Cleared For Takeoff

About Cleared For Takeoff

Cleared for Takeoff is a new podcast for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators who want to succeed in business and lead with impact. Hosted by entrepreneur Charles Eide, Founder and CEO of EideCom, the show spotlights bold conversations with influential thought leaders, trailblazers, and visionaries redefining what’s possible.Each episode explores the mindsets, strategies, and stories of success that shift perspective and spark purposeful action. Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your business, a leader driving change, or an innovator shaping the future, this podcast gives you the clarity, courage, and momentum to rise to the occasion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

clearedfortakeoff

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Oct 2025

Latest episode

27 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

36 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Jul 2026

   The CEO Who Chose Mission Over Millions | Julian Scadden, Nexstar Network

   What does it take to go from sleeping in your car at 14 years old to leading one of the most respected organizations in North America? For Julian Scadden, it started with one realization: the people creating opportunity weren't necessarily smarter—they simply knew how to connect with others. In this episode of Cleared For Takeoff, Charles Eide sits down with the President & CEO of Nexstar Network for one of the most personal conversations Julian has ever shared publicly. He opens up about growing up in a difficult environment, dropping out of high school, living out of his car, reconnecting with his father after years apart, and how mentors helped reshape his future. Julian also shares why conversations are the foundation of leadership, why work ethic is often misunderstood, and the surprisingly simple advice that changed his career forever. The conversation culminates with an inside look at one of the biggest decisions of Julian's career—leading Nexstar through the difficult choice to sunset private equity-backed memberships in order to protect the organization's mission, culture, and long-term future. Whether you're a business owner, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to navigate life's next chapter, this episode is filled with wisdom that will stay with you long after it ends. In this episode you'll learn: Why communication—not talent—is often the greatest predictor of success. How Julian went from an introverted teenager to leading thousands of business owners. The powerful story of becoming homeless at 14 and rebuilding his life. The mentors and conversations that changed everything. Why "The conversation is the relationship." The "Straight Eight" philosophy that transformed Julian's career. Why passion doesn't always come before success—and why that's okay. The massive opportunity within the skilled trades today. What leaders get wrong about work-life balance and employee expectations. How Nexstar made the difficult decision to prioritize mission over rapid growth by walking away from private equity-backed companies. The difference between growing a business and building one that can truly scale. Why the hardest leadership decisions are often the ones that define your legacy. Meet Julian: Julian Scadden is the President & CEO of Nexstar Network, a member-owned organization dedicated to helping independent plumbing, HVAC, and electrical businesses become stronger leaders and more successful companies. After overcoming an incredibly challenging upbringing—including dropping out of high school and experiencing homelessness as a teenager—Julian built a career rooted in resilience, communication, and servant leadership. Beginning as a laborer in the skilled trades, he steadily advanced through leadership roles before joining Nexstar, where he has helped guide one of the industry's most influential organizations. Known for his authentic leadership style and unwavering commitment to mission over short-term gain, Julian is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening independent businesses, and elevating the skilled trades as one of today's greatest career opportunities. Today, he leads Nexstar with a focus on helping great tradespeople become exceptional business leaders while preserving the culture, trust, and values that have defined the organization for decades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   14 Jul 2026

   From Homeless to the Top of Mount Everest | Ryan Rivard on Addiction, Resilience & What Success Really Means

   Most people know Mount Everest as the tallest mountain on Earth. Ryan Rivard knows it as a teacher. Before standing on top of the world, Ryan experienced rock bottom. He battled addiction, lived out of his car, and fought to rebuild his life one decision at a time. Years later, after becoming sober, building a successful marketing agency, raising four children, and reclaiming his relationship with his father, he pursued one of the most dangerous challenges imaginable: summiting Mount Everest. In this powerful conversation with Charles Eide, Ryan pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to climb Everest. From navigating the deadly Khumbu Icefall and surviving the infamous Death Zone to witnessing life-and-death decisions on the mountain, he shares stories few people on Earth can tell. But this episode is about much more than mountaineering. Ryan explains why every person has an "Everest" in life, how focusing on the next ten steps can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles, why the journey matters more than the destination, and how faith, resilience, and community helped transform his life from addiction to purpose. This conversation is equal parts adventure, leadership lesson, and reminder that no matter where you start, your future is not determined by your past. In this episode you'll learn: Why Ryan believes climbing Mount Everest is more mentally challenging than physically demanding. The incredible journey from addiction and homelessness to becoming one of the few Americans to summit Everest. What it's really like inside the Death Zone—and why more climbers die coming down than going up. The simple mindset that helped Ryan overcome impossible moments: focusing on the next ten steps. How recovery transformed not only Ryan's life but also restored his relationship with his father. Why success isn't reaching the summit—it's becoming the person the journey requires. The role faith, family, and purpose played in helping Ryan accomplish what once seemed impossible. How letting go of shame can become the turning point that changes someone else's life. Lessons from Everest that apply directly to business, leadership, and everyday challenges. Why Ryan says everyone has an "Everest"—and how anyone can begin climbing theirs. Meet Ryan Rivard: Ryan Rivard is an entrepreneur, endurance athlete, marketing strategist, and one of the few Americans to successfully summit Mount Everest. After overcoming addiction as a teenager, Ryan rebuilt his life through recovery, education, and entrepreneurship, eventually founding Bespoken, a marketing agency specializing in SEO, AI-powered marketing, and business growth. Today, he combines his experience in business with the life-changing lessons learned from some of the world's highest mountains. Ryan is passionate about helping others overcome adversity, discover purpose, and pursue seemingly impossible goals. Through coaching, speaking, and his upcoming book, he shares a powerful message of resilience, faith, and personal transformation—proving that no matter where you begin, it's possible to reach extraordinary heights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   29 Jun 2026

   The Leadership Skill That Predicts Success More Than IQ | Rich Bracken

   What if the biggest thing holding back your career, your business, and your relationships isn’t your intelligence... it’s how you respond under pressure? This week, Charles sits down with international keynote speaker and emotional intelligence expert Rich Bracken for a conversation that will challenge the way you think about leadership, success, and human connection. From the panic attack that changed Rich’s life forever to why the best leaders ask more questions than they answer, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can use immediately. You’ll learn why emotional intelligence drives performance, how to become a leader people actually want to follow, and why just seven seconds can change the outcome of almost any difficult conversation. If you’ve ever said, ”That’s just the way I am,” this episode might completely change your mind.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Contact Cleared For Takeoff

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.