Surfacing Leaders

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler reconnects with Fire Chief David Parsons of the Oceanside Fire Department to explore what leadership looks like when the stakes are at their highest.

Chief Parsons shares the gripping story of the April 2024 Oceanside Pier fire, one of the most high-risk, high-visibility events in the city’s recent history, and how the department’s response became a case study in trust, preparation, and calm under pressure. As the first graduate of the Oceanside Fire Academy to rise to the rank of Chief, David reflects on how his leadership style has evolved, the systems that allowed his team to perform at the highest level, and the importance of fostering a culture of humility, readiness, and agility.

Listeners will walk away with practical insights, including:

• How to lead with clarity during moments of chaos.
• Why trust and preparation are essential in building agile teams.
• What it means to make your own luck in leadership.

Whether you're leading a department, a company, or a team of one, this conversation will equip you with timeless leadership principles that transcend industries and emergencies.

Connect with Chief Parsons

LinkedIn

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler welcomes Lindsay Wilson, co-founder and CEO of Ink Factory Studio, to explore how visual storytelling transforms communication and leadership.

Lindsay shares her journey from military base beginnings to becoming a leader in visual note-taking and collaborative communication. She explains how visuals—what she calls “modern-day pictograms”—cut through noise, build clarity, and help leaders align teams across generations, cultures, and learning styles.

Throughout the conversation, Lindsay reveals the high-level skills her team uses in real time—active listening, synthesizing, and visual hierarchy—to turn complex ideas into engaging visual summaries. She also offers practical advice for leaders to bring visual thinking into everyday meetings, even without a professional artist in the room.

Listeners will discover how visuals are not just “pretty pictures” but powerful tools for understanding, retention, and connection. Whether it’s a high-stakes strategy session or a quick team huddle, Lindsay shows that showing—rather than just telling—can make all the difference.

The episode concludes with a powerful takeaway: listen to understand, not to respond.

Learn more about Lindsay and Ink Factory Studio at inkfactorystudio.com, connect with her on LinkedIn and follow their work on Instagram: @inkfactorystudio

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation with special guest and daughter, Sophie Koehler, a young engineer and emerging Gen Z leader who is reshaping what leadership looks like today—and tomorrow.

Sophie shares her experience growing up in the orbit of high-stakes leadership, only to realize that her generation is leading in different, quieter, and often more courageous ways. With honesty and introspection, she talks about moving beyond perfectionism, finding her voice, and navigating early career challenges in the engineering world, where confidence sometimes lags behind capability.

Together, Marc and Sophie explore how today’s young professionals are not waiting their turn—they're already transforming the workforce with values like empathy, self-awareness, and adaptability. Sophie speaks to the often-unseen brilliance of her peers and why the future of leadership will be built not just on bold action, but also on deep listening and personal alignment.

Listeners will hear reflections on the pressures Gen Z faces, the power of authenticity over approval, and the leadership lessons that emerge from simply staying in the room when things get uncomfortable.

The episode ends with encouragement for the next wave of leaders—and those guiding them:
– Trust the next generation; they’re more capable than we give them credit for.
– Leadership doesn’t require a title—just presence.
– Growth happens when you question the script you’ve been handed.

Join us for this inspiring episode and discover why the future of leadership is already here—and it sounds a lot like Sophie.

Connect with Sophie Koehler:
LinkedIn

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Charlene Wheeless, former NFL cheerleader, women’s keynote speaker, best-selling author, and leadership expert.

Charlene’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and conscious choice. Through her experiences, she challenges the myths around success and leadership, offering a fresh perspective on what it really means to lead with purpose.

The conversation explores the lessons Charlene learned on the sidelines of the NFL and in high-stakes corporate environments. She discusses the emotional toll of fitting in, the hidden cost of performance, and how cancer forced her to confront her identity and ultimately redefine her life. Charlene’s mantra, “choice, not chance,” becomes a guiding theme for the episode.

Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on:

• Leading through influence, not authority
• Owning your story instead of performing a role
• Finding alignment between who you are and how you lead
  

Join us in this unforgettable episode to learn how Charlene Wheeless reclaimed her voice—and how you can too.Learn more about Charlene Wheeless:
Website
LinkedIn
Book: You Are Enough

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a compelling conversation about performance psychology with Paul McVeigh, a former professional football player (soccer, if you’re in the US) from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who competed at the highest levels of the English Premier League. 

After a decade-long career with clubs like Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur, Paul transitioned into the world of performance psychology, becoming a keynote speaker and author specializing in mental resilience and elite leadership.

They dive deep into the critical role that mindset plays—not just in elite sports but in life and leadership. Paul shares powerful insights from his time on the field, where he learned that talent alone isn’t enough. He reveals the inner work required to sustain peak performance and how he now helps leaders in business and beyond develop the same psychological edge. From growing up during a time of conflict in Northern Ireland to competing in front of tens of thousands of fans, Paul’s story is a testament to grit, intentional thinking, and purpose-driven growth.

Listeners will walk away with practical tools and mindset shifts that can be applied to any arena—whether you're running a business, leading a team, or simply striving to be better than you were yesterday. 

The episode wraps with key leadership takeaways:
– Don’t leave your mindset to chance—train it.
– Pressure reveals preparation.
– Know who you are before the world tells you who to be.

Join us in this inspiring episode to discover how Paul McVeigh’s journey from the soccer pitch to the boardroom can help unlock the leader within you.

Connect with Paul McVeigh:
Website
LinkedIn
Book

Some leaders talk about pressure—others have lived it. In this episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler sits down with Mark Fava—former naval flight officer, aviation lawyer, Boeing executive, and best-selling author—to uncover the hard truths about leadership when every decision matters.

They discuss the high-stakes world of Cold War submarine tracking and the invaluable leadership lessons Mark carried from the cockpit to the corporate boardroom. Mark shares gripping stories from his time flying P-3 Orions, the intense cat-and-mouse games with nuclear submarines, and his experience navigating crisis leadership—including his time as Chief Operations Attorney for Delta Airlines on 9/11.

Throughout the conversation, Mark reveals the core principles that shaped his leadership approach: clear communication, trust in your team, and the ability to adapt under pressure. He also discusses his bestselling book, Lessons from the Admiral, offering practical takeaways on how to lead with confidence and resilience in any environment.

Listeners will walk away with valuable insights, including:

• Why execution, trust, and mentorship are critical in leadership.
• How military leadership principles translate to business success.
• The importance of preparation and training in high-pressure situations.

Join us for this fascinating discussion and learn how to sharpen your leadership skills from someone who has led in the air, in the courtroom, and the corporate world.

Connect with Mark Fava:

Website

LinkedIn

Book

What does it take to lead in an industry that’s evolving faster than ever? In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Lucas Silva, a dynamic operations leader in the construction industry.

They explore what it takes to lead in one of the most demanding and rapidly evolving fields. Lucas shares his journey—from getting hands-on experience in high school to overseeing major infrastructure projects at Lucas Builders. He reveals how leadership in construction is shifting, emphasizing adaptability, trust, and fostering a culture of curiosity.

Lucas discusses key leadership lessons, including the power of listening, the importance of hiring for values over experience, and how to create a workplace where employees feel invested and motivated to stay. He also dives into the future of construction, touching on AI, sustainability, and the growing need for modernization in an industry often resistant to change.

Listeners will gain valuable insights from Lucas’s approach to leadership, including:

• How to build trust and credibility, even as a young leader.
• Why curiosity and adaptability are essential in a fast-changing world.
• The secret to retaining top talent in a demanding industry.

Join us for this conversation to learn how to surface the leader within yourself—whether you're in construction or any other field where strong leadership is needed.

Connect with Lucas Silva and Lucas Builders:
 Lucas Builders Website
 Lucas Builders Instagram
 Lucas Silva Instagram

What does it take to lead with confidence when you’re thrown into the deep end—whether in the military, a high-stakes veterinary clinic, or any leadership role? In this special episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc Koehler sits down with his niece and godchild, Dr. Petra van Moorsel, who is a former U.S. Army Veterinary Corps captain turned civilian veterinarian, to uncover the leadership lessons that translate far beyond the exam room.

Petra’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and learning to lead when you don’t yet have all the answers. She shares how she navigated imposter syndrome as a newly commissioned officer, earning the trust of seasoned soldiers, and how those same leadership principles now shape how she builds strong teams, makes critical decisions under pressure, and empowers those around her.

In a world where leadership is often associated with titles and authority, Petra reveals why real influence comes from humility, action, and the ability to connect with people—whether they’re fellow officers, employees, or pet owners facing difficult decisions.

If you’re a leader in any field, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what it means to step up, take responsibility, and inspire trust. Don’t miss this powerful discussion on leading with confidence, even in the face of uncertainty.