Summary5 min read

Podcast Summary: Coaching for Leaders

Host: Dave Stachowiak
Episode: Meet Us in Orange County on Sept. 1st
Date: August 12, 2026

Overview

In this special invitation episode, host Dave Stachowiak reaches out directly to the Coaching for Leaders community with an exciting opportunity: a chance to meet him, fellow listeners, and a special guest—Tom Henschel of The Look and Sound of Leadership podcast—at an in-person dinner event in Irvine, California on September 1, 2026. Dave details the format, intent, and logistics of the event, emphasizing his enthusiasm for deeper, face-to-face connections among listeners and podcast hosts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of In-Person Connection

Dave discusses the unique nature of podcasting and the rarity of opportunities for listeners to connect with one another and with podcast hosts in a face-to-face setting.
Quote [00:21]:

"The nature of podcasts and listening to a podcast is that it is really hard unless there's an intentional event to meet other listeners in your local area. And it's also really hard to connect personally with the host of the podcast like me."
He shares his passion for meeting listeners personally, which inspired this upcoming event.

2. About the Dinner Club Event

The event will take place in Irvine, California, on the evening of September 1st, 2026.
Organized in partnership with a group specializing in community dinners, offering "an opportunity to host a dinner club in person with listeners."
Quote [00:44]:

"A few months ago I got connected with a really cool organization that helps people who lead communities and host podcasts to put together an opportunity to host a dinner club in person with listeners. And that sounded a ton of fun to me."
The event features two parts:
- Part 1: Dinner at a local restaurant with approximately five other podcast listeners, curated for engaging conversation and networking.
- Part 2: An intimate evening conversation at a second location with Dave and guest host Tom Henschel.

3. Introducing Special Guest Tom Henschel

Tom Henschel, host of The Look and Sound of Leadership podcast, will co-host the entire evening.
Both Dave and Tom will facilitate post-dinner discussions, Q&A, and offer networking opportunities across both podcast audiences.
Quote [01:25]:

"My special guest is Tom Henschel, host of the Look and Sound of Leadership podcast. Tom is going to be joining us for the entire event as well, and Tom and I will be hosting together the evening conversation after dinner..."

4. Logistics and Registration

Details summarized:
- Dinner: 5:30 PM
- Evening Conversation: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
- Location: Irvine, California (specifics sent upon registration)
- Cost: $49 registration, with dinner to be purchased individually at the restaurant.
Registration via coaching4leaders.com/dinner
Quote [02:45]:

"It's $49 to register for the event and in addition, since we're going to be dining at a local restaurant in Irvine, we're asking you to purchase dinner on your own. We've already set that up with the restaurant so you'll get your own check..."

5. Discounts and Exclusive Offers for Members

Academy, Pro, and Plus members of Coaching for Leaders should email Dave for a "significant discount code" before registering.
Quote [03:26]:

"If you are in Southern California or happen to be in our area on September 1st, details are at coaching4leaders.com/dinner and I hope that you will join us. Now. If you happen to be a Coaching for Leaders Academy member, pro member or plus member, please reach out to me before you register since I have a significant discount code for you to use."

6. Future Plans and Feedback

This is a pilot, single-location event with no immediate plans elsewhere; attendee feedback will help shape future events.
Quote [03:57]:

"We don't have an immediate plan to do this in another location yet. Since this is the first time that we're hosting a dinner club, we're offering this as a single event. We're going to ask for feedback, of course, from those of you who can make it and that'll of course inform what we do in the future."

Memorable Moments

Dave’s Enthusiasm for Connecting:
Dave’s personal touch and excitement about meeting listeners is a recurring theme throughout the episode.
- Quote [04:21]:
  
  "Most importantly, a chance for Tom Henschel and I to meet you and introduce you to other listeners in our listening communities as well."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

“The nature of podcasts and listening to a podcast is that it is really hard unless there's an intentional event to meet other listeners in your local area.” (Dave Stachowiak, 00:21)
“A few months ago I got connected with a really cool organization that helps people who lead communities and host podcasts to put together an opportunity to host a dinner club in person with listeners. And that sounded a ton of fun to me.” (Dave, 00:44)
“My special guest is Tom Henschel, host of the Look and Sound of Leadership podcast. Tom is going to be joining us for the entire event as well…” (Dave, 01:25)
“It's $49 to register for the event and in addition…we're asking you to purchase dinner on your own.” (Dave, 02:45)
“If you happen to be a Coaching for Leaders Academy member, pro member or plus member, please reach out to me before you register since I have a significant discount code for you to use.” (Dave, 03:26)
“We're going to ask for feedback, of course, from those of you who can make it and that'll of course inform what we do in the future.” (Dave, 03:57)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction & Event Purpose | 00:06 | | Event Format & Logistics | 00:44 | | Guest Introduction (Tom Henschel)| 01:25 | | Registration Details | 02:45 | | Discounts for Members | 03:26 | | Future Events & Feedback | 03:57 |

Conclusion

Dave’s invitation episode is a warm, direct call to listeners to deepen their connection to the Coaching for Leaders community through meaningful, in-person interaction. With the addition of Tom Henschel, the event promises to foster new relationships and dialogues among forward-thinking leaders. Interested listeners are encouraged to register early and, for existing Academy members, seek out their exclusive discount.

For more information and to sign up: coaching4leaders.com/dinner

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Transcript1 lines

[00:06]
A
Greetings Dave here from Coaching for Leaders. I wanted to extend an invitation for you to meet both me, some other Coaching for Leaders listeners, and a special guest of mine in person the evening of September 1st. I'll share just a bit more here in a moment. The nature of podcasts and listening to a podcast is that it is really hard unless there's an intentional event to meet other listeners in your local area. And it's also really hard to connect personally with the host of the podcast like me. And I always love meeting people in person when I have the chance to do so, but we don't often have that chance formally. So a few months ago I got connected with a really cool organization that helps people who lead communities and host podcasts to put together an opportunity to to host a dinner club in person with listeners. And that sounded a ton of fun to me. So I have partnered with them to host a Coaching for Leaders dinner club here in Southern California the evening of September 1, 2026. And I'd love you to consider joining us for the event. It's going to be two parts to the event. The first part is we're arranging a dinner table at a local restaurant here for you with about five other attendees who are also podcast listeners. We're going to have some questions and conversations so you can easily meet other leaders here locally. And then we're going to go do a second part of the event after dinner at a second location close by for an intimate evening conversation with all of us together. But it's not going to be just me and other listeners. My special guest is Tom Henschel, host of the look and Sound of Leadership podcast. Tom is going to be joining us for the entire event as well, and Tom and I will be hosting together the evening conversation after dinner to give you a chance to meet us, ask questions, meet other listeners to both of our podcasts, and hopefully spark a few new relationships for all of us. Tom and I both love connecting with people in person, so we are super excited to get to host this event together. So dinner is at 5:30 and the evening conversation will be from about 7 to about 8:30pm we're going to be in Irvine, California, right in the heart of Orange County. Location details will come before the event after you've registered, so if you'd like to join in with us, here's where you need to go. Coaching4leaders.com dinner it's $49 to register for the event and in addition, since we're going to be dining at a local restaurant in Irvine, we're asking you to purchase dinner on your own. We've already set that up with the restaurant so you'll get your own check and you can dine with other listeners and get to enjoy whatever you'd like. And then we're all going to meet up for the evening conversation at the second location. I'd to meet you in person and if you are in Southern California or happen to be in our area on September 1st, details are@coaching4leaders.com dinner and I hope that you will join us. Now. If you happen to be a Coaching for Leaders Academy member, pro member or plus member, please reach out to me before you register since I have a significant discount code for you to use. So drop me a note to get that first before you register. And since I know a few folks will be curious, we don't have an immediate plan to do this in another location yet. Since this is the first time that we're hosting a dinner club, we're offering this as a single event. We're going to ask for feedback, of course, from those of you who can make it and that'll of course inform what we do in the future. So Tuesday, September 1st Irvine, California $49 plus whatever you order for dinner and most importantly, a chance for Tom Henschel and I to meet you and and introduce you to other listeners in our listening communities as well. Coachingforleaders.com dinner for more can't wait to see you there and enjoy the next episode.