In this episode of The Steward Chair, John Newland, CEO at JOMA Construction, shares his journey of transitioning from a small home-flipping operation to a 100% employee-owned firm, exploring how the Greek concept of eudaimonia drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss the philosophy of "getting better before getting bigger," the rigorous process of empower every team member, the establishment of the ESOP, and how true legacy is built by elevating others to lead the organization forward.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Eudaimonia: Integrating a guiding principle of "human flourishing" and contentment into the daily operations and client interactions of a construction business.
• Democratizing Ownership: Why JOMA chose a 100% ESOP model to ensure all stakeholders benefit from the company's success without taking on individual financial risk.
• Leadership as Presence: Utilizing daily affirmations and personal poise to remain grounded and "fully present" within the inherent chaos of the business world.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://jomaconstruction.com/

• Follow John Newland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnewland/

• Follow JOMA Construction on social media:

  • Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/jomaconstruction

  • Facebook: facebook.com/jomaconstruction

  • YouTube: youtube.com/jomaconstruction

  • Instagram: instagram.com/jomaconstruction

• Subscribe to JOMA’s mailing list at http://jomaconstruction.com/learn/jomail-archive

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Enrique Alvarez shares his journey as a business leader, exploring how embracing challenges, learning from mistakes, and empowering teams drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss how creating a culture of transparency, shared learning, and problem-solving helps organizations grow stronger—providing practical takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Facing challenges and making mistakes is part of the job—and growth comes from how we resolve problems.
• Openly sharing experiences and failures strengthens teams and accelerates learning.
• Continuous improvement is a collective effort built on trust, collaboration, and accountability.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/vector-global-logistics/.
• Follow Enrique on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-alvarez-64332a2/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, shares her journey of transitioning from a dedicated "number two" to leading a massive ecosystem through a global pandemic. We explore how a commitment to mission and the guidance of mentors drives meaningful, long-term success even when the original plan is upended.

We discuss the critical role of a connector in the life sciences sector, the importance of "work-life harmony" over balance, and why true stewardship means preparing the next generation to lead. This conversation provides actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Purpose Over Tactics: In times of crisis, your "North Star" must be your organizational purpose, allowing your tactics to remain nimble and adaptive.
• The Responsibility of Mentorship: Leadership is a societal responsibility; investing time in the next generation is essential because no leader is "here forever".
• Embracing "Ready Enough": You don’t have to feel fully ready to step into a leadership seat; surrounding yourself with a community that believes in you is the key to moving forward through fear.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.galifesciences.org/
• Follow Maria on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariathacker/
• Join the Georgia Life Sciences mailing list at: https://www.galifesciences.org/join-the-mailing-list

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn @ChatWithLeaders.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Jared Meyers, Founder & CEO of andCo, shares his journey of aligning personal values with professional leadership, exploring how authenticity in business drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss the often-overlooked emotional costs of inauthentic leadership, why financial outcomes alone are an incomplete measure of success, and how balancing personal identity with professional responsibility leads to healthier leaders and more resilient organizations.

Key Takeaways

• When leaders act differently in business than they do in life, there is an emotional cost that impacts well-being and fulfillment.
• Authenticity at work restores energy, clarity, and purpose, leading to stronger leadership and healthier cultures.
• True stewardship requires balancing personal identity with professional responsibility, not separating the two.

Resources Mentioned

• Follow Jared Meyers on social media at
• • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-meyers/
• Follow andCo
• • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/andcohospitality/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn @ChatWithLeaders.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Producer Thomas Mastrototaro and Lead Editor Daniel Mastrototaro reflect on the past year of conversations with business leaders who exemplify stewardship in action, exploring how choosing care over convenience drives meaningful, long-term success.

They discuss key themes that emerged across the year, including why care in leadership costs something, how patience and time shape healthy organizations, and the importance of finding meaning in work while empowering people and communities. These reflections provide practical insight and encouragement for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

• Care over convenience is a common theme among leaders.
• Care costs something; it requires sacrifice.
• Care builds people, and places.

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Masami Sato, Founder & CEO of B1G1, shares her journey from an introverted backpacker to leading a global giving movement, exploring how the power of small, daily acts of kindness drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss the philosophy of "business as usual" becoming a force for good, the importance of expanding our "family circle," and how integrating micro-impacts can transform company culture. This episode is full of actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Small: Masami explains how small, consistent contributions—like giving access to water for every cup of coffee sold—can collectively solve massive global challenges.
• The "Bee" Philosophy of Business: Just as bees pollinate flowers while collecting nectar, businesses can benefit their own growth while naturally enriching the global ecosystem through their daily operations.
• Expanding the Family Circle: Masami challenges leaders to widen their definition of "family" to include the global community, moving from a mindset of separation to one of connection and collaboration.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://b1g1.com/
• Follow Masami Sato on social media at
• • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/masamisato/
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sato.masami

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Christy Kovac, President and CEO of Sheridan Construction, shares her journey of intentional, purpose-driven leadership, exploring how stewardship, employee ownership, and community impact drive meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss the importance of intentional succession planning, celebrating employee contributions to strengthen engagement, and building trust with clients to support lasting relationships—providing actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and creating a thriving legacy. Stay tuned to

Key Takeaways

• The importance of intentional succession planning to ensure long-term organizational success.
• How celebrating employee contributions and fostering ownership strengthens engagement and culture.
• Why building trust and prioritizing community impact creates lasting relationships and a meaningful legacy.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.sheridanconstruction.com/
• Follow Shane on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-kovac-ab801411/
• Follow Jackson Healthcare on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheridanconstruction/
  • Twitter / X: https://x.com/SheridanCo1947
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanco1947/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Sandy Moll, leader of Advanced Business Solutions, Jeremiah 2911 Capital, and several other ventures, shares her journey of faith-driven leadership, exploring how "chasing God, not busyness" drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss how Sandy stewards multiple companies while working three days a week, her counter-cultural strategy of growing a business 100% through service, and why she believes "work-life balance" doesn't exist when your work is part of your life's purpose. This conversation provides actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Stewardship Through Surrender: Sandy's leadership is founded on "chasing God". She starts each day in silence, asking God for direction, which allows her to manage numerous responsibilities without being consumed by "busy-ness".
• Growth Through Service: Advanced Business Solutions has grown entirely through relationships and service, not traditional marketing. Sandy's focus is on serving clients well and asking, "Who else can we help?".
• Work-Life Integration: Sandy reframes the "work-life balance" debate. She believes that if you are doing the work God put you on earth for, it isn't separate from your life—it's an integrated part of it.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.abs-core.com/
• Follow ABS on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ABSThrive/
• Follow Sandy on at
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandymoll/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandyJMoll

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.