Leading the Conversation About Next-Generation Mentoring

How does a single mother of four rebuild her life after divorce, raise her children to graduate from college and pursue promising careers, and discover her own calling along the way? For Susan Hyche, the answer began with mentorship.

Mentors Charles and Nubia Fisher gave Susan an opportunity and one life-changing question: “What were you born to do?” That question sparked a journey of self-discovery that helped Susan recognize her true passion: connecting with people, meeting them where they are, and coaching them to believe in themselves and their potential.

Along the way, Susan experienced success in the ways business often measures it—through growth, achievement, and numbers. But for her, the greatest measure of success has always been the genuine, heartfelt connections we make with others.

Today, Susan is a client and retail operations leader who brings that same heart and purpose to the teams she leads, the people she mentors, and her four grown children.

Her journey is a reminder that sometimes, finding your calling begins with someone simply believing in you and asking the right question.


Chapters:
[00:00] - An Unexpected Encounter: Parenting Four College Students To Career Success
[05:12] - From Struggles To Neuroscience: Katie’s Path & Brown University Fellowship
[11:44] - Rewriting The Narrative: How Mentorship Shapes Future Teachers
[16:49] - Fostering Creative Talent: Jordan’s Graphic Design Journey At JMU
[22:05] - The Power Of A Simple Walk: Turning Points In Physics & Astrophysics
[27:54] - Lifesaving Higher Ed Connections: Whitney’s Story At George Mason
[33:02] - Discovering Your Encoding: Susan’s Workforce Reentry & Passion For People
[38:39] - Leading With Empathy: Navigating Human Connection & Retail Leadership
[46:45] - Reclaiming Peace: Overcoming Shame & Returning To Alabama Roots
[54:21] - A Love Letter To Educators: The Unseen Impact Of Heart-Centered Mentorship

Ever feel like you’re walking through your career without a script? Jordana Cole https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordana-cole-mapp-pcc-a8445a8/?isSelfProfile=false, founder of Ignited https://ignitedbyjordana.com/ and a leadership powerhouse, joins Tina Fox to reveal how to unlock leadership potential by embracing your inner improviser. Forget the rigid five-year plans; Jordana shares her circuitous path from international affairs to TEDx stages, proving that resilience isn’t a trait you’re born with—it’s a muscle you build through daily practice. In this episode, learn why your professional persona might need a "Batman" alter ego to survive corporate burnout. Discover how to swap friction for playfulness, adapt to the unexpected, and ultimately, find the courage to play on.

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[0:29] Meet Jordana Cole: Energy And Identity
[7:14] Navigating A Non-Linear Career Path
[17:00] Turning Burnout Into Professional Growth
[26:16] Launching Ignited And Building Culture
[31:30] The Human Edge: Why Improv Matters
[38:17] Play The Scene You're In: Radical Resilience
[44:57] Play On: A Mindset For Every Leader

Character, integrity, and the ripple effect of paying it forward define the true mark of a leader. In this episode, host Tina Fox sits down with sales veteran Mike McNulty to discuss the transformative power of mentorship in medtech and how it shapes high-performing teams. From his early days serving on the DMZ to scaling sales organizations across the country, Mike shares candid stories about the importance of hiring for character over relationships. Listen in as they dive into the philosophy of "quantum giving" and discover why focusing on patient care—rather than just the bottom line—is the best path to professional fulfillment.

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[1:39] A Long History Of Friendship
[6:22] Core Values And Hiring For Character
[14:27] The Pillars Of Recruiting Top Talent
[20:20] Lessons From The DMZ And Maintaining Perspective
[24:26] Quantum Giving And The Impact Of Mentorship
[35:31] Why Mentorship Should Be Mutually Beneficial
[45:48] Leading With Vulnerability And Stoicism
[53:28] Building A Purpose-Driven Life And Business

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? For BarTrack https://www.bartrack.beer/ founder Brett Danielson https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-danielson-8549b9154/, being asked to leave college during his freshman year was the catalyst for his greatest transformation. In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between failing—a temporary event—and failure—a choice to quit.

Join us as Brett shares his raw, honest journey from living in his car and working two jobs to returning to James Madison University as an honors graduate and building a successful startup. Discover how shifting your mindset from "I have to" to "I get to" can redefine your career, build unshakeable discipline, and help you turn life's biggest setbacks into your greatest competitive advantage. If you’re ready to master the art of resilience and solve better problems, this episode is your blueprint for success.

Chapters:
[00:00] - Introduction
[04:18] - Brett's Academic Struggles And Leaving JMU
[06:48] - Adopting A "Have To" To "Get To" Mindset
[11:00] - Building Resilience Through Internal Mentorship
[18:02] - Distinguishing Between Failing And Being A Failure
[27:25] - Redefining Success As Internal And Purpose-Driven
[38:07] - The Power Of Face-To-Face Networking

When a team hires for potential and ensures that everyone is included in its success, it can unlock a ton of new opportunities in the years to come. Tina Fox is joined by Mark Watson https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-watson-1317b720/, who shares how they prioritize a culture-first leadership at Exterior Medics https://www.exteriormedics.com/va. He breaks down the benefits of investing heavily in employee growth through mentorship programs and the cultivation of a team-oriented environment. Mark also talks about the secrets behind his impactful leadership approach, from treating success as a journey rather than a destination to being a constant seeker of new knowledge.

Chapters:
[00:00] - Introduction
[02:04] - Mark Watson And How Exterior Medics Came To Be
[11:37] - Cultivating A Strong Level of Resiliency
[17:19] - Welcoming And Embracing The Fear Of Rejection
[22:38] - Becoming A Constant Seeker Of New Knowledge
[31:16] - Shaping A Healthy Culture At Exterior Medics
[37:13] - Balancing Business And Family Responsibilities
[40:25] - Securing Business Growth Through The Right Partnerships
[47:53] - Treating Success As A Journey, Not A Destination
[52:00] - Discussion Wrap-up And Closing Words

Tina Fox’s son Beckett is now an 11th grader. Soon, he will enter a new stage in his life: college. In this special mother-and-son mentorship session, they talk about their recent experiences with college tours and evaluating potential ones to enroll in. Beckett also delves into his biggest expectations, insights, fears, and dreams as he prepares to turn 18. From the mind of a Gen Z, discover why social media challenges the idea of authentic relationships, how to find growth in your mistakes, and how to get the right mentorship by connecting with the people around you – even those from a different generation.

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro
[1:39] Visiting Different College Campuses
[8:38] Facing Adulthood And Unlocking Growth Through Failure
[13:42] Pursuing A Higher Education
[18:55] Social Media: Does It Help Or Hurt People?
[20:46] Importance Of Connecting Locally First
[31:08] Becoming Your Authentic Self
[35:25] Fast Facts With Beckett
[37:36] Discussion Wrap-up And Closing Words