"What do wolves, leadership, and PEOs have in common? More than you'd probably expect. In this episode of the PEO Speedwagon Podcast, Heather Applegate and Ryan Shapiro sit down with Fred Gauna, Executive Director of the Endangered Wolf Center, for a conversation that starts with endangered species and eventually finds its way to a challenge facing leaders of small and mission-driven organizations everywhere: How do you take care of your people while protecting the resources you need to fulfill your mission? Fred's career has taken him from working directly with animals to leading an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered wolves and other wild canid species. He gives us a fascinating look behind the scenes at the Endangered Wolf Center, the realities of conservation work, and what it means to lead an organization where the mission is deeply personal to the people doing the work. That passion, however, can come with a cost. Fred talks candidly about the ""passion tax"" that often exists in nonprofit organizations, where employees accept lower compensation or fewer benefits because they believe so deeply in the work. As a leader, Fred wanted something better for his team. That ultimately led the Endangered Wolf Center to explore a PEO. Fred shares what that decision looked like, the concerns he had going into the process, and what has changed since making the move. Two years later, the organization has been able to invest more in employee benefits while gaining access to the HR infrastructure and support a smaller organization would struggle to build internally. For Fred, that means less time navigating the administrative side of employment and more time focused on the work only his organization can do. And that work is pretty incredible. We get into wolf conservation, breeding programs, raising pups for eventual release into the wild, the role wolves play in healthy ecosystems, and some of the misconceptions people still have about these animals. We also explore Fred's evolution from animal care into executive leadership, what working with animals has taught him about people, and the unique challenge of leading employees who are deeply emotionally connected to an organization's mission. And because this is PEO Speedwagon, we don't stay entirely on the serious stuff. Fred tells us about his former life walking a warthog on a leash, we debate which animals you should actually be afraid of in the wild, crows make a surprisingly strong case for being smarter than most of us give them credit for, and Ryan gets the opportunity to ask approximately every question he would have asked during a third-grade field trip. It's a conversation about conservation, leadership, employee experience, and the role a PEO can play in helping a small organization operate with the resources and sophistication of a much larger one. But more than anything, it's a reminder of what all that HR infrastructure is supposed to accomplish in the first place: Give great people the support they need to spend more of their time doing work that matters."

The PEO brokerage industry just had its breakout moment. Heather Applegate and Ryan Shapiro unpack CONVERGENCE, the first event where competitors showed up to collaborate, learn, and build something bigger than any one firm. What happened in Duluth, Georgia wasn’t just a networking event - it was a reset for an entire industry. Brokers who’ve operated in silos for years finally got face time with peers from around the country, and for the first time, PEOs, sales leaders, and general agents were all in the same room having the kind of honest conversations that usually stay behind closed doors. You'll hear how the energy in the room shifted from hesitation to momentum, why the breakout sessions were packed with practical tactics people could take home and use immediately, and how open conversations about underwriting, healthcare cost pressure, client fit, and better sales alignment are reshaping what it means to serve small and medium-sized businesses. Heather and Ryan also break down the deeper value of the PEO Brokers Collective’s three pillars - collaboration, community, and education - and why this event gave many attendees something they’ve been missing for years: a real sense of belonging, plus a stronger network to solve problems with. If you care about the future of PEO, brokerage, or how real industry change happens when competitors decide to help each other, this episode is packed with momentum, insight, and proof that the next chapter has already started. Heather Applegate is the host of PEO Speedwagon, Chief Advisory Officer at peomg, and emcee of the inaugural CONVERGENCE, helping build community and education for brokers across the industry. Ryan Shapiro joins as President of the peomg and PEO Brokers Collective, offering an on-the-ground view of the event’s energy, tactical breakout sessions, and the opportunities this new community is creating. Perfect for PEO brokers, sales leaders, and anyone who wants to understand why this first-of-its-kind gathering may become a defining moment for the industry.

Leadership isn't a title. It's a series of choices. In this episode of the PEO Speedwagon Podcast, Heather Applegate and Ryan Shapiro sit down with Steve Blair of New Nexus Group to explore what separates good leaders from truly influential ones. Drawing from his years at Procter & Gamble and his work helping organizations develop leaders and high-performing teams, Steve shares practical lessons on career growth, culture, coaching, and why investing in people is still the highest-return decision a leader can make. Along the way, the conversation takes an unexpected turn into one of Steve's favorite traditions: choosing walk-up songs. His picks? 🎵 "Winning" by Santana Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/search/Winning%20Santana](https://open.spotify.com/search/Winning%20Santana?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Apple Music: [https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=Winning%20Santana](https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=Winning+Santana&utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🎵 "Out the Speakers" by A-Trak & Milo & Otis Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/search/Out%20the%20Speakers%20A-Trak%20Milo%20%26%20Otis](https://open.spotify.com/search/Out%20the%20Speakers%20A-Trak%20Milo%20%26%20Otis?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Apple Music: [https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=Out%20the%20Speakers%20A-Trak%20Milo%20Otis](https://music.apple.com/us/search?term=Out+the+Speakers+A-Trak+Milo+Otis&utm_source=chatgpt.com) Whether you're leading a company, building a team, or simply trying to become a better leader, this episode is full of thoughtful insights on growth, service, and creating cultures where people can do their best work.

What does it really take to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem? In this episode of the PEO Speedwagon Podcast, Heather Applegate and Ryan Shapiro sit down with Gabe Angieri, Executive Director of Arch Grants, to discuss what it means to build communities where founders, investors, advisors, and organizations all play a role in helping new ideas become successful businesses. Gabe shares his path from New York to St. Louis, the mission behind Arch Grants, and why supporting entrepreneurs is about far more than funding. The conversation explores leadership through influence, the realities of startup growth, and the partnerships that allow small business owners to stay focused on building. As the discussion turns to scaling companies, Heather and Ryan explore the role Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) can play in removing operational friction, helping founders access enterprise-level HR and human resources support, and creating the infrastructure growing businesses need without slowing their momentum. Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, PEO professional, or someone passionate about building stronger business communities, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how great companies, startup ecosystems, and the partnerships behind them are built.