In this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot, Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom discuss a real challenge that almost every leader faces but rarely ever solves: taking real time off. Hear how Jason recently took 100 hours of PTO for the first time in nine years, traveling across South Africa and Botswana, while Antonio reflects on months spent abroad with his family. The two of them unpack the tension that leaders feel between wanting to disconnect and the deep sense of responsibility that keeps them tethered to work, from checking emails across time zones to worrying about how their absence affects their teams.

Hear Jason openly reflect on the internal struggle of leaving behind oversight for 130 employees and how being truly disconnected (especially on international trips) can surprisingly evoke both anxiety and unexpected clarity. Antonio brings his perspective as someone with a nontraditional schedule, reflecting on the rare mental space that extended time off can create, allowing for creative thinking, big-picture reflection, and personal growth.

Their conversation also goes beyond epic adventures, highlighting that meaningful PTO doesn’t require crossing oceans, and they explore practical strategies to plan time off without overburdening colleagues or feeling guilty. Jason shares the steps that he took to prepare for his absence - coordinating coverage, setting boundaries, and thinking through contingencies - while Antonio touches upon some of the subtle ways that even a few days away can reset your nervous system, refresh your mindset, and deepen connections with loved ones.

Antonio and Jason also dig deep into culture: how leaders can create an environment where employees feel safe to take time off, why modeling PTO is crucial, and how celebrating or sharing personal time away strengthens the workplace. Beyond vacations, PTO becomes a tool for healing, perspective, and renewed energy, benefiting both individuals and organizations, so whether you’re an executive, manager or anyone juggling responsibilities and burnout, this episode of the show offers both inspiration and insights to reclaim your time, recharge fully, and come back to work with clarity, focus, and gratitude!

What You'll Take Away:

● How leaders often struggle to fully disconnect, even while encouraging their teams to take time off

● Why extended PTO creates space for reflection, big-picture thinking, and renewed perspective

● How planning ahead, setting clear boundaries, and preparing the team are important for taking meaningful time off

● Why it is that PTO isn’t just a vacation; it supports mental health, prevents burnout, and allows employees to return energized and focused

● An explanation of how even short breaks or small excursions can be powerful tools for resetting!

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In this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot, Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom sit down with Edward Budway, Vice President of Marketing at Evergreen Credit Union, to talk about one of the most powerful tools in credit union marketing: storytelling!

They cover everything from the evolution of media, word-of-mouth marketing, and social media strategy, to community partnerships and real-time marketing tactics. Ed shares how his team uses member stories, social content, and even local rivalries to build trust and grow Evergreen’s presence across Maine.

You will also hear practical ideas for low-budget marketing teams, how to measure ROI without obsessing over every number, and what it takes to stay creative, consistent, and connected in a crowded digital world!

What You'll Take Away:

• What makes a credit union story worth telling
• Why word-of-mouth still drives trust
• How real-time marketing can work if done right
• Why consistency beats constant change
• Low-budget moves credit unions can use today to build community and brand loyalty
• How CEOs and marketing teams can build trust and stay aligned

Links & Resources:

Antonio’s LinkedIn Page

Jason’s LinkedIn Page

Ed’s LinkedIn Page

Evergreen Credit Union - Website

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In this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot, hosts Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom sit down with two deeply respected leaders: Robbie Young, VP of Strategic Growth at CUInsight.com, and Laura Briggs, VP of Training and Development at Evergreen Credit Union.

Together, they dive into a conversation we don’t have nearly enough, mental health in the workplace. What does it mean to lead when you’re not okay? How do you create a culture where people feel safe to speak up? And what does real emotional honesty look like between teammates, leaders, and friends?

With raw stories, personal reflection, and practical wisdom, this episode is a reminder that performance without presence is unsustainable and that grief, anxiety, and struggle don’t disappear just because we walk through the office doors.

This is not a clinical conversation. It’s a human one.

What You’ll Take Away

• Why “you don’t have to be okay to lead powerfully
• The ripple effects of grief, burnout, and emotional silence at work
• How vulnerability from leadership creates safety for others
• What it looks like to ask for help and respond with grace when someone else does
• Tactical ways to lead through hard seasons with empathy, transparency, and strength
• Why culture is built in small everyday conversations, not just company values

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For the first time on Pilot 2 Co-Pilot, we have not just two people part of the conversation but three, as we are joined by special guest Susan Toalson McGinity, Chief Growth and Advocacy Officer at the University of Illinois “U of I” Community Credit Union. Tune in as we get into some of the "what-the-heck" moments that leaders often face - the unexpected challenges that force us to re-evaluate everything and shape who we become. Susan shares her experiences getting through these turbulent times and how she has become a leader who is both friendly and fierce.

Susan also describes how her career journey, starting at 40 after leaving a difficult marriage, instilled a strong sense of fierce determination and confidence which she has had to work through. She emphasizes the importance of "vulnerable trust" on teams, where leaders can openly own their mistakes, setting an example for others.

Meanwhile, Jason highlights the value of compartmentalizing work and personal life, using the workplace as a "blessing" and "solace" from daily challenges. He stresses the need for grace and transparency as a leader, acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and the power of revisiting issues once emotions have settled down. Both share some incredible insights into developing meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, where the exchange of advice and expertise is reciprocal. They encourage listeners, especially young leaders, to be proactive in seeking guidance rather than waiting to be approached.

Ultimately, our conversation highlights the true human side of leadership - the importance of empathy, compassion and self-awareness, even (or especially) when facing the unexpected. Along with Susan, we provide some practical tips for taking on those tough "what-the-heck" moments and emerging as a stronger, more authentic leader!

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In this thought-provoking conversation, we take a crucial look at some of the challenges of balancing work and home life as leaders and executives, and we open up about our personal experiences of feeling like "dynamic figures" at work only to struggle to bring that same energy and presence home to our families.

Listen in as we talk about the importance of communication and setting clear expectations with partners who often understand the demands of these types of roles, and we share strategies such as shared calendars, disconnecting from work during family time, and being intentional about bringing joy when transitioning from the office to home.

Our conversation also touches upon the idea of being "on stage" as a leader, whether it's facilitating a meeting, engaging with an audience, or simply interacting with the team. We also, however, are sure to acknowledge the loneliness that can come with these leadership positions and the need to find outlets such as exercise to wind down.

We hope that our conversation leaves you wanting more perspectives on this - especially from the perspective of female leaders and working mothers who face their own unique struggles in achieving a balance between their home lives and their work lives. Please be sure to stay tuned for future episodes featuring additional guests to further explore this incredibly important issue facing the business leaders of both today and tomorrow!

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Welcome back to the show, everyone! In our first episode, Antonio led the conversation as Jason discussed his own experiences, and in this episode, we are flipping the script, with Jason taking the lead which is definitely appropriate for our topic this episode!

As leaders, we often talk about the importance of leading a team, but what about leading yourself? Tune in as Antonio walks us through what it means to lead yourself, especially when everything around you is falling apart.

Antonio shares his powerful story of losing his home and community in the devastating California wildfires earlier this year, candidly opening up about the grief, uncertainty, and challenges of rebuilding his life from scratch. Through it all, however, he reveals the key strategies that he used to get through each day - focusing on what he could control, simplifying his priorities, and leaning on his support system.

As a self-employed public speaker, Antonio has had to learn to be his own leader, with no organization or paycheck to fall back on, and he highlights the importance of leading by example and staying committed to your goals, even when it's difficult, and as a CEO myself, I (Jason) can absolutely relate to the solo nature of leadership and how you have to set the tone for yourself before you can effectively lead others.

We also touch upon the power of vulnerability in leadership. In a world of highlight reels, people are always craving authenticity and connection, and by opening up about our challenges, setbacks, and even our dislikes, we help create deeper bonds and show others that it's okay to not have it all figured out.

Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself, this episode will likely encourage you to be more intentional about how you show up each day and to reach out to support the people in your life who may be going through their own storms. After all, that human connection can make all the difference!

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Welcome to Pilot to Co-Pilot: A Leadership Podcast on Growth and Collaboration. We are your hosts Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom, and we are so happy that you have tuned in! In our inaugural episode, Jason, CEO of Evergreen Credit Union, reflects on his experiences dealing with uncertainty, such as the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world was suddenly turned upside down, he found himself thrust into roles that he never expected - from biologist to dad of the organization. With nearly a hundred employees looking to him for guidance, he had to quickly adapt and make tough decisions, all while dealing with his own uncertainty.

Listen in as Jason highlights the importance of staying anchored to the mission and vision, even when the ground is constantly shifting. He talks about the power of being transparent, both with his team. He shares his collaborative approach bringing in diverse perspectives and stresses the need to slow down, take a breath, and carefully weigh the pros and cons rather than rushing into hasty decisions.

Throughout our conversation, you'll note how Jason's "we" language shines through, highlighting his belief that leadership is a team effort. He shares a poignant personal story of being on the other side of a tough decision and how that experience has shaped his empathetic approach as a leader.

Despite the chaos and turbulence of the current environment, Jason remains optimistic, seeing change and evolution as the keys to progress, and his passion for serving his members and community is palpable, inspiring listeners to embrace the challenges of leadership with resilience and compassion!

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