The Early Edge Mentorship Podcast

As the year winds down, Jay and Jeff walk through their personal year-end habits for reflection and planning. They discuss how to use holiday downtime intentionally—reviewing the past year, setting priorities for the...

A key part of effective communication is knowing your audience and making intentional choices to increase your ability to connect and influence. In this episode, Jay and Jeff break down how to prepare, listen for clues...

In this episode, we sit down with veteran leader Tom Ujvagi, who shares five common tensions is leadership. From navigating the messy reality that “management is great… except for the people,” to the art of being...

Jay and Jeff take a candid look at failed leadership, using the recent government shutdown as a relatable example of what happens when leaders stop listening and refuse to work together. They explore why collaboration...

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff sit down with manufacturing executive John Ooms to unpack one of the most overlooked career advantages: taking on the roles no one else wants. John shares how the “less...

Some books entertain. Some books change you. In this episode, Jay and Jeff share a few of the books that had an outsized impact on their leadership, careers, and mindset. From eliminating bottlenecks with The Goal, to...

Great bosses build relationships, inspire excellence, and shape careers. In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff share stories of the best leaders they’ve worked with and break down the traits which make someone...

We’ve all had them—the boss who makes work harder than it should be, or worse, they’re downright abusive. In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff dive into what to do when you’re dealing with a bad boss. They...

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff revisit a big idea from a recent conversation: how to take a business idea and turn it into a real offering. Fresh from the CPAmerica conference in Napa, California—where...

Your career growth doesn’t happen by chance—it happens by positioning yourself with intention. In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff break down the most important steps to take including defining the role you...

Starting a new job, role, or project? The first 60 days can set the tone for your success. In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff share practical strategies to help you get off to a strong start. You’ll learn a...

What’s the real difference between a mentor and a sponsor? In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff welcome back former Microsoft CMO Thom Gruhler to share stories, unpack the differences, and explain why both...

Even the most accomplished leaders face moments of doubt. In this episode, Thom Gruhler, former Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft, joins Jay and Jeff to discuss imposter syndrome—a challenge nearly everyone...

Starting out in your career comes with challenges—and sometimes those challenges are deeply personal. In this episode, Jay and Jeff sit down with Logan Campbell, a recent college graduate navigating the first few years...

Have you ever received feedback that felt unclear—or just hard to hear? Or do you struggle to give feedback when it feels difficult? Join Jay and Jeff as they continue their communication series with practical advice on...

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff are joined by Stephanie Polen, President of The Polen Group, for a thoughtful conversation on navigating conflict. Stephanie introduces a practical framework to help you...

Jay and Jeff welcome Madeline Westfall to discuss her creative path to starting a business. Madeline shares valuable lessons about creating your own path, surrounding yourself with the right people, and taking the first...

Join Jay and Jeff as they dive into a real-time conversation about a new business idea—an AI advisory service. This unscripted discussion offers a brief, behind-the-scenes look at how to think through launching...

Want to level up your communication skills? In this episode of The Early Edge, we dive into practical ways to communicate more clearly and effectively. We share tips for eliminating filler words, writing better emails...

In this episode of The Early Edge, we explore the often overlooked—but highly impactful—role of grammar in communication. We dive into a few “controversial” topics and common mistakes that can weaken your message and...

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff dive into why increasing your digital maturity is essential in today’s workplace. They discuss the importance of cognitive agility, the smart use of AI (and when to avoid...

In this episode of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff explore how curiosity shapes our ability to connect, collaborate, and innovate. They discuss why curiosity is essential for stronger relationships and how it unlocks...

In this episode, Jay and Jeff reflect on the first three episodes of The Early Edge, sharing listener feedback and additional perspectives on Intentionality and Habits. Hear about what’s resonated with listeners and...

In Episode 3 of The Early Edge, Jay and Jeff explore the power of habits—how they work, how they shape your routines, and why they matter. We break down the mechanics behind habit formation and share how small...

Welcome to The Early Edge–a mentorship podcast for next generation leaders. Hosts Jay Messner and Jeff Andrews have spent decades growing businesses and leading people. Now, they're sharing the lessons, insights, and...