What Are You Working Towards?

Josh Block is an entrepreneur, leadership speaker, and author of People Matter at Work. He is the founder of Cube Mobile Imaging, a company providing mobile MRI and CT imaging services across the United States to help expand access to healthcare.Before founding Cube Mobile Imaging, Josh served as President of Block Imaging, where he helped grow the company from roughly 50 employees to more than 400 worldwide and scale revenue to over $200 million. His leadership philosophy centers around the belief that strong workplace cultures drive both human fulfillment and business performance.In this episode, Josh shares how people-first leadership transforms organizations, why culture cannot simply be “maintained,” and the frameworks leaders can use to build high-trust teams that actually perform.We also discuss the key leadership decisions behind Block Imaging’s massive growth, the “Three T’s” framework for building healthy organizations, and why the future of leadership depends on authenticity, trust, and empowering others.If you lead a team, run a company, or want to build a culture where people truly thrive, this conversation is packed with practical insights.⸻Topics Covered• How Josh Block helped scale Block Imaging to over $200M in revenue• Why workplace culture is the biggest driver of long-term performance• The leadership philosophy behind People Matter at Work• Moving from a “Me-Cycle” to a “We-Cycle” inside organizations• The “Three T’s” leadership framework: Together, Thoughtful, Transparent• Why great leaders eventually give away the baton• How Cube Mobile Imaging is expanding access to healthcare• Practical steps leaders can take to build trust and engagement⸻About Josh BlockJosh Block is an American entrepreneur, author, and leadership speaker focused on helping organizations build people-centered cultures.He is the founder of Cube Mobile Imaging, a company delivering mobile MRI and CT imaging services across the United States. Previously, he served as President of Block Imaging, where he helped grow the company from roughly 50 employees to more than 400 globally.Josh frequently speaks and coaches leaders on culture, leadership identity, and building organizations where both people and performance thrive.He lives in Lansing, Michigan with his wife Lacey and their children.⸻Connect with Josh BlockWebsite:https://peoplematteratwork.com/Cube Mobile Imaging:https://cubemobileimaging.com/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshblock1/Book:People Matter at Work

What does it take to create a product that literally doesn’t fit into any existing category?In this episode of What Are You Working Towards, Chris Brodhead sits down with Randy Freeman, Founder & CEO of BUZZBAR Ice Cream, to unpack one of the most unconventional entrepreneurial journeys you’ll hear.Randy shares how his career began in music, home video, and entertainment distribution — working alongside legendary industry figures — before eventually leading him to a single obsessive question: why doesn’t great ice cream exist for adults?That question sparked the creation of BuzzBar: premium ice cream and sorbet bars infused with real spirits.Since launching in 2014, BuzzBar has navigated regulatory gray zones, built its own manufacturing process, survived COVID shutdowns, and secured partnerships with luxury hotels, festivals, and major food service operators. Along the way, Randy explains why many national grocery chains are still hesitant to carry the product — and what it will take for BuzzBar to finally break through.Topics Covered: • Creating a product category that didn’t previously exist • Navigating alcohol, food, and federal regulations • Why grocery chains fear alcohol-infused ice cream • Building a profitable, self-funded company without hype • Surviving COVID when your entire channel disappears • The long game of partnerships, distribution, and exitsWhere You Can Find Randy & BuzzBar: • BuzzBar Website: https://buzzbaricecream.com/ • Randy Freeman (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-freeman-786354133/ • Email: [email protected] you enjoy honest founder stories, category-creating products, and behind-the-scenes business reality — this episode delivers.

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” e-book athttps://working-towards.com/What happens when decades of brand storytelling experience collide with AI, digital fragmentation, and a new generation of consumers?Garth Weber, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer at Duluth Trading Company (https://www.duluthtrading.com/), joins me to unpack why brand still matters more than ever — and how the strongest companies maintain a single strategic point of view while adapting to constantly changing channels.With over 25 years of experience on both the agency and brand side, including formative years at Nike and Adidas, Garth shares the foundational principles he learned early in his career — and why those same principles still work in today’s AI-powered, creator-driven landscape.We explore how brands can evolve beyond legacy channels like catalogs, reach younger audiences authentically, and avoid losing coherence while scaling across markets.📌 Topics Covered:• Why brand is still the starting point for everything — even in an AI-driven world• How to maintain a single strategic imperative while localizing execution• Lessons learned from building and stewarding global brands like Nike and Duluth• Why emotional resonance and point of view matter more than channels• Reinventing legacy brands to stay relevant with younger consumers💡 Learn more about Garth Weber & Duluth Trading Company:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garth-weber/Duluth Trading Company: https://www.duluthtrading.com/🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDrApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the host and guest and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any companies or organizations they represent.

What makes an early-stage startup truly fundable — and why do so many founders miss the mark?In today’s episode, I sit down with Ian Levine, Managing Director of Launchpad Venture Group, one of the most active and respected angel investment networks in the United States.Ian has spent 15+ years investing in and syndicating early-stage deals and has helped grow more than 150 companies across New England and New York. Before Launchpad, he built and exited SaaS companies and held executive leadership roles at Bowne & Co., Merrill Corporation, and Iron Mountain. His combination of operator instincts and investor discipline gives him a rare, practical lens into what actually helps founders win.We dig into:• How Launchpad evaluates startups and why capital efficiency matters more than ever• The biggest mistakes founders make when pitching investors• Why distribution — not product — is the real scaling bottleneck• How angel groups fill a critical funding gap missed by VCs• What the Boston startup ecosystem gets right• Ian’s personal journey across startups, corporate leadership, and now operating one of the most influential angel groups in the country• What he’s working toward in the next chapter of his careerIf you’re a founder, investor, operator, or someone growing a team, Ian’s insights will reframe how you think about raising money and building a durable company.⸻Guest LinksLaunchpad Venture GroupWebsite: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchpad-venture-group/Ian LevineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilevine/Company: https://www.launchpadventuregroup.com/⸻Host & PodcastChris BrodheadPodcast: What Are You Working Towards?Website: https://working-towards.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbrodhead/Download the free storytelling guide:How to Tell the Best Version of Your Business Storyhttps://working-towards.com/

Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/What does it take to design, build, and install stainless-steel rooftop pools for some of America’s biggest cities? Greg Carnforth, President of Chester Pool Systems (https://www.chesterpools.com/), joins me to share the remarkable story behind one of the most specialized construction companies in the country.With 35+ years in the industry, Greg has helped transform Chester Pool Systems into the go-to provider for engineered stainless-steel pools across New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, San Diego, and beyond. In this episode, Greg walks through the engineering, logistics, and craftsmanship required to design and fabricate entire pool systems in Indiana — then hoist them onto rooftops hundreds of feet in the air.We also talk through Chester’s transition to a 100 percent employee-owned company, how the ESOP reshaped culture and collaboration, and the unique challenges of building inside billion-dollar high-rise projects.📌 Topics Covered:• How stainless-steel rooftop pools are engineered and fabricated off-site• Why off-site construction is essential for major cities like NYC and Chicago• The logistics, coordination, and “space shuttle launch” planning behind every install• How Chester grew from a small team to 100+ employees over several decades• The decision to become an ESOP and how it strengthened the company’s future• Why developers and general contractors trust Chester for specialty builds💡 Learn more about Greg and Chester Pool Systems:Website: https://www.chesterpools.com/Century Industries (co-owned): https://www.centuryindustries.com/LinkedIn (Greg): https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-carnforth-b54bba14/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesterpoolsystems5544Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greg.carnforth.1/🔗 Follow “What Are You Working Towards?” & Host Chris BrodheadWebsite: https://www.working-towards.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Guqegm2CVqkcEfMSLPEDriTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-are-you-working-towards-with-chris-brodhead/id1569041400YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingtowardsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_towardsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@working_towards⸻⚠️ DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed on the “What Are You Working Towards?” podcast are those of the hosts, guests, and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.