Don Kemper has spent his life in places where standards matter.

He’s the President of Midwest Specialties, a longtime referee, and a former commissioner of the Midwest Athletic Conference — which means he’s made tough calls in real time… while everyone in the building thinks they’re right.

In this episode, we don’t do a résumé rundown. We pull the thinking out of Don: what leadership actually is, how you earn opportunity before it shows up, what separates talent from results, and how strong cultures are built (and broken)

We also get into the real stuff — staying sharp for the long run, handling stress, and the routines that keep your mind and body in the game.

And yes… we’re trying some new things too — including a Community Mailbag moment that somehow turns into a lasagna debate.

If you’re trying to level up at work, as a leader, or just as a person — this one’s for you.