it truly means to connect, lead, and create meaningful relationships across industries.

Kameshia breaks down the mindset shift required when transitioning from government to the private sector, emphasizing the importance of visibility, authenticity, and giving more than you expect to receive. She discusses her journey from the General Services Administration to JLL, the lessons that shaped her leadership style, and how building genuine connections continues to open doors—for herself and for others.

Listeners will gain insight into relationship-building, career development, and the strategic value of meaningful connections in both public and private sectors.

Takeaways

• Connecting is more powerful than traditional networking
• Networking often focuses on getting; connecting focuses on giving
• Relationships are incredibly important for long-term success
• Government roles rarely teach people how to network
• After leaving government, visibility becomes essential
• Strong relationships fuel career growth in the private sector
• Serving others is the foundation of true connection
• Visibility can elevate professional opportunities
• Leadership requires creating space and opportunities for others
• Your approach to networking evolves as your career evolves

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Kameshia Freeman
2. 03:43 Growing Up and Early Influences
3. 06:58 Education and Career Beginnings
4. 09:50 Navigating the Federal Government
5. 12:54 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate
6. 15:52 Leadership and Career Growth
7. 18:36 Challenges and Innovations in Government
8. 21:53 Building Relationships and Networking
9. 24:45 The Move to JLL and Insights from Government
10. 27:36 Creating Opportunities for Others
11. 30:49 Self-Care and Personal Growth
12. 33:42 Parting Wisdom and Final Thoughts
13. 43:29 SUBSCRIBE OUTRO

Connect with Kameshia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klfreeman/

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