The Executive hosted by Dr. Benjamin Ritter

In this episode, I sit down with Steve McGarry, CEO of Rosaluna Mezcal, to explore what it really takes to build a brand people believe in, from its roots in the agave fields of Oaxaca to its rapidly growing presence across the U.S. and beyond.

Steve shares his leadership philosophy shaped through decades in hospitality, distribution, and brand building. We talk about the power of curiosity, the importance of the apprenticeship mindset, and how to make the right leadership decisions when you're responsible for growing both people and a brand.

We also dive into Rosaluna’s incredible heritage:

• A sixth-generation mezcalero

• A family lineage dating back to 1750

• A single-estate, vertically integrated production model

• The sustainable practices that earned Rosaluna the “Distintivo Verde" Certification

• Why their lightly smoked, citrus-forward mezcal is redefining the category

If you're a leader, founder, or someone navigating your own growth journey, this conversation is packed with insights on culture, hiring, belief, and building something that lasts.

What We Cover

• The mindset shift from “I want it now” to meaningful career mastery

• How to hire people who actually believe what your organization believes

• The real cost of keeping the wrong people in the wrong seats

• Why culture gets threatened — and how to protect it

• Rosaluna’s unique process, history, and sustainability commitments

• What leaders can learn from a brand built on heritage and craft

About Rosaluna

Rosaluna is a single-estate, handcrafted mezcal rooted in six generations of tradition. Their proprietary roasting process, Capón agave, and deep sustainability practices create a stunning, citrus-forward mezcal loved by bartenders and fans around the world.

👉 Try Rosaluna Mezcal or find it near you: https://mezcalrosaluna.com/

High performers are taught to keep score: more tasks, more wins, more doing. But what if better leadership, and a better life, starts with being? In this conversation, Ben is joined by Tom Feegel (CEO & co-founder of BEOND) to unpack the shift from “human doing” to “human being” and how that mindset transforms executives, teams, and clinical care.

They explore practical ways leaders can model presence and vulnerability without sacrificing excellence; why “science, but not more than compassion” guides BEOND’s care model; and how simple daily rituals (like a 10-minute gratitude meditation) create trust, connection, and durable performance. Tom also shares how psychedelic-assisted therapy with ibogaine is used in a clinically rigorous setting to support healing and growth—and what leaders can learn from that approach even outside healthcare.

In this episode:

• Human Doing → Human Being: redefining success beyond scorekeeping

• Confidence, fear, and the permission to be vulnerable as an executive

• Rituals that anchor culture: meditation, gratitude, and shared storytelling

• “Science—but not more than compassion”: data, protocols, and humanity working together

• Ben’s “tree-hugging break,” flow states, and finding meaning in the work

• A simple relationship challenge: swap phones at dinner to be fully present

Note: This episode discusses psychedelic-assisted therapy in a professional, medically supervised context. It is not medical advice.

Find out more at: https://beondibogaine.com/

Henrik Johansson is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of Gembah, a product development platform and marketplace. He previously co-founded and built Boundless, which became a $100 million leader in the promotional products space.

As CEO of Gembah, he aims to help entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate the product creation process, offering services from research and design to manufacturing. Gembah focuses on democratizing product creation, providing a comprehensive platform for e-commerce sellers and small businesses to develop and market their products effectively.

Check on Gembah | Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn and listen to the episode for his direct email!

Bryan Myers is the President & Chief Executive Officer for [solidcore] and is an active [solidcore] Coach. In his role as CEO, Bryan is responsible for all aspects of delivering business performance, including [solidcore]’s national footprint growth and building a strong, inclusive community of clients and employees.

Prior to joining the [solidcore] team in 2018, Bryan was a member of the leadership team of sweetgreen, the national leader in the healthy fast casual category. He joined sweetgreen in 2014 and, over the course of 4 years, wore many hats as he helped the company grow from a regional chain of 20 restaurants to almost 100 locations nationally. Bryan began his career as a consultant for The Boston Consulting Group, providing strategic advice on topics of growth, organizational design, and operational transformation.

When Bryan isn’t sweating it out under the blue lights, you can find him immersed in the performing arts and attending shows at the many, amazing performance venues in the DC area. Bryan is also passionate about finding ways to give back to the community and serves in several advisory and mentorship capacities – with a particular focus on traditionally marginalized communities.

In 2023, Bryan was recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Mid-Atlantic Award Winner. He has also been nominated for and won several awards from the Washington Business Journal, including the Growth Award as a part of its CEO of the Year celebration in 2023. Bryan has also been featured as a speaker at national events, on podcasts, on television, and was featured in the March 2023 issue of Essence Magazine. 

Follow Bryan on -
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bmysofly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmysofly/

And find the closest [solidcore] studio near you: https://solidcore.co/

Thom Singer is a keynote speaker, business relationship strategist, and the creator of The H.I. (Human Interaction) Blueprint™; a five-step framework for building intentional connections in a world transformed by artificial intelligence. As CEO of the Austin Technology Council, Thom sits at the intersection of innovation and human interaction, helping leaders and teams rediscover the power of trust, collaboration, and community.

For over 18 years, Thom has spoken to audiences at over 1,000 events, from corporate meetings and legal industry summits to major association conferences. His mission is simple: to remind professionals that all opportunities come from people, and that even in a digitally dominated world, real success still hinges on meaningful relationships.

His work focuses on creating Uncommon Connections that drive business outcomes, deepen team engagement, and elevate the attendee experience. Thom doesn’t just deliver speeches, he sets the tone for events. His engaging style, humor, and actionable insights have made him a favorite opening keynote for meeting planners who care about energizing their audiences and fostering connection.

Thom’s belief in relationship-building started early. His first job as a busboy at the Big Yellow House Restaurant in Southern California taught him the value of adapting to people’s needs and showing up in service of others. That lesson stuck and continues to inform how he shows up for clients, colleagues, and communities today.

He is the author of 12 books on networking, sales, presentation skills, and business relationships. His podcast, “Making Waves at C-Level,” features conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders on how human connection shapes leadership and innovation.

Thom is also a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a designation earned by fewer than 10% of professional speakers worldwide. He’s the creator of the Conference Catalyst™, a unique program that transforms passive audiences into active participants, turning events into connection-rich experiences.

A believer in lifelong growth, Thom lives by the motto “Try New Things.” After decades of being a self-described couch potato, he became a distance runner, discovered a love of nature, and now regularly performs at stand-up comedy open mics… proving it’s never too late to stretch outside your comfort zone.

Whether he’s keynoting a conference, hosting a podcast, or helping a company connect better from the inside out, Thom Singer delivers more than a message – he sparks a movement around Human Interaction (H.I.) in an AI World.

Find out more at: https://thomsinger.com/

Michelle Mendoza is the CEO of Hydration Room where she oversees 35+ IV and injection therapy clinics in Southern California with the goal to provide effective therapies to help patients optimize their health. Before joining Hydration Room, Michelle was most recently VP of Stores for UBreakIFix by Asurion, a network of 700 stores focused on technology repair. Michelle spent 16 years leading operations at Weight Watchers, where she learned that being part of a wellness organization grounded in purpose, full of passion, and powered by incredible people made her feel whole.

A little about Michelle personally—I’m a Southern California native and currently reside in Huntington Beach with her husband, a radiologist, and two children. She loves to travel (anywhere and everywhere), enjoy sports (go Lakers and Dodgers), and runs to help offset some of the joys of being a foodie.

Find out more about the Hydration Room at https://hydrationroom.com/
Connect with Michelle Mendoza on LinkedIn

Will Dahlstrom is a proven operational leader, graduate of the United States Military Academy, and combat veteran with nearly two decades of experience helping businesses scale and optimize for growth.

He has partnered with organizations across industries to drive operational efficiency, align leadership teams, and create sustainable systems for long-term success. With deep expertise in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and a track record as a focused Integrator, Will excels in building clarity, prioritizing execution, and driving measurable results for leadership teams.

His leadership journey includes serving as Chief Operating Officer for companies navigating rapid expansion, strategic transitions, and operational challenges. As an Operating Partner, Will leverages his military discipline, operational expertise, and EOS knowledge to deliver value creation, operational excellence, and leadership development, maximizing investor returns. Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-dahlstrom/

Brendan P. Keegan is a 6-time president & chief executive officer, 21-time board director, 2-time best-selling author, World’s Most Innovative CEO award winner and the visionary leader behind bFEARLESS Ventures, an investment & advisory firm.

As President & CEO, he has successfully led 6 companies through liquidity exits with an average enterprise value increase of 750%.

Keegan has raised over $10 billion in capital while leading over 250,000 people globally. Today, he serves as co-owner and board member of Andretti Racing, United Autosports, Merchants Fleet, PURE Electric, Crane Paper, and Sky Meadow Country Club. Additionally, Keegan serves on the boards of McLaren Racing Indy Team, ExpressIT Delivery, RPI Athletics Council, RPI Lally Leadership Council and the Keegan Family Courage & Faith Foundation.

Find out more:

https://brendanpkeegan.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Keegan

https://www.instagram.com/bpkfearless/

Malissa Clark is an associate professor of industrial/organizational (I-O) psychology at the University of Georgia, where she has been on faculty since 2013. Currently, Clark serves as associate head of the department of psychology and director of the Healthy Work Lab. She is a recognized expert on the topics of workaholism, overwork, burnout, and employee well-being.

 Clark earned her Ph.D. in I-O psychology from Wayne State University, and her B.A. in organizational studies from the University of Michigan. She has received awards for her writing and mentoring, and her work has been funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). In 2023, Clark was named a Fellow of SIOP, a status that recognizes unusual and outstanding contributions that have an important impact on I-O psychology.

 Her first book, Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It, launches in February 2024. Clark’s work has been published in premier outlets such as Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, and Journal of Organizational Behavior. She serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology and as action editor for Journal of Business and Psychology and Occupational Health Science. Clark is passionate about bridging the scientist-practitioner gap and advocating for healthier workplaces and worker well-being through her speaking and consulting. Her work has been featured on various podcasts and in outlets such as Time, US News and World Report, New York Times, and The Atlantic. She currently serves as a member of the NIOSH Healthy Work Design and Well-Being Council. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Find out more at: https://www.malissaclark.com/

Jeff Wetzler has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he’s pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized education innovation organization.

Jeff earned a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Brown University. He is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and their puppy. Find out more at https://www.askapproach.com/#Jeff

Jeremy Jenson is the Founder & CEO of Encore Search Partners, a 40-person Direct Hire Recruitment Agency focused on headhunting revenue producers and technical professionals across a variety of industries, nationwide. Founded in 2010 as a Lead Generation Technology business, Encore Search quickly evolved into the fastest growing search firm in Texas, and is the largest privately-held direct hire firm in Houston, today. Find out more at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjenson/

Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a global leader in corporate training that has upskilled over 1.8 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time. Learn more at in/damonlembi/ and instagram.com/damonlembi/ 

Joshua Medcalf is a renowned author, speaker, and coach, known for his profound impact on personal development and leadership. He is the founder of Train to Be Clutch, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and teams achieve peak performance through mindset training and mental conditioning. Joshua’s work is grounded in principles of grit, resilience, and purposeful living, which he eloquently conveys in his bestselling books, including "Chop Wood Carry Water" and "Burn Your Goals."

With a background in psychology and a passion for sports, Joshua has a unique approach that combines mental training with practical strategies for success. He has worked with top athletes, corporate leaders, and organizations, helping them break through mental barriers and reach their full potential. His engaging and inspirational speaking style has made him a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences and events worldwide.

Joshua’s commitment to fostering growth, both personally and professionally, has earned him accolades and a loyal following. He continues to inspire and guide individuals on their journey to excellence through his writing, coaching, and speaking engagements. Find out more at https://t2bc.com/

Vladyslav Podoliako is the founder & CEO of Belkins (https://belkins.io/) and Folderly (https://folderly.com/).

Vladyslav is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a decade of experience in building and growing service companies and SaaS startups in Sales- and MarTech. He is known for his expertise in creating successful businesses from scratch and building top-notch teams that drive all ventures to the top of their industries.

With an unbridled passion for entrepreneurship, Vladyslav is always on the lookout to create, build, and explore new opportunities to market innovative products and ideas. He began his career in sales and quickly climbed the ranks to become a founder. He has successfully established service and bootstrapped product companies through his hard work and dedication.

Vladyslav's entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success have made him a valuable member of the business community. 

Stuart is the director of the Burning Man Project's Philosophical Center. A member of the Burning Man community for more than 30 years, he leads the organization's storytelling programs across multiple media, writes the annual art theme for the Black Rock City event, and serves as a steward of Burning Man's 10 Principles as the culture spreads across the globe. A graduate of the University of Maryland and a veteran of the US Air Force, he lives in Baja California. For more information check out: www.burningman.org & https://burningman.org/podcast/

Joe Mull is the author of 3 books including No More Team Drama and his latest, Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work. He is the founder of the BossBetter Leadership Academy and hosts the popular Boss Better Now podcast, which was recently named by SHRM as a “can’t miss show for leaders” along with podcasts from Brené Brown and Harvard Business Review.

In demand as a keynote speaker, Joe has taught leadership courses at two major universities and previously managed training at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S. Joe has appeared as an expert in multiple media outlets including Forbes, the International Business Times, on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and on Good Morning America. He is available for live and/or pre-recorded interviews or as a source for comment or commentary.

Find out more at joemull.com

Dawn Weiss is Chief Marketing Officer of Mayweather Fitness Holdings, LLC and a seasoned franchise marketing expert with nearly two decades of experience propelling the growth of emerging brands to become sustainable, acclaimed brands within the consumer fitness, wellness, retail and beauty sectors.

Prior to joining Mayweather, she dedicated two and a half years to Xponential Fitness, overseeing multiple brands simultaneously, such as CycleBar, Row House, and STRIDE, steering growth and top-tier marketing performance through a global pandemic and the organization’s initial public offering.

Ms. Weiss served as COO and CMO of Amazing Lash Studio, where she played a vital role during her tenure in aiding to stabilize and grow the franchise complicated management and ownership changes. Additionally, she served as a senior marketing executive at The Joint Chiropractic, where she was recognized as Top Female Executive by Phoenix Magazine during The Joint’s most significant growth period and most notably, was part of the founding team responsible for establishing the marketing foundation and brand identity that continues to drive Massage Envy Spa's thriving franchise today.

Dawn stands out as a well-rounded growth and marketing strategist, proficient in a variety of marketing mediums. Her focus and passion can be found in crafting marketing strategies that propel brands to attain industry-leading excellence.

Follow her journey and learn more on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawneweiss

As an entrepreneur, investor, and Army veteran, Craig is a true Austinite super connector immersed in the city’s vibrant tech community. He is the Special Advisor for Military and Veteran Affairs for Capital Factory and serves on the Advisory Boards of VetsInTech, Texas Venture Labs at UT McCombs School of Business, and DivInc. After 17 years of military service that earned him a Bronze Star, he co-founded the transportation platform RideScout, which was acquired by Mercedes-Benz.

In 2014, Craig co-founded Moonshots Capital alongside Kelly Perdew to invest in extraordinary leadership in the military veteran community and beyond. Craig holds a B.S. in Political Science from West Point, where he was their first Truman Scholar and later served as Assistant Professor of Political Science.

He also holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Econometrics from Columbia University, is a member of the 2016 class of Henry Crown Fellows with the Aspen Institute and was recently named a Future Texas Legend Veteran by the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He is married to Lawton Posey Cummings and has two children, Addison (21), and Cooper (18).

Find out more at:
https://www.moonshotscapital.com/

https://medium.com/leadership-prevails

https://www.linkedin.com/in/unleashcraig/

Michael Bungay Stanier is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar, and was recently awarded the coaching prize by Thinkers50, “the Oscars of management”.

Learn more at www.MBS.works.

Melissa is an award winning marketing executive and currently the Chief Marketing Officer of Insight Timer, focused on creating a more mindful and balanced world through best in class marketing!

Previously she was the CCO of ClickUp and CRO & EVP at Cheddar. For her brand work, she was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30, Business Insider’s 30 Most Creative People Under 30 and as one of Digiday's "Changemakers."

Prior to Cheddar, she led BuzzFeed's Global Creative Team. Joining the staff in 2010, Rosenthal was a key contributor to the creation and early success of BuzzFeed's branded content native advertising model.

Find out more about Insight Timer and connect with Melissa on LinkedIn