On this episode of One Step Beyond, we are joined by Drew Wilkinson, climate activist, consultant, and Founder, Climate Leadership Collective.

In this episode, Aram and Drew discuss how sustainability can be more deeply woven into corporate culture. Drawing from his experience at Microsoft, Drew emphasizes that climate change is not a problem individuals can solve alone through lifestyle changes, it demands systemic, collective action. He reflects on how employee engagement can drive meaningful corporate responsibility and how advocacy within companies can shift conversations and policies around climate impact.

Drew shares his transition from a corporate role to starting his own sustainability consulting business, highlighting how intuition, relationship-building, and purpose guided that shift. He explores how consulting allows him to support companies that are serious about aligning growth with environmental values, and why ambitious goals require both internal pressure from employees and leadership buy-in. Throughout the episode, Drew and Aram also touch on the psychological and emotional aspects of this work, including how meaning, spirituality, and personal belief play into one’s ability to pursue change.

The conversation ultimately calls for courage, especially from young professionals, who are often leading sustainability conversations from within. They explore how risk-taking, authenticity, and personal conviction are essential to shifting the corporate status quo. Whether it’s confronting “green hushing” or reimagining what leadership looks like, the episode is a reminder that large-scale climate solutions begin with people willing to show up, speak up, and make sustainability part of everyone’s job.

ON THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT

• Employee engagement is the untapped lever for scalable climate impact within corporate environments.
• Trusting your intuition is a key leadership skill, especially in transitional phases.
• Leadership isn’t positional, it’s behavioral. Elevating voices from all levels of the organization fosters innovation and accountability.
• Courage is the defining skill of future leaders. It's essential for risk-taking, change-making, and driving sustainability from any seat in the company.

About Drew Wilkinson:
Drew Wilkinson is a sustainability consultant and community organizer with over a decade of experience turning climate ambition into employee-powered action. He specializes in employee engagement, program design, and change management—working with everyone from CSOs to new hires to make sustainability part of everybody’s job. Drew co-founded Microsoft’s 10,000-member sustainability community, one of the largest green teams in the world, and now consults through the Climate Leadership Collective. His background spans nonprofits to Big Tech, grassroots activism to corporate strategy. In a past life, he was a punk singer and eco-pirate with Sea Shepherd.

Connect with Drew:
www.drewwilkinson.earth
Linkedin

About Aram Arslanian:
Cadence was established in 2016 by Aram Arslanian, a coach, therapist, and executive with over 20 years of experience. His background in business, counselling, and performance has enabled him to build a firm uniquely positioned to support organizations in developing their talent. Aram’s approach to leadership and communication is informed by research, his therapeutic experience, and his lived experience as an executive leader.

Connect with Aram:
Linkedin

About the company:
Cadence Leadership...

On this episode of One Step Beyond, we are joined by Josh Grabelle, Founder of Trustkill Records.

In this episode, Aram and Josh dive into the rise, fall, and rebirth of Trustkill Records. Josh recounts the label’s early days in 1994, driven by passion and a DIY ethos, and how he navigated the challenges of distribution deals, marketing shifts, and the eventual decline of CD sales. As the music industry underwent rapid changes, Josh had to constantly adapt, balancing creative vision with the harsh realities of business.

Josh and Aram discuss the challenges Josh faced as Trustkill Records struggled and eventually collapsed. He reflects on the tension between artistic authenticity and commercial pressures, emphasizing how crucial it is to maintain strong relationships with the bands you work with. Josh chose to reinvent the label, securing a new deal with Universal and reshaping the business model to align with a changing industry landscape.

The conversation underscores the value of adaptability, clear communication, and bold leadership in uncertain times. Josh's story illustrates that visionary thinking, combined with execution and resilience, can turn setbacks into new beginnings. His journey is a reminder that passion is only powerful when paired with courageous action, and that effective leadership often means seeing potential where others see risk.

ON THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT

• Vision without execution is just a dream. Bold execution turns dreams into outcomes.

• Conviction moves people. When data is scarce and you're creating something new, your belief can become the most valuable asset.

• Adaptability is your leadership currency in rapidly shifting markets.

• Effective communication and renegotiation during crises can determine whether your business survives or gets sidelined.

• When you offer strategic foresight and a clear path to growth, stakeholders can become collaborators.

About Josh Grabelle:
Trustkill Records was a pioneering independent label that helped define the hardcore, metalcore, and post-hardcore sound of the late '90s and early 2000s. Founded in 1994 by Josh Grabelle in New Jersey, it quickly became a beacon of raw energy and DIY spirit. With a knack for discovering talent, Trustkill introduced the world to genre-shaping bands like Poison the Well, Bleeding Through, Terror, and Eighteen Visions, acts that blended hardcore intensity with metal precision, setting a new standard for heavy music.

More than just a label, Trustkill became a cultural force, taking bands from basement shows to major tours like Warped and Ozzfest, and landing releases in Hot Topic and MTV. Before its 2010 hiatus, the label had sold over two million albums and left an indelible mark on the underground scene. Now, in 2025, its legacy surges forward with the return of HELLFEST, the legendary festival it once presented, reaffirming Trustkill’s role as a torchbearer for a new generation of heavy, fearless music.

Connect with Josh:
www.trustkill.com
www.hellfest.com
www.bullettooth.com
www.grabelle.com
Linkedin

About Aram Arslanian:
Cadence was established in 2016 by Aram Arslanian, a coach, therapist, and executive with over 20 years of experie...

On this episode of One Step Beyond, we are joined by Josh Grabelle, Founder of Trustkill Records.

In this episode, Aram and Josh dive into the rise, fall, and rebirth of Trustkill Records. Josh recounts the label’s early days in 1994, driven by passion and a DIY ethos, and how he navigated the challenges of distribution deals, marketing shifts, and the eventual decline of CD sales. As the music industry underwent rapid changes, Josh had to constantly adapt, balancing creative vision with the harsh realities of business.

Josh and Aram discuss the challenges Josh faced as Trustkill Records struggled and eventually collapsed. He reflects on the tension between artistic authenticity and commercial pressures, emphasizing how crucial it is to maintain strong relationships with the bands you work with. Josh chose to reinvent the label, securing a new deal with Universal and reshaping the business model to align with a changing industry landscape.

The conversation underscores the value of adaptability, clear communication, and bold leadership in uncertain times. Josh's story illustrates that visionary thinking, combined with execution and resilience, can turn setbacks into new beginnings. His journey is a reminder that passion is only powerful when paired with courageous action, and that effective leadership often means seeing potential where others see risk.

ON THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT

• Vision without execution is just a dream. Bold execution turns dreams into outcomes.

• Conviction moves people. When data is scarce and you're creating something new, your belief can become the most valuable asset.

• Adaptability is your leadership currency in rapidly shifting markets.

• Effective communication and renegotiation during crises can determine whether your business survives or gets sidelined.

• When you offer strategic foresight and a clear path to growth, stakeholders can become collaborators.

About Josh Grabelle:
Trustkill Records was a pioneering independent label that helped define the hardcore, metalcore, and post-hardcore sound of the late '90s and early 2000s. Founded in 1994 by Josh Grabelle in New Jersey, it quickly became a beacon of raw energy and DIY spirit. With a knack for discovering talent, Trustkill introduced the world to genre-shaping bands like Poison the Well, Bleeding Through, Terror, and Eighteen Visions, acts that blended hardcore intensity with metal precision, setting a new standard for heavy music.

More than just a label, Trustkill became a cultural force, taking bands from basement shows to major tours like Warped and Ozzfest, and landing releases in Hot Topic and MTV. Before its 2010 hiatus, the label had sold over two million albums and left an indelible mark on the underground scene. Now, in 2025, its legacy surges forward with the return of HELLFEST, the legendary festival it once presented, reaffirming Trustkill’s role as a torchbearer for a new generation of heavy, fearless music.

Connect with Josh:
www.trustkill.com
www.hellfest.com
www.bullettooth.com
www.grabelle.com
Linkedin

About Aram Arslanian:
Cadence was established in 2016 by Aram Arslanian, a coach, therapist, and executive with over 20 years of experie...

This week on One Step Beyond, Aram shares leadership strategies around how to lead through layoffs, scaling up, and performance reviews.

On this episode we talk about:

• Lead Through Layoffs with “Why, What, How”
• Use the stages of change model to walk your team through layoffs. Start with why the decision happened, explain what changes, and involve them in how you'll move forward together.
• Culture Evolves as you Scale. Don’t Preserve, Adapt
• Company culture isn’t static. As your team grows, expect the culture to shift. Be intentional about shaping a culture that reflects who you are now and who you’re becoming.
• Leadership at Scale: Aligning and Adapting in Fast-Growth Environments
• Define leadership needs early. During fast growth, clarify what you expect from your leaders. Don’t assume they know. Align priorities and adjust as the company evolves.
• Use the “tube” metaphor to refocus leaders. If leaders are only seeing part of the big picture, help widen their view. Shift their focus, expand their awareness, or reframe their goals to fit the scale of growth.
• Make Feedback Ongoing, Not Annual
• Performance reviews shouldn’t be a surprise. Give consistent, clear feedback throughout the year to support growth, not just during review season.
• Structure Feedback with What, Why, How.
• When giving feedback, be specific: What are you addressing? Why does it matter? How did it impact the team or company? This keeps feedback clear, useful, and growth-focused.

About Aram Arslanian:
Cadence was established in 2016 by Aram Arslanian, a coach, therapist, and executive with over 20 years of experience. His background in business, counselling, and performance has enabled him to build a firm uniquely positioned to support organizations in developing their talent. Aram’s approach to leadership and communication is informed by research, his therapeutic experience, and his lived experience as an executive leader.

Connect with Aram:
⁠Linkedin⁠

About the company:
Cadence Leadership + Communication is a professional development company dedicated to unlocking true leadership potential. We guide individuals to lead authentically and effectively with a unique blend of mindset and skill set development that is rooted in psychology. Our team is laser-focused on meaningful change and empowering clients to break free from limiting habits. Cadence has worked globally with leaders and their teams from the C-suite to the frontlines and has enga...

• Mission clarity gives a competitive advantage in consumer trust and brand differentiation.
• Strategic decision-making often requires balancing financial realism with personal conviction.
• Gut instinct helps navigate uncertainty, and vulnerability deepens connection and builds trust with your team.
• Leadership isn’t just a title, it’s choosing growth over comfort when it counts.

• Mission clarity gives a competitive advantage in consumer trust and brand differentiation.
• Strategic decision-making often requires balancing financial realism with personal conviction.
• Gut instinct helps navigate uncertainty, and vulnerability deepens connection and builds trust with your team.
• Leadership isn’t just a title, it’s choosing growth over comfort when it counts.

• HR as a Strategic Partner: Elevating HR’s role from policy enforcement to aligning individual aspirations with organizational goals through people-centered solutions.
• Leading with Advocacy and Empowerment: Effective leaders champion the right people, challenge the status quo when needed, and recognize that mentoring and team-building skills apply across industries, no matter where their career takes them.
• Don’t Take it Personal: Set clear boundaries, understand power dynamics, and apply emotional intelligence to lead effectively in any environment.
• Fostering Growth Through Curiosity and Service: Encourage open dialogue, challenge assumptions, and grow by creating supportive spaces that redefine traditional leadership norms.

Connect with Aram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-arslanian-cadencelc/

About the company:
Cadence Leadership + Communication is a professional development company dedicated to unlocking true leadership potential. We guide individuals to lead authentically and effectively with a unique blend of mindset and skill set development that is rooted in psychology. Our team is laser-focused on meaningful change and empowering clients to break free from limiting habits. Cadence has worked gl...

• HR as a Strategic Partner: Elevating HR’s role from policy enforcement to aligning individual aspirations with organizational goals through people-centered solutions.
• Leading with Advocacy and Empowerment: Effective leaders champion the right people, challenge the status quo when needed, and recognize that mentoring and team-building skills apply across industries, no matter where their career takes them.
• Don’t Take it Personal: Set clear boundaries, understand power dynamics, and apply emotional intelligence to lead effectively in any environment.
• Fostering Growth Through Curiosity and Service: Encourage open dialogue, challenge assumptions, and grow by creating supportive spaces that redefine traditional leadership norms.

Connect with Aram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-arslanian-cadencelc/

About the company:
Cadence Leadership + Communication is a professional development company dedicated to unlocking true leadership potential. We guide individuals to lead authentically and effectively with a unique blend of mindset and skill set development that is rooted in psychology. Our team is laser-focused on meaningful change and empowering clients to break free from limiting habits. Cadence has worked gl...