Explore every episode of the podcast Blue Collar Smart
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Turmoil to Triumph with Dave Sanderson | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:45:44 | |
Host Hugh Hornsby introduces the Blue Collar Smart podcast and interviews Dave Sanderson, a Miracle on the Hudson survivor and former sales leader. Sanderson recounts starting in factories and restaurants, learning humility and responsibility from a Christmas Eve shift where Bill Marriott helped run the kitchen, and developing resilience through door-to-door copier sales and handling rejection. He describes a key sales lesson at ADP about earning the right to be in influential rooms, later formalized as his A-to-I (access to influence to affinity) framework, and how strong client relationships showed up after the crash. Sanderson retells the 2009 ditching in the Hudson, his decision to help others, and how a manager’s response at Oracle pushed him toward speaking, books, and advising organizations via resilience frameworks, including VCR and ASSESS, emphasizing caring for people over numbers and managing state of mind. 00:00 Miracle on the Hudson 00:50 Podcast Introduction 01:40 Dave’s Background 04:27 Starting at the Bottom 06:12 Marriott Leadership Lesson 10:05 Door to Door Sales 12:24 Mentor in the Restaurant 16:05 Depression Era Innovation 18:55 Enterprise Sales Mindset 19:32 ADP Wormhole Lesson 22:20 Reputation on the Line 23:14 Earning the Room 24:03 Access to Influence 25:38 Naming the Framework 26:42 Affinity in Action 30:17 Miracle on the Hudson 34:43 Back at Work Reality 36:03 People Over Numbers 38:04 Resilience Frameworks 40:56 Yellow Pad Mindset 42:20 Triggers and Growth 44:43 Final Thanks and Wrap Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with a trade leader who is ready to build something bigger than a business. Every share helps us reach more owners, executives, and industry leaders who are committed to investing in their people and strengthening the future of the trades. Have a great day. Hugh Hornsby "People build businesses. Invest in your people, and they'll invest in your future." CONNECT with Hugh Hornsby & Blue Collar Smart Get practical leadership insights, proven people-first strategies, and resources designed to help trade leaders build stronger teams, grow profitable businesses, and create organizations that stand the test of time. Join a community of owners, executives, and industry leaders who believe the future of the trades is built on people, relationships, and leadership. Join the Community: www.thebluecollarsmart.com and www.hughhornsby.com Follow Hugh Hornsby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-hornsby-51986b10/ Interested in executive advisory, leadership coaching, speaking, or mastermind opportunities? Connect with Hugh and discover how a people-first approach can help your organization grow with purpose, clarity, and lasting impact. About Guest: Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, author, and resilience expert best known as the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Drawing on that defining experience, his years as a top sales leader at Oracle, and his work with Tony Robbins, Dave works with leaders and organizations to turn disruption into a competitive advantage. He has spoken to more than 1,700 audiences worldwide, sharing practical strategies on resilience, leadership, gratitude, and performing under pressure. Links Website https://resiliencepartnersgroup.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesanderson/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@DaveSandersonKeynoteSpeaker | |||
| Building a People First Business Culture with Eric Himes | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:37:11 | |
In this Blue Collar Smart Podcast episode, host Hugh interviews Eric Himes, creator of the Inspirational/Inspired Operating System and founder of The Inspired Culture, about leadership that multiplies and empowers people. Eric shares his career path from Home Depot to 19 years in medical devices, then burnout and losing his first marriage after prioritizing performance and travel over family, plus a faith-driven transformation that reshaped his view of worth and leadership. They discuss helping founders avoid carrying everything alone, trusting God, and building inclusive cultures without forcing beliefs. Eric outlines the Inspired OS framework to measure growth mindset weekly—personal why, vision alignment, habits, goals, wins, challenges to build strategic thinking, and frequent two-way feedback—plus organizational mindset scoring. He shares self-care practices, his website/contact, and the Inspired Culture Summit (Nov 16–17, Naperville, IL, with livestream). 00:00 Multiply Through People 00:51 Podcast Welcome Guest Intro 01:51 Eric Background Journey 03:59 Performance Burnout Wakeup 07:17 Faith Pivot Healing 09:39 Advice For Founders 12:09 Leading Across Beliefs 13:38 Inspired Culture At Work 17:09 Service Why Purpose 19:42 Self Care Alignment 22:41 Inspired OS Framework 26:09 Weekly Wins Challenges 29:50 Feedback Multiplies Leaders 31:48 Mindset Score Dashboards 32:51 Connect Summit Closing Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with a trade leader who is ready to build something bigger than a business. Every share helps us reach more owners, executives, and industry leaders who are committed to investing in their people and strengthening the future of the trades. Have a great day. Hugh Hornsby "People build businesses. Invest in your people, and they'll invest in your future." CONNECT with Hugh Hornsby & Blue Collar Smart Get practical leadership insights, proven people-first strategies, and resources designed to help trade leaders build stronger teams, grow profitable businesses, and create organizations that stand the test of time. Join a community of owners, executives, and industry leaders who believe the future of the trades is built on people, relationships, and leadership. Join the Community: www.thebluecollarsmart.com and www.hughhornsby.com Follow Hugh Hornsby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-hornsby-51986b10/ Interested in executive advisory, leadership coaching, speaking, or mastermind opportunities? Connect with Hugh and discover how a people-first approach can help your organization grow with purpose, clarity, and lasting impact. Guest Bio:Eric Himes is the Founder of The Inspired Culture™, author of the forthcoming book The Empty Chair, and a thought leader in holistic leadership development. He's a member of Thought Leaders 100, and his frameworks have driven a 46% reduction in turnover, 92% OKR completion, and $490K+ in annualized value. He is the creator of the Growth Mindset Framework & Measurement System, the Inspired Culture Framework, and the 50 Masks of Leadership. He is also Founder and Host of Inspired Culture TV and creator of The Rising 99™ and The Inspired OS™. Outside of work, he is a husband, father of five, and marathon runner who has completed 8 marathons. Links: Website: www.yourpathinspired.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-himes/ | |||
| Rooted in Resolve with Marlon Mueller | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:35:28 | |
In this inaugural episode of Blue Collar Smart, Hugh Hornsby welcomes financial strategist and fourth-generation farmer Marlon Mueller to discuss the mindset behind lasting wealth, resilience, and leadership. Drawing from his experiences navigating the farm crisis, preserving his family's legacy, and mastering financial systems, Marlon shares practical lessons on money, mentorship, long-term thinking, and building wealth that lasts for generations. The conversation also explores why investing in people, continuous learning, and strong values creates success both in business and in life. Key Takeaways
Timestamps: 00:00 — Why mentorship changes your future 01:10 — The vision behind Blue Collar Smart 03:00 — Saving the family farm and learning money 10:50 — Why wealth begins with mindset 17:45 — Advice for the next generation entering the trades 30:15 — The Four Fs for building a meaningful life Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with a trade leader who is ready to build something bigger than a business. Every share helps us reach more owners, executives, and industry leaders who are committed to investing in their people and strengthening the future of the trades. Have a great day. Hugh Hornsby "People build businesses. Invest in your people, and they'll invest in your future." CONNECT with Hugh Hornsby & Blue Collar Smart Get practical leadership insights, proven people-first strategies, and resources designed to help trade leaders build stronger teams, grow profitable businesses, and create organizations that stand the test of time. Join a community of owners, executives, and industry leaders who believe the future of the trades is built on people, relationships, and leadership. Join the Community: www.thebluecollarsmart.com and www.hughhornsby.com Follow Hugh Hornsby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-hornsby-51986b10/ Interested in executive advisory, leadership coaching, speaking, or mastermind opportunities? Connect with Hugh and discover how a people-first approach can help your organization grow with purpose, clarity, and lasting impact. Marlon Mueller is a financial educator, investor, and fourth-generation farmer who helps individuals and business owners build lasting wealth through financial education, mindset, and long-term planning. His work focuses on helping people create financial freedom while leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations. | |||