The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

Are you secretly afraid your ambition will cost you your happiness, your relationships, or your shot at real success? What if you could excel without sacrificing what you love, and build a business that actually changes lives?
In this electrifying Edge of Excellence episode, host Matt Stewart sits down with Home Genius Exteriors Co-Founder Austin Killian, a leader who went from wrestling mats to multi-million-dollar boardrooms. Dive into the raw moments that shaped Austin from family hardship and gritty sports discipline to launching a billion-dollar brand built on heart, hustle, and true leadership.
Tune in now, because the pain of “what if” is bigger than any setback and Austin’s proven formulas, emotional truths, and unexpected stories will empower you to leap ahead. You won’t hear these battle-won insights anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – What happens when ambition, marriage, and a nationwide outage collide
[00:01:46] – Austin’s resourceful definition of excellence and the real formula for mastery
[00:05:56] – The family crisis that flipped everything, and how sports gave him “direction”
[00:14:41] – The hidden moment when entrepreneurship finally “clicked” for Austin
[00:17:44] – Changing the game: how Home Genius was built to be revolutionary, not just profitable
[00:25:38] – The unstoppable daily habits, leadership legacy, and why caring is the secret ingredient
[00:32:14] – $100M from door-knocking? Inside the jaw-dropping growth playbook
[00:36:39] – Austin’s gritty advice for young leaders: Go for it all, survive the dark times, love the struggle
[00:43:05] – Sacrifices and victories: The real cost (and reward) of chasing dreams, moving away, and building something legendary

About The Guest
Austin Killian is the Co-Founder and Executive Vice-President of Home Genius Exteriors, one of America’s fastest-growing home improvement companies. Known for his grit, bold decision-making, and commitment to building culture and legacy, Austin scaled Home Genius from zero to $350M+ in revenue in just seven years and is a recognized force in developing next-generation leaders.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
College Works Painting
Ronald McDonald House
StrengthsFinder
EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization)
University of Pittsburgh
Washington & Jefferson College

Important Links
Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Are you stuck wondering how to turn hustle into real impact or worried that you don’t know the path through today’s chaotic career maze? Ever dreamt of launching a business or landing a deal that changes lives... but aren't sure how integrity, ownership, and bold leaps really pay off?
This episode assembles thrilling stories and actionable secrets from Michael Kleydman’s journey through the massive retail universe, as coached and explored by Sean Phelps. From immigrant roots and overcoming debt to becoming a sought-after consultant for Fortune #1 Walmart, this episode delivers proven lessons on relationship-building, risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and practicing excellence every step of the way.
Listen now to avoid stagnation, discover the urgent steps that will outsmart your obstacles, and unlock exclusive, real-world wisdom you won’t find anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:02] – How a pizza delivery gig sparked a revolutionary mindset and led to a life-changing career in retail
[00:07] – The emotional story of immigrant grit, integrity, and entrepreneurial drive (and what it takes to start with “two suitcases”)
[00:15] – Game-changing insights on how ownership transforms failure into power, and why “everything is your fault” becomes your greatest asset
[00:22] – Why walking away from multi-million dollar deals is the ultimate victory for your reputation (and the true value of excellence isn’t the dollars)
[00:35] – The high-stakes, behind-the-scenes world of Walmart buyers and brokers: Who succeeds, who fails, and the wild jobs you didn’t know exist
[00:48] – How teaching college classes, mastering supply chain, and consulting for giants all connect—and what young leaders must do to break through
[00:58] – Uncommon advice for overcoming student debt, seizing risky opportunities, and building a reputation in a small-but-global industry
[01:11] – Surprising stories of small companies, “golden tickets,” and million-dollar wins plus the data secrets that determine which products survive (and thrive)

About The Guest
Michael Kleydman is a Principal & Senior Consultant at Shift Retail Group, specializing in helping emerging and established brands navigate the Walmart ecosystem. With over a decade of experience in retail supply chain and business development, he’s taught procurement at University of Arkansas and managed multi-million dollar teams. Michael’s journey from immigrant beginnings to entrepreneurial leadership offers proven, uncommon wisdom for young professionals and future business leaders.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Spectrum Brands
CollegeWorks Painting
University of Arkansas
St. Louis University
Mizzou
Walmart
Barebells Protein Bars
Mars, Wrigley, Hershey’s
Anheuser-Busch

Important Links
Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Ever feel like you’re stuck on a path that isn’t yours, or wonder if you’ve got what it takes to truly reinvent yourself? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Edge of Excellence, host Matt Stewart curates raw, victorious, downright electrifying moments from the journey of Rabbi and Dr. Alfredo Borodowski, multi-hyphenate lawyer, professor, rabbi, social worker, and Fortune 500 coach.
You’ll discover how to rewrite your inner story, master positive psychology, and ignite the strengths you didn’t know you had. Walk with Rabbi Alfredo Borodowski through dazzling highs and crushing lows, and learn the tested frameworks that turn adversity into purpose and fulfillment.
Don’t wait for a second chance at clarity. Tune in now for exclusive tools, battle-won truths, and the blueprint to break out of autopilot. This episode reveals insights and actionable breakthroughs you literally won’t hear anywhere else. Turn the volume up. Your next chapter demands it.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – The “awareness hack” that stops autopilot thinking in its tracks
[00:49] – Why reinvention isn’t luck, it’s a muscle you build before you need it
[02:23] – Redefining excellence: why your best is different (and enough)
[06:19] – A true story: Disappearing friends, military regimes, and a call to justice
[13:09] – What no one tells you about crashing and daring to start over
[15:31] – The messy middle: mania, diagnosis, and coming back stronger
[17:34] – Steal this formula: text trick for discovering your strengths in one day
[22:04] – Turn purpose into impact: how to align what you do with who you are
[35:15] – The secret happiness habit every future leader needs (and forgets)

About The Guest
Alfredo Borodowski, PhD, MSW is an executive coach, published author, and renowned positive psychology expert who has helped leaders, Fortune 500 firms, and nonprofits rewrite stories of adversity into scripts for high performance and fulfillment. With decades of experience as a lawyer, professor, rabbi, and social worker, Alfredo Borodowski brings an unrivaled blend of ancient wisdom and modern science to the art of personal reinvention.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Hebrew Union College
John Maxwell Leadership
Positive Psychology (24 strengths framework)
Purpose Factor Assessment
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)
CollegeWorks Painting
National Services Group (NSG)
Northeastern Hillel

Important Links
Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Are you holding yourself back from your next level… just waiting for the “right moment?” What if the decisions that define your future are made when you’re most uncertain?
In this unmissable collage episode, Matt Stewart weaves together electrifying moments from rapid risers like Tyler Schuster, leaders who made winning moves when the stakes (and their doubts) were highest. You’ll hear how hard choices, unstoppable work ethic, and a relentless positivity aren’t just buzzwords, but game changers.
From shifting your environment to chasing what really excites you, to outworking and outlasting your doubts, this episode delivers raw insights and strategies you won’t find anywhere else. Miss this, and risk falling back with the crowd. Listen now to unlock the mindset moves, mastery habits, and leap-of-faith decisions that separate tomorrow’s leaders from everyone else.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – A heart-pounding crossroads: Leave the security of a scholarship for risky greatness?
[00:30] – Why “excellence” is less about talent… and all about daily obsession with improvement
[04:02] – Making a bold shift—when the right environment means leaving comfort
[09:24] – Letting go of the childhood dream and aiming higher: the art of the pivot
[15:01] – The hidden power of fun at work, and how attitude is everything—even on your worst day
[24:03] – Outworking, outlasting, and crushing average: What top performers do when nobody’s watching
[29:08] – The rarest (and most coachable) skill: radical humility and how to really take feedback
[33:33] – Massive leaps: Jumping before you’re “ready,” mastering discomfort, and building momentum

About The Guest
Tyler Schuster is an emerging business leader, former Division II football athlete, and the youngest manager of the year at CollegeWorks. At just 23, he’s known for transforming adversity into opportunity and building teams with an infectious positive culture. Tyler’s story is a playbook for any underdog ready to bet on bold action.
🔗 LinkedIn

Mentioned Resources
University of Sioux Falls
Karma Yoga
DISC assessment tools
Darius (The Greatness Machine podcast)
Fortaleza Tequila

Important Links
Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Are you secretly afraid you’ll never find your “thing”? Wondering how to actually build a career and life that feels meaningful and bold, but unsure where to start?
In this episode, Matt Stewart and guest host Sean Phelps welcome visionary entrepreneur John Erik Metcalf, CEO and Co-Founder of Upgraded, to share his battle-tested strategies for real-world success, fulfillment, and impact. From Texas roots and risk-taking in college, to pioneering coworking in Austin and launching global startups in Shanghai, John Erik reveals the real secrets to standing out, embracing uncertainty, and aligning ambition with authentic values.
Don’t miss this exclusive episode if you want clarity, courage, and a proven roadmap to rise above the ordinary. Tune in now to avoid a career filled with regret and get the actionable insights to move forward with conviction, purpose, and lasting impact.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – Why rewriting your goals daily gives you a thrilling edge in opportunity-hunting
[03:03] – The victory mindset: Paying it forward and why treating people right is the proven path to excellence
[06:29] – Surprising lessons from bouncing between majors—how risk can accelerate your growth
[10:11] – “Just do it”—The uncommon power of taking big swings, emailing visionaries, and building your destiny fast
[13:24] – From autodidact to entrepreneur: How knocking on doors turned fear into opportunity
[17:43] – The inside story: Launching Austin’s first coworking space and a lucrative tech consulting business
[23:38] – How living abroad and keeping your values top-of-mind led to revolutionary career moves
[27:43] – Proven secrets from the World Economic Forum and why top leaders aren’t as different as you think
[29:04] – Building Upgraded: Apple partnerships, circular economy breakthroughs, and the next big thing in device management

About The Guest
John Erik Metcalf is the CEO and Co-Founder of Upgraded, a Y Combinator-backed startup revolutionizing the circular economy through trade-in and recycling programs for consumer tech. With a trailblazing history, John Erik launched Austin’s first coworking space, drove innovation in global startup ecosystems, and contributed to the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers. Known for marrying visionary leadership with hands-on execution, he has helped launch and scale ventures across the US, Mexico City, Stockholm, and Hong Kong.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | X

Mentioned Resources
Y Combinator
CollegeWorks Painting
World Economic Forum
Global Shapers Program
Apple Sweden
Klarna
Best Buy
Affirm
MacBook Upgrade Program
Citizen Space (coworking)
South by Southwest (SXSW)
Demand Analytics (startup)
Arbor Ventures

Important Links
Grow, do great work, and lead the way: National Services Group (NSG)
Join our Student Professional Program: Internship Application
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Watch full interviews on YouTube

The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.