10/16/2026
When I started The Eh List, one of my goals was to become a better leader.
The idea was simple: sit down with people who have had unique experiences, learn from their successes and challenges, and share those lessons with my community.
This was the most difficult episode I've hosted, and the one I've thought about the most.
Jessica Gutierrez is someone I've known since our SFU days and have tremendous respect for. She's also been through an incredibly challenging year, losing her son Nathan.
Sharing that experience publicly takes enormous courage, and I'm grateful she trusted me with her story.
One of my biggest takeaways was about preparation.
As business owners, we spend countless hours planning for growth, managing risks, and preparing for business disruptions.
We have contingency plans for losing clients, employees, or critical systems.
But how much time do we spend preparing for the personal tragedies our team members may face?
Most of us figure it out when it happens. Jessica reminded me that this is the worst possible time to start.
Something else that stayed with me: you don't need to have the right words.
Sometimes leadership means simply being present, holding space for someone when you don't know what to say, and not allowing your own discomfort to prevent you from showing up.
How we support our people through their most difficult moments is often how they'll remember us as leaders.
Probably far more than anything we accomplish in a good quarter.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
If you're a business owner, work in HR, or lead a team, I encourage you to listen to this conversation.
Thank you, Jess, for your courage, your friendship, and the important work you're doing to support other families 🤍
🎙️ Listen to the episode by clicking the link in my bio!
