Soar Higher With Jason Ballard

E98: Be Confident in Being Unique with Andrew Hall

There is no one who can be better at being you than you.
 
On this week's podcast Jason is joined by Andrew Hall, cofounder of No Story Lost. Together they discuss Andrew's journey from working at a global company to starting a nonprofit to co-finding No Story Lost. Don't wait until it's too late to document the lives of your loved ones!
 
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
 Website: www.nostorylost.com   

E97: AI Bootcamp w/ Chuck Leblo

People perform at their best when they have been trained. Why would AI be any different?
 
This week’s episode is for business leaders who are curious about - or frustrated with - AI technology. Today’s guest, Chuck Leblo, helps create continuous training regimens for the programs that have become mainstays in the business world. Tuning AI to meet the specific needs of his clients is what Chuck does, and this week, we talk about why it may be right for your business. All this, plus:
Jason and Chuck both served in the military, and both talk about how the experience has informed their lives and careers.
According to Chuck, most business owners aren’t aware of the true problems they face, and thus only treat the solutions. We talk about how to fix that.
What exactly does the advent of AI mean for your business? We break it down.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
AskInteract Website: https://www.askinteract.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.leblo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckleblo/

E96: How to Earn Media w/ Mickie Kennedy

How does your product get noticed by the New York Times? According to Mickie Kennedy, the secret is not buying media, but earning it.
 
This week, we talk about the subtle art of press releases with expert Mickie Kennedy. Mickie helps business leaders create press releases that get noticed, and picked up, by journalists. If all goes well, this process results in leaders and their products finding a new, national audience. 
 
But, as always, not everyone makes it big. How the most successful get noticed, and how you can leverage this low-cost PR strategy for yourself, is all broken down in today’s episode. All this, plus:
Mickie’s started PR in the early days of bloggers breaking into AP wires. He talks about what has changed - and what he sees as enduring - in PR.
You don’t need to be Shakespeare to craft a decent presser. Mickie talks about the one ingredient that can make a middling press release go viral.
What can you expect from this strategy, and will it be right for your business? Mickie talks about who benefits, and how, from this unique form of advertising.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.ereleases.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ereleases
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/

E95: Leader's Edge w/ HR Huntsman

No, HR Huntsman does not make widgets. And, for his clients, that's a good thing.
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason is joined by HR, a leadership maverick and coach, to talk about the perspective and self-awareness it takes to be an effective leader. Big takeaways include:
Wisdom from experience? HR disagrees, and shares what he feels is the missing ingredient in that formula.
JR shares details of his past, and what motivated him to seek a better life for himself as a young man.
What is the key to accommodating younger employees? HR gives his insights on hiring and retaining young talent.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://yourleadersedge.com/

E94: Uncommon Valor w/ Brent Casey

This episode is intense, folks. Today's conversation contains difficult subjects, including PTSD, substance abuse, accounts of combat, and more. Discretion is advised.
Today, Coach Jason is joined by Brent Casey, co-founder of Valor Coins and Pins, for a talk about service, sacrifice, and wellness in the wake of war.
Brent's grandfather Woody Williams won the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War II after serving as a flamethrower operator on Iwo Jima. Brent himself served in the First Gulf War and, like Woody, faced the struggle of reacclimatizing to civilian life. However, both men embraced family and faith and now, Brent continues his grandfather's mission to help veterans with Valor Coins & Pins, a 501c3 organization founded by he and his brother.
This week, Brent shares his story and some of the wisdom he has gathered from fighting to realize his potential and daring to soar higher. 
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.valorcoinsandpins.com/index.html

E93: Acquire Higher w/ Michael Frew

Michael Frew understands corporate burnout. After twenty years as a developer and consultant, Michael decided to dip his toe into the world of business acquisition.
 
Now, he wants to help engineers everywhere do the same.
 
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason talks with the multi-talented Michael about how engineers and introverts can make a splash in business, and what is waiting for you beyond the corporate hamster wheel. Big takeaways:
Michael is an introvert, and he considers it a strength in business. He and Jason talk about how there is no mold for an entrepreneur, and how Michael found his own way forward.
Despite turning away from corporate life, Michael insists that it is an outstanding education for would-be business owners.
How do engineers lead teams? Michael shares what he’s found to be successful, and what you can do to leverage your own skills to this end.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://www.michaelfrew.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfrew/
X: https://twitter.com/point_of_frew
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelfrew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/point_of_frew/

E92: This is Your Brain on Leadership w/ Wendy Swire

A big thank-you to today's guest, Wendy Swire, for sharing her resources and insights with our listeners. If you want to learn more about Wendy and her work, get started here: swiresolutions.com/soarhigherpodcast
 
Welcome back! This week, we are joined by executive coach and polymath Wendy Swire to talk about the (neuro)science of leadership. Wendy's mission is to help leaders understand how to leverage - and care for - their grey matter. So today, she joins Coach Jason to share her insights on self-care, curiosity, and how to get the most out of your mind:
According to Wendy Swire, your brain is the most powerful information transfer system on the planet. As such, it needs to be cared for. She talks about caring for your mental health, even during stressful times.
Want to know why you are always crashing at 3pm? Wendy breaks down the science of the afternoon slump, and how to mitigate it.
Wendy Swire has been an diplomat, economist, executive coach, author and more. She credits her unique career to following her curiosity, and shares how she discovered this superpower. 
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://swiresolutions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.swire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendySwire
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-sherwin-swire-ma-pcc-0286961/
 

E91: Invest in Your Family w/ Drew McWilliams

Drew McWilliams understands what it's like to go from rags to riches. Growing up in poverty deep in rural Pennsylvania, Drew has parlayed his work ethic and sales skill into a lucrative career in education. His wife, Jennifer McWilliams, founded Ivybrook Academy in 2005, and Drew has used his own expertise to help franchise the business. Now, Drew and Jennifer have taken their half-day preschool curriculum to 50 communities across the country.
 
This week, Coach Jason digs into the story of Drew and Jennifer as we explore the intersection of family and business. Today’s lesson plan includes:
How Drew and Jennifer have cultivated a working relationship while raising a family.
Why Drew and Jason recommend franchising to small business owners.
How to cultivate a winning mindset at home.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://www.ivybrookacademy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-mcwilliams-cfe-3b041a5/

E90: Be 99 w/ Cheryl Lynn Mobley

A special thanks to today's guest, Cheryl Mobley, for making a stellar offer to all Soar Higher listeners: Cheryl and her team are giving you the chance to take the Be99®  Guiding Questions Framework as well as a series of quizzes that help to identify where leaders are rocking Be99® principles and where they need to grow in becoming their own Epic WorkplaceTM  . Cheryl would like to offer  a complimentary 30 minute call to discuss the results of the quizzes and to assess the individual opportunities for growth and development that the quizzes reveal.  Anyone who would like to take Cheryl up on this offer can email  emily@recalibrate.today.
 
While Cheryl Lynn Mobley was the president of a hospital, her facility scored in the 99th percentile during all five years of her tenure. Cheryl stepped up and led a large team to spectacular results in a high-pressure environment… and this week, she shares how she did it.
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason sits down with the preternaturally-motived Cheryl to talk about the secrets to her success. Not to give anything away, but it involves a lot more work than most are prepared to do. But, if 70% is not good enough for you, we think you’ll be right at home in today’s discussion. Nuggets include:
Cheryl discusses the idea of Circular Trust: it’s not enough that leaders connect with their team, there needs to be a baseline of trust across all levels in an organization to succeed.
Does your team understand what your goals really are? Coach Jason and Cheryl talk about clarity, and why it can be so fleeting in business.
Do you, as a leader, find yourself “babysitting” instead of working? Cheryl talks about how to inspire accountability.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.cheryllynnmobley.com/
Be99 Assessment: https://www.cheryllynnmobley.com/be99
Cheryl's Book: https://www.recalibrate.today/product/face-to-face-a-guide-to-leading-more-skillfully-in-times-of-great-disruption-uncertainty

E89: Do I Need a Fractional COO? w/Bill Simmons

Every organization is comprised of two key ingredients: people and processes. According to Thrive’s Bill Simmons, A good fractional COO can bring you both.
 
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason searches for ways to save you time, and explores the idea of hiring a fractional COO (or integrator) and what it could offer your organization. Bill breaks down the benefits, options, and possibilities that come with hiring a helping hand to guide your operations. Along the way, we hit on some key questions:
What is the difference between a coach and a fractional COO? Jason and Bill break down how they help leaders in different ways.
Have a consultative mindset: when you solve problems, are you able to step outside of the moment to make a calculated decision? In many cases, fresh eyes can often find a solution.
What is my role if I hire a fractional COO? Bill talks about how a leader’s role can change (and expand) with a little outside help.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://thrivebusinessoperations.com/