Leading In The Dark
Leading in the Dark is a podcast dedicated to exploring how no two leadership journeys are alike—shedding light on the lessons, setbacks, and unexpected opportunities that guide leaders to build their unique blueprint for success
All Episodes
Nick Akers & Rob Mueller
<p><em>From Freight Yards to Global Leadership: A Conversation with Robert Mueller of RIM Logistics</em></p> <p>In this episode of <em>Leading In The Dark</em>, host Nick Akers sits down with Robert Mueller, President of RIM Logistics, for an insightful conversation about leadership, legacy, and navigating an industry undergoing immense global change.</p> <p>Robert shares how his family’s multi-generation history in trucking shaped his worldview, why his father launched RIM Logistics at age 46, and how international experience—from England to Hong Kong—became the catalyst that transformed his own career trajectory.</p> <p>This episode explores:<br>• Building a half-billion-dollar company without private equity<br>• The leadership “punches” that force you to grow<br>• What overseas experience teaches you about grit, humility, and perspective<br>• How to protect culture as a strategic advantage<br>• Why today’s emerging leaders must have a plan, seek mentors, and differentiate themselves</p> <p>It’s a candid, grounded conversation about real leadership in a challenging era—and what it takes to rise above the noise.</p> <p>Listen now and subscribe for more stories from leaders who found clarity in their darkest moments.</p>Nick Akers & Scott Whitt
<p><strong>Finding Balance, Buying a Business, and Leading Through Risk | Scott Whitt — Triad Clinical Trials</strong></p> <p><strong>Description:</strong><br>In this episode of <em>Leading In The Dark</em>, host Nick Akers sits down with <strong>Scott Whitt</strong>, Co-Owner & General Manager of <strong>Triad Clinical Trials</strong>, to explore the uncommon path from Deloitte partner to small-business owner in the clinical research world.</p> <p>Scott shares:</p> <ul> <li><p>What 70-hour consulting weeks taught him — and what they cost</p></li> <li><p>The surprising challenges and missteps in buying a healthcare business</p></li> <li><p>Why due diligence matters more than most buyers realize</p></li> <li><p>How to balance patient safety, FDA expectations, and commercial pressure</p></li> <li><p>The truth about growth — and why “steady” beats “scalable” for many owners</p></li> <li><p>What it takes to lead in high-stakes environments without losing yourself</p></li> </ul> <p>This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, operational clarity, and entrepreneurship through acquisition — with honest stories about burnout, family trade-offs, and redefining success on your own terms.</p> <p>🎧 Listen in and learn from Scott’s decade of lessons at the intersection of healthcare, operations, and ownership.</p> <p></p>Nick Akers & Adam Markley
<p><strong>In this episode of </strong><em><strong>Leading In The Dark</strong></em><strong>, Nick Akers sits down with Adam Markley — CEO & Founder of PROX Capital Group — for an unfiltered look at entrepreneurship through acquisition, leadership under pressure, and the realities behind signing multi-million-dollar personal guarantees.</strong></p> <p>Adam shares the unconventional journey that took him from failing out of college…<br>to leading global operations…<br>to acquiring companies across the U.S.…<br>to raising a fund that supports other operators on the same path.</p> <p>Together, Nick and Adam explore:</p> <ul> <li><p>What personal guarantees <em>really</em> mean</p></li> <li><p>The psychology of risk and resilience</p></li> <li><p>Why some operators succeed — and why others end up in bankruptcy</p></li> <li><p>What most people overlook in due diligence</p></li> <li><p>How intrapreneurial environments unlock talent</p></li> <li><p>Why stacking the deck for success matters more than chasing growth</p></li> <li><p>How Adam screens operators and underwrites deals</p></li> <li><p>The difference between “playing business” and actually running one</p></li> </ul> <p>Adam also shares his standing offer: helping entrepreneurs evaluate deals so they avoid catastrophic decisions and increase their odds of long-term success.</p> <p>Raw. Honest. Tactical.<br>This is a masterclass for anyone interested in business ownership, leadership, or the human side of high-stakes decision-making.</p> <p>Listen now and learn why <em>no deal is infinitely better than a bad deal.</em></p> <p></p>Nick Akers & Kimberly Wasney
<p>In this episode of <em>Leading In The Dark</em>, host Nick Akers sits down with <strong>Kimberli Wasney</strong>, co-founder of Ripple’s Edge Advisors—a firm helping owners grow their companies with the exit in mind.</p> <p>Kimberli brings a unique blend of operational expertise, business development experience, and emotional awareness to the challenges owners face when preparing to step away from their business.</p> <p>Together, they explore:<br>• Why most owners wait too long to think about exit<br>• The difficult process of separating your identity from your company<br>• How to build a brand that stands on its own—not just on the founder<br>• The step-by-step path to getting out of the day-to-day<br>• Why ETA is becoming a powerful option for seller succession<br>• How culture, values, and leadership continuity shape valuation<br>• What owners can do today to increase their multiple by 1.5x</p> <p>Kimberli’s insights are tactical, empathetic, and grounded in real-world experience across industries—from tech to law firms to manufacturing.</p> <p>If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, searcher, or future seller, this episode is a must-listen.</p> <p><strong>Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are navigating the unknown, building in the dark, and leading through uncertainty.</strong></p> <p></p>