2026 Strategy: Operational Spring Cleaning

2026 Strategy: Operational Spring Cleaning

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston January 8, 2026 Duration: 1:01:49

Welcome to the first episode of 2026! We have officially hit Episode 60, and to celebrate this milestone, the team is pulling back the curtain on the "magic" that keeps the Unlocked Podcast consistent. Chad Lingafelt from Loc-Doc Security, Tony Hawkenson from Assured Security, and Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe discuss the discipline required to stay weeks ahead of their recording schedule to ensure they never miss a release for their listeners.


This episode features a look at real-time listener engagement, highlighting a fan who streamed over 100 minutes of the show, making Unlocked their top podcast. Chad also shares a unique gift—a map of the top 200 US golf courses—which serves as a metaphor for the "room for improvement" they are looking for in their own business operations this year. Whether it's refining fuel consumption ratios or finding the next big vertical, this episode is about starting the year with transparency and a clear map for growth.


Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Unlocked Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Lessons from Cost-Obsessed Founders (Episode 91) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
Are you so hyper-focused on driving top-line revenue that you are completely blind to the silent margin leaks bleeding your business dry? In Episode 92, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary…
Debunking Toxic Entrepreneurial Quotes (Episode 86) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:43
Is corporate America’s favorite advice actually helping you scale, or is it just romanticized business lore? In Episode 86, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) host a candid "…
Maintaining Motivation as a Leader (Episode 85) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:38
Interested in the Unlocked Invitational? Fill out the form at https://unlockedpodcast.comEvery business leader inevitably hits a wall where the daily grind transitions from an exciting problem-solving puzzle into an exha…