The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

Ever wondered why some leaders bounce back so much faster, stronger, and more confident after setbacks? Are you tired of second-guessing yourself, avoiding mistakes, or feeling stuck trying to live someone else’s version of success?
In this high-voltage collage, Matt Stewart curates the most electric moments from Tyler McCullough’s wild journey from Clarkston basketball to buying a company at 23 to leading in uncharted territory. You’ll hear about redefining failure, going against expectations, sacrificing “fun” for true growth, and the mindset shift that turns pain into power.
Tune in now to break the defeat cycle, embrace the real learning curve, and unlock the courage to pursue excellence on your terms. Miss this episode, and you risk spinning your wheels in self-doubt while others turn failure into fuel. This rapid-fire masterclass delivers raw, lived wisdom you won’t find anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights
00:00 – The thrilling truth behind embracing failure and why Tyler McCullough started to get excited about making mistakes
02:07 – How redefining excellence as a journey—not a flawless performance—will blow up self-doubt
04:13 – Shocking lessons from grinding through school, varsity basketball, and work, all before college
08:04 – The high-stakes, uncomfortable moment Tyler McCullough chose passion over family expectations
13:24 – The raw “crash out” moment every parent and student dreads, and how to script your own destiny
26:01 – Failing gracefully: the game-changing reframing that turns setbacks into a superpower
34:58 – The myth of “being the boss is easier” exposed—leadership by example has a price
41:11 – “Best sacrifice ever?” The college cliché that’s dangerous, and what to do instead if you want a thriving future

About The Guest
Tyler McCullough is a high-performance leader, award-winning entrepreneur, and current VP of the Great Lakes Division at College Works. Known for buying a company just a year after graduation, scaling teams across multiple states, and redefining what young leadership can look like, Tyler brings relentless heart, radical ownership, and a fresh take on what it means to pursue excellence, even when it means going against the norm.
🔗 LinkedIn

Mentioned Resources
Grand Valley State University
“Crash out” moments (mindset concept)
DISC assessment tools

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.

Have you ever felt stuck, caught between what’s expected and what you truly want? What does it take to escape the trap of “safe careers” and actually create a path that feels uniquely yours?
In this energizing collage episode of The Edge of Excellence, you’ll hear from Will Taylor, Matt Stewart, Sean Phelps, and Narrator as they revisit pivotal moments of transformation, choices, and breakthrough habits drawn from several past episodes.
From growing up with the shadow of a corporate legacy and wrestling with painful growth, to launching a bold clothing brand and mastering digital marketing for real impact, this episode dives into the lessons, struggles, and surprising victories that shape a purpose-driven career.
Listen now! Here you’ll learn systems thinking, the truth about authentic alignment, and practical strategies for turning curiosity into a life you really love. Skip this episode and you risk missing proven career moves and mindset shifts shared nowhere else on the show… so tune in and claim your edge!
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – Will Taylor recalls the first time painful accountability became rocket fuel for transformation and how the “bootcamp to manhood” catalyzed his future.
[05:00] – Why assuming you’ll follow in your parents’ footsteps is both comforting and limiting—and the exact moment Will realized the world was bigger than Detroit’s Big Three.
[07:00] – The step-by-step breakdown of Will’s journey from eBay flips to his first real taste of entrepreneurship and how College Works Painting became the game changer.
[13:09] – Will Taylor’s revelation: your skills and relationships matter more than courses and grades, plus the risky move that made everything click.
[15:00] – Launching a clothing brand not just for profit but to master digital marketing—Will’s “internship you build yourself” (and the book he never finished).
[20:00] – Plunged into agency life, managing million-dollar budgets: What Will wishes he’d known about corporate politics and how curiosity created opportunity.
[27:09] – Consulting NFL franchises and iconic global brands—the unexpected thrill (and humility) of being the architect behind their marketing strategies.
[33:08] – The heartbreak and lesson from quitting YouTube as a teenager and how Will turned that regret into a lifelong habit of courageously following his gut.

About The Guest
Will Taylor is Vice President of Consulting at VaynerX, driving innovative marketing strategy and creative media solutions for global brands. Previously the founder of Softgoods and York Project apparel companies, Will is known for his systems thinking, digital advertising mastery, and authentic leadership that transforms organizations. His story offers young leaders a blueprint for compounding success by embracing curiosity, risk, and real alignment.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
College Works Painting
Softgoods
York Project (apparel)
VaynerX
Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee)
The Intelligent Investor (book)
Shopify
Notre Dame IDEA Center
Good, Good Golf (influence example)
DISC assessment tools
Seabreeze Management
Adidas
Nike

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 feeling lost choosing your first career, secretly worried you’ll miss out on your true calling, or get stuck in something “safe” that leaves you bored? You’re not alone.
On this episode of The Edge of Excellence, host Matt Stewart sits down with the legendary Greg Hughes, acclaimed insurance executive and founder, for an eye-opening deep dive into building a career (and a life) that’s both secure and electrifying.
From explosive stories about betting on yourself to the proven ABZ action formula and the underrated magic of side hustles, you’ll discover how to get ahead even if you don’t know your true passion yet.
Don’t let indecision stall your future. Listen now to dodge the dead-end jobs, master career pivots, and unlock exclusive, real-world insights only Greg can give. This episode is your backstage pass to proven moves most professionals never learn until it’s too late.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – How Greg’s wild ride from music to insurance revealed the “secret menu” of dream job options
[00:43] – Why acknowledging reality + crazy self-belief is the foundation for unstoppable excellence
[02:34] – The Stockdale Paradox: Why embracing brutal facts might save your career (and sanity)
[04:13] – The ABZ Formula that top performers (and rock stars) use to create luck and opportunity
[08:11] – The myth of “follow your passion” vs. the magic of smart side hustles and practical paychecks
[18:07] – The accidental moment Greg got hired—proof that timing and location matter more than you think
[26:06] – What nobody tells you about sales, mentorship, and finding your lane in a massive industry
[31:55] – The three hacks Greg wishes every 20-something would use to crush self-doubt and stand out

About The Guest
Greg Hughes is a high-net-worth insurance executive, founder, and business builder with over two decades of industry innovation. Known for his mastery of private client risk management and his elite consulting for multi-millionaire families and enterprises, Greg brings a rare mix of process-driven wisdom, creativity, and actionable mentorship to rising leaders. Currently, he is a key executive at Poms Insurance and a sought-after advisor for those chasing both security and fulfillment in life and business.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Marsh McLennan
Northwestern Mutual
UCLA
Loyola High School
La Cañada High School
Stockdale Paradox

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 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.