Stop waiting until you’re "ready." Bevin Mahon (CEO of Dentaltech Group) did the opposite—and built Ireland’s largest dental provider for nursing homes.

In this episode of (un)conversations (S2 | E5), Dr. Alison sits down with Bevin to discuss her journey from "winging it" to leading a digital transformation that turned 4-hour technical headaches into 3-minute wins.

🔔 Follow (un)conversations on Spotify to never miss an episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xkI3Kg3e4VCUY5hXFGUaS?si=xUdMhFRrQyyR1wHbaIkWDQ&nd=1&dlsi=47c2f501c0f54948

Inside the Episode (The "WIIFM"):🚀 Stop Overthinking: Why saying "yes" before the "how" is a massive competitive advantage.🛠️ The "Stuck" Fix: A framework to use frustrations as a roadmap for your next pivot.✨ The 3-Minute Miracle: How to use digital shortcuts to collapse time and scale.📢 Panic-Proofing: High-frequency communication strategies for crisis leadership.

Timestamps:(01:15) Welcome Bevin Mahon(06:36) The "Winging It" Philosophy(33:13) Transforming a traditional family business(53:40) Mastering digital scanning: 4 hours to 3 minutes(01:11:37) Ask Dr. Alison

Connect with our Guest:Bevin Mahon: https://dentaltech.ie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevinmahon/

Connect with Dr. Alison:Work With Us: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageusLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

⭐ Love the show? Leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify! It helps more unconventional leaders find these conversations.

🎵 Music by DJ Doug Jackson: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

Former Nike VP Dirk Van Onsem reveals why the "Scaling" system is failing and how he moved from corporate burnout to regenerative leadership. 🌍

Are you stuck in a "scaling" trap that’s destroying your returns? Most leaders are trapped in a mindset that wastes talent and resources.

In this episode of (un)conventionally excellent, Dirk Van Onsem (founder of Beyonders Collective) shares his vulnerable transition through "The Unknowing" to build resilient, planet-positive communities.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 👧 The Daughter's Question: The moment a child’s question about climate change forced a Nike VP to quit.
• 🇧🇷 The Brazil Shift: Transitioning from European boardrooms to a biohub in Brazil.
• 👤 Shadow Leadership: Why the "perfect executive" image is a barrier to real innovation.
• 📉 The Scaling Myth: Why expanding large businesses is often the opposite of regeneration.
• ❓ Unassuming Leadership: Moving from "having answers" to "asking the right questions."
• 🌿 The Bioeconomy: How Dirk is building a Biohub in Mallorca to restore local ecosystems.
• 💰 Regenerative Finance: Prioritizing resilience over exit-based growth.

Timestamps:

00:00 – "We are running out of time"

03:00 – The “(UN)word” Effect: Personal leadership evolution

07:08 – Unassuming: Leading by asking questions

11:01– Traditional vs. Participatory Leadership

14:30– 25 Years of Nike Leadership Lessons

25:39– Walking Away: Leaving a global giant

28:45– Unknowing: Navigating burnout and the "empty space"

31:15– Applying Corporate Skills to Climate Action

52:10 – Building a Regenerative Business Ecosystem

55:10- The Challenges of Nature-Based Funding

01:01:00- Collaborative Purpose: Finding investors passionate about sustainability

01:07:18- The Critical Question: "What happens if we don’t do this?”

01:08:24- Starting Something New: ‘Our time is now.”

01:10:46 - Ask Dr. Alison: Guest Q&A

01:16:00- The (UN)wrap

Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt:

• Website: www.unconventionllc.com
• LinkedIn: Dr. Alison Schmidt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

Connect with Dirk Van Onsem:

• Website: Beyonders Collective
• LinkedIn: Dirk Van Onsem
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyonderscollective/

🎵 Special thanks to DJ Doug Jackson for the (un)conversations theme song.

What does it cost to lead at the highest level? Jess Bass Bolander (SVP at Lockton) joins Dr. Alison to discuss the "unhealed eight-year-old," the weight of leadership, and why staying at the table is the only way to impact change.

If this episode resonated with you, please Follow the show and Save this episode to your library.

In Season 2, Episode 3 of (un)conversations, we explore the mental load of high-stakes leadership. Jess shares her journey from a "scrappy" start in the insurance industry—pivoting from a path in law—to becoming a Senior Vice President. She reveals how childhood survival triggers show up in the C-suite and why emotional intelligence is a leader's most critical tool.

Topics Explored

• The (UN)word Effect: Exploring (UN)breakable, (UN)relenting, and (UN)afraid.

• Executive Leadership: Managing high-stakes responsibility and burnout.

• Women in the Workforce: Why we must stay in the game to move the needle.

• Mentorship & Advocacy: The power of having a champion in the room.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• Why "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."

• Navigating childhood survival triggers (The Unhealed 8-Year-Old) in the office.

• The transition from Law to Business: Lessons from a major career pivot.

• How to manage the mental load of executive decision-making.

• Real-world lessons on building trust-based cultures at Lockton.

Timestamps00:00:00 The Reality of Executive Pressure: Why Leadership Has Weight 00:00:02 Episode Teaser: Childhood memories and financial independence. 00:01:06 Introduction & Welcome: Jessica Bass Bolander, SVP of Lockton. 00:01:52 The (UN)word Effect: Reflecting on the leadership journey. 00:04:49 (UN)word #1: (UN)breakable – Overcoming childhood turbulence. 00:07:53 The Pivotal Moment at Age 13: A commitment to self-reliance. 00:09:10 Early Career Hustle: From waitress to SVP. 00:09:27 Leadership Philosophy: Treating everyone like a star. 00:12:01 (UN)word #2: (UN)relenting – Persistence in adversity. 00:15:18 Pivoting from Law to Business: The "scrappy" start in insurance. 00:29:43 (UN)word #3: (UN)afraid – Motherhood and career risk. 00:30:46 Balancing Executive Roles and Motherhood. 00:33:15 Building Culture at Lockton & with clients. 00:39:09 Mental Health in the Workplace: Breaking the taboo. 00:44:50 The "Unhealed Eight-Year-Old" in the Workplace. 00:46:30 Advocating for Women in the Workforce. 00:55:34 Ask Dr. Alison: Guest Q&A. 00:58:45 Final Thoughts: Defining your own success. 01:00:56 Closing Remarks & DFW Community Impact.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Alison Schmidt

Website: www.unconventionllc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

🔗 Connect with Jess Bass Bolander

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bass-bolander-63213114/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessbassbolander/

A special thank you to DJ Doug Jackson for composing and producing the official (un)conversations theme song: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

WATCH NEXT: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KPvkdKXs5bRRUZfjMAhCF?si=qwJK0__UROGReRUazlELeQ