Podcast
Bold Journeys Podcast
Hosted by Rob Spee · EN
All around us, people are overcoming extraordinary challenges. Where do they find the resilience and perseverance to move forward?
At Bold Journeys, we share stories of grit, adventure, and faith from those whose journeys have both tested them and shaped who they've become.
Hosted by Rob Spee, each episode of the podcast explores the resilience it takes to carry on – offering encouragement, perspective, and a reminder of what's possible.
We seek guests who've walked through the fire, whether it's a challenge they chose like climbing Mt. Everest, or a knock-down punch life throws at you.
If you're ready to reflect, grow, and live boldly... you're in the right place.
🎙️New episodes every Tuesday
33episodes
Episodes
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Climb Beyond Your Limits: Lessons from the World's Tallest Mountains
Jan 2000:57:39Tap to summarizeJoin us for a powerful episode of Bold Journeys as we explore the real‑world mountaineering experiences of Louise McEvoy, a high-altitude mountaineer who has summited 6 of the Seven Summits ⛰️ including Mt. Everest. Louise breaks down what it takes to tackle the world's tallest mountains and how the grit she developed on the slopes fuels her success in work, leadership, and life. By day, Louise is a high‑impact channel executive who helped shape Trend Micro's award‑winning partner ecosystem and now leads global channel sales at Keyfactor. By night (and often at 20,000+ feet), she's pushing her limits on some of the harshest terrain on earth. In this conversation, Louise shares: - What climbing Everest and Denali taught her about resilience - How mountaineers manage fear, fatigue, and mental overload - The training required for high‑altitude expeditions - How to handle disappointment, setbacks, and unexpected danger - Why pursuing passion outside of work builds stronger leaders - The story behind She Summits Fourteeners, her initiative empowering women through mountaineering This episode isn't just about climbing mountains — it's about building the mental toughness to face life's biggest challenges and emerging stronger on the other side. 💪 What's the "mountain" you're climbing right now, and what's one step you're taking toward the summit? JOIN OUR COMMUNITY YouTube Instagram CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Everest Experience 01:27 Lou's Climbing Pedigree 04:35 Challenges on Denali 07:22 Lou's Childhood and Early Influences 08:49 The Journey to Everest 17:19 Training and Mental Toughness 27:41 Surviving a Knee Injury in the Wilderness 30:00 Glorious Moments in Mountaineering 33:05 Challenges and Decisions on the Summit 35:44 Overcoming Fear in Rock Climbing 38:38 Rapid Fire Questions with Lou 48:21 The SHE Summit: Empowering Women Climbers 52:09 Life Lessons from the Climb
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How to Handle Life's Hardest Moments: Learn this Mental Model for Resilience
Jan 1300:47:20Tap to summarizeWhat if you could develop a systematic way to build grit and resilience, a mental model that would help you handle life's hardest moments without falling apart? 🌟 Join us in this profound episode as we explore Jay McBain's journey of systems thinking—a way of living that's both practical and transformative. Jay McBain is one of the most respected voices in the tech channel world, known for helping companies understand where partnerships and ecosystems are heading. He's widely recognized for helping businesses navigate the fast‑changing world of partner strategy and go‑to‑market models. Growing up in Canada, Jay's childhood was filled with pivotal moments that shaped his logical and resilient mindset. Discover how early lessons in financial planning, sports, and technology prepared him to face life's toughest challenges, from the heartbreak of divorce to the failure of a tech startup. This conversation is essential for anyone seeking courage, clarity, faith, or reinvention. You'll come away with practical strategies for: 1️⃣ Compartmentalizing life's challenges to avoid overwhelm. 2️⃣ Using statistical and logical thinking to overcome emotional hurdles. 3️⃣ Embracing gratitude and acknowledging privilege in personal success. 4️⃣ Finding adventure in travel and life's unexpected turns. Jay's wisdom offers a fresh perspective, empowering you to approach your storm with a heart full of determination and a mind ready for calculated action. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will elevate your sense of possibility and prepare you to face your own storm with a resilient heart. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY YouTube Instagram CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to System Thinking 01:31 Jay's Early Life and Family Background 02:17 Childhood Memories and Early Influences 04:00 Pivotal Moments and Early Career 06:59 Financial Lessons and First Motorcycle 12:57 Building a Future and Facing Adversity 22:31 System Thinking and Resilience 26:04 Prostate Health and Genetic Testing 27:29 Family History and Genealogy 29:41 Christmas and Family Traditions 31:13 Adventurous Travels and Rollerblading Tour 35:21 Skydiving Proposal and Rapid-Fire Questions 41:49 Reflections on Life's Challenges and Advice
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Introducing Bold Journeys: Stories of Grit, Adventure and Faith
Jan 600:02:07Tap to summarizeIntroducing The Bold Journeys Podcast, where we inspire you to find hope, resilience and strength in challenging times of adversity. Hosted by Rob Spee, this podcast will feature tales of courageous transformation and defying all the odds. This trailer provides a preview of the types of extraordinary real-life stories you'll hear, from three guests who exemplfiy grit, adventure and faith. From business leaders overcoming life challenges to adventurers facing the elements, Bold Journeys aims to inspire and build a community of men and women who live courageously. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY YouTube Instagram
Transcribe →Set Sail with My Bermuda Triangle Adventure
Feb 19, 202500:29:28Tap to summarizeIf you listen to Channel Journeys, you know I’m passionate about sailing. I thought 2024 was going to be a year without any time on the water. Fortunately, that changed mid-November when I received an OPO Crew Request in my email inbox. OPO (Offshore Passage Opportunities) is a sailing network that helps connect boat owners and captains with willing and able crew for ocean deliveries. The email I received read “boat owner and skipper Ben is looking for two more experienced crew for a total of 4 crew to sail his Oyster 655 from Bermuda to Tortola BVI. 850 miles, about 8 days.” In this episode, I share the story of the sailing adventure I embarked on less a month later. Our passage took us 950 miles, sailing along the eastern edge of the Bermuda Triangle. You’ll hear how I worked my way up to ocean sailing and how you can too. If you’re interested in sailing, or just want to hear a fun adventure, this episode is for you! HIGHLIGHTS Leaving Bermuda Another beautiful ocean sunset Night flight: instrument sailing The joy of offshore fishing, even when the monster tuna gets away! We made it! Moonbeam over Soper’s Hole What a beautiful boat Bar is Open! LINKS & RESOURCES Listen to Sailing the Bermuda High in a Covid Low Hear A Sailing Journey Through Covid Learn more about Offshore Passage Opportunities The post Set Sail with My Bermuda Triangle Adventure first appeared on Channel Journeys.
Transcribe →Partnering Smartly: A CEO’s View with Christa Quarles
Feb 5, 202500:52:51Tap to summarizeThe most effective software CEOs today play the role not only of Chief Executive Officer, but also of Chief Partner Officer. I had the great fortune of meeting such a leader, Christa Quarles, CEO of Parallels (part of Alludo). While she may not think of herself as a chief partner officer, it’s obvious that partnerships play a critical role in her business strategy and operations. Christa shares insights on integrating partnerships into core business strategies, emphasizing understanding and adapting to partners’ business models. She stresses the importance of mission alignment, curiosity, and resilience in her leadership. You’ll hear how she’s working with tech giants, leveraging feedback, and maintaining adaptive partnership strategies for mutual growth. Key Takeaways Here are the top 10 lessons I learned from Christa about strategically aligning business strategy and operations with partner ecosystems: Integrating Partnering into Business Strategy: Partnering should be more than a go-to-market tactic; it must be deeply integrated into the business strategy. Partners can sense when they are not truly integral to a company’s strategic framework, which can affect trust and collaboration. Curiosity and Understanding Business Models: Christa highlights the significance of curiosity in understanding the nuances of both her company’s business model and that of her partners. Partners have different motivations and business models, and aligning these with the company’s interests is crucial for mutual success. Learning from Diverse Backgrounds: With a diverse career background including B2C, B2B to C, and direct B2B models, Christa underscores the value of varied experiences. This diversity helps in approaching problems with a fresh perspective and innovative solutions. Communication and Simplification: Effective communication and the ability to simplify complex topics are vital. Christa points out that jargon can obfuscate understanding; clear and comprehensible communication ensures all parties are aligned and can work efficiently towards a common goal. Segmented Partner Approach: Not all partners are the same. They have different strengths, value propositions, and business needs. Therefore, a segmented approach that caters to the specific needs of each partner segment is necessary for optimized collaboration and success. Listening and Adapting: Regularly holding Partner Advisory Boards emphasizes listening to partners’ needs and feedback. Christa stresses the importance of acting on this feedback to maintain trust and improve the partnership ecosystem continuously. Legal and Structural Synergy: Having the legal team deeply involved in partnerships helps streamline processes and avoid the common “Doctor No” syndrome where legalities impede progress. It also ensures that business imperatives are considered in legal frameworks. Measuring Impact and ROI: It’s essential to understand and measure the financial return from partner strategies meticulously. Christa advises focusing on unit economics and understanding the profit margins of various deals to ensure partnerships are financially beneficial. Resilience and Adaptability: Christa’s personal resilience and ability to adapt after setbacks are crucial leadership qualities. These traits are important for navigating the complexities and inevitable challenges within strategic partnerships and the broader business landscape. Physical and Mental Wellness: Drawing from her background in sports and yoga, Christa highlights the importance of maintaining physical and mental wellness. This holistic approach keeps one prepared and energized to handle the demands and stresses of leading a company and its strategic initiatives. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Christa on LinkedIn Learn about Maximizing Co-Sell Success with CEO Cassandra Gholston The post Partnering Smartly: A CEO’s View with Christa Quarles first appeared on Channel Journeys.
Transcribe →Partnering Secrets for Exponential Growth with Theresa Caragol
Jan 22, 202500:32:02Tap to summarizeThe new year is a great time to make new goals. I hope one of your goals is to learn to leverage partnerships and partnering more effectively to achieve business growth. Today’s guest, Theresa Caragol, is the founder and CEO of AchieveUnite, a company on a mission to empower organizations to excel through partnering. And she’s the author of a new best-selling book called Partnering Success. I enjoyed the opportunity to chat with Theresa about her book, the key factors for success in partnering and how you can turn partnering into a force multiplier to achieve exponential growth. Whether you sit in the C-Suite, the partner organization, or any other department, you’ll want to learn these key elements of successful partnering and how to build a partner ecosystem that will help you drive growth. Key Takeaways Here are the top 10 lessons I learned from Theresa about successful partnering for exponential growth: Importance of Partnering as a Strategic Imperative: Partnering must go beyond a transactional relationship and be seen as a core strategic component for business growth. In B2B spaces, partnering creates a synergistic flywheel effect, where no single company can touch all points of the customer journey independently. Complexity and Science of Partnering: Writing her book took over a year, aimed at demystifying the complexity of partnering. Theresa’s intention was to provide structured knowledge, scientific principles, and case studies showcasing successes, creating a comprehensive guide for organizations to emulate. Cross-functional Cultural Integration: For successful partnerships, the culture of partnering must be ingrained throughout the company’s DNA. Cross-functional alignment is essential, with every department from product development to marketing understanding and supporting the partnership strategy. CEO and C-Suite Commitment: Partnership success requires wholehearted support from the CEO and the entire executive team. Without this top-level commitment, even the best partner teams and strategies will falter. True alignment across all leadership levels is non-negotiable for achieving exponential growth. Partner Lifetime Value (PLV): Investment in long-term partnerships rather than short-term transactions yields greater profitability and success. Tracking a blend of leading and lagging metrics, such as revenue, customer acquisition, and social media mentions, helps quantify Partner Lifetime Value (PLV). Selecting Suitable Metrics: Choosing the right metrics is crucial. Organizations often suffer from tracking too many or incorrect metrics. Theresa advised identifying three key metrics that align with strategic goals, simplifying focus and ensuring organizational alignment. Educational Advocacy for C-Suites: Educating senior leadership on the value and mechanics of successful partnering is vital. Advisors with data-driven insights can significantly influence CEOs and CROs to adopt and prioritize effective partnership strategies. Holistic Partner Strategies: Both vendors and partner organizations must have well-defined strategies. For partners, properly segmenting and strategizing their vendor relationships is as vital as vendors having a strategic approach. Community and Influence: Building and nurturing communities where influential leaders gather can elevate the importance of partnering strategies. Engaging in these communities helps propagate the value of partnerships from top leadership down. Internal Trust and Engagement: High-trust cultures lead to improved employee engagement, innovation, and productivity. Partnering externally will only succeed if the internal organizational culture also embodies trust and effective cross-functional collaboration. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn Listen to Tiffani Bova share 5 Paths to Consistent Channel Growth Hear how to Unlock Radical Business Growth through MRR with Randy Schirman The post Partnering Secrets for Exponential Growth with Theresa Caragol first appeared on Channel Journeys.
Transcribe →How to Master Hyperscaler Co-opetition with Alan Chhabra
Jan 8, 202500:52:11Tap to summarizeWith over $300 billion in customer commitments to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, the hyperscaler marketplace should play a strategic role in every IT vendor’s go-to-market strategy. But how do you partner successfully with these hyperscalers when you’re also competing with them? That co-opetition is something many people in your C-Suite fear and it can drive a wedge in what could be a very successful partnership. Today’s guest, Alan Chhabra, EVP of Worldwide Partners at MongoDB, mastered hyperscaler co-opetition with a customer-centric business strategy. Alan shares the critical success factors for MongoDB and how they navigated successful partnerships with Microsoft and other hypercalers despite the direct competition they initially faced. Key Takeaways Here are the top 10 lessons I learned about mastering hyperscaler co-opetition from Alan: Customer-Centricity: MongoDB’s decision to deepen its partnership with Microsoft, despite the competition, was driven by a strong commitment to customer needs. This customer-centric approach helped create a seamless and efficient experience for users, reinforcing the importance of prioritizing customer satisfaction in strategic decisions. Strategic Use of Marketplaces: Alan highlighted the significant benefits of leveraging cloud marketplaces. By integrating MongoDB products into these marketplaces, they were able to provide customers incentives to use their products while also benefiting from the hyperscalers’ marketplace programs, leading to mutual growth. Stickiness and Integration: Ensuring that MongoDB’s Atlas was well-integrated with other Azure products was key to making their solution preferable over Microsoft’s native solutions. This integration included features like Power BI and Visual Studio, which enhanced customer experience and encouraged adoption. Sales Collaboration and Incentives: Building a compelling value proposition for the sales teams of hyperscalers was crucial. Alan emphasized creating clear financial incentives for Azure, AWS, and Google sales reps to promote MongoDB’s Atlas, ensuring they benefited substantially from each sale. Understanding the Partner Ecosystem: Alan stressed the importance of comprehending the detailed workings of the hyperscaler ecosystems. Success in these environments requires knowing how to collaborate effectively and understanding the hyperscalers’ products and sales strategies thoroughly. Program Participation: Being part of critical programs that allow the retirement of customer commitments was essential for MongoDB. These programs provided additional motivation for customers to choose MongoDB’s solutions through the hyperscaler marketplaces, aligning incentives across all parties. Hiring for Pipeline Generation: Successful collaboration with partners and customers requires team members who are adept at generating pipelines. Alan stressed hiring partner managers who can identify business opportunities and translate them into sales, which is vital for growth in a competitive market. Building a Resilient Partner Organization: MongoDB’s partner organization structure, with roles designed to address various aspects of partnership (including hyperscaler specialists and partner program managers), ensures a balanced and focused approach to scaling their business through partnerships. Adaptive Leadership: Alan discussed the importance of having adaptive leadership—a trait seen in MongoDB’s capacity to address different challenges, whether they are partnership-focused or direct sales-oriented. This versatility helps in navigating complex sales ecosystems effectively. Maintaining Competitive Edge: Despite strong partnerships with hyperscalers, MongoDB continuously focuses on maintaining its competitive edge through innovation and differentiating its products. The company’s commitment to keeping its technology ahead of the curve is a decisive factor in its success. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Alan on LinkedIn Learn about the Impact of Hyperscalers on the Partner Ecosystem Hear How to Win on the AWS Marketplace The post How to Master Hyperscaler Co-opetition with Alan Chhabra first appeared on Channel Journeys.
Transcribe →Rob and Vince’s Ultimate Channel Insights
Dec 18, 202400:49:24Tap to summarizeAs a podcast host and partner ecosystem fanatic, one of the greatest experiences is sitting down with a fellow podcaster and partnering fanatic. I had just that opportunity a few weeks ago when I traveled to Boca Raton, Florida to be on Vince Menzione’s Ultimate Partner Podcast. You’ll hear our conversation in today’s episode where we talk about everything from our early days of podcasting and my predictions for 2024 and 2025. We dive into our insights on the evolving dynamics of partner ecosystems and the strategic mindset required to harness their full potential. You’ll hear about my offshore sailing and how it aligns with successful partnering, with lessons you can use in your partnering efforts in this increasingly competitive and interconnected business landscape. Key Takeaways Here are five highlights from my conversation with Vince on successful partnering in 2025: Navigating Economic Downturns: During economic challenges, many companies tend to revert to traditional transactional channels and reduce ecosystem investments. However, Vince and Rob highlight the importance of courageous leadership, which requires continued investment and faith in the long-term benefits of partner ecosystems, despite short-term financial pressures. Continuous Learning and Preparation: Just as Rob prepares for his sailing trips with extensive training and learning, companies should commit to ongoing learning and development within their ecosystem strategies. This includes staying updated with technological advancements and market trends to maintain a competitive edge. Building Trust and Teamwork: Trust is essential in both sailing and business ecosystems. The conversation underscores the importance of building trust among partner organizations. Successful ecosystems rely on robust relationships where partners can reliably depend on each other for mutual success. Encouraging Partner Collaboration: Promoting collaboration between different types of partners can unlock new opportunities. Cross-partner collaboration helps in leveraging strengths and creating innovative solutions, which is essential for tapping into large markets like the hyperscaler commitments available. Strategic Planning and Vision: A well-defined strategy and clear vision are crucial. Partners and company leadership must be aligned on long-term goals. By having a clear destination in mind, as illustrates with Rob’s sailing expeditions, companies can navigate towards success more efficiently. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Vince on LinkedIn Watch the video of my Ultimate Partner conversation with Vince Listen to Vince Menzione on How to Lead Partnerships in Uncertain Times The post Rob and Vince’s Ultimate Channel Insights first appeared on Channel Journeys.
Transcribe →Revolutionizing MSP Economics with Fred Voccola
Nov 20, 202400:51:26Tap to summarizeThe Managed Service Provider (MSP) industry is poised for massive growth to serve the technology needs of small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). But there’s a massive hurdle in their way. The core unit economics of MSPs are broken. Today’s guest, Kaseya’s CEO Fred Voccola is on mission to fix that problem. Kaseya is not only revolutionizing the MSP business model but is also contributing to the stability and growth of the global economy. This mission-driven approach ensures that Kaseya and its partners are aligned toward creating lasting value. Key Takeaways Here are the top five drivers Fred shared for Kaseya’s mission to change Managed Service Providers (MSP) economics: Massive Market Opportunity: The MSP market is incredibly large and continuously growing. This is driven by explosive growth of small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in consuming technology. By fundamentally improving the economics for MSPs, Kaseya aims to capture a significant share of this lucrative market. Addressing Broken Unit Economics: MSPs provide critical services to their clients but face financial constraints due to inefficient business models. Many operate on thin profit margins, often around 10%, which is unsustainable. Kaseya’s mission is to rectify these broken unit economics by providing a comprehensive, integrated platform that lowers operational costs and increases profit margins. Empowering SMBs: SMBs are the backbone of most economies around the globe. However, these businesses often lack the IT infrastructure and expertise to manage their technology needs effectively. Kaseya’s mission includes empowering these SMBs by enhancing the capabilities and profitability of the MSPs that serve them. By doing so, Kaseya contributes to the economic stability and growth of these small enterprises, which, in turn, fuels entrepreneurial success and job creation. Combating Cybersecurity Threats: Cybersecurity is an escalating concern, with small businesses being prime targets for ransomware and other cyber threats. Kaseya’s mission aligns with the broader goal of enhancing cybersecurity readiness for SMBs. By improving MSP economics, Kaseya ensures that MSPs have the resources and tools necessary to provide robust cybersecurity solutions, thereby protecting their clients from cyber attacks. Mission-Driven Fulfillment: Beyond financial gains, Kaseya’s leadership is motivated by a mission-driven ethos. Improving MSP economics enables these service providers to deliver higher quality, more consistent services to their SMB clients. This mission fosters a sense of purpose within Kaseya’s team and its partners, creating a culture that is focused on making a meaningful difference in the world. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Fred on LinkedIn Download The 2024 MSP Benchmark Survey Report Learn How to Power Up MSPs with Dan Tomaszewski Listen to Rob Rae on How to Find, Engage, and Inspire MSPs Try Impartner Partner Management The post Revolutionizing MSP Economics with Fred Voccola first appeared on Channel Journeys.
Transcribe →Unlocking Radical Business Growth through MRR with Randy Schirman
Nov 6, 202400:47:46Tap to summarizeWhat if there was a way you could increase your total addressable market and open up a whole new channel of partners? What if this strategic move not only enhanced customer satisfaction, but also significantly boosted your company’s market valuation and overall growth trajectory? All this is possible by adding a new revenue model to your business. We’re all used to paying for utilities like power and water on a monthly basis based on how much we use each month. That’s exactly how many customers, especially smaller business owners, want to purchase IT services to protect and run their business. In turn, the Managed Services Providers who serve these customers want to buy and bundle technologies from vendors in the same fashion. In this episode of Channel Journeys, Randy Schirman, VP Worldwide Partnerships at Vectra AI, shares how you can achieve all of these things by serving the needs of the customer and the partner. Randy provides valuable tips on what it takes to execute this strategy based on a utility-based Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) model. Key Takeaways Here are my top 10 lessons learned from Randy on building an MRR model to capture radical business growth: Importance of Partner Ecosystem: Randy emphasizes that Vector AI’s success relies heavily on its partner ecosystem. 100% of their go-to-market strategy is executed through partners, which underscores the significance of building and maintaining strong relationships within this network. Shift to MRR Model: Transitioning from an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) model to a Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) model was driven by partner and customer needs. This shift provided flexibility, allowing customers to pay based on the actual consumption of services, thereby aligning expenses more closely with revenue streams. Operational and Financial Challenges: Adding the MRR model required reengineering both operational and financial systems. This included developing technology reporting capabilities and creating new invoicing and financial reporting frameworks to track monthly usage accurately. Customer Retention and Churn: The MRR model demonstrated a reduction in churn and an increase in customer retention. By aligning costs with actual usage, customers and partners felt they were receiving fair value, which prolonged their engagement and loyalty. Impact on Valuation: Adopting the MRR model significantly expanded the Total Addressable Market (TAM) and contributed to Vector AI being considered a unicorn with a valuation over a billion dollars. The model provided more predictable revenue streams and a diversified financial portfolio. Low Touch, No Touch Sales: The MRR model allowed for a “low touch, no touch” sales strategy, meaning minimal direct interaction with end customers was needed. Partners could package the technology within their services, reducing Vector AI’s customer acquisition costs (CAC) and expanding market reach. Training and Enablement: Implementing the MRR model required some additional training for partners. Key focus areas included understanding the new usage reporting mechanisms and how these fed into the financial and invoicing processes. Incremental Market Opportunities: Having an MRR option opened new market segments, especially among managed service providers (MSPs) and sectors with legislative requirements for utility-based models. This strategy created additional revenue streams without cannibalizing existing ARR contracts. Financial Engineering for Service Providers: Rather than leading with technology, the approach focused on financial engineering, highlighting profitability and margin predictability for partners. This strategy often led to higher buy-in from partners who saw immediate financial benefits. Execution and Expertise: Successfully implementing the MRR model was driven by leveraging in-house expertise. Randy and his team had prior experience, which allowed them to navigate the complexities internally without external consultants, ensuring a smoother transition and execution. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Randy on LinkedIn Learn How to Build a Booming MSP Program with Dinara Bakirova Hear how to build The Pay as You Grow MSSP Program with Stephan Tallent Try Impartner Partner Management The post Unlocking Radical Business Growth through MRR with Randy Schirman first appeared on Channel Journeys.
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