Building Great People

From Service to Strategy — How Leaders Develop and Inspire Their Teams

Join us as Joe Shakeenab walks through the experiences and leaders who molded his character, mindset, and discipline. From Ranger School to Special Forces, Joe explains what true leadership looks like: presence, purpose, grit, and service.
 
If you're looking to become a stronger leader or inspire the people around you, this episode will challenge and encourage you.
 
🎙️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.
 
Stay up to date with all things Press related too by 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: bit.ly/PressNewsletterSignup

Purpose, Perseverance & Leadership — Inside the Lives of Student Ambassadors

In this episode of Building Great People, we sit down with The Press's Student Ambassadors — CiCi, Gage, and JT — who are also full time Austin Peay State University students, to talk about what it really means to grow as a leader. From managing a real investment portfolio to rediscovering purpose after setbacks, their stories reflect the power of faith, perseverance, and showing up every day with intention.
 
You’ll hear real advice for students and professionals alike on balancing empathy with accountability, making mistakes, and being present in the process.
 
🎙️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

From Cleats to Careers — How Leaders Can Truly Understand Their Teams

In this episode of Building Great People, we sit down with Reagan Prather, an experienced coach and adjunct faculty member at Austin Peay State University, who works with youth athletes and executive coaching students. She explains why sports are uniquely powerful for building character, how focusing on nurturing roots (skills, relationships, process) beats obsessing over wins, and how coaches and managers can help young people translate athletic lessons into careers and life.
 
Expect practical examples about mental performance, building trust, handling failure, and improving coach-player communication.
 
🎙️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

From Idea to Action: Beating Analysis Paralysis & Building a Business that Lasts

Dave Dessauer, Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Austin Peay, joins Building Great People to unpack what new owners really face: fear, grit, accountability—and why starting small is often the smartest move. He explains TSBDC’s no-cost 1:1 advising and training, who qualifies, and the realistic timeline most businesses need to find traction.
 
We also tackle analysis paralysis, realistic funding expectations, and why “freedom” in business isn’t what you think.
 
🎙️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.
 
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀!
 
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LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/the-press-clarksville

Leading with Joy: Pamela Holz on Empathy, Growth, and Purpose

Pamela Holz, Executive Director of the Association for Corporate Growth Tennessee, doesn’t just walk into a room — she lights it up. But behind her joyful presence is a deep leadership philosophy built on connection, empathy, and the belief that everyone matters.
 
In this heartfelt episode of Building Great People, Pamela reflects on her roots as a teacher, her love for people, and how she helps high-powered business leaders stay grounded in humanity. She and Rylan Kean dive into the power of empathy, the danger of transactional relationships, and the simple act of asking someone their name.
 
They explore how volunteering, committee work, emotional intelligence, and even a fast-food background can shape better business leaders. From navigating tough conversations to inspiring others to do more than they believed possible, this conversation will stick with you.

When Plans Fail, Character Leads – Leadership Lessons from Mark Blaze

In this episode of Building Great People, we sit down with Mark Blaze—an accomplished Chief Revenue Officer known for driving sales, leading strategic initiatives, and building cultures that thrive. With decades of experience in market expansion, P&L management, and team leadership, Mark unpacks the personal side of executive leadership: staying calm in crisis, leading with empathy, and empowering others to grow.Whether you're scaling a business or leading a team, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

Leadership Is a Skill — Here’s How to Train It Like a Green Beret

Episode 3 of Building Great People features Nick Lavery — active-duty Green Beret, keynote speaker, coach, and CEO. A best-selling author and member of The Press, Nick shares a powerful story of grit, leadership, and resilience.
With nearly 20 years in Special Forces, Nick offers deep insights on mission planning, problem-solving, and what it means to truly lead — at work and at home. He opens up about balancing military life with entrepreneurship, and why failure is often the best teacher.
His leadership philosophy?
Lead with values
Care deeply
Stay humble
“People follow you based on who you are and what you represent.” 
This episode is a masterclass in grit, growth, and grounded leadership. Whether you’re a CEO, a team lead, or someone simply trying to make an impact—you don’t want to miss this conversation.

Building Great People (2) - Emily Springer

What if your biggest fear wasn’t failure—but never taking the leap at all?
 
In this episode of Building Great People, we sit down with Emily, founder of Asulon Collective, Downtown Clarksville’s newest craft coffee shop. Emily’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to serving people—one cup at a time.
 
Growing up on a 125-acre hay farm in Florida, Emily learned the power of hospitality from her grandparents, whose door was always open to others. That foundation of generosity shaped her passion for creating a “third place”—a welcoming space outside of home and work where people can connect, rest, and belong.
 
After moving to Nashville in 2016, Emily started her career in coffee at a nonprofit coffee shop, where she discovered how something as simple as a cup of coffee can foster deep conversations and meaningful relationships. Now, as a business owner, she’s dedicated to building a team culture rooted in care, creativity, and purpose—without losing sight of her values.
 
In this episode, we dive into:☕ How Emily overcame the fear of “What If” and took the leap into entrepreneurship💡 The power of vision casting and staying true to your purpose❤️ How she’s investing in her team and creating an experience beyond just great coffee🛠️ Lessons in resilience, leadership, and learning from failure📖 The faith and community that keep her grounded
➕ Plus so much more!
 
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a coffee lover, or someone looking for inspiration to chase your dreams, Emily’s story is one you don’t want to miss.