<![CDATA[Caring For Strangers]]>7e2b1c47-545e-54e7-b542-c779bcbb77cfWed, 15 Apr 2026 14:56:53 +0000Captivate.fmChad Heiserhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/2dbdf9cd-5948-4a1d-9f8b-fe6cd2c51840/lYfwPvTYRh7zvEq2nw4Dd49T.jpgCaring For StrangersChad HeiserChad HeiserChad Heiser, CEO of CEG brings thought leaders and inspiring guests together to have conversations about finding people to do work and life with.https://caring-for-strangers.captivate.fmfalseepisodicnopodcastJohn Moran | The Art of Being Present and PatientJohn Moran | The Art of Being Present and PatientJohn Moran shares how raising his daughter Willa, who has Down syndrome, transformed him from an agenda-driven leader into someone who leads with patience, presence, and genuine curiosity about others.

Through Willa's natural ability to be fully present and connect without agenda, John learned to let go of control, listen more deeply, and see the greatness in everyone around him. This vulnerability translated directly into his workplace, creating a culture where his team feels genuinely cared for and empowered to own their vision.

]]>John Moran shares how raising his daughter Willa, who has Down syndrome, transformed him from an agenda-driven leader into someone who leads with patience, presence, and genuine curiosity about others.

Through Willa's natural ability to be fully present and connect without agenda, John learned to let go of control, listen more deeply, and see the greatness in everyone around him. This vulnerability translated directly into his workplace, creating a culture where his team feels genuinely cared for and empowered to own their vision.

]]>b5adc1c5-4f19-4f1c-9c57-6069c38db6c2Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -040027:43falsefull1919Polly Culp | Think of Others More Than of YourselfPolly Culp | Think of Others More Than of YourselfChad talks with Polly Culp about her superpower of making people feel seen and special. She talks about learning to set tables at camp "as though Christ is going to sit there," her favorite scripture about thinking more of others than yourself, and why genuine curiosity beats any agenda. Polly also shares how her dad modeled loving people, and why the treasure she finds in others fills her cup every single day.

]]>Chad talks with Polly Culp about her superpower of making people feel seen and special. She talks about learning to set tables at camp "as though Christ is going to sit there," her favorite scripture about thinking more of others than yourself, and why genuine curiosity beats any agenda. Polly also shares how her dad modeled loving people, and why the treasure she finds in others fills her cup every single day.

]]>f9433827-027a-448b-b5c2-1dffe49b64d4Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -040031:08falsefull1818Mark Romig | Finding Ways to Give BackMark Romig | Finding Ways to Give BackChad talks with Mark Romig (voice of the New Orleans Saints and Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at New Orleans & Company) about a life spent giving back. He talks about growing up with 23 foster babies rotating through his house, why he looks for volunteer work on resumes when hiring, and how his parents modeled a life of service. Mark also explains how to find the right organization to volunteer with by matching your passion to a need, and why teamwork learned through sports or Greek life matters.

]]>Chad talks with Mark Romig (voice of the New Orleans Saints and Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at New Orleans & Company) about a life spent giving back. He talks about growing up with 23 foster babies rotating through his house, why he looks for volunteer work on resumes when hiring, and how his parents modeled a life of service. Mark also explains how to find the right organization to volunteer with by matching your passion to a need, and why teamwork learned through sports or Greek life matters.

]]>d3034257-628a-4d7d-b082-782161497035Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -040030:46falsefull1717Taylor Hughes | Nobody Else Is Dreaming Your DreamTaylor Hughes | Nobody Else Is Dreaming Your DreamChad talks with Taylor Hughes, an author, keynote speaker, entertainer and storyteller who uses magic to help people realize they don't have everything figured out. Taylor shares why being interested in others beats trying to be interesting yourself, his "generous listening" exercise that changes teams in four minutes, and the questions that get past small talk fast. They discuss why storytelling matters in interviews, how to make strangers feel like family, and why the thing you think about every morning but never do is probably what you're supposed to be doing.

]]>Chad talks with Taylor Hughes, an author, keynote speaker, entertainer and storyteller who uses magic to help people realize they don't have everything figured out. Taylor shares why being interested in others beats trying to be interesting yourself, his "generous listening" exercise that changes teams in four minutes, and the questions that get past small talk fast. They discuss why storytelling matters in interviews, how to make strangers feel like family, and why the thing you think about every morning but never do is probably what you're supposed to be doing.

]]>3c450f42-cfcd-42c4-80a0-ee280446b3c0Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:45:00 -040040:28falsefull1616Oak Smith Pt 2 | How to Manage a Stressful WorkplaceOak Smith Pt 2 | How to Manage a Stressful WorkplaceChad continues his conversation with Oak Smith. This time focusing on prison staff instead of inmates. Oak shares the hard truth about correctional officer suicide rates - seven times higher than the general population - and why that number is so high. He talks about spending years "checking his humanity at the gate" every morning and struggling to turn it back on at night, how trauma from the job destroys marriages and families, and why staff are terrified to ask for help because they might lose their jobs. Oak also shares practical ways to support struggling coworkers, the importance of peer support programs, and why everyone needs mind, body, and soul balance - not just people working in prisons.

]]>Chad continues his conversation with Oak Smith. This time focusing on prison staff instead of inmates. Oak shares the hard truth about correctional officer suicide rates - seven times higher than the general population - and why that number is so high. He talks about spending years "checking his humanity at the gate" every morning and struggling to turn it back on at night, how trauma from the job destroys marriages and families, and why staff are terrified to ask for help because they might lose their jobs. Oak also shares practical ways to support struggling coworkers, the importance of peer support programs, and why everyone needs mind, body, and soul balance - not just people working in prisons.

]]>4d16d33f-62bf-4483-a5a0-f4751ea93965Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -040033:28falsefull1515Oak Smith Pt 1 | My Job as a Prison Warden Wasn't to PunishOak Smith Pt 1 | My Job as a Prison Warden Wasn't to PunishChad talks with Oak Smith, former warden of San Quentin State Prison, about his 27-year journey from believing his job was to punish inmates to realizing the prison itself is the punishment. Oak shares how working at maximum security prisons where he had to "check his humanity at the gate" nearly destroyed him, and how San Quentin changed everything. He discusses the data behind rehabilitation, why he only wrote two support letters in his entire career, and the moment hardened criminals broke down crying when they saw dogs for the first time in 20 years. Oak also talks about Bob Goff's Love Does program, the father-daughter dance that had never happened before, and why corrections has the highest suicide rate of any profession.

]]>Chad talks with Oak Smith, former warden of San Quentin State Prison, about his 27-year journey from believing his job was to punish inmates to realizing the prison itself is the punishment. Oak shares how working at maximum security prisons where he had to "check his humanity at the gate" nearly destroyed him, and how San Quentin changed everything. He discusses the data behind rehabilitation, why he only wrote two support letters in his entire career, and the moment hardened criminals broke down crying when they saw dogs for the first time in 20 years. Oak also talks about Bob Goff's Love Does program, the father-daughter dance that had never happened before, and why corrections has the highest suicide rate of any profession.

]]>1855e12a-14f5-44d0-99c9-668720334b48Thu, 09 Oct 2025 08:30:00 -040042:12falsefull1414Nestor Benavides | Fierce ConversationsNestor Benavides | Fierce ConversationsChad talks with Nestor Benavides about the conversations we avoid but desperately need to have. Nestor learned early how to navigate difficult talks and he's used that skill to save businesses, relationships, and careers. They discuss why the conversations that make you most nervous are usually the most important ones, how to ask permission before knocking on emotional doors, and why not having hard conversations often leads to negative outcomes. Nestor shares stories about demoting executives, terminating employees, and helping couples - and why caring about someone means being willing to have uncomfortable conversations with them.

]]>Chad talks with Nestor Benavides about the conversations we avoid but desperately need to have. Nestor learned early how to navigate difficult talks and he's used that skill to save businesses, relationships, and careers. They discuss why the conversations that make you most nervous are usually the most important ones, how to ask permission before knocking on emotional doors, and why not having hard conversations often leads to negative outcomes. Nestor shares stories about demoting executives, terminating employees, and helping couples - and why caring about someone means being willing to have uncomfortable conversations with them.

]]>aed7b49e-7c9f-472d-ab5d-8fe39ca62f0dThu, 28 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -040046:10falsefull1313Carter Leak | Guiding the Hurting to HopeCarter Leak | Guiding the Hurting to HopeChad talks with Carter Leak, CEO of Bank of St. Francisville, about what it really means to build community. Carter shares why he and his wife host 3-4 events per week at their house (including a 100-person baseball banquet), how he learned to lead with weakness instead of trying to have all the answers, and why his personal mission statement is "guiding the hurting to hope." They discuss the difference between loving people and treating them like projects, how faith can be bold without being pushy, and why Carter thinks the key to empowering others is getting out of their way and slowing down enough to actually see the people in front of you.

]]>Chad talks with Carter Leak, CEO of Bank of St. Francisville, about what it really means to build community. Carter shares why he and his wife host 3-4 events per week at their house (including a 100-person baseball banquet), how he learned to lead with weakness instead of trying to have all the answers, and why his personal mission statement is "guiding the hurting to hope." They discuss the difference between loving people and treating them like projects, how faith can be bold without being pushy, and why Carter thinks the key to empowering others is getting out of their way and slowing down enough to actually see the people in front of you.

]]>831ff5f0-2666-4f6e-97cb-4113df2dc736Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -040026:07falsefull1212Allen Richey | Risk and Rigor: Finding the Sweet SpotAllen Richey | Risk and Rigor: Finding the Sweet SpotChad talks with Allen Richy, COO of PacTec, about why being crystal clear on expectations saves everyone time and heartache. Allen shares his "cross-examination" style of interviewing that digs deep into candidates' actual experiences, not just their resume titles. They discuss why employees need to be vulnerable about what's working and what isn't, how to create specific job descriptions instead of vague ones, and why Allen's former boss told him to be right less than 100% of the time - because if you're always right, you're not taking enough risk.

]]>Chad talks with Allen Richy, COO of PacTec, about why being crystal clear on expectations saves everyone time and heartache. Allen shares his "cross-examination" style of interviewing that digs deep into candidates' actual experiences, not just their resume titles. They discuss why employees need to be vulnerable about what's working and what isn't, how to create specific job descriptions instead of vague ones, and why Allen's former boss told him to be right less than 100% of the time - because if you're always right, you're not taking enough risk.

]]>d484dc61-227c-430b-8114-1030bf1a09f3Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -040025:42falsefull1111Jay Thompson | Growing People to Build a Meaningful BusinessJay Thompson | Growing People to Build a Meaningful BusinessChad talks with Jay Thompson, CEO of SITECH, about the challenge of growing a company while keeping people at the center. Jay shares how he learned to move people from wrong seats to right seats (like Lawson's journey from struggling in sales to thriving in operations), the difficulty of letting go and trusting others with pieces of the business you love, and why developing people has to come before growing revenue. They discuss building a culture of gratitude where 65 employees gave each other 1,100 kudos in one month in their company.

]]>Chad talks with Jay Thompson, CEO of SITECH, about the challenge of growing a company while keeping people at the center. Jay shares how he learned to move people from wrong seats to right seats (like Lawson's journey from struggling in sales to thriving in operations), the difficulty of letting go and trusting others with pieces of the business you love, and why developing people has to come before growing revenue. They discuss building a culture of gratitude where 65 employees gave each other 1,100 kudos in one month in their company.

]]>389d69d0-27c5-48dd-a756-e88b165ac66dWed, 23 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -040025:24falsefull1010Nate Hill | Surrendering To A Bigger PlanNate Hill | Surrendering To A Bigger PlanNate Hill, Regional Director for Young Life, joins the conversation to share his story about surrender and trusting a bigger plan than his own. He shares how to know when it's your will versus God's will, the power of mentors who believe in you before you believe in yourself, and why delegation requires surrendering the need to do everything yourself.

]]>Nate Hill, Regional Director for Young Life, joins the conversation to share his story about surrender and trusting a bigger plan than his own. He shares how to know when it's your will versus God's will, the power of mentors who believe in you before you believe in yourself, and why delegation requires surrendering the need to do everything yourself.

]]>57d863f3-0bb1-4b12-bae5-94d616bf16d4Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -040028:26falsefull99Lawson Eicher | Building Culture Over Quick WinsLawson Eicher | Building Culture Over Quick WinsChad talks with Lawson Eicher, VP of Operations at SITECH, about her journey from struggling in sales to finding her sweet spot in operations. They discuss how she knew she was in the wrong role, what it took to have that honest conversation with her CEO, and how she now focuses on developing people through consistent one-on-ones. Lawson also shares how SITECH shifted their hiring approach to prioritize cultural fit over just skills, and why that's helped them grow while staying a great place to work.

]]>Chad talks with Lawson Eicher, VP of Operations at SITECH, about her journey from struggling in sales to finding her sweet spot in operations. They discuss how she knew she was in the wrong role, what it took to have that honest conversation with her CEO, and how she now focuses on developing people through consistent one-on-ones. Lawson also shares how SITECH shifted their hiring approach to prioritize cultural fit over just skills, and why that's helped them grow while staying a great place to work.

]]>c062ecef-88a7-4d26-b17b-fc9aba178a05Wed, 25 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -040024:16falsefull88Mona Remondet | Creating Safe Spaces at WorkMona Remondet | Creating Safe Spaces at WorkMona Remondet shares how she built trust from scratch and created a family culture that's earned them "Best Place to Work" four years running.

From revolutionizing onboarding with a 4-week rotation program to investing heavily in employee development, Mona reveals how putting culture over credentials and creating genuine safe spaces drives both growth and retention.

]]>Mona Remondet shares how she built trust from scratch and created a family culture that's earned them "Best Place to Work" four years running.

From revolutionizing onboarding with a 4-week rotation program to investing heavily in employee development, Mona reveals how putting culture over credentials and creating genuine safe spaces drives both growth and retention.

]]>c7aad276-c0de-4798-82db-15758435b8dbThu, 12 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -040022:10falsefull77Amanda Roman | How To Fix Broken HiringAmanda Roman | How To Fix Broken HiringChad sits down with his COO of 13 years, Amanda Roman, for a brutally honest conversation about their hiring evolution. From the "wild west" days of gut-feeling hires that led to mismatched expectations and team frustration, to building a data-driven process using pre-hire assessments. Amanda shares stories from both their biggest hiring wins and most painful mistakes and shares insights on how companies can improve hiring processes to make it a win-win for everyone.

]]>Chad sits down with his COO of 13 years, Amanda Roman, for a brutally honest conversation about their hiring evolution. From the "wild west" days of gut-feeling hires that led to mismatched expectations and team frustration, to building a data-driven process using pre-hire assessments. Amanda shares stories from both their biggest hiring wins and most painful mistakes and shares insights on how companies can improve hiring processes to make it a win-win for everyone.

]]>c88e36a0-ef0d-4e47-8407-b0030425058aThu, 29 May 2025 09:00:00 -040038:58falsefull66Nestor Benavides | The Art of Harmonious Leadership: Balancing Vision and Reality in BusinessNestor Benavides | The Art of Harmonious Leadership: Balancing Vision and Reality in BusinessIn this episode, we explore the concept of harmony in leadership and hiring. Our guest shares wisdom about balancing vision with reality, recognizing potential in others, and creating meaningful connections in business relationships. The discussion delves into how authentic leadership requires acknowledging "the is" – the unbiased truth of any situation – while working toward a vision of what could be. This conversation is full of practical perspectives on how leaders can build teams that thrive through authentic connection, strategic clarity, and genuine care.

]]>In this episode, we explore the concept of harmony in leadership and hiring. Our guest shares wisdom about balancing vision with reality, recognizing potential in others, and creating meaningful connections in business relationships. The discussion delves into how authentic leadership requires acknowledging "the is" – the unbiased truth of any situation – while working toward a vision of what could be. This conversation is full of practical perspectives on how leaders can build teams that thrive through authentic connection, strategic clarity, and genuine care.

]]>21ecf0f7-1ef3-431e-a538-4bd7023d40acWed, 14 May 2025 09:00:00 -040033:05falsefull55Meredith Eicher | The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership & HiringMeredith Eicher | The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership & HiringIn this insightful conversation, Chad speaks with leadership coach Meredith Eicher about the transformative power of vulnerability in business relationships. Meredith shares her unique approach to connecting with people through intentional conversation and authentic presence, explaining how vulnerability creates stronger connections in leadership, coaching, and hiring processes.

]]>In this insightful conversation, Chad speaks with leadership coach Meredith Eicher about the transformative power of vulnerability in business relationships. Meredith shares her unique approach to connecting with people through intentional conversation and authentic presence, explaining how vulnerability creates stronger connections in leadership, coaching, and hiring processes.

]]>888f1b4c-219b-4029-bb47-836bebca15a8Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:15:00 -040027:34falsefull44Bob Goff | Connecting with the Right People in Your LifeBob Goff | Connecting with the Right People in Your LifeBob Goff shares his down-to-earth approach to finding and keeping amazing people in your life. He shares how seeing the best in others creates deeper connections and more joy in everyday life.

]]>Bob Goff shares his down-to-earth approach to finding and keeping amazing people in your life. He shares how seeing the best in others creates deeper connections and more joy in everyday life.

]]>c03c5577-7967-4972-9810-38d9de838d71Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -040036:56falsefull33Human-Centric Recruiting with Sarah TaylorHuman-Centric Recruiting with Sarah TaylorSarah Taylor returns to discuss her journey through human-centric recruiting which has brought her to starting her own company 4C HR Consulting.

]]>Sarah Taylor returns to discuss her journey through human-centric recruiting which has brought her to starting her own company 4C HR Consulting.

]]>badd62c1-4a99-4e52-a6fd-5235d8b703f5Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -040032:10falsefull22Welcome to The Caring For Strangers Podcast | Sarah Taylor Introduces ChadWelcome to The Caring For Strangers Podcast | Sarah Taylor Introduces ChadIn the debut episode of "Caring For Strangers," host Chad Heiser shares his journey of becoming a purpose-driven recruiter with special guest host Sarah Taylor. Chad shares his core philosophy that transforming the hiring process starts with simply caring for the stranger who walks through your door. Putting humanity at the center of recruitment creates better outcomes for both employers and candidates.

]]>In the debut episode of "Caring For Strangers," host Chad Heiser shares his journey of becoming a purpose-driven recruiter with special guest host Sarah Taylor. Chad shares his core philosophy that transforming the hiring process starts with simply caring for the stranger who walks through your door. Putting humanity at the center of recruitment creates better outcomes for both employers and candidates.

]]>9e3351aa-e81c-4063-abb2-36112b39d884Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -040022:46falsefull11