Podcast
Building Excellence
Hosted by Bailey Miles · EN
Welcome to the Building Excellence Podcast with Bailey Miles. The mission of this show is all about sharing inspiring stories from some successful athletes, coaches, business minds, and thought leaders to help you build excellence in your life, leadership, and legacy.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jason Jacobus - CCO Brainerd Chemical, Author, & Speaker on Realigned
1w ago00:50:54Tap to summarize#263: Jason Jacobus is the Chief Commercial Officer of Brainerd Chemical, where he leads commercial strategy and growth for one of the country’s established chemical manufacturing and distribution companies. With decades of experience in sales, operations, and leadership, he has built a reputation for combining business performance with long-term relationships, operational discipline, and values-based leadership in a demanding industry.Outside of business, Jacobus is also the author of Realigned, a book centered on faith, personal growth, leadership, health, family, and purpose. Drawing from his own life experiences, he speaks openly about success, setbacks, and the importance of aligning life around deeper principles instead of external achievement alone. His message resonates with entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals looking to build meaningful success without losing sight of what matters most.Book: https://www.amazon.com/Realigned-Jason-Jacobus/dp/B0G8LYBL11/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
Transcribe →Samyr Qureshi - Co-Founder of Knack, Advisor, & Investor on the Power of Persistence & Asking Again
2w ago00:54:06Tap to summarize#262: Samyr Qureshi is an entrepreneur, investor, and business leader best known as the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Knack, a nationally recognized education technology company focused on advancing student success through peer learning. Under his leadership, Knack partnered with universities across the United States and raised significant venture capital to support its growth and impact. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and University of Florida “40 Gators Under 40” recipient, Samyr is widely respected for his work at the intersection of education, technology, and entrepreneurship. Today, he advises and invests in emerging companies while continuing to advocate for innovation, leadership, and expanding opportunity through scalable solutions.https://www.samyr.co/
Transcribe →Mark C Fava - Boeing Vice President on Lessons From the Admiral
3w ago00:47:08Tap to summarize#261: Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He is a prolific writer and entertaining speaker. Mark retired from the US Navy as a captain having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron. He has been a law firm partner and a corporate executive lawyer. He has written numerous articles, including “What I Learned from the Judge” in the SC Lawyer and “Steering Through a Crisis: Lawyers as Leaders” in The Washington Lawyer. As a law school adjunct professor, he has also taught aviation law and legal writing.Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for more than thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company.He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the low country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.markcfava.com
Transcribe →Jess Ekstrom - Founder of Headbands of Hope & Mic Drop Workshop on Making It Without Losing It
May 400:38:22Tap to summarize#260: Jess Ekstrom is the founder of Headbands of Hope and Mic Drop Workshop, investor in women, best selling author, Forbes Top Rated Speaker and mom.Her first brush with success was selling all of her toys on eBay when she was twelve. Since then, Jess and her companies have been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America and more. More importantly, her companies have helped millions of women and girls around the world.She’s the bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and Making it Without Losing it. Her hobbies include writing, hiking, board games with her husband, playing hide and seek with her kids, and searching for the best breakfast burrito in America.Social Media links:www.instagram.com/jess_ekstromwww.facebook.com/jessekstromwww.twitter.com/jess_ekstromhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstromhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342/https://micdropworkshop.com/https://jessekstrom.com/
Transcribe →Tony Schell - Co-Founder & Partner Escalate Capital Partners on the Real Mark of Success
Apr 2701:01:42Tap to summarize#259: Tony Schell is the co-founder and general partner at Escalate Capital Partners, a leading private credit and growth equity firm based in Austin, Texas. Since co-founding the firm in 2005, he has helped build Escalate into a prominent provider of flexible, non-dilutive capital solutions for growth-stage companies across technology, software, services, and healthcare sectors.With decades of experience in venture lending, structured finance, and growth investing, Schell has played a central role in deploying over $1.3 billion of capital into more than 140 companies, supporting businesses as they scale toward profitability, acquisitions, or public exits.At Escalate, he focuses on structuring tailored financing solutions—blending debt and equity—to help entrepreneurs extend runway, preserve ownership, and accelerate growth. Under his leadership, the firm has become known for its collaborative, long-term approach and deep relationships across the venture capital ecosystem.Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Frank Weisser - Top Gun Maverick & Blue Angel Pilot on Why Confident Humility Is the Real Secret to Leadership
Apr 2000:54:23Tap to summarize#258: Frank Weisser is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot best known for flying with the elite Blue Angels and for his role as a pilot and aviation coordinator on the blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Weisser logged thousands of flight hours in high-performance aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet, earning recognition for both his precision in the cockpit and his leadership in high-pressure environments. After his military service, he brought his real-world expertise to Hollywood, helping deliver the film’s authentic aerial sequences while also flying as a stunt pilot. Known for his discipline, humility, and pursuit of excellence, Weisser’s career bridges elite military aviation and storytelling at the highest level.frankweisser.netEnjoy the show!
Transcribe →Michaella Gallina - Former Wall Street Investor & CFO on Building a Life of Freedom, Purpose, & Meaning
Apr 1300:55:22Tap to summarize#257: Michaella Gallina built the career most people spend their entire lives chasing. She is a former Wall Street investor, VP of H&R Block and Chief Financial Officer who walked away from the pinnacle of her career to pursue a greater mission—helping others achieve true financial freedom and design a life on their own terms.Raised in a small rural town of just 4,000 people, Michaella learned early that money wasn’t about status—it was about access, opportunity, and freedom. By 18, she was financially independent, working multiple jobs while earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance. She went on to build an elite career on Wall Street, working in investment banking, managing high-level portfolios, and eventually becoming CFO of a $100+ million fintech company. She was a top shareholder in Starbucks, Chipotle, Lululemon, Facebook and many other amazing companies. She met with Howard Schultz, Mark Zukerberg, Cheryl Sandberg, Tim Cook, and many other household name CEO’s.But despite the success—working with some of the biggest companies and leaders in the world—she realized something was missing. The long hours, high pressure, and constant grind led her to a turning point: success without purpose wasn’t enough.At 36, Michaella made a bold decision—she walked away from it all.Today, she’s a speaker, coach, and advocate for financial empowerment, helping people—especially women, create independence, choice, and the ability to live life on your own terms. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: this isn’t just about money—it’s about building a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning.www.michaellagallina.comEnjoy the show!
Transcribe →Luke Frizzell - Navy Seal & Entrepreneur on the Courage to Embrace Hard Things
Apr 600:54:11Tap to summarize#256: Luke Frizzell is a former Navy Seal & real estate entrepreneur with the RAL Room, but he is also one of my best friends and I am excited to share’s story today. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his upbringing was deeply rooted in faith, family, and sports. Influenced by his family's athletic background and his grandfather's wisdom, Luke developed a strong work ethic and a passion for serving others. His journey led him to the Virginia Military Institute, where he thrived academically and athletically, driven by a desire to join the Navy SEALs. Despite facing physical challenges rolling him back during training, Luke's determination and commitment saw him through, ultimately achieving his goal of becoming a SEAL. Now transitioning into civilian life, Luke applies his leadership skills and mission-driven mindset to the senior care industry, aiming to make a meaningful impact through his entrepreneurial ventures. Excited for you all to hear his story and for more on Luke check out theralroom.com Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Chris Kreider - Rice Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach on Striving for Excellence
Mar 3000:48:22Tap to summarize#255: Chris Kreider is the Rice Men's Basketball Associate Head Coach. He is a dedicated basketball coach with a rich background shaped by unique life experiences. Growing up as the son of missionaries, Chris spent his formative years in Colombia, South America, where he developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and a passion for basketball. His journey in coaching began with a strong foundation in teaching and mentoring, influenced by his parents' sense of purpose and calling. Chris has worked with various esteemed basketball programs, including Georgia Tech and Rice University, where he emphasizes the importance of character, integrity, and building meaningful relationships with his players. His coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that success is not just about wins and losses but about developing individuals who are prepared for life beyond the court.Enjoy the show!
Transcribe →Tanner Gardner - Pepperdine Athletic Director on Daily Disciplines of Excellence
Mar 2300:45:36Tap to summarize#254: Tanner Gardner is the Director of Athletics at Pepperdine University and a former three-time All-American wrestler at Stanford, where he built a legacy of excellence both academically and athletically. After earning advanced degrees from Stanford and an MBA from Harvard, Gardner began his career in consulting before rising through leadership roles in college athletics, including serving as Deputy Athletic Director and COO at Rice University. Known for his mission-driven leadership, he focuses on building championship programs rooted in character, faith, and long-term development, with a strong emphasis on developing student-athletes into leaders who excel both in competition and in life.
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