The Pepper Foster Pulse

Damian Smith - The Future of Business: AI, Quantum Computing, and Robotics

In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Jamie Kissell and Nate Caskey sit down with Pepper Foster Consulting’s founder and CEO, Damian Smith, to explore the radical shifts coming to the business world. From AI and quantum computing to robotics and fusion energy, Damian lays out the four transformative forces shaping the next decade.
What happens when AI is no longer "just a tool" but an autonomous force? How will quantum computing revolutionize industries overnight? And what does a world look like where humanoid robots take over physical labor?
Buckle up—this episode is a deep dive into the technologies that will redefine how we work, live, and compete in the years ahead

Navigating 2025: Economic Trends, M&A Growth, and AI’s Workforce Impact

In this episode, Jamie Kissell and Nate Caskey dive into the state of the 2025 economy, examining how mid-market and large-cap companies are navigating growth, cost control, and uncertainty. They discuss key trends in M&A activity, the industries primed for expansion, and the evolving role of AI in workforce planning.
Plus, they preview next week’s special episode featuring Damian, Pepper Foster Consulting’s CEO, where they’ll explore the major shifts shaping the future of business. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on what’s driving success in today’s volatile market.

The First 100 Days: Strategies for New Leaders

In this episode of The Pepper Foster Pulse, hosts Jamie Kissell and Nate Caskey dive into actionable advice for leaders stepping into new roles. From crafting and executing a refreshed strategy to navigating team dynamics, Jamie and Nate explore the critical steps leaders must take in their first 100 days to create alignment, foster engagement, and deliver measurable success. They also discuss the challenges of balancing existing workloads with new strategic initiatives, offering insights on when to leverage consulting partners for acceleration. Whether you’re leading a new team or supporting one, this episode provides valuable tools to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

Sara Juran - Women in Corporate Leadership

On this episode, Jamie and Nate sit down with Sara Juran, VP of Advice and Planning Solutions at Thrivent Financial. Sara shares her journey as a woman leader in a male-dominated industry, offering candid insights into overcoming unconscious bias, fostering resilience, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Tune in to hear Sara's advice on building confidence, mentoring future leaders, and how her team’s innovative approach earned industry recognition.

JC Lippold and Jean Nitchals - Wellness in the Workplace

On this episode Nate and Jamie ask the question, What does wellness really mean? In this episode, JC Lippold and Jean Nitchals share fresh perspectives on wellness—beyond gym memberships and salads—emphasizing connection, authenticity, and readiness. Learn how leaders can foster trust, build spaces for honesty, and truly listen to their teams.
From redefining wellness to navigating workplace change, this conversation offers actionable insights for creating a more human-centered work environment.
Listen now to discover how to bring "ready position" wellness to your team!

Adam Simmen - Growth Is a Mindset

Scaling is one of the hardest challenges any organization faces, but Adam, the SVP of Growth at a rapidly expanding health testing company, believes the key lies in focusing on value and process. In this episode of The Pepper Foster Pulse, Adam shares:
Why Growth Departments are the perfect merger of Sales and Account Management.
How staying true to your core business and delivering value trumps racing to the bottom on pricing.
The importance of building a culture of winning and falling in love with the pursuit of being better.
Why worrying less about outcomes and focusing on getting better every day is the ultimate path to success.
Join us for an inspiring conversation packed with actionable insights for leaders, growth professionals, and anyone looking to scale effectively.

Megan Rene - WorkBoard Partners with Pepper Foster Consulting

Jamie and Nate sat down with the VP of Strategic Partnerships at WorkBoard; the leading enterprise strategy execution platform, in a partnership to help organizations achieve better alignment, visibility, and accountability in their strategic initiatives.
We also announce during this episode the official launch of a WorkBoard -- Pepper Foster Consulting partnership! By integrating WorkBoard into our proprietary Strat frameworks (StratX™, StratC&T™, StratM&A™, StratAI™, and StratSC™), we’re taking strategy execution to the next level for our clients in industries like agriculture, financial services, healthcare, and more.

John Monson - Transforming 'ready, fire, aim' to 'ready, aim, fire'

Join us as we chat with John Monson, Chief Mission Officer about the power of mindful strategy development and its role in transforming "ready, fire, aim" into "ready, aim, fire." Discover how John champions rural development as a cornerstone of its mission as a member-owned cooperative serving rural America. Packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking ideas, this episode is a must-listen for leaders shaping strategies with impact.

Jean Nitchals - The Intersection of Ideas + People + Strategy = Innovative Change

This week, we were joined by the extraordinary Jean Nitchals, a true innovator in Change Management and Design Thinking. Jean’s passion for weaving together wellness, growth, and collaboration is unmatched, and we couldn’t wait to dive into her insights.
Jean shared her unique approach to innovation in organizational change and the powerful impact of design thinking on creating sustainable solutions. And that’s not all – she also talked about her current, awe-inspiring personal challenge: As she is currently participating in the Abbott World Marathon Majors! This incredible journey is part of her commitment to raising awareness and funds for The Natalie Kate Moss Trust. {link below to donate}
 
https://www.justgiving.com/page/jean-nitchals-dreambig?newPage=true

Pinky Swear Foundation - Erica Campbell Executive Director and Author

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Erica Campbell, Executive Director of the Pinky Swear Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families with children battling cancer. Erica shares the foundation's mission and her own inspiring journey as a cancer survivor and author of “The Mastectomy I Always Wanted.” Join us as we discuss the impact of Pinky Swear’s work nationwide, Erica’s personal story, and ways you can get involved. This is an episode that will move you and inspire you to make a difference. PINKIES UP!
 
Link to Pinky Swear Foundation:  www.pinkyswear.org/donate
Link to writing Letters of Encouragement to kids with cancer:  https://pinkyswear.org/childhood-cancer-volunteer
Link to “The Mastectomy I Always Wanted” on Amazon:  https://a.co/d/gaoiIC3