In this episode, entrepreneur and founder Chuck Hall takes us on a powerful journey—starting with his earliest days mowing lawns and delivering newspapers, to building a national construction company that now operates across 14 states and specializes in senior living facilities.

After rising through the ranks at top construction firms, Chuck's trajectory took a dramatic turn when he was fired in 1998. But instead of spiraling, he saw an opening—leveraging grit, creativity, and a well-timed opportunity with Enron to launch Charles Hall Construction. With a foundation rooted in four guiding values—live to learn, be a friend, walk the talk, and finish strong—Chuck grew his company through economic downturns, a global pandemic, and beyond.

He shares how he eventually transitioned from working in the business to working on the business, now spending 70% of his time coaching and developing his team. A long-time believer in peer groups and entrepreneurial forums, Chuck reflects on 28 years of learning and growth through candid conversations with other business leaders.

You’ll hear about the full-circle moment when his parents got to witness his success, and the one piece of wisdom he hopes every leader remembers: “Be curious.” Because curiosity unlocks information, removes assumptions, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.

This is a story about resilience, reinvention, and the power of relationships to shape our path forward.

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

In this powerful episode, Dan Heuertz takes us on a journey through decades of entrepreneurial highs and lows—from launching his first bar in college to building and exiting businesses in the restaurant and hotel industries. Along the way, he shares the critical lessons that shaped him, including how a paper route taught him the power of consistency and how intuition helped him navigate shifting market demands.

A 25-year member of Entrepreneurs Organization, Dan opens up about the profound impact of forum—a peer group experience he calls “sacred.” He reveals how these confidential, trusted relationships helped him survive the darkest moments of his career, including betrayal by a close business partner. For Dan, forum has been a space for raw vulnerability, deep connection, and powerful growth.

Today, he channels his experience into his work as an EOS implementer, helping leadership teams clarify their vision and execute with purpose. He’s also launched a new venture with his son publishing “skinny books” that help entrepreneurs distill and share their hard-earned wisdom.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking community, clarity, and courage in their business journey.

If you’re an entrepreneur searching for connection, explore the power of peer groups like EO forum. You don’t have to grow alone.

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

Leah Litman, the youngest certified facilitator with the International Facilitators Organization (IFO), is on a mission to transform the college experience through structured peer forums. In this thought-provoking conversation with host Mo Fatalbab, Leah reveals how her psychology background at Tulane University intersects perfectly with her passion for creating authentic connection among students.

The digital generation faces a unique paradox – constantly connected yet profoundly isolated. As Leah observes, "Everyone's communicated and connected online, but not necessarily in real life." This disconnection has left many students feeling lost, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Drawing on neuroscience insights, she explains how the college years represent a critical developmental window when the prefrontal cortex is still forming. The leadership and vulnerability skills taught in forum groups can literally shape students' brain development during this formative period.

What makes Leah's vision so compelling is its practicality. She identifies the gap between theoretical classroom learning and real-world application, noting that while universities provide counselors for classes and study abroad, students "aren't told what comes next." Forum groups fill this void, creating not just community but developing the exact skills employers seek. As she prepares to launch at Tulane with interactive demonstrations, Leah's pioneering approach could revolutionize campus support systems nationwide – providing what so many students desperately need: a safe space to be vulnerable, practice leadership, and form meaningful connections that extend far beyond graduation.

Have you experienced the power of peer groups in your own development? Leave a review sharing your thoughts, and visit internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about bringing forums to your organization.

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

Yuval Yeret has been "tweaking systems" his entire life. From modifying computer operating systems as a teenager to optimizing organizational structures as a leadership coach, his journey reveals the powerful parallels between technological and human systems.

In this deeply insightful conversation, Yuval shares how his early exposure to psychology (through typing his mother's academic papers) subtly prepared him for understanding human dynamics in organizational settings. His pivotal moment came while listening to Patrick Lencioni's "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" during a vacation on the French Riviera—a book he couldn't put down because it crystallized what was missing in his struggling leadership team: vulnerability-based trust.

The heart of Yuval's approach centers on creating environments where genuine connection can flourish. His practical wisdom shines through in simple yet profound guidance like "do food"—emphasizing how breaking bread together creates essential human connections that virtual environments cannot replicate. Even more transformative is his distinction between giving advice versus sharing experiences. When we tell others what they "should" do, we strip away their agency and autonomy. By contrast, sharing our experiences leaves space for others to make their own choices while still benefiting from our perspective.

Yuval's metaphor of shifting from rigid roadmaps to flexible "trail maps" perfectly captures how effective facilitation works—providing options and context without dictating the exact path forward. As he looks toward integrating peer group methodologies into his organizational work, he envisions creating spaces where leaders can share experiences and navigate complex changes together, from agile transformations to adapting to AI integration.

Whether you're a leader, facilitator, or simply someone interested in more meaningful conversations, this episode offers practical insights on building trust, preserving agency, and creating the conditions for human systems to thrive. How might your conversations change if you focused more on sharing experiences rather than giving advice?

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

Unlock the transformative power of peer groups in leadership development with Leo Bottary in our latest episode. Explore how collaborative environments foster growth, curiosity, and psychological safety, providing leaders with the support they crave amidst today’s fast-paced challenges. Leo shares his journey into peer facilitation, highlighting the invaluable lessons he learned at Seton Hall University.

Throughout the conversation, we address how peer groups help leaders gain fresh perspectives, solve core issues, and create deeper connections with fellow executives—all crucial elements for effective decision-making and strategy formulation. The power of peer learning becomes evident as Leo recounts success stories that demonstrate tangible benefits for organizations that embrace this collaborative approach.

We invite you to consider how implementing peer groups in your workplace can enhance team dynamics and individual performance. Join us for this insightful exploration, and don’t miss the opportunity to reflect on your own experiences with collaboration—what lessons have you learned from your peer connections?

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

Meet David Duerr, a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, who joins us to unravel his story of grit and ambition. From his early days in Buffalo, New York, to pioneering his own company in the contract furnishings industry, David's journey is filled with lessons on the audacity it takes to rise through the ranks and ultimately sell a successful business to a major player like Boise Cascade Office Products. Join us as David shares the raw challenges and sweet victories of his path, offering a rare glimpse into the differences between being a business owner versus an employee.

Curious about what keeps an entrepreneur going when the going gets tough? You're not alone. David enlightens us on the unyielding drive needed to push through adversity as we explore the pressure of selling ideas and visions to stakeholders and the ever-present fear of failure that actually fuels success. Dive into the exhilarating world of managing at-risk capital and the intricate satisfaction of delivering investor returns. Even after selling his company, David found himself at a crossroads, seeking new purpose and leading to the inception of Focus Equity Partners—a venture that merges operational private equity with cutting-edge digital marketing strategies.

David sheds light on the transformative impact of joining the Entrepreneurs Organization during a pivotal career moment, and we draw fascinating parallels between business acumen and the game of golf as a tool for building invaluable relationships. Cap off the episode with inspiring motivational themes shared by David Duerr, encouraging both personal and professional growth. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review; your feedback helps other listeners discover the wealth of wisdom in the Heart of Business podcast.

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

Ahad Ghadimi, the mastermind behind Forums at Work, joins us to share his remarkable journey from Toronto's vibrant entrepreneurial scene to the international stage. Listen as Ahad recounts growing up in a family-owned restaurant and cafe chain, where his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked early on. From selling pastries in school to crafting DOS programs, each venture was a stepping stone to a bigger vision.

As we explore how organizational culture can be a game-changer, Ahad shares his transformative experiences from being a young entrepreneur and the effect of forum throughout his life. Discover how he helped craft an environment that encouraged employees to unleash their inner entrepreneurs, emphasizing psychological safety and ownership over traditional financial incentives. We also discuss the power of forums and peer groups in personal growth. Join us for an inspiring conversation where business acumen, emotional connections, and a shared vision pave the way for success.

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

What if leadership wasn't about wielding authority but about fostering collaboration? Join us as Peter Laughter, a dynamic serial entrepreneur, takes us on an inspiring journey from his roots in the vibrant Lower East Side of Manhattan to becoming a pioneer in transformative leadership. Peter's unexpected shift from social work to stepping into his mother's struggling staffing business unveiled his passion for competitive entrepreneurship and catalyzed his mission to revolutionize outdated leadership models. Discover how his daughter's fresh insights pushed him to challenge the status quo and build enterprises that empower and harness the potential of adaptive teams.

Explore the profound shift towards distributed leadership with Peter as we delve into real-life examples of how listening and valuing diverse perspectives can drive organizational success. From a Quaker school board to his own ventures, Peter recounts experiences that underscore the power of fostering a culture where ideas thrive and employees feel empowered to contribute. Hear about how internal peer interactions can unlock untapped potential within organizations, drawing from Peter's personal transition from entrepreneur to consultant. We also touch upon the timeless wisdom of historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., illustrating the impact of collective insight and adaptive leadership during times of change.

Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.