This special episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast features Jeffrey Hunter, the visionary CEO, Founder, and Chairperson of Storyteller Overland. Dr. Rob McKenna is a proud owner of a Storyteller Stealth, giving listeners an intimate look at his personal "mode" and setting the stage for a deeply personal and insightful discussion. Jeffrey shares the origin story of Storyteller Overland, born from a desire to meet unmet needs in the van life community with high-quality, scalable production, allowing adventurers to "focus on the life aspects of van life" with confidence and a "circle of trust."

• Inspiring a "Live Free" Movement: At its core, Storyteller Overland is on a mission against a "broken timeline"—the tendency to defer dreams and adventures. Jeffrey’s leadership aims to empower people to "take the next step" and embrace a new version of themselves, confident in the gear and supported by a community that helps them explore farther and "not keep breaking their timeline." This mission-driven approach defines not only their product but their entire organizational purpose.
• Trust as the Governing Physics of Business: Jeffrey emphasizes that trust is not just a soft skill but the "governing physics" of enduring success, both within the organization and with its community. He advocates for measuring trust to create pathways for change and intentionally fostering authenticity, integrity, and commitment to shared values among a diverse team.
• Quantifying the Vibe: As Storyteller Overland scaled rapidly, Jeffrey and his team realized the need to "quantify the vibe." This means identifying measurable metrics for subjective feelings like community, confidence, and happiness to ensure that rapid growth doesn't sacrifice the core culture and values. Leaders must continually ensure the "vibe" is structurally, endemically, and consistently true.
• Product as a Vehicle for Purpose: The "mode" is intentionally designed not as conspicuous consumption, but as a "vehicle" for accessing and connecting with passions, people, and places. Jeffrey's personal journey of seeking permission to live a more adventurous life translated into products that help others "unlock the person they're wanting to go and do and be and become," making the product an extension of a greater mission.
• Continuous Improvement in All Aspects: From product design to personal leadership, Jeffrey champions continuous improvement. This includes not only refining vehicles but also continually working on personal growth and leadership capacity, recognizing that a relationship, whether with a team or a customer, is "not one and done."

This conversation offers invaluable lessons for leaders striving to build a thriving business rooted in trust, purpose, and a truly wild spirit of adventure.

• Watch on YouTube : https://youtu.be/Bohg3Lo75bA
• For more on the WiLD Trust Index visit : https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index
• For more on Storyteller Overland visit : https://www.storytelleroverland.com/

From Building Systems to Cultivating People: A Path to Trust and Growth

In this episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast, host Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Josh Wylie, President of Villara Building Systems, to reveal a leadership metaphor that reshapes how we think about influence: the builder and the gardener.

Great leaders must be both. Builders focus on visible structures—systems, strategies, and profits. Gardeners nurture what is unseen—the trust, relationships, and culture that make growth sustainable. Wylie shares how Villara Building Systems, a national leader in its industry, has built its mission around “building people, building trust, and building dreams.”

From leveraging the WiLD Trust Index to creating an in-house coaching program, Wylie demonstrates how leaders can systematize trust and invest in people holistically. This conversation is a blueprint for leading organizations with integrity, intentionality, and a relentless commitment to human flourishing.

• Be Both a Builder and a Gardener Success requires more than structures and systems. Leaders must also cultivate the “invisible” work of trust, culture, and relationships.
• Systematize Trust Trust isn’t a buzzword—it’s a discipline. Measure it, track it, and reinforce it with accountability, clear expectations, and consistent feedback.
• Invest in the Whole Person Villara’s in-house coaching program is proof that when employees grow personally and professionally, loyalty, ownership, and performance follow.
• Lead with Vulnerability In moments of pressure, honesty—even about uncertainty—builds trust and calms fear. Vulnerability creates credibility.
• Empower People to Own Their Plans Don’t just give answers. Ask better questions. When team members design their own development and commitments, their motivation and accountability multiply.

Patrick Lencioni, one of the most influential voices in organizational health together with Dr. Rob McKenna, dive deep to explore the heart of effective leadership—redefining success, reframing identity, and uncovering the surprising role of brokenness in shaping whole leaders.

This episode of The WiLD Conversation Podcast begins lightheartedly with pet peeves, but quickly moves into transformative insights on humility, trust, and the sacrificial nature of leadership.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

• Reframe Success from Performance to Wholeness Success isn’t about endless striving or achievement. Lencioni challenges the idea that high performance equals health, showing instead that true leadership comes from peace and wholeness, not fear or insecurity.
• Embrace Vulnerability as the Foundation of Trust Vulnerability isn’t trendy, it’s courageous. Trust is forged when leaders risk openness, admit mistakes, and allow others to see their imperfections. This creates authentic connection and psychological safety.
• Know Your Working Genius and Acknowledge Weaknesses Leaders don’t need to excel at everything. Lencioni’s Working Genius model helps identify where joy and energy come from while encouraging teams to complement each other’s strengths. Admitting what you’re not good at isn’t weakness—it’s humility and wisdom.
• Leadership is a Sacrificial Act Leadership isn’t about recognition or power. It’s about service—choosing difficulty and even suffering on behalf of others. Great leaders embrace this sacrificial posture for the sake of those they lead.

For more on The Table Group visit: https://www.tablegroup.com/

For more on The Working Genius visit: https://www.workinggenius.com/

For more on the WiLD Trust Index visit: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index

For more on WiLD Leaders Inc. visit: https://www.wildleaders.org/