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How do you scale a business without losing your values, culture, sanity—or your life outside of work?

In this episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Josh Kosnick sits down with Trace Miller, military veteran and founder of Konala, a fast-growing healthy fast-food franchise built on simplicity, discipline, and execution.

Trace breaks down what most leaders get wrong about scaling—and why chasing complexity, top-line revenue, or “passive income” often destroys the very thing you’re trying to grow.

This conversation goes deep on:

 • Scaling without burnout
 • Why simplicity beats sophistication
 • How to remove people, processes, and products that no longer fit
 • Profit vs. vanity metrics
 • Leadership lessons from military service
 • Building systems that scale without losing culture
 • Why work-life integration matters more than balance

If you’re a founder, operator, or leader trying to grow without losing yourself, this episode will challenge how you think about scale.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Simplify.

⸻

Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – How to scale without losing what matters
02:00 – From bar owner to franchisor: why Trace walked away
05:30 – Solving the real problem: healthy food at scale
09:00 – Studying In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, and simple systems
13:00 – “Simple scales, fancy fails”
15:00 – Revenue vs. profit: the scaling trap
19:00 – Why most franchise models break
24:30 – Military leadership lessons that stuck
28:30 – Marriage, family, and work-life integration
33:45 – Becoming a leader of leaders
36:00 – What Trace is still figuring out
38:00 – AI, automation, and why humans still matter
42:30 – What to cut first when you feel stretched thin
47:00 – Why founders shouldn’t disappear after scale
50:30 – Final leadership takeaway

⸻

Connect & Learn More

Konala (franchise + locations): https://konala.com
Franchise info: https://konalafranchise.com


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#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset

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In this high-energy Leadership In Review episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Josh Kosnick is joined by Jason Smith and Emmanuel Whitfield for an unscripted, fast-moving conversation on leadership, power, and accountability in real time.

We dig into:

• The chaos of modern politics and why trust is collapsing
• Foreign influence vs. America-first leadership (and why people disagree on who’s really pulling strings)
• The Minnesota daycare scandal allegations, media coverage, and why accountability matters
• Reparations debates, incentives, and what actually builds generational strength
• Big Pharma, institutions, and the difference between words vs. actions
• Rugged individualism vs. collectivism — and what leaders should model when culture gets noisy

Share this episode far and wide.

And Remember: Good and great are the enemies of possible. Lead like a Spartan today.

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What does modern leadership actually require—and why do toxic leaders continue to rise, even in companies that claim to value culture?

In this episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Josh Kosnick sits down with Lyndsay Dowd—former IBM executive, Harvard guest lecturer, bestselling author, and founder of Heartbeat for Hire—for a raw, honest conversation about leadership, power, burnout, and reinvention at any age.

Lyndsay shares her personal leadership journey, the moment she was fired after 23 years in corporate leadership, and why that experience became the catalyst for building heart-led, high-performance cultures. Together, Josh and Lyndsay explore why top performers don’t always make great leaders, how burnout is often a signal—not a weakness—and why leading with heart isn’t soft, it’s strategic.

This episode is for leaders who are tired of performative culture talk and want leadership that actually works.

Topics covered:
 • Why toxic leadership keeps getting rewarded
 • Power vs. responsibility in leadership
 • Reinventing yourself at any stage of life
 • Separating identity from title and performance
 • Burnout, trust, and psychological safety
 • What heart-led leadership really looks like in practice

🎧 Listen to the full episode and share it with a leader who needs to hear it.

00:00 – Why heart is missing in modern business
01:30 – Lyndsay’s leadership backstory and IBM upbringing
06:20 – Being fired after 23 years and losing identity
08:50 – Why toxic leaders keep getting promoted
15:15 – Does power change people—or reveal them?
22:55 – Leadership lessons from parenting twins
29:05 – Reinvention at any age and starting over at 50
38:40 – Separating identity from title and performance
46:25 – What burnout is really trying to tell leaders
51:40 – An unpopular belief about leadership (the hill she’ll die on)

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Christmas is one of the most meaningful seasons of the year.

It’s full of joy, generosity, family, and tradition — and yes, sometimes a little pressure too. Between gifts, meals, schedules, and expectations, it can feel like a lot to carry.

But what if Christmas isn’t just something to get through?

In this solo episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick explores why Christmas is actually one of the greatest leadership stories ever told. Long before Jesus ever preached or led publicly, leadership was already being shaped through humility, restraint, and power under control.

This conversation looks at:
 • Why Christmas can feel demanding and meaningful at the same time
 • How expectations can overshadow what really matters
 • Why Jesus modeled leadership through humility and presence
 • What “power under control” looks like in real life
 • How leadership always shows up first in relationships
 • Why self-care is stewardship, not indulgence

This episode is thoughtful, encouraging, and practical — designed to help you slow down, reflect, and lead well during this season.

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Work-life balance is a myth. Burnout is everywhere. And most leaders are lying to themselves about what it takes to win.

In today’s Spartan Leadership episode, Josh Kosnick sits down with JM Ryerson — Leadership & Performance Coach, bestselling author, and founder of Let’s Go Win — for a candid conversation on authenticity, mindset, culture, and the realities of high-performance living.

With over 20 years building elite sales teams and coaching top CEOs, JM breaks down:

🔥 Why “work-life balance” destroys more leaders than it helps
🔥 The simple ACT framework that doubles revenue and strengthens team culture
🔥 How journaling can outperform therapy for burnout
🔥 Why authenticity is misunderstood — and how to actually live it
🔥 Biohacks that transform your energy, focus, and emotional resilience
🔥 How to raise strong kids without enabling entitlement
🔥 What leadership looks like in divided times
🔥 The real cost of suppressing emotions as a man

This is one of the most aligned conversations we’ve had on Spartan Leadership — raw, tactical, and deeply human.

If you lead teams, run a business, or want to stop living in survival mode… this episode will hit home.

⸻

📌 FOLLOW JM RYerson

Website: https://www.letsgowin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsgowin365

⸻

📌 FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE

Help us grow the impact: https://www.youtube.com/@SpartanLeadership

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring top business minds, elite performers, and leadership experts.

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#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset

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Most people are stuck in a healthcare system designed to manage symptoms, not create real healing. Today, Dr. InJun Chong joins Josh Kosnick to expose why so many patients end up on painkillers, unnecessary surgeries, and endless treatment plans that never address the root cause.

Dr. Chong is the founder of Reveal Wellness and a leading practitioner in regenerative medicine, specializing in human cellular tissue products, shockwave therapy, and non-invasive recovery methods. His approach challenges the traditional medical model by prioritizing the body’s natural ability to heal.

In this episode, Josh and Dr. Chong break down:

• Why the medical system prioritizes pharmaceuticals over long-term healing

• The truth about regenerative therapies and who they actually help

• The misconceptions around chiropractic care

• What people can do at home to reduce pain and improve mobility

• The leadership crisis inside the healthcare industry

• Why most people wait too long to address pain

• How Dr. Chong is integrating high-performance leadership through the Bridge Builder Mastermind

If you’ve been frustrated with the medical system, are looking for alternatives to surgery or NSAIDs, or want to understand how to take ownership of your long-term health, this conversation will give you the clarity and direction you need.

Learn more about Dr. InJun Chong and Reveal Wellness:

https://www.revealwellness.life/

For coaching, events, and leadership development:

https://www.joshkosnick.com/

00:00 – Introduction and Personal Responsibility

02:00 – Dr. Chong’s Backstory and Path to Regenerative Medicine

07:00 – Chiropractic vs. Medical Industry

11:00 – Stem Cell Therapy: Misconceptions and Real Results

15:00 – How the Body Heals: Cells, Pain, and Dysfunction

19:00 – Insurance, Incentives, and Healthcare System Failures

23:00 – Lifestyle, Habits, and Personal Accountability

30:00 – Media Influence and Health Confusion

32:00 – Regenerative Medicine, Shockwave, and Peptides

40:00 – Personalized Treatment and Ozone UV

46:00 – Mindfulness, Thought Work, and Emotional Health

53:00 – Risks of Surgery, NSAIDs, and Inflammation

58:00 – Gut-Brain Connection

01:06:00 – Building a Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle

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Most leaders plan their business year in detail—and wing their personal life.

In this solo episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick shares his annual planning playbook: how to set a 10-year “lighthouse” vision, reverse-engineer it into a 3-year picture, and then execute through focused 90-day sprints. He walks through the same process for your family life so you can stop drifting and start living on purpose.

You’ll learn why most New Year’s resolutions fail, how to choose the one goal you’d be furious not to hit in 2026, and how mission and core values actually become filters for decisions—not just words on a wall. Then Josh turns the lens to your marriage, your kids, and your home life so you’re not just building a bigger business, but a stronger family.

In this episode, Josh covers:

- Why most people never do real annual planning
- How to set a 10-year “lighthouse” vision for your business
- Turning that into a 3-year picture and 1-year targets
- The one goal you’d be mad at yourself for missing in 2026
- Why your brain needs 90-day sprints, not vague yearly resolutions
- How mission and core values filter decisions and protect culture
- The danger of aspirational values (hello, Enron)
- Using the same framework for your family and marriage
- Creating family core values and raising kids with a clear standard
-How to prevent “we just grew apart” from ever being your story

If you’re ready to stop reacting to your calendar and start leading it—for your company and your family—this episode is your sign to sit down, plan, and commit.

00:00:04 - Introduction
00:00:47 - Importance of Annual Planning
00:02:20 - Business Planning: Long-Term Vision
00:06:43 - Business Planning: One-Year Goals
00:10:02 - Business Planning: Core Purpose and Values
00:15:28 - Personal Life Planning
00:16:52 - The Role of Communication in Planning
00:18:04 - Creating a Vision for the Family
00:18:34 - The Importance of Family Core Values
00:20:24 - The Role of Individual Growth in Family Planning
00:21:01 - Planning for Children's Activities and Experiences
00:22:28 - The Importance of Prioritizing Family Over Business
00:23:51 - Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring top business minds, elite performers, and leadership experts.

Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://linktr.ee/joshkosnick

#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset

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In this episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick, Jason Smith, and Emanuel Whitfield dive deep into the chaos of modern politics, culture, and leadership. From hypocrisy in both parties to the dangers of censorship, this conversation pulls no punches.

They cover:

- The erosion of truth in American media and politics

- Cancel culture and the new “untouchables”

- Race, accountability, and uncomfortable conversations

- The infiltration of Sharia ideology and its implications for American values

- The importance of real leadership rooted in truth, faith, and courage

This is one of the most raw and unfiltered conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring top business minds, elite performers, and leadership experts.

Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://linktr.ee/joshkosnick

#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset

00:00 – Freedom, accountability, and the wood chipper
01:08 – Welcome to Spartan Leadership
03:40 – New York’s election aftermath: is America burning itself down?
08:00 – Race, accountability, and double standards in America
17:00 – Why outrage is replacing truth
23:00 – Hypocrisy in politics: the rise of black conservatism
30:00 – Obama, the establishment, and political puppets
38:00 – Sharia law, Islam, and cultural infiltration
50:00 – The media machine and America’s political confusion
1:03:00 – The problem with politicians and the loss of truth
1:13:00 – Outrage vs. Wisdom: building culture from the ground up
1:14:00 – Heart & Hustle: the true formula for leadership

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What does it mean to build an unbreakable body — and perform at a high level for life, not just for a season?

In this episode of Spartan Leadership, host Josh Kosnick sits down with world-renowned strength coach, physical therapist, and injury-prevention expert Dr. John Rusin.

Dr. Rusin has worked with MLB All-Stars, NFL All-Pros, Olympic gold medalists, and world-record-holding powerlifters. Named one of Men’s Health’s “Top 50 Health & Fitness Experts,” he’s the founder of the Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification (PPSC) — the fastest-growing fitness education system in the world, certifying over 20,000 professionals.

Together, Josh and John explore what it takes to achieve physical autonomy, why most people train too hard and too dumb, and how curiosity, humility, and discipline define not only great athletes but great leaders.

🔥 In This Episode

• Why physical autonomy is the foundation of leadership

• The dangers of early sports specialization

• How to distinguish pain from progress

• Building strength without sacrificing longevity

• The mindset behind sustainable success

• Turning personal struggle into purpose

Dr. John Rusin

• Pain-Free Performance → Buy on Amazon

• Train with Dr. Rusin → becomeunbreakable.com

• Coaching → drjohnrusincoaching.com

• Website → drjohnrusin.com

• Instagram → @drjohnrusin

• YouTube → @DrJohnRusin

Josh Kosnick

• Learn more → JoshKosnick.com

• Take the Life Quotient Assessment

• Join the Bridge Builder Mastermind

• Attend Bridge Builder Live

• Follow → @joshkosnick

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Fireworks took his hand — but not his purpose.

In this episode, Josh Kosnick sits down with Ben Shortreed, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, father, and 2025 Superhuman Man of the Year. What began as a backyard party ended with Ben losing his left hand in a freak fireworks accident. What followed was even more brutal: unbearable phantom pain, opioid dependency, an identity crisis, and a battle with suicide.

But this story isn’t about suffering — it’s about the blueprint for mental toughness that Ben forged in the fire.

Inside this raw and transparent conversation:

 • The night that changed everything
 • Facing down phantom pain and addiction
 • How fitness helped him reclaim his identity
 • Fatherhood, faith, and finding purpose through adversity
 • Why he joined the Bridge Builder Mastermind
 • What “no excuses” actually looks like

🔥 Want to transform your body and mind?

Mention Ben Shortreed’s name and get $500 off the Supra Human program: https://suprahuman.com

⸻

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Ben’s mindset after the accident
01:03 – Fireworks, addiction & phantom pain
07:10 – Rebuilding post-trauma
13:41 – Phantom pain: the silent battle
16:27 – Business, identity & purpose
23:49 – Finding Supra Human
28:24 – Real transformation begins
31:09 – Fitness as identity
40:33 – Escaping painkillers
42:49 – Goals, growth & fatherhood
48:18 – Mastermind power & competition
51:56 – Action as the cure for anxiety
56:30 – Faith, regret & God’s plan
01:02:14 – Family, legacy & mental health
01:03:44 – Veterans, hormones & mission

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring top business minds, elite performers, and leadership experts.

Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://linktr.ee/joshkosnick

#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset

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When a handful of friends decided to turn generosity into action, they created something extraordinary.

In this episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, host Josh Kosnick sits down with Charlie Wills and Jason Guttenberg, two of the founding members of 100 Men of Dane County—a collective of business leaders dedicated to helping local children and families move from survival → success → significance.

Together they unpack how a small idea born on a golf course became a powerhouse of community transformation, giving away more than $2.8 million to Dane County nonprofits since 2018.

You’ll hear:
 • How HackFest and a cancer diagnosis sparked the idea.
 • Why simple structure and shared purpose beat red tape and perfection.
 • The real stories behind the grants changing kids’ lives.
 • Lessons on faith, fatherhood, and legacy from three servant-leaders.
 • How you can start a giving collective in your own community.

💡 Visit: https://www.curelocal.com
📺 Watch more Spartan Leadership episodes → JoshKosnick.com

If this conversation moves you, share it—and consider joining or starting your own “100 Men” chapter. Leadership begins where generosity meets action.

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