Episode Details
February 1, 2025
37 minutes
- Defining Vulnerability – Doug sees vulnerability as being open to constructive criticism, while Jeremy believes vulnerability strengthens relationships.
- Honesty & Boundaries – The hosts discuss the role of honesty in building relationships and when full transparency may not be appropriate, especially in professional settings.
- Struggles with Asking for Help – Doug admits to having difficulty delegating and is working on letting go of the need to handle everything alone.
- Vulnerability in Leadership – Doug shares a past leadership experience where vulnerability didn’t work as expected, shaping how he now approaches confrontation.
- Upbringing & Emotional Openness – Doug credits his parents' emotional openness for his ability to be expressive with his own children, while Jeremy reflects on overcoming a judgmental upbringing.
- Spousal Influence – Both hosts share how their wives have helped them improve communication, compassion, and empathy.
Featured Quotes
"There is strength in vulnerability. The more open we are, the deeper our relationships become."
Jeremy Axel
"Asking for help doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’m learning that I don’t have to handle everything alone."
Doug Cox
Episode Transcript And Overview
What does it mean to be vulnerable? When is vulnerability appropriate, and when is it not the right time? Here’s a hint: most men lean too far on the side of keeping things to themselves. In this episode of Never in Reverse, Jeremy and Doug discuss vulnerability, honesty, and open communication.
Doug and Jeremy begin the episode by discussing what vulnerability means to them and how they practice it in their everyday lives. They compare their upbringing – Doug grew up with emotionally open parents, whereas Jeremy grew up in a judgmental household. Both are learning how to become more vulnerable in their relationships, particularly with the help of their wives.
Timeline Notes
What is vulnerability? For Doug, being vulnerable is about being open to constructive criticism. Jeremy believes that there is strength in vulnerability and that vulnerable people form better relationships.
Honesty is also an important component of vulnerability and relationship building. He recognizes that there is a line for honesty, particularly in professional settings.
Transparency is freeing. Jeremy notes that he likes to work through things himself before sharing them with people, but he is comfortable going back to parts of his past that he has worked through.
Doug struggles to ask for help. He is working to be better at delegating when he needs to and not trying to handle everything on his own.
Doug recounts an experience where he handled a situation in a vulnerable way in a leadership role, and it did not work well. That experience left an impression on him in how he handles confrontation
Doug's parents were very open and emotional with him and his brother. He believes that this has helped him be more open and emotional with his children.
Jeremy grew up in a judgmental home, and he has had to learn how to become less judgmental. Letting go of his judgment has allowed him to grow and strengthen his relationships in his family.
Doug's wife has pushed him to be a better communicator and to have more compassion for himself and others. Jeremy says that his wife inspires him to be more empathetic as well.
Notable Guests
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover is No B.S. Executive Coach, whose mission is to Challenge the Best to Become Better.
He is also:
• An Ex- White-Collar Felon.
• A “Recovering” Federal Trial Lawyer.
• A Subject Mater Expert on failing and recovery.
• Who is a TEDx speaker, Vintage Speaker, Forbes contributor, and an author whose book, WorkQuake™, is endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, a Top 10 Business Thinker.
• An Executive Coach With 30 years of experience who advises and coaches executives in organizations with up to $1 billion in annual revenue.
• A Starbucks addict, and
• A Chicago Bears fanatic.
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit is the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group and the host of the Systems Simplified podcast. With nearly three decades of experience as an industrial engineer and process consultant, she has helped hundreds of growth-focused companies systematize their operations to scale successfully.
Known as “The Process Guru,” Adi specializes in designing and implementing turnkey systems that reduce dependence on the owner, empower teams, and increase profitability. Her clients range from fast-growing trades businesses to multi-location professional service firms, and she is a trusted advisor to CEOs across the U.S.
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe is a pioneer in divorce mediation who has been helping couples navigate the end of their marriages with dignity and financial wisdom for over 17 years. As co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, Joe combines his MBA in Finance with specialized training from Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern University to guide couples toward agreements that protect both their emotional wellbeing and financial futures.
Joe pioneered virtual divorce mediation in 2011, nearly a decade before others adopted online practices during the pandemic. His results speak for themselves: Equitable Mediation Services maintains a 98% case resolution rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 70%.
Jeremy Axel
Host
Jeremy Axel
Host
Founder and sales manager of Fluent Conveyors, brings over 10 years of experience transforming the conveyor industry with innovative design, exceptional service, and strong dealer partnerships. Serving sectors like recycling, agriculture, and packaging, he delivers custom solutions that enhance efficiency and profitability. Known for his strategic relationship-building and customer-focused approach, Jeremy has earned top honors such as Sales Rep of the Year and President’s Club, reflecting his ongoing commitment to growth and industry leadership.
