InnovaBuzz - SoundSage

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brent Keltner, Founder and President of Winalytics, a go-to-market consultancy helping B2B revenue teams build authentic buyer journeys. Brent, a former qualitative researcher and revenue leader, brings a unique “low ego learner” mindset to the world of sales and marketing. We explore the shift from being a “sage on the stage” to a “guide by the side,” the importance of the buying committee over the individual persona, and how to use AI as a teammate to compress days of research into minutes of hyper-personalized outreach without losing the human touch.

Key points discussed include:

The “Rugby Metaphor” for go-to-market teams: success comes from team orchestration and multi-phase play, not individual heroics.
Narrow your focus to broaden your appeal: why specificity in your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) actually deepens market connection.
AI as a “BBB+” teammate: using agents for orchestration and research while keeping a human in the loop to elevate the final output to an “A.”

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with Brent Keltner, Winalytics

It was a real pleasure to host Brent Keltner on the Innova.buzz podcast. Brent is someone who clearly doesn’t do things by halves; his kids even say he’s “allergic to half-assed.” That intensity, combined with his background as a qualitative researcher, makes him the perfect guide for navigating the complex world of B2B sales. We sat down to unpack how to move away from “bludgeoning” buyers and instead focus on building buying readiness through authentic, journey-first conversations.

Brent kicked things off with a brilliant metaphor from his favorite sport: rugby. Unlike many American sports, rugby is about the flow of the whole team moving in unison through multiple phases. He sees a great go-to-market team the same way: Sales Development Representatives (SDR), sales, marketing, and customer success all working from the same buyer-centric playbook. It’s not about the individual function; it’s about the journey. When that alignment happens, you can feel the “flow” where everyone is focused on helping the buyer win quicker.

The Buying Committee: Moving Beyond the Single Persona

We had a great exchange about the limitations of traditional buyer persona documents. Brent pointed out that while personas matter, accounts buy, individuals do not. In a typical B2B deal, there are six to ten people involved. If your marketing is only speaking to one person, you’re leaving your champion high and dry. We discussed the need for “actionable” enablement documents; a simple front-and-back sheet that an SDR can actually use to connect with an economic buyer or a technical lead, rather than a 50-page slide deck that sits in a drawer.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers, where we unpack the deeper ideas Brent surfaces beneath the surface of his revenue model: how the “rugby metaphor” transforms a fragmented sales team into a single, fluid organism, what it actually takes to arm an SDR with actionable intelligence rather than a static persona document, and why “closing the deal” is rarely the seller’s job to be done. We also dig further into the AI orchestration math, the intent data gap in the modern buyer journey, and what it takes to use AI as a “BBB+” teammate without losing the human heart of the message.

If you’re drawn to practical conversations about AI that stay grounded in real-world outcomes, plus the human psychology behind the “low ego learner” and the “guide by the side,” I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that rarely make it into the public version, the moments that sharpen judgment and keep us honest about what AI can, and cannot, do for our relationships.

Maybe they’ll keep your curiosity alive too.

Narrow Your Focus to Broaden Your Appeal

I’ve always found it a bit of a paradox that being more specific helps you reach more people, and Brent nailed it with his phrase: “Narrow your focus to broaden your appeal.” We talked about the fear many entrepreneurs have of “locking out” potential customers by being too niche. Brent’s advice is grounded: focus your proactive targeting and social proof where you have critical mass. If someone outside that niche finds you, you can still choose to work with them, but your message will land much harder when it speaks directly to a specific industry’s problems and uses their language.

The “Guide by the Side” vs. The “Sage on the Stage”

One of the most profound shifts we discussed was the change in the seller’s role. Brent shared a teaching analogy: the old model was the “sage on the stage” lecturing, while the new model is the “guide by the side.” In a world where 70-80% of the buyer journey is digital and self-educated, sellers don’t close deals; buyers do. Our job is to be the guide, asking the right questions and providing the right content at the right time to help them make an informed decision, even if that decision is that we aren’t the right fit.

AI as the Ultimate Orchestrator

Naturally, we dove into the “magical Playground” of AI. Brent sees AI not just as a tool for writing emails, but as a teammate for orchestration. We talked about using AI agents to research target accounts, connect value propositions to specific news feeds, and pull in intent data from CRM systems. The goal isn’t to replace the human, but to compress the “BBB+” work; the research and drafting; so a talented human can spend their time on the “A” work of refining the message and building the relationship. It’s about using AI to “roadmap” the conversation and ensure we aren’t sending “garbage” inputs.

The Low Ego Learner

Finally, Brent shared a personal story about his journey to a black belt in karate. As a former rugby player and wrestler, he initially struggled with the finesse and rhythm of karate. He succeeded by becoming an “equal opportunity learner,” checking his ego at the dojo door and learning from everyone, including his children and the women in his class. This “low ego learner” mindset is perhaps the most important skill for any professional today: the ability to look for learning opportunities in every environment, unencumbered by hierarchy or status.

In Summary:

Brent Keltner reminds us that in a world of high-tech tools, the most effective strategy is still human-centered: put the buyer first. By narrowing our focus, acting as a guide rather than a lecturer, and leveraging AI to enhance our research rather than replace our heart, we can build buyer journeys that are not only efficient but genuinely authentic.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Brent’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using the interactive process of “teaching” AI to understand your perspective. This “dance” of back-and-forth communication forces us to be clearer and less assuming, which is a skill that translates directly to better human communication.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Using AI for clarity and brevity in important emails. It helps sharpen the language so the point gets across in the way that is easiest for the recipient to consume.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Develop the skill of “recapping and roadmapping.” Just as you frame a conversation for AI with clear inputs and desired outputs, doing the same for human meetings builds trust and ensures everyone is aligned on the journey.

Action

It is not about you; it is about your buyer. Start living that mindset in every interaction by letting the buyer talk about themselves and their needs first.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Brent via LinkedIn or email him directly at bkeltner@winalytics.com.

Links:

Website - Winalytics
LinkedIn - Brent Keltner
YouTube - Winalytics

Cool Things About Brent

Brent is a rare and fascinating combination — a Stanford-trained PhD social scientist, a karate black belt, a church business fellowship leader, and someone with a very specific and intriguing winter morning ritual that’s worth asking him about.
Discipline is a defining thread in Brent’s life. Earning a black belt in karate requires years of patient, humbling, repetitive practice — and that same quality shows up in everything he builds professionally.
Brent never really left the research lab. He crossed from academia into the commercial world, but brought the researcher’s instinct with him — still citing peer-reviewed journals, still framing problems as hypotheses, still asking what the data actually shows.
Brent has one of the more sophisticated takes on AI you’ll encounter — not as an evangelist or a sceptic, but as a social scientist asking the better question: where does human judgment add the most value, and where can machines free us to do more of what only humans can do?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Anya Cheng, Founder and CEO of Taelor, a pioneering menswear subscription service that leverages artificial intelligence to help high-impact individuals move toward their goals with confidence. Before building her own zero-to-one startup, Anya led digital innovation and e-commerce for global giants like Meta, eBay, and Target. She is also an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University, bringing the logic of data together with the art of personal expression. We explore the intersection of high-level technology and human confidence, the startling environmental impact of unsold fashion inventory, and how AI can act as a sophisticated co-pilot for human stylists to ensure busy professionals always look the part.

Key points discussed include:

The “circular” business model of Taelor helps reduce the 30 billion dollars of fashion inventory that goes from factory to landfill annually.
AI serves as a co-pilot for human stylists, managing vast data points on fit, occasion, and quality that are impossible for a human to track alone.
Dressing for the role you want is a psychological tool to combat imposter syndrome and build immediate credibility.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with Anya Cheng, Taelor

It was a real privilege to welcome Anya Cheng to the Innova.buzz podcast. Anya joins us from the San Francisco Bay Area with a background that reads like a roadmap of Silicon Valley success, yet her focus remains firmly on the human element of confidence. Our conversation delved into how she transitioned from managing massive corporate systems at Meta and eBay to creating a personalized AI service that removes the friction of “looking the part” for busy professionals.

Anya shared a startling statistic that set the stage for our talk: in the US alone, 30 billion dollars of menswear goes directly from factories to landfills every year. This unsold inventory creates a massive environmental footprint, contributing to 10% of global emissions and 20% of polluted water. Taelor addresses this by creating a rental and subscription model that acts as an outlet for brands and a sustainable choice for consumers. It is a clever intersection of commerce and conservation that allows high-quality garments to live multiple lives rather than ending up as waste.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers, where we unpack the deeper ideas Anya surfaces beneath the surface of her business model: how Taelor’s AI and human stylists operate as a co-pilot loop, what the rental data reveals about true garment quality over time, and why “looking good” is rarely the real job to be done. We also dig further into the sustainability math, the feedback gap in the fashion supply chain, and what it takes to use AI without drifting into confident, wrong answers.

If you’re drawn to practical conversations about AI that stay grounded in real-world outcomes, plus the human psychology behind confidence and credibility, I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that rarely make it into the public version, the moments that sharpen judgment and keep us honest about what AI can, and cannot, do for us.

Maybe they’ll keep your curiosity alive too.

The Psychology of the “Lucky Shirt” and Professional Credibility

We discussed the concept of “enclothed cognition”—the idea that what we wear directly impacts how we feel and perform. Anya spoke candidly about her own experience as an immigrant from Taiwan and a female leader in tech, where she used clothing as a tool to navigate imposter syndrome. Whether it is a lawyer fighting for a case or a sales professional heading to a conference, the right outfit serves as a conversation opener and a source of internal strength. Anya’s vision is to help people be successful without the mental load of worrying about their appearance, allowing them to focus entirely on their mission.

AI as the Ultimate Stylist’s Co-pilot

One of the most fascinating parts of Taelor’s model is the relationship between the AI and the human stylists. Anya describes it as a flywheel: the human stylists train the AI, and the AI acts as a “guardrail” for the stylists, remembering every specific customer preference, from sleeve length to a dislike of the color green. With 150 brands and 30,000 garments in their system, it would be impossible for a human to curate the perfect selection for every scenario—like a job interview or a TED talk—without the data-crunching power of AI. This partnership ensures that the human element remains in control while the technology handles the complexity.

Closing the Feedback Loop in Fashion

Anya highlighted a major flaw in the traditional fashion supply chain: the lack of feedback. Designers often have no idea why a garment didn’t sell—was the sleeve an inch too long, or the shoulder too tight? Because Taelor is a rental service, they collect real-world data on how clothes perform after multiple washes and wears. This data goes back to the brands, helping them stop producing “junk” and start creating garments with true longevity. It turns the act of getting dressed into a data-driven cycle that benefits the creator, the consumer, and the planet.

The Future of Retail: Try Before You Buy

The Taelor model mirrors the shift we have seen in other industries, like leasing cars or streaming movies on Netflix. It allows men to step out of their comfort zones and try emerging brands from Italy, Australia, or Canada without the commitment of a full purchase. By lowering the barrier to discovery, Anya is helping smaller, sustainable brands find their audience while giving her customers a “test drive” of the latest styles. It is a move away from the “marketing monster” of big brand names and toward a focus on quality, fit, and the actual job the clothing needs to do for the wearer.

In Summary:

Anya Cheng is proving that technology does not have to be cold or impersonal. By using AI to handle the logistics of fashion, she is freeing up human energy for more important pursuits. Her work with Taelor is a masterclass in using data to enhance human humanity, proving that when we look our best, we are often at our most confident and capable.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Anya’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using AI as a supporting tool for therapists and psychologists. It provides 24/7 support for patients when the human professional is unavailable, acting as a “best friend” gatekeeper while the expert remains in ultimate control.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Using AI to solve labor-intensive or environmental problems, such as AI-driven lobster capturing or strawberry picking. These tools handle the “labor work” and productivity, allowing humans to focus on higher-level strategy and connection.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Focus on strategic thinking and the “why” behind the problem. Avoid chasing “shiny new objects” and ensure the AI is solving a real pain point for the customer, like Taelor does by helping people feel ready for their day.

Action

Go out, participate in communities, and talk to more people. Cultivate curiosity by asking “why” and exploring subjects that fascinate you, even if they don’t have an immediate utility.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Anya via her website or connect with her on LinkedIn. You can also email her directly at anya@taelor.ai.

Links:

Website - Taelor
LinkedIn - Anya Cheng
LinkedIn - Taelor
Facebook - Anya Cheng
Facebook - Taelor
X - @TaelorStyle
X - @Anyacheng
Instagram - @taelor.style
Instagram - @anyacheng_siliconvalley
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

Cool Things About Anya

The “Accidental Plumber” Grit: When Anya first arrived in the US, she didn’t know what a corporate “contractor” was. She genuinely worried they were hiring her as a plumber, but her “toward” motivation was so strong she said “yes” first and Googled the definition later.
The Investigative Networking Method: Carrying her journalist’s heart into Silicon Valley, Anya didn’t just apply for jobs during the recession; she cold-called professors and turned a laid-off recruiter into a mentor. She treats every connection like a front-page story waiting to be discovered.
The Australian Serendipity: Just days before our first call, Anya’s world expanded toward Australia when a new investor, backed by the largest Australian family office, introduced her to nearly a hundred of our compatriots in a single week.
Professor by Night: Despite the “zero-to-one” intensity of Taelor AI, Anya maintains a systematic commitment to the future as an Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern University, bridging the gap between high-level theory and startup reality.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Robert Lee Camp, master of the Cards of Destiny system, software developer, and long time student of astrology. Robert has spent 35 years helping people explore what he describes as a mathematical blueprint reflected in a standard deck of playing cards, and how it connects with astrological influences. We talk about where meaning in the card deck comes from, why “newspaper horoscopes” fail, how he blends card work with astrology for more practical and psychological insight, and where AI fits, both as a coding assistant and as a possible future interface for his style of readings.

Key points discussed include:

The playing card deck as a mathematical structure, including claimed correspondences like 52 weeks and 365 total pip values.
The Cards of Destiny concept that month and day of birth map to a “life card”, with multiple birthdays sharing the same card, and why that does not mean identical lives.
A clear critique of generic horoscope columns, they are too broad to be meaningful, and often function as entertainment rather than disciplined interpretation.
AI as a useful helper for code and research, plus a sober warning about errors and confident wrong answers, and why human judgment stays central.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with Robert Lee Camp, Cards of Your Destiny

This conversation with Robert Lee Camp goes to a place we do not visit every week on Innova.buzz, the intersection of esoteric systems, pattern interpretation, and modern tools. Robert is candid about his own pathway, he started with astrology, then encountered an old book, Sacred Symbols of the Ancients (1940s), that connected playing cards with symbolic meaning. That discovery, and the accuracy he felt it had for him, pushed him into decades of study and teaching.

He frames the “regular” 52 card deck as more than a game tool, a structure with mathematical features that appear to mirror calendar cycles. From there, he introduces the core idea many listeners will want to test immediately: your month and day of birth maps to a specific card, and there are multiple birthdays that can share the same card. He is careful, though. Same card does not mean same life, or the same outcomes. He describes each card as having a range, a higher and lower expression, plus many variations in between.

The deck, the symbols, and what gets lost over time

A strong thread early in our exchange is simple curiosity about origins. Where did this standard deck come from, and why did it settle into this configuration of suits, courts, and numbers. Robert’s view is that much of the original symbolic meaning has been lost, even to modern manufacturers. He offers one concrete example most people recognise visually: the Ace of Spades often being larger and more ornate than the other aces. Manufacturers may say “that’s just how it’s always done,” while Robert argues there is a symbolic reason inside the tradition.

We also touch on the fact that not all cultures use the same deck format. That matters, because Robert’s system is tied specifically to the 52 card structure and its internal relationships. Variations, even familiar ones used in certain European games, do not preserve the same correspondences.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers, where we unpack the deeper ideas Robert surfaces beneath the surface of his stories: why the tabloid version of astrology fails, how he blends cards with planetary spreads for psychological insight, and what it really looks like to use AI as a high-speed assistant without losing your human judgment.

If you’re drawn to thoughtful conversations about patterns, systems, and the parts of our journey we can’t fully automate, I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that rarely make it into polished episodes, the moments that sharpen our curiosity and keep us honest as creators.

Maybe they’ll keep your curiosity alive too.

Blending cards with astrology, and why the tabloid version does not work

Robert has an interesting position. He is blunt about generic horoscope columns, in his view, they cannot be valid because they apply to far too many people across a broad birth window. He calls that content made up, and he is not shy about it.

At the same time, he speaks from the perspective of someone who has done many readings and has deep respect for more rigorous traditions, including Vedic and Chinese astrology. He describes these as detailed and practical in a way that surprises people who only know the “I’m a monkey” or “you’ll meet a stranger today” versions.

Where Robert places his own emphasis is more psychological. Instead of trying to play carnival fortune teller, he aims to help people understand inner patterns, issues under the surface, and the kinds of tensions that can be worked with, so life becomes less reactive and more intentional.

The spreads and planetary influences, a glimpse of the internal logic

Robert shares an image of what he calls the life spread and spiritual spread, with cards laid out in perfect order, and with rows and columns associated with planets. His claim is that particular placements within that grid correspond to strong planetary themes, and he gives an example of a card associated with Uranus and Aquarian influence.

Even if you remain skeptical, the noteworthy part is that Robert is not presenting this as vague intuition. He is presenting it as a structured interpretive system, with internal rules, correspondences, and repeatable placements. That is a very different thing from random guessing dressed up as mysticism.

AI, a helper that sometimes lies with confidence

The AI segment is one of the most practically useful parts of the episode, because it strips away hype.

Robert says there are already AI based astrology reading sites, and he expects it is only a matter of time until someone applies the same approach to his card system. His intention is to build that himself, training an AI to deliver readings in his style, so people can interact conversationally and ask questions about near term concerns.

He is not naive about current limitations. He questions whether AI “thinks” in a meaningful way, because he has seen it fail at straightforward tasks and persist in wrong answers. He also offers the counterpoint from software work, where AI can be a serious productivity multiplier. His lead programmer, he says, is getting the work output of several people by using AI well, because he knows how to ask, how to verify, and how to integrate results.

That is the line worth underlining: AI helps most when the human using it already has competence, context, and a habit of checking.

In Summary:

Robert Lee Camp invites listeners into a structured system that he believes reflects life patterns through the mathematics and symbolism of the playing card deck, and he links it to astrological influences in a way he claims is consistent and predictive. Alongside that, he offers an unusually grounded take on AI, powerful as an assistant for research and code, unreliable as an authority, and best used with human judgment firmly in charge.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Robert’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: He has not seen a direct relationship use case, although he notes that increased productivity can reduce stress and indirectly improve relationships.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Using AI to review and streamline his code, improving efficiency and performance in a software project.
Number one skill to develop in the age of AI: Treat AI as a helper that accelerates creative and practical work, and learn how to direct it effectively, especially when you already understand the domain.

Action

Go to Robert’s website, enter your birthday, and try the free reading to discover your card and explore what it suggests about you.

Reach Out

You can find Robert Lee Camp and explore the Cards of Destiny system at cardsofyourdestiny.com.

Links:

Website - Cards of Your Destiny
Podcast - The Mr Destiny Radio Show with Robert Lee Camp
YouTube - Robert Lee Camp
Facebook - The Cards of Your Destiny

Cool Things About Robert

A Salty Realist in a Mystical World: Despite working with ancient cards and astrology, Robert has zero patience for “fluff.” His willingness to call out mainstream horoscopes as “bs” shows a refreshing, no-nonsense authenticity that is rare in the spiritual coaching space.
The Sci-Fi Visionary: His deep love for Star Trek isn’t just a hobby; it’s a framework for how he views human potential. He doesn’t just look at the past through ancient cards; he looks at the future through the lens of optimistic futurism.
The “Business Mechanic”: It is fascinating that he treats interpersonal dynamics like a machine that can be tuned. He doesn’t just give “readings”; he analyzes “staff pairings” and “interpersonal gears,” bringing a developer’s logic to human relationships.
The AI Adventurer: At an age where many might shy away from new tech, Robert is leaning into the “magical playground” of AI. He is actively experimenting with how to bridge a 35-year-old mastery with the cutting edge of large language models, showing that curiosity has no expiration date.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jacqueline Basulto, Founder and CEO of SeedX, a global digital consulting and marketing firm. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Jacqueline turned a $200 investment into over a billion dollars of tangible client impact. She specializes in empowering organizations to find the balance between high-tech growth and human-centric connections. We explore building culture across a distributed global team, the responsible use of AI as a tool (not a crutch), and why accepting help, both at work and at home, is a leadership skill, not a weakness.

Key points discussed include:

Build a distributed team culture by hiring in regional clusters, encouraging paid trial projects, and investing in in-person meetups.
Use AI as a thinking partner: brainstorm, check your work, and challenge your ideas, but never just copy-paste the output.
Accepting help and delegating is not a sign of weakness; it creates room for others to grow and for you to lead.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with Jacqueline Basulto, SeedX

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome Jacqueline Basulto, Founder and CEO of SeedX, to the Innova.buzz podcast. Jacqueline brings a rare combination of scrappy entrepreneurial grit and deeply considered human values. Our conversation ranged from the nuts and bolts of building a 70-person distributed team across multiple continents, to the philosophical question of how AI reshapes (or doesn’t) the fundamentals of human connection.

Jacqueline opened by sharing what drives her: a desire for direct, tangible impact. Early in her career, she found herself in a role where she couldn’t see the effect of her work on people, and that disconnect pushed her toward marketing and entrepreneurship. Today, that drive extends beyond clients to her own team. She wants the people at SeedX to thrive, to be happy, to grow. It’s a holistic view that many founders talk about but few genuinely embody.

From $200 and a Dream: Building a Global Team Out of Necessity

Jacqueline started SeedX at 22 with literally $200, probably negative money once you factor in student loans. She needed talent she couldn’t afford locally, so she looked globally. Her third hire, Vlad, was a UI designer from Ukraine, and he’s still on the team years later, now a close friend. What began as a financial necessity evolved into a genuine philosophy: talented, great people exist everywhere. Before COVID made remote work fashionable, SeedX was already operating across continents, turning time zones from a logistical headache into a competitive advantage. When one team logs off, they prepare a handoff for the next time zone. Clients have noticed, particularly those expanding internationally, that someone is always awake and ready to respond.

Culture Without a Headquarters: Hiring, Trust, and In-Person Connection

I was curious how Jacqueline builds culture when team members may never share a physical office. Her approach is layered. Many hires come through referrals from trusted team members. Beyond that, SeedX uses paid trial projects, a common practice in the remote world, where candidates work on a small engagement before either side commits. It gives both parties a genuine sense of work style, communication, and expectations. Jacqueline also emphasized the need for self-motivated, independent people; in a remote environment, nobody is looking over your shoulder, and that has to be a feature, not a bug.

That feeling of watching someone build a global team from $200 and a Ukrainian designer named Vlad, and then figuring out how to keep the human thread alive across four continents, is also the exact starting point for the rest of our fascinating conversation, and for the deeper work I’m exploring.

This podcast is the beginning of the conversation, but the personal reflections, the “why” behind what was said, are where the real journey begins.

If you’d like to read the rest of this post, where Jacqueline shares her hard-won lessons on delegation, the real cost of mistakes (and why they’re worth paying for), and her refreshingly grounded take on AI as “just human behaviour in a new form,” I’d love to invite you to become a paid subscriber.

A subscription unlocks these full, detailed show notes, but more importantly, it welcomes you into a quieter space. It’s where I share my private reflections on these conversations about AI, the “behind-the-lens” stories from my photography, and the personal meditations that connect them all. It’s a place for the curious, and I’d be honoured to share it with you.

On the in-person side, SeedX now hires in regional clusters, Argentina, Spain, Kenya, so that local teams can meet up regularly. The entire team gathered once in Barcelona during Jacqueline’s wedding week, which says something about the closeness of the group. The early employees, who shared that scrappy “building something together” feeling, are now the leaders carrying that culture forward into their own teams.

AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: Using It with Maturity and Creativity

Naturally, we ventured into AI territory. Jacqueline’s stance is refreshingly grounded: AI is a tool, just like any other that has come before it. She drew a parallel to snail mail. You could send the same generic letter to thousands, or you could send a handwritten note tailored to the recipient. The medium changed with email, and it’s changing again with AI, but the underlying dynamic is the same. The people who use it lazily will produce lazy results. The people who use it thoughtfully will produce something meaningful.

At SeedX, the team is encouraged to use AI, but with intention. Brainstorm with it. Fine-tune your thinking. Check your work. But never just feed a prompt in, take the output, and slap it on a client deliverable. Jacqueline’s husband even prompts AI to “roast” his ideas, keeping him grounded. I shared my own approach of asking AI to tear my ideas apart rather than validate them, and we agreed: the real value is in using AI to surface blind spots and risks you hadn’t considered, then strengthening your original thinking.

The Leadership Skill Nobody Talks About: Accepting Help

One of the most resonant threads in our conversation was about delegation and accepting help. Jacqueline was candid: when she first started SeedX, she was nervous about letting go of tasks. The same pattern repeated when she became a mother. She felt she had to do everything herself. Over time, she reframed both. At work, she recognized she simply wasn’t the best at everything, and holding onto tasks wasn’t just limiting the company’s growth, it was denying her team the opportunity to level up. At home, she drew strength from her own mother’s example, a working mother who commuted two hours daily, and from the reality that historically, raising a family was never a solo endeavour.

Her business partner is also her husband, Justin, who left medical school to build SeedX alongside her. That partnership means they’re constantly in sync on work, finances, values, and weekend plans. Jacqueline acknowledged that mistakes are inevitable when you delegate, both your own and your team’s, but she frames them as paid lessons, on-the-job training that builds resilience and capability.

In Summary:

Jacqueline Basulto offers a grounded, practical perspective on building a business that scales without losing its soul. Her message is clear: hire great people everywhere, give them room to grow (and fail), use every tool available with intention and maturity, and never confuse asking for help with weakness. The human element, whether in marketing, team culture, or parenting, remains the thing that actually matters.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jacqueline’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using a fitness tracker like the Oura Ring, powered by AI, to deepen her relationship with her own health. Also, using ChatGPT with her husband to quickly look things up during conversations, which accelerates their dialogue and curiosity together.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: As a personal trip planner, AI helped her plan a Disney trip with her three-year-old daughter, reducing stress and improving the family experience. At work, AI-powered tools help her identify the right people to connect with and understand their problems, making her outreach more relevant and welcomed.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Develop timeless skills: critical thinking, constant learning, and creativity. Machines can handle technical work, so the differentiator is being more creative than the machine and thinking more critically about how to apply the tools.

Action

Learn something new, and try to connect with someone who’s not from your part of the world. The unique perspectives that come from cross-cultural connection are a form of learning in themselves.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jacqueline via the SeedX website or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Links:

Website - SeedX
LinkedIn
Facebook

Cool Things About Jacqueline

The Anti-Traffic Expat - She didn’t just grumble about LA traffic; she moved to a different continent. Jacqueline chose Barcelona specifically for its walkability. A tech CEO relocating halfway around the world so she can stroll to get a coffee instead of sitting on a freeway is both rebellious and deeply grounded.
Return on Identity - She started SeedX with $200, likely scraped together from lower-middle-class immigrant roots, and has turned that into $1 billion in client revenue. That ratio is not business growth. It is resource alchemy.
The Young Veteran - Born in 1995, she founded SeedX in 2016, at roughly 21. She has been a CEO for her entire adult life. The result: Gen Z energy paired with veteran executive instincts. Very few guests bridge that generational gap so naturally.
The CEO Who Lists “Mom” First - In a corporate world that subtly pressures women to minimise family life to appear “serious,” Jacqueline puts “mother to a two-year-old daughter” in the first paragraph of her professional bio, right next to the $1 billion revenue line. She treats motherhood not as a footnote but as a pillar that stands equal to CEO.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Victoria Mensch, founder of the Silicon Valley Executive Academy, based in Hayward, California. With 25+ years in the high-tech industry and a background bridging clinical psychology with strategic leadership, Victoria helps leaders move from burnout and cognitive freeze into sustainable, human-centred performance in the age of AI. We explore why automating the wrong things creates more burnout, not less; how organisations can use AI as a transformative enabler rather than a cost-cutting patch; and why curiosity is the single most important skill to develop right now.

Key points discussed include:

Automating creative tasks while leaving humans with unfulfilling work accelerates burnout rather than reducing it.
AI strategy should start with value, not cost: ask what makes things better, not just faster or cheaper.
Curiosity, human judgment, and contextual thinking are the skills that machines cannot replicate.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Victoria Mensch, Silicon Valley Executive Academy

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome Victoria Mensch to the Innova.Buzz podcast. Victoria brings a rare combination: deep clinical psychology training layered over decades of Silicon Valley strategy work. The result is a perspective on AI that is neither breathlessly optimistic nor paralysed by fear. It is grounded, practical, and, frankly, a little overdue in the broader conversation.

Victoria opened with a framing that I found immediately compelling: the idea that we are not passive passengers watching AI carry us somewhere. We are, or should be, active decision-makers shaping the direction. She draws a clear distinction between using AI as a patch, faster, cheaper, more volume, and using it as a genuine transformative enabler. The first approach is tempting. The second is where the real opportunity lives.

The Burnout Paradox: When Automation Makes Things Worse

Here is the uncomfortable truth Victoria surfaces early in our conversation. Many organisations are automating the creative and cognitively engaging tasks, the ones people actually find meaningful, while leaving humans to handle the distribution, the admin, the repetitive bottlenecks. The result is not relief. It is deeper burnout. People feel like machines precisely because they are now doing the machine work.

Victoria’s point is sharp: before you automate anything, ask whether you are automating the right things. Are you removing the bottlenecks that drain people, or are you removing the work that gives them a reason to show up? The IKEA example she shares is instructive. When they analysed their customer service queries, they discovered a large proportion were really interior design questions. Rather than automating those away, they redeployed those staff into a premium design service. That is the difference between cost-cutting and value creation.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers, where we go deeper into Victoria’s three-layer AI strategy framework, the case for keeping human judgment firmly at the steering wheel, and why curiosity, not technical skill, is the most important thing to develop right now.

If you are navigating AI in your business or your leadership role and you want a psychologically grounded, practically useful perspective, I would love you to join the inner circle. It is where we explore the ideas that go beyond the hype and into the real decisions that shape how we work and lead.

Maybe they will sharpen your thinking too.

The Three Layers of AI Strategy

Victoria describes a layered approach to AI decision-making that I found genuinely useful. At the individual level, the question is: what do I want more of, and what do I want less of? Not just in work, but in life. AI should free up capacity for the things that matter, not simply compress the same workload into fewer hours.

At the team and business unit level, the question shifts to value creation for the customer. What are the real bottlenecks? What processes are we running that perhaps should not exist at all? And at the organisational level, the strategic question is about transformation: can we reconstruct our offering entirely, serve customers differently, remove low-value products and add high-value services? These are not efficiency questions. They are identity questions.

Human Judgment at the Steering Wheel

One of the most resonant moments in our conversation was Victoria’s insistence that, for the foreseeable future, humans must remain at the steering wheel. Not as a passive safety check, but as an active, courageous exercise of judgment. She makes the point that human judgment is not just about reviewing AI outputs for errors. It is about the willingness to go against the data, to trust intuition, to take a direction that the analysis does not fully support.

This connects to something I have been thinking about a great deal: the risk that younger generations, coming up through an education system increasingly mediated by AI, may miss the formative experience of running into walls, making mistakes, and building the kind of intuition that only comes from lived experience. Victoria agrees. The disruption to education is not primarily about information transfer, which AI handles well. It is about whether we can teach emotional resilience, contextual judgment, and critical thinking. Those are the skills that remain distinctly human.

Curiosity as the Core Skill

When I asked Victoria for the one skill we should all be developing right now, her answer was immediate: curiosity. Not curiosity as a vague aspiration, but as a daily practice. Question the status quo. Ask what else is possible. Resist the pull of the low-hanging fruit and keep asking what would make this genuinely better. In a landscape saturated with AI hype and AI fear, curiosity is the orientation that keeps you learning rather than reacting.

Victoria’s broader message is one of agency. We are not watching a technological tide come in. We are making choices, every day, about how AI shapes our work, our organisations, and our lives. The question is whether we are making those choices consciously, with a clear sense of the value we want to create, or whether we are simply automating whatever is easiest to automate and hoping for the best.

In Summary:

Victoria Mensch offers a clear-eyed, psychologically informed framework for navigating AI without losing what makes us human. Her message is not anti-AI. It is pro-human. Use the tools. Experiment freely. But keep your hand on the wheel, stay curious, and never stop asking what would make this genuinely better.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Victoria’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to strengthen human relationships: Freeing up time by automating routine tasks, then being intentional about how that reclaimed time is invested in genuine human connection.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Challenging AI rather than accepting its outputs passively, and using that process to help organisations think beyond automation toward genuine transformation.
Key skill to develop in the age of AI: Curiosity, applied broadly: in how you use AI, how you set goals, and how you question the status quo rather than accepting it.

Action

Start experimenting now. Do not wait for permission. Pick up the tools, explore what is available, and stay curious about what AI can do for your work and your life.

Reach Out

You can reach out to Victoria and sign up for her weekly newsletter, Frontier Thinking, via her website at svexecutive.co.

Links:

Website - Silicon Valley Executive Academy
LinkedIn

Cool Things About Victoria

The “Doctor-Executive” Hybrid: Victoria holds both a PhD in Clinical Psychology and an MBA, combined with 25 years of hard-nosed Silicon Valley experience. She is effectively a “corporate therapist” who can diagnose a P&L statement and a panic attack with equal precision.
The “Midwife” to the Machine: In a world dominated by aggressive, masculine metaphors for AI (e.g., “AI is a weapon,” “AI is a co-pilot,” “AI is a forceful disruptor”), Victoria uses the ancient, nurturing metaphor of the “Midwife.” She describes our role not as conquering AI, but as birthing its creativity safely. This linguistic choice completely reframes the power dynamic from fear to stewardship.
The “Sleeper Agent” of Harmony: There is a cool irony in her physical location. She lives in Hayward and operates the Silicon Valley Executive Academy - right in the epicenter of the global “hustle culture” and burnout capital of the world. Yet, her core message is “From Burnout to Harmony.” She is like a “sleeper agent” for wellness inside the machine, teaching the world’s most stressed executives how to slow down.

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Ashley Faus, a marketer, writer, and speaker who specializes in Human-Centered Marketing. Ashley is passionate about helping brands connect problems with solutions through authentic, lived experiences. Ashley joined me to discuss why human imperfection is becoming a premium asset and how we can navigate the skill gaps created by AI.

Key points discussed include:

The critical need to preserve “101 level” learning opportunities for junior marketers to ensure future mastery.
Why “lived experience” and context allow humans to out-perform AI in nuanced tasks like planning and connecting.
How “imperfection,” like the “Gen Z shake” or a bakery box, builds more trust than AI-generated perfection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Ashley Faus

It was a genuine privilege to welcome Ashley Faus to the Innovabuzz podcast for a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like a masterclass in human connection. Ashley, a marketer, writer, and speaker, joined us to unpack the concept of Human-Centered Marketing. We dove straight into the deep end, exploring a question that has been on my mind lately: what happens to trust and judgment when AI can generate almost anything on demand? Ashley’s take is refreshing. She believes that while AI is a powerful tool, it lacks “lived experience,” and that is where our true value as humans lies.

We started by discussing a potential crisis in skill development. Ashley framed this brilliantly using a university analogy. She explained that she got to where she is today - solving complex “801 level” problems - by spending years slogging through the “101 and 201 level” work. Her concern is that if we enthusiastically hand off all that junior-level work to AI, we deny the next generation the opportunity to learn through doing. It is a powerful reminder that the “grunt work” is often the training ground for mastery. If we outsource the learning process, we risk creating a future workforce that lacks the critical thinking skills to spot when the AI is hallucinating.

The Party Planning Test: Why Context is King

I loved Ashley’s practical examples of where AI falls short. She shared a hilarious story about using AI to plan a party. It calculated she needed 200 beers for 50 people, completely ignoring the wine and the non-drinkers! A human host knows intuitively that cold weather affects beer consumption or that half their friends prefer wine. AI doesn’t have that context. It can crunch numbers, but it can’t “read the room” before the party has even started.

This lack of nuance extends to our personal lives too. Ashley noted that asking AI to plan a date night is futile because it doesn’t know you had Thai food for lunch or that you have leftover spaghetti in the fridge. Humans thrive on these subtle, unspoken details. We build relationships by sharing these small, messy, lived experiences. When we try to strip that away for the sake of efficiency, we lose the very thing that makes connection meaningful.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers, where we dive into the specific human skills, like contextual curiosity and critical vetting, that Ashley believes are the only true antidote to the “efficiency trap.”

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, human-centered take on how we build the next generation of leaders in an automated world, I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that keep our human edge sharp.

Maybe they’ll sharpen yours too.

The Uncanny Valley and the “Gen Z Shake”

One of the most fascinating parts of our chat was about the “uncanny valley,” that unsettling feeling when something is too perfect. We talked about how polished content, like a perfectly lit video or a flawless photo of a playground with no children, can feel eerie. Ashley pointed out the rise of the “Gen Z shake,” where creators intentionally leave in the fumble of setting up the camera. That lack of polish signals: “I am a real person, not a bot.”

It turns out we are naturally skeptical of perfection. Ashley shared a story about her baking. She noticed that when she brought homemade cupcakes in a flimsy cardboard bakery box, people assumed they were store-bought and raved about them. When she brought them in a sturdy plastic tupperware, the reaction was muted. Even more telling, people on LinkedIn trusted a “good enough” photo of the cupcakes more than a technically perfect one. The perfect photo felt fake, even though it was, indeed, real. The imperfect one felt real. In a world of AI-generated flawlessness, our human imperfections are becoming our premium asset.

Trust, Logic, and Authenticity

We wrapped up by looking at the “Trust Triangle” of Logic, Authenticity, and Empathy. Ashley argues that AI can mimic logic, but it fails hard on authenticity and empathy. Authenticity isn’t just about being honest; it is about showing the messy work of how you got there. It is about the “blooper reel” at the end of the video that proves you are not just reading a script.

So, where do we go from here? Ashley believes the most important skill we can develop is skepticism, or perhaps, a skeptical curiosity. We need to pause, ask questions, and verify. We need to seek out real human conversations to keep us grounded. As Ashley so beautifully put it, the antidote to the noise of AI is simply more human relationships.

In Summary:

Ashley Faus reminds us that in a world racing toward automation, the things that make us “inefficient” - our stories, our context, and our imperfections - are actually our greatest strengths. By embracing our lived experience and staying curious, we can use tools like AI without losing the human connection that makes business, and life, worth doing.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Ashley’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Innovative AI with Human connection – Use AI as a persona simulator, prompting it to behave like your specific audience to test how your messaging and taglines truly land.
Best AI integration example – Debate with the AI by taking both sides of an argument yourself, using it to poke holes in your logic so you can better understand diverse viewpoints.
Differentiate with Connection – Cultivate a healthy dose of skepticism and curiosity, taking time to verify sources and think deeply rather than accepting AI-generated content at face value.

Action

Call a friend, sibling, or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and have a real conversation. Get coffee or just talk on the phone to reconnect with the human experience.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Ashley on LinkedIn, where she spends her time creating content and continuing the conversation in the comments and DMs.

Links:

Website - Ashley Faus
LinkedIn

Cool Things About Ashley

The Multihyphenate Performer: By day Ashley is a marketer, writer, and speaker; by night she steps into the roles of singer, actor, and fitness enthusiast, bringing stagecraft, discipline, and emotional nuance into how she communicates and leads.
The Generational Interpreter: Ashley acts as a bridge between boomers, Gen X, millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, explaining how each group learned to trust or question information and what that means for AI literacy and deepfakes.
The Job-Change Realist: Rather than buying into “AI will take all the jobs,” Ashley argues that humans tend to raise expectations instead of eliminating work, using examples like the internet and home appliances to show how roles shift rather than disappear.
The Imperfect-Photo Purist: From mosque ceilings in Istanbul to campaigns like “Visit Vienna, Not #Vienna,” Ashley consistently chooses personally meaningful, imperfect photos and experiences over “perfect” or AI‑generated images, reflecting her belief that real stories beat polished surfaces.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jen Moss, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of JAR Audio, a premier branded podcast agency. With a rich background in public broadcasting at the CBC and creative writing, Jen helps brands like Amazon and Lululemon move beyond surface-level noise to facilitate deep, nuanced conversations that earn genuine trust. We explore the critical distinction between using AI for efficiency versus connection, the power of acknowledging the “elephant in the room” to build credibility, and why the messy human process of creation is more valuable than a perfect, generated result.

Key points discussed include:

Brands have an obligation to “show their strings” and engage deeply in social discourse to earn trust.
Draw a hard line with AI: use it for efficiency tasks, but never for the work of human connection.
Combat the “empty mall” of the internet by producing less content of higher quality and specificity.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Jen Moss, JAR Audio

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Jen Moss, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of JAR Audio, to the Innova.Buzz podcast. Jen brings a fascinating blend of deep journalistic integrity from her CBC days and a sharp eye for brand storytelling. Our conversation felt like a masterclass in stripping away the superficial to get to the “nitty gritty” of what makes communication actually land: nuance, patience, and a willingness to “show your strings.”

Jen started us off with a refreshing take on the role of brands today. We moved past the idea of companies just selling widgets; Jen argues that brands, as powerful entities using resources and employing thousands, actually have an obligation to wade into social discourse. It’s not just about winning hearts and minds; it’s about earning them. She posits that the more a brand can drop the facade and engage with society on a human level, the more likely we are to trust them. It’s a move from transactional to relational, facilitated by the patience and depth that only a podcast can really provide.

The “Elephant in the Room” Strategy: Building Trust by Owning the Mess

I loved Jen’s practical example regarding a mining company client. We discussed the inherent “trust problem” in that industry, given that mining is dirty and people are skeptical. Instead of shying away or painting a rosy, green-washed picture, Jen advised them to lean right into the discomfort. They produced a series explicitly tackling the trust deficit before talking about their innovations in electrification. Jen’s point was clear: you cannot underestimate the intelligence of your audience. If you don’t acknowledge the elephant in the room, the skepticism and the past mistakes, people will just tune you out. But by honoring that hesitation, you earn the right to share the rest of your story.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers, where we unpack the deeper ideas Jen surfaces beneath the surface of her stories: how specificity becomes universality, why process matters more than polish, and what it really takes to keep human connection alive in a world drifting toward the “empty mall” of AI‑generated content.

If you’re drawn to thoughtful conversations about storytelling, craft, and the parts of creativity we can’t outsource, I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that rarely make it into polished episodes, the moments that sharpen our curiosity and keep us honest as creators.

Maybe they’ll keep your curiosity alive too.

Local Stories with Global Echoes

Drawing on her background teaching creative writing, Jen shared a beautiful insight about the power of specificity. We often think we need to go broad to reach everyone, but Jen flipped that on its head. She believes a hyper-local story, like a mother in East Vancouver dealing with postpartum depression, resonates with a mother in Tanzania because the feeling is universal. Whether it’s a community bank or a global tech giant, the lesson is the same: the more specific and honest the story, the more global its impact. It’s about resonances that “translate out,” bridging gaps between vastly different lives.

The AI Line in the Sand: Efficiency vs. Connection

Naturally, we ventured into the “wild west” of AI. Jen’s agency draws a hard, fascinating line: use AI for efficiency, never for connection. She compared using AI for creative connection to taking an elevator to the top of a building instead of the stairs. You get there faster, but your legs don’t get any stronger. If the goal is to deepen a relationship or facilitate a nuanced conversation, AI acts as a distancing mechanism, creating a “palpable uncanny valley.” Jen was adamant: we can use the tools to tighten edits or research (carefully!), but the moment we outsource the heart of the message, we lose the game.

The Value of the Struggle: Why Process Matters

This led to a profound exchange about the “process” of art. We talked about photography, specifically the difference between an AI-perfected sunrise and one where you woke up at 4 AM, shivered in the cold, and waited for the light. Jen argues that the process, the cold, the coffee, the waiting, is what imbues the final product with value. In an era where we can’t tell the difference between a real and a fake image visually, the “show your work” aspect becomes critical. We care about the art because a human lived through something to make it.

Fighting the “Empty Mall” Syndrome

Jen didn’t mince words about the current state of the web, referencing the “enshittification” of the internet, a place risking becoming an “empty mall” of generated noise. Her antidote? Do less, but do it better. Resist the urge to use AI just to blast a “fire hose of content” at people. Instead, treat a podcast or a piece of content as a contract with your audience, a promise not to waste their time with mediocrity. Quality, authenticity, and respect for the listener’s time are the only things that will keep the lights on in the digital mall.

In Summary:

Jen Moss offers a sobering yet inspiring roadmap for content in the age of AI. Her message is a call to arms for creators and brands: Stop trying to hide the mess, stop automating the heart out of your work, and start respecting the intelligence of your audience. By focusing on deep, specific, human-centric storytelling, we can fight the noise and build relationships that actually mean something.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jen’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using a VR environment where AI praises something a student hates, challenging them to then reclaim agency by remixing that text into a poem.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: A “Tale of Two Podcasts” experiment where they pitted a human-produced show against an AI-produced one, proving that 99 out of 100 listeners preferred the warmth of the human version.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Be constantly curious about the tools, but differentiate by strictly prioritizing quality, authenticity, and human oversight in a sea of mediocrity.

Action

Trust that if you have something to say, there are people out there who want to hear it; drill down into who you are talking to and why, and you won’t go wrong.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jen via her website or email her directly at jen@jarpodcasts.com.

Links:

Website - JAR Audio
LinkedIn
YouTube
Blog

Cool Things About Jen

Mingus, the 22-Pound Cat: A self-proclaimed empty-nester, Jen shares her home with a husky-cross dog named Luna and a rather substantial 22-pound orange tabby cat named Mingus.
Marketing Maverick: Despite running a successful branded podcast agency, Jen’s secret to success is her “deep dislike of most marketing tactics,” driving her focus on authentic connection over superficial strategies.
AI-Powered Poet: Jen is actively exploring the creative potential of AI, including building an AI-driven immersive VR poetry experience with her students at the University of British Columbia.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Zohar Bronfman, the co-founder and CEO of Pecan AI, who holds dual PhDs in computational neuroscience and philosophy. Zohar is on a mission to democratize predictive power, helping organizations anticipate the future by blending rigorous logic with deep philosophical insight. Zohar and I explore the fascinating distinction between generative and predictive AI, revealing how businesses can use their own data to foresee customer behavior.

Key points discussed include:

Layering historical data with context like weather builds precise “onions” of predictive insight for your business.
While AI processes data, humans must remain behind the wheel to provide the essential creative spark.
Treat AI implementation as a rigorous project with clear goals, rather than a quick technological fix.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Zohar Bronfman, Pecan AI

The Predictive Power of Data: Merging Neuroscience with AI for Better Business

It was an absolute privilege to welcome Dr. Zohar Bronfman to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Zohar isn’t your typical tech founder. With dual PhDs in computational neuroscience and philosophy, he brings a depth of thinking that goes far beyond code and algorithms. We explored how the rigorous logic of science blends with the practical needs of business, and I was struck by his unique perspective on how we can use data to act with genuine foresight.

Zohar started by taking a step back to clarify what we actually mean when we talk about AI. He explained that while we are all excited about Generative AI, which is essentially a machine trained to predict “tokens” like words or pixels to create content, there is another branch that is vital for business: Predictive AI. This isn’t about writing a poem; it is about predicting future events based on historical data. It allows a business not just to guess revenue for the next month, but to know with high accuracy what specific customers might do next week.

The Onion Metaphor: How to Build a Prediction

I loved the imagery Zohar used to explain how these models work. He described building a prediction like peeling, or rather, building, an onion. At the core, you have your historical transaction data, which is essential. But to get a truly sharp picture of the future, you have to add layers. You layer on your marketing activity, then your promotions, and perhaps even external factors like holidays or the weather.

The rest of these show notes continue for paid subscribers — where we dive into the specific human skills, like curiosity and artistic bravery, that Mark believes are the antidote to this dread.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, human-centered take on the AI revolution, I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that keep our curiosity alive.

Maybe they’ll feed yours too.

Zohar pointed out that weather, for instance, has a massive influence on how we humans behave, often more than we realize. By feeding these rich, multi-layered datasets into the model, the AI can find hidden statistical signals that a human mind simply couldn’t process alone. The more layers you add to your onion, the higher the fidelity of the prediction, allowing you to anticipate the needs of your market with incredible precision.

The Predictability of Being Human

One of the most fascinating parts of our chat was Zohar’s take on human nature. We like to think of ourselves as free spirits, but Zohar argues that human behavior is actually extremely predictable. Drawing on his neuroscience background, he mentioned research showing that brain scans can sometimes predict a person’s decision before they are even consciously aware of it themselves.

For businesses, this is a powerful concept. It means there are patterns in your customer data that tell a story about what is coming next. It is not about manipulating people; it is about understanding them better than they might understand themselves in that moment. By leveraging these patterns, businesses can improve customer experiences and operational efficiency, ensuring they are ready to meet demand exactly when it happens.

No Silver Bullets: The Reality of Implementation

Zohar was refreshingly honest about the hard work required to make this happen. He warned against the trap of treating AI implementation as a “double-click effort.” It might look easy in a polished demo, but in the real world, it is a project that requires process, maintenance, and change management.

He advises leaders not to adopt AI just because the board demands it or because it sounds cool. You need to be very specific about the problem you are solving. If you don’t have a clear goal and a willingness to nurture the system, you end up with a fancy tool that doesn’t move the needle. There is no magic wand here, just smart engineering applied to good data.

The Human Spark: Creativity in the Loop

Despite the power of these machines, Zohar is a firm believer that the human element remains irreplaceable. He explained that while AI is fantastic at recombining existing knowledge, it cannot generate truly original ideas on its own. That is where we come in. We must remain “behind the wheel,” providing the creative spark and the critical thinking that guides the system.

He encouraged us to be interdisciplinary in our approach. To get the most out of AI, we should enrich our minds with history, philosophy, or art. This broad knowledge base fuels our creativity, allowing us to ask the AI better questions and apply its outputs in novel ways. It is this collaboration, the machine’s processing power plus the human’s creative spark, that will define the future of work.

Empowerment and Evolution: The Future of Work

We wrapped up on an optimistic note regarding the workforce. Zohar doesn’t see AI as a replacement for people, but as a catalyst for evolution. He shared stories of business analysts who, by using tools like Pecan AI, have elevated their roles to become “data scientists” in practice, if not in title. They are now capable of answering questions that were previously out of reach.

This evolution empowers people to do more meaningful work. By automating the predictions, we free up our mental bandwidth for the things machines can’t do: building relationships, thinking strategically, and caring for our customers. Zohar’s message is clear: your proprietary data is your number one asset. Use it to empower your team and deepen your human connections.

In Summary:

Zohar reminds us that while data is the fuel, human creativity is the engine. By using Predictive AI to handle the complex math of anticipating the future, we can focus our energy on the distinctly human tasks of strategy, connection, and innovation. It is about using the rigorous logic of the machine to enable a more empathetic and responsive business.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Zohar’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Use AI simulation tools to create immersive collaborative environments that bridge the gap between remote and physical work, fostering a genuine sense of societal connection.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Implement predictive AI systems that break down organizational silos, enabling different departments to collaborate effectively around shared foresight and improved customer experiences.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Develop an interdisciplinary mindset by studying diverse subjects like history or philosophy to fuel the creative thinking necessary to generate unique impact with AI.

Action

If you own or work at a business, ensure you collect and generate proprietary data that can set you apart and propel your value proposition.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Zohar by visiting the Pecan AI website to learn more about predictive AI, or by connecting with him on LinkedIn to exchange notes on these topics.

Links:

Website - Pecan AI
LinkedIn - Zohar Bronfman
LinkedIn - Pecan AI
Facebook - Pecan AI
X - @pecan_ai

Cool Things About Zohar

It is not every day you meet a tech leader who doubles as a philosopher. Zohar holds dual PhDs in Computational Neuroscience and Philosophy. While he runs a GV-backed predictive AI company, he retains a deep academic commitment to questioning the nature of knowledge itself.
While his software specializes in predicting the future with mathematical certainty, Zohar himself is still chasing the unknown. Despite leading an international company, he actively maintains a travel bucket list and seeks out new experiences in global regions he has yet to visit.
Zohar joined us from Tel Aviv at nearly 11 p.m. local time! This small detail highlights his dedication and ability to bridge extreme time zones to connect with people.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mark Schaefer, a globally recognized author, speaker, and marketing futurist. Mark shares his deeply personal and professional journey navigating the rise of AI, from his initial “dread” and “loss of purpose” to embracing it as a tool to become bolder and more creative. It’s a candid look at the psychological and strategic shifts we must all make. Key points discussed include:

Curiosity is the essential human skill that will define the “haves and have-nots” in the AI world.
We must fight the “pandemic of dull” by making our content art, using human stories to avoid being ignorable.
Leaders cannot delegate AI; they must roll up their sleeves and experiment to learn how to ask the right questions.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Mark Schaefer

It was an absolute delight to welcome Mark Schaefer, a globally recognized author and marketing futurist, back to the InnovaBuzz podcast. It’s always a highlight, but this conversation felt different. We’ve chatted before about his work on Marketing Rebellion, but his new book, How AI Changes Your Customers, isn’t just a marketing concept. It’s a profound psychological framework.

Our conversation captured the feeling so many of us are wrestling with: that dual-edged sword of being both “excited and terrified” by AI. Mark’s insights cut right to the heart of what it means to be human, creative, and purposeful in a world that’s being rewired before our very eyes.

The First Shock: Dread, Anxiety, and a Loss of Purpose

Mark kicked things off with a story of such raw candor it stopped me in my tracks. Right after finishing his book Belonging to the Brand—a two-year, all-consuming “struggle” and “sacrifice” that left him spent—he tried ChatGPT for the first time. He asked it to write an essay from the book, and it did a perfect job. His feeling wasn’t excitement; he said it was “dread” and “anxiety.”

He was hit with a profound sense of “what if?” and a “loss of purpose,” asking that massive question: “If this thing can write like me, where do I belong?” It’s a feeling I know many of us, as creators, have quietly felt. But Mark isn’t fighting against AI; he’s learning to embrace it as a tool to become “bigger, bolder, and more creative” and to have an even bigger impact.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, human-centered take on the AI revolution, I’d love you to join the inner circle. It’s where we explore the unpolished insights that keep our curiosity alive.

Maybe they’ll feed yours too.

The New Dividing Line: Curiosity as a Survival Skill

This led us to the danger of cognitive decline, something I’ve worried about myself. Am I losing my ability to edit or refine my own thoughts by abdicating that first pass to AI? Mark believes the essential human quality that will define the “haves and the have-nots” in this new world is curiosity.

He pointed out that if you’re not a curious person, you’ll just want the answer. You’ll take the shortcut to “get a grade on a test” and come out “not knowing anything.” But if you are a curious person, AI is a magical tool. You can “feed your intellect,” “explore,” “learn,” and go down all those wonderful “curious rabbit holes” to enhance your wisdom, not replace it.

Beyond the Binge: Escaping the “Pandemic of Dull”

We tackled the old myth that customers have a “short attention span.” As Mark rightly said, that’s just not true. We binge-watch movies, we play video games all night, we listen to long podcasts. People don’t have a short attention span; they have a short interest span. The problem is that so much corporate content is just boring.

Mark calls this the “pandemic of dull,” and it’s a “scaffolding” held in place by fear—fear of the legal department, fear of upsetting the boss. He warns that AI is only contributing to this “flood of content,” making it easier to be bland at scale. The only antidote? Our business content has to approach the level of art. It requires “bravery,” “courage,” and the “human story” to be anything other than “ignorable.”

The Markbot Experiment: Can You Scale Positivity?

One of the most fascinating parts of our chat was Mark’s experiment with the “Markbot.” He had a custom GPT trained not just on his content, but on his values, ethics, and tone. His goal was to see if he could scale his personal mission of teaching and mentoring, to make people feel “seen and heard.”

The results are beautifully ambiguous. He shared a story of a user who said the bot “sounded like you” when it offered a virtual hug, moving her to tears. This poses a huge question. As Mark put it, “Is that good, Jurgen?” In a world so full of loneliness and isolation, maybe the “illusion of empathy” is better than nothing. It’s a lot to think about.

Human Editors and AI Assistants: Finding the 80%

This got us talking about our own practical uses. I use AI to help refine speeches, and Mark shared how he used AI as his editor for his new book. He instructed it to “be mean,” and it was—ruthlessly so! But it had a very clear limitation. He said it was 80% good, but it was missing the crucial 20%.

It couldn’t “look at the whole narrative.” It couldn’t see that something in Chapter 1 contradicted something in Chapter 6. It couldn’t connect the dots. We agreed that tools like Cast Magic are brilliant at that 80-90% of a task (like podcast transcripts), but you absolutely must “keep a human in the process” for that final, critical, connective thinking.

The Leader’s New Job: Roll Up Your Sleeves

So, what’s the one action we should take? Mark’s final piece of advice was aimed squarely at leaders, who are often trained to “delegate.” He insisted that with AI, you simply cannot do that. You have to “roll up your sleeves,” “try it,” “dabble,” and “dig into” these platforms yourself.

His reasoning is pure wisdom: You don’t need to be an expert or have all the right answers. That’s impossible. But as a leader, you do need to have the right questions. And “the only way to know how to ask those questions is to know what’s possible.”

In Summary:

My conversation with Mark Schaefer was a powerful reminder that in the age of AI, our greatest assets are not technical, but deeply human: our curiosity, our courage to tell our stories, our empathy, and our willingness to “roll up yourSleeves” and learn. This isn’t a time to abdicate our skills, but to amplify our humanity.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Mark’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: The AI audio summary that elevates community members by name for their contributions, turning a simple recap into an engaging “awards ceremony.”
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Mark didn’t have a current example, but emphasized throughout the conversation the ongoing challenge and importance of keeping the human touch front and center in all uses of AI.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: The most critical skill we must cultivate is curiosity; embedding a deep and genuine sense of curiosity is essential for navigating the world of AI.

Action

Roll up your sleeves and get your hands on these new AI platforms. You must try it, dabble, and dig in to learn what’s possible, so you can learn to ask the right questions and be a better leader.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Mark at BusinessesGrow.com, where you can find his blog, social media connections, and his latest book.

Links:

Website – Businesses Grow
Podcast – The Marketing Companion
Twitter – @MarkWSchaefer
LinkedIn
Facebook

Books

How AI Changes Your Customers: The Marketing guide to Humanity’s Next Chapter
AUDACIOUS: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World
Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy
Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins
KNOWN: The handbook for building and unleashing your personal brand in the digital age
Social Media Explained: Untangling the World’s Most Misunderstood Business Trend
Return On Influence: The Revolutionary Power of Klout, Social Scoring, and Influence Marketing
Born to Blog: Building Your Blog for Personal and Business Success One Post at a Time
The Content Code: Six essential strategies to ignite your content, your marketing, and your business
The Tao of Twitter: The World’s Bestselling Guide to Changing Your Life and Your Business One Connection at a Time

Cool Things About Mark

His “Anxiety to Joy” Awakening: Mark shared a deeply personal story about being in a corporate “charm school” program, feeling immense anxiety. When his mentor said his most common emotion was “joy,” it sparked a “life-changing moment” and a “rebellion” that led him to completely re-evaluate his life and priorities, stepping off the “hamster wheel”.
He’s an Admitted Introvert: Despite being a global speaker and community-builder, he candidly admitted to Park Howell, “I’m an introvert. I don’t really like people all that much”. He describes human connection as a “risk”. This “strategic awkwardness” makes his focus on human-centered marketing feel even more authentic and hard-won.
He Sacrificed Profit for Principle: He told his international agent “no” when they said his new, short book wouldn’t sell and needed to be “puffed up” with “fluff” to meet a price point. He refused, stating, “I said what I needed to say... I’m not going to compromise” his commitment to the reader, even “at the expense of profit”.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

KNOWN: The handbook for building and unleashing your personal brand in the digital age

Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins

Born to Blog: Building Your Blog for Personal and Business Success One Post at a Time

Return On Influence: The Revolutionary Power of Klout, Social Scoring, and Influence Marketing

The Content Code: Six essential strategies to ignite your content, your marketing, and your business

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Joshua Pellicer, a systems thinker and founder of RealTime AI. After a fascinating “aha” moment involving generative AI and a treasure hunter’s assay, he pivoted his entire focus to building practical AI into core operations. He now helps leaders unlock their next level of growth by viewing AI as an “operational co-pilot.”

This was such an empowering conversation about a new “paradigm shift” in what’s possible. Joshua shared powerful analogies (like the 1800s electric drill!) and real-world stories (like fixing his RV’s battery with AI) that reframe AI as a tool for “personal sovereignty.”

Key points discussed include:

AI as an “expertise translator,” bypassing old bottlenecks to democratize knowledge for everyone.
The most valuable new skill isn’t complex: it’s simply “remembering to use the drill.”
Automating tasks with AI gives us back our time, freeing us for genuine human connection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Joshua Pellicer, Realtime AI

It was an absolute privilege to welcome Joshua Pellicer of RealTime AI to the InnovaBuzz podcast. I was so excited for this chat, and it did not disappoint. Joshua is a true systems thinker who shared a vision for AI that goes so far beyond it being a simple tool. He views it as a genuine “operational co-pilot,” and he argues we are in the middle of a profound “paradigm shift” that is set to empower us in ways we’re only just beginning to grasp.

Joshua’s work isn’t just theoretical; it’s born from fascinating, practical experience. He’s not just talking about what AI could do; he’s living it, right from his RV, and his journey into this space is one for the books. He shared how this technology is fundamentally changing the value of knowledge and democratizing capabilities that were once locked away behind years of specialized training.

The ‘Aha’ Moment: When AI Found the Platinum

I was absolutely captivated by the story Joshua told about his R&D lab. A treasure hunter brought him a mysterious powder recovered from a sunken ship, and Joshua had no idea how to assay it. On a whim, just as generative AI was emerging, he “acted like its assistant” and fed it all the data about his lab. Four hours later, AI suggested the substance was likely platinum, a fact another lab later confirmed. That was his “aha” moment.

That single experiment showed him that AI could completely bypass the traditional, massive bottleneck of subject matter expertise. He realized that the need to hire expensive specialists or spend months learning a new skill was about to be fundamentally disrupted. This wasn’t just a faster way to get answers; it was an entirely new way to operate.

This is the beginning of the conversation, but the personal reflections—the “why” behind what Joshua shared and what it means for how we live and work with AI—are where the real journey begins.

If you’d like to read the rest of this post, where I unpack Joshua’s ideas of “personal sovereignty,” using AI as an operational co‑pilot, and how all of this intersects with our very human need for connection, I’d love to invite you to become a paid subscriber.

A subscription unlocks these full, detailed show notes, but more importantly, it welcomes you into a quieter space. It’s where I share my private, 3x‑a‑week reflections on these AI conversations, the “behind-the-mic” stories from InnovaBuzz and my photography, and the personal meditations that connect them all.

It’s a place for the curious, and I’d be honoured to share it with you.

Remembering to Use the “Electric Drill”

So, with these new powers, what’s the most important skill we need to develop? Joshua’s answer was brilliant. He shared a powerful analogy about the invention of the electric drill in the 1800s. Before it, the value was in your physical strength to turn a hand crank. The day after the electric drill was invented, strength became irrelevant. The greatest advantage? Simply remembering to use the drill.

That’s precisely where we are now. The difference between someone who thrives and someone who gets left behind isn’t some complex prompt engineering skill. It’s the simple, retrained habit of remembering that this powerful new tool exists and reaching for it first. It’s a mental shift, a new paradigm of thinking.

The RV Repair and Personal Sovereignty

Joshua brought this idea home with a story I just loved. While traveling in his RV, his complex battery system failed. His fiancée suggested calling an electrician, but in an unfamiliar town, that’s a gamble. Instead, he took a picture of the battery bank, explained the problem to AI, and it walked him through the entire diagnosis and fix. He bypassed the expert and solved the problem himself.

This is what he calls “personal sovereignty.” The same applies to medical research or understanding complex contracts. We are being empowered to handle things ourselves, to get the knowledge we need instantly. This isn’t about replacing experts, but it is about reducing our total dependency on them for every little thing.

From “Expertise Translator” to Business Automation

We explored this idea of AI as a “translator,” not of language, but of expertise. Joshua told a great story about an MIT engineer who applied noise-canceling algorithms—a concept from electrical engineering—to the stock market and made a fortune. He was a systems thinker who could bridge two unrelated fields. Now, AI gives all of us that superpower.

The next frontier, as Joshua sees it, is moving from knowledge to action. We’re now seeing AI agents that can read your company’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and then actually execute those multi-step tasks for you. This is where the “operational co-pilot” becomes very real, very fast, allowing one person to do the work of ten.

A New, Empowering Step in Your Arsenal

We also touched on how this applies to our personal lives, particularly our health. Think about it: when you have a health concern, you can now find validated, peer-reviewed research papers and have AI summarize them in plain English. This isn’t about self-diagnosing or playing “Dr. Google.” It’s about adding a new, “empowering step in your arsenal.”

You can discover natural remedies that are proven to work and try them before leaping to an extreme pharmaceutical solution. It allows you to have a much more intelligent, informed conversation with your doctor. You are no longer a passive recipient of information; you are an active, empowered participant in your own well-being.

Conclusion: The Real Goal? More Human Connection

This was such a fascinating and inspiring conversation. Joshua’s vision for AI isn’t a cold, robotic future. It’s one of profound human empowerment. The true “paradigm shift” is that this technology is freeing us from the tasks that drain our time and energy.

Yes, it makes business more efficient, but the real gift of AI, as Joshua puts it, is that it gives us back our time. By automating the drudgery, we are left with more space, more energy, and more capacity for the things that AI can never do: genuine, meaningful human connection. And that, to me, is the most exciting “paradigm shift” of all.

In Summary:

Joshua Pellicer paints a vivid, practical picture of an AI-powered future where individuals are empowered with “personal sovereignty.” From fixing an RV battery to understanding medical research, AI acts as an “expertise translator,” bypassing old bottlenecks. The key, like remembering to use the first electric drill, is to build the new habit of using this “co-pilot” to automate tasks, ultimately freeing us to spend more time on what truly matters: human connection.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Joshua’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using AI for deep self-inquiry and personal development, allowing you to understand your own blind spots and see other people’s perspectives.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Automating tasks that drain your time, which frees you up to have more space and energy for genuine, real-world human connection.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Developing the skill of asking better questions, as this improves your results with AI and also makes you a better communicator with people.

Action

Get into ChatGPT (or your preferred AI tool) and ask it to create a first-person experience of something you want in your life. Have it “walk you through a typical day” of you having that thing and see what happens.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Joshua by visiting his website, AIifyit.com (A-I-I-F-Y-I T.com), or by following him on any social media platform with the handle @aiifyit.

Links:

Website - REALTIME Ai
Website - aiifyit
LinkedIn
Facebook
X - @PellicerJosh
X - @AiifyIt

Cool Things About Joshua

His background is in catalytic science in an R&D lab in Maui. He sees a deep philosophical connection between how molecules “lend energy to each other” and how AI functions.
His ultimate goal is to build a real-life Ironman lab, complete with a “Jarvis-type AI” that can watch and track all the experiments.
He accidentally became an “assay lab” for a day. When ChatGPT first launched, he used it to guide him through a complex chemical assay he knew nothing about, and it successfully identified a compound as platinum, matching the results from a professional lab. This was the moment that made him pivot his entire company to AI.
He’s a “relationship contrarian”. He openly questions the common fear that AI will destroy human connection, provocatively suggesting that what we call “intimate human connection” might already be something we “just made up and imagined” anyway.
He creates on the fly. While on a call with his ad team, he used Gemini’s new video creator (VO3) to make an animated video for them during the meeting, just to see if it would work. It did, and they were “blown away”.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Aya Kikimova, a former Microsoft award-winner who managed over $50 million in ad spend before bootstrapping her own digital agency, Leap Engine. Grounded by her family’s small business roots, Aya translates elite strategies into practical, ethical marketing for today’s entrepreneurs.

Aya shares her pragmatic and cautious optimism about AI, balancing its power with a deep concern for the human skills we risk losing, like discernment and resilience. We explore what really matters in an automated world and how to use AI as a tool to enhance our humanity, not replace it.

Key points discussed include:

Cultivating emotional intelligence and resilience as the most critical skills for the future.
Using AI to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human time for genuine connection.
Building trust as the ultimate differentiator in an age of automation.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Aya Kikimova, Leap Engine

It was such a privilege to welcome Aya Kikimova, the founder and CEO of Leap Engine, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Here is someone who has truly operated at an elite level, managing over $50 million in ad spend and winning awards at Microsoft. Yet, what struck me most about Aya wasn’t just her impressive corporate background, but her deep, personal mission that brought her right back to her roots. She bootstrapped her own agency during the pandemic while navigating new motherhood, all to translate those high-level strategies for the small businesses she genuinely loves.

Aya’s passion for helping “real people” isn’t just a marketing line; it’s in her DNA. She shared a wonderful story about her grandma’s deli, remembering running around behind the counter as a kid. That, combined with watching her mom build a real estate business from scratch, cemented her path. She’s driven by a desire for “ethical marketing,” a value that feels more important than ever. It’s this grounded, human-centric worldview that made our conversation about, you guessed it, Artificial Intelligence, so fascinating.

This is the beginning of the conversation, but the personal reflections—the “why” behind what was said—are where the real journey begins.

If you’d like to read the rest of this post, where Aya shares her crucial insights on AI, our loss of human “discernment,” and why emotional resilience is now the most essential skill, I’d love to invite you to become a paid subscriber.

A subscription unlocks these full, detailed show notes, but more importantly, it welcomes you into a quieter space. It’s where I share my private, 3x-a-week reflections on these conversations about AI, the “behind-the-lens” stories from my photography, and the personal meditations that connect them all.

It’s a place for the curious, and I’d be honoured to share it with you.

The “New Set of Eyes”: Learning from the Next Generation

Alongside her family’s business background, Aya’s other great driver is her three-year-old daughter. She spoke beautifully about watching her child see the world with “full of wonder.” It’s that age of insatiable curiosity, where everything is amazing and new. For Aya, this isn’t just a sweet family observation; it’s a powerful daily reminder of how we should be approaching the world, especially now.

As adults, we think we know so much, but Aya feels it’s the opposite: “the more we learn, the more we have to keep learning.” She’s consciously “learning from her to adopt that sort of view” and look at the rapid changes around us with a “new set of eyes.” This mindset of constant learning and humility is the perfect lens for tackling the “crazy” pace of technology that’s reshaping our lives.

The AI Reality Check: When Tech Moves Too Fast

We couldn’t not talk about AI. Aya put it perfectly: “five years ago, did you ever think that we would have AI so pervasively everywhere? Probably not.” She’s seeing its impact firsthand, and she’s not just talking about handy tools. She shared how her husband, who is in video and audio production, is in an industry where AI advances are so fast that “some of the jobs are literally being removed.” It’s not a far-off-in-the-future concept.

She also mentioned a friend, a SaaS founder, who had to “fire a third of their developer workforce because now AI can do all those things.” This is the stark reality that Aya is grappling with. It’s exciting and empowering, but it’s also “a little bit interesting and scary at the same time.” She’s looking at her daughter and genuinely wondering what the job market will even look like when she’s of working age.

Are We Forgetting How to Think? The Risk of Over-Reliance

This led us to a critical point. Aya voiced a worry I share, that as we rely more on technology, we’re losing some of our “essential skills.” She had this brilliant anecdote about the days of MapQuest, when we “used to print out directions” and follow them. Now, she half-joked, “if I don’t have my phone, I am lost,” even in a familiar place. We’re losing the “grinding through the pain of learning.”

The danger is that we’re outsourcing our thinking. Kids can just go to ChatGPT for answers. But what happens to the human process of discernment? Of asking, “I need to know, is this true? I don’t want somebody else making that decision for me.” Aya fears that “particular skill of discernment is being removed,” and that’s a profound risk when AI can “hallucinate” and make things up.

A “Big Step Back”: Why Human Skills are More Vital Than Ever

So, what’s the solution? Aya believes we “need to take... a big step back” and re-learn the basics. She made this powerful statement: “we overestimate the value of AI and underestimate the value of human, human skill and capability.” We’re so focused on what AI can do that we’re forgetting what we must do.

For Aya, the skills that will matter most in the age of AI aren’t technical; they’re deeply human. She identified emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability as the new essentials. It’s the ability to be “resilient to this change” and have the mindset that “I can learn anything.” That, she says, “is what is key.” We need to empower humans to be independent of these technologies, should they ever fail.

The Practical Path for Small Business: AI as the Helper, Not the Hero

This is where Aya’s work at Leap Engine becomes so clear. She brings this philosophy right down to the ground level for her clients—the “dentist offices, your construction companies, plumbing,” and restaurants. For them, AI isn’t about replacing their core, human-to-human business. It’s about making that human connection easier to deliver.

Her strategy is brilliant in its simplicity. Use AI to automate the “bureaucratic repetitive work”—things like appointment scheduling, confirming, billing, and, crucially, asking for Google reviews. By handing those tasks to AI, that business owner or their staff gets “10 hours a week” back. And what do they do with that time? They reinvest it into the human side: dealing with an unsatisfied customer, improving the in-person service, and building that personal relationship.

The Final Differentiator: Building Trust

Ultimately, our conversation came down to one, simple word. When I asked Aya for the number one thing any business can do to differentiate themselves today, her answer wasn’t AI. It was trust. In a world full of AI-generated content and automated responses, “ultimately, people want to do business with people... that they trust.”

For Aya, this means shifting away from old-school sales funnels and toward delivering education and real value before asking for the sale. It’s about building that relationship, proving you’re a good, ethical person, and being the human in the loop. The AI is just the tool that clears the decks so you can do that essential human work more effectively.

In Summary:

Aya Kikimova provides a critical dose of grounded, pragmatic wisdom. She’s a champion for using AI to be more efficient, but only as a means to a much more important end: being more human. Her message is a powerful reminder that technology can support our business, but only trust, discernment, and genuine connection can build it.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Aya’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using AI to cut bureaucratic, repetitive work, which frees up time to focus on a human-centric service approach where people can connect and build trust.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: We developed an AI tool for local SEO that saves 10 hours per client and delivers staggering results (like 32x ROI), which ultimately enhances our client relationships.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: The number one differentiator is building trust; businesses can win by delivering education and value, because people want to do business with people they trust.

Action

Google “AI courses” and start learning about AI. Start implementing some of these tools in your business, but also learn about the unchecked powers of AI so you can be aware of what might happen and ensure your business is not 100% reliant on it.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Aya by visiting her website or by finding her on LinkedIn.

Links:

Website - LeapEngine
LinkedIn
Facebook
X - @akikimova
Instagram - @leapengine.co

Cool Things About Aya

She won the Microsoft Platinum Club award, an honor given to the absolute top 0.01% of employees worldwide.
She bootstrapped her agency as a new mom, starting by working just 2-3 hours a day while caring for her infant.
She has built her successful agency on a strict 7-hour workday, proving a counter-narrative to “hustle culture”.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Scott Levy, the founder and CEO of ResultMaps. Scott is on a mission to help the world be its “inspired best” by architecting systems that clear away the “friction” of modern work. He combines a deep understanding of neuroscience with a pragmatic approach to technology, helping teams stop “fighting the currents” of their own biology and start surfing them.

We had a fascinating chat about why most of us feel so burnt out (a hint: our work models are stuck in the 1920s) and how to use new tools, especially AI, as a “Lego set” to build better, more human-centric workflows.

Key points discussed include:

Working with your brain, not against it, by understanding your natural peak performance cycles.
Using AI as a “Lego set” to build small, focused solutions that solve real friction points.
How AI forces us to be clearer, accidentally training us to be better human communicators.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Scott Levy, ResultMaps

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Scott Levy of ResultMaps to the Innovabuzz podcast. Scott’s mission is a big one: to help the world be its “inspired best.” Now, that’s a goal I can truly get behind. But as we dug into our conversation, it became clear that the biggest thing holding most teams back isn’t a lack of drive or even a lack of tools. It’s the invisible, day-to-day friction in how we work.

Scott has this fantastic way of looking at the modern work environment, and he kicked things off by explaining that most of us are, quite frankly, just “swimming upstream” against our own biology. We’re fighting a battle we can’t win, and it’s leading to massive burnout. It’s a feeling I think we all know well, that sense of being completely overwhelmed and overworked, which, as Scott so perfectly put it, “just plain sucks.”

Now, as for the antidote to things that ‘plain suck’...

That feeling of being overwhelmed... it’s also the exact starting point for the rest of our fascinating conversation, and for the deeper work I’m exploring.

This podcast is the beginning of the conversation, but the personal reflections—the “why” behind what was said—are where the real journey begins.

If you’d like to read the rest of this post, where Scott shares his brilliant “surfer” and “Lego” analogies for navigating our brains and our technology, I’d love to invite you to become a paid subscriber.

It’s a place for the curious, and I’d be honoured to share it with you.

Building Peak Performance with Neuroscience and AI ‘Lego’ BricksThe Surfer and the Riptide: Working With Your Brain

This is where Scott brought in such a brilliant metaphor. He said most people are “fighting those currents,” trying to power through the constant interruptions from Slack, Teams, and a never-ending inbox. But the key isn’t to paddle harder. The key is to be “like the surfer that’s using... the riptide.” That riptide, in his analogy, is the real, grounded neuroscience of how your brain actually works, especially that limited three-to-four-hour window of “peak state” we all have after waking up.

Instead of fighting it, Scott’s approach is to understand that current and use it to “get you out into the... best part of the break” (that’s your peak performance) with far less effort. It’s about engineering your environment around your brain, not the other way around. This means protecting that peak time fiercely and understanding that once it’s gone, as Scott says, “You just can’t” push yourself back into it.

Why We’re Stuck: 1920s Manufacturing Brains

So, why is this so hard? I loved Scott’s diagnosis for this. He argues that almost all our modern productivity methodologies, even the ones that feel new, are “rooted in 1920s manufacturing.” They “harken back to physical production,” like an assembly line. These systems were built for a physical world that moves at a totally different, slower pace.

The problem is, we’re now in an information world, where change comes at us at lightning speed. We’re facing geopolitical unrest, constant disruptions, and a flood of new data. Trying to manage this information chaos with assembly-line thinking is, as I see it, like trying to build a spaceship with a 1920s hammer. It just doesn’t work, and it’s the source of all that friction.

Chiseling Away the Rock: The Power of True Clarity

The solution, Scott insists, isn’t about finding a new app to automate more of the chaos. The real breakthrough comes from one place: clarity. I really enjoyed his metaphor for this. He said we have to “chisel away at the rock so we can see the sculpture more effectively.” We have to remove all the things we don’t need to be looking at.

This is what his work at ResultMaps focuses on. It’s about creating systems that force you to define the “shape of what you’re looking at” from the very beginning. What are we really trying to accomplish? What will we say “no” to? What is the actual sequence of work? When you have that level of clarity, all the noise from those interruptive tools starts to lose its power.

AI as the Ultimate Lego Set (Not the Death Star)

Naturally, this brought us to AI, the most powerful new tool on the block. Scott shared a brilliant perspective here, using an analogy I absolutely loved. He said everyone is trying to build the “Death Star” right out of the box, that massive, all-knowing, perfect AI system. We all want the end result now. But that’s not how true, sustainable systems are built.

Instead, Scott advises that we need to treat AI like a Lego set. Right now, our main job is just “figuring out the shapes of the Legos.” We should start small, building tiny, “purpose-built” AI agents that do just one thing really well. As we build one little brick, we find the next, and the next. That, he says, is how we’ll build something truly powerful, brick by brick.

How AI Accidentally Makes Us Better Humans

This was perhaps my favorite takeaway from our entire chat. Scott pointed out that this “Lego” approach to AI has a fantastic, and somewhat accidental, side effect. To get an AI to do anything useful, you have to be incredibly clear. You can’t just give it a vague command. You have to “unpack” your thinking, provide clear context, and define what success looks like.

This process, this habit of getting crystal clear for a machine, forces us to become better communicators. The very skills we’re practicing on an AI, as Scott noted, are the exact same skills that make us better leaders, better delegates, and better collaborators with our human teams. It’s a training ground for clarity.

Your First Action: Find One Friction Point

At the end of the day, Scott’s message is wonderfully pragmatic. The goal of any technology, especially AI, should be simple: remove friction, don’t create it. It’s not about the “shiny object;” it’s about solving a real problem.

He left us with a fantastic call to action. Don’t try to boil the ocean. Just find one “sore spot” in your daily work. Identify that single bottleneck, that one friction point that “just plain sucks,” and go use an AI tool to build your very first “Lego brick” to help solve it.

In Summary: Scott Levy provides a masterclass in building better systems by first understanding our own human limitations. His approach is to stop “fighting the currents” of our neuroscience and instead use technology, especially AI, as a “Lego set” to systematically chisel away the friction that holds us back. It’s a powerful reminder that the best technology doesn’t replace our thinking; it helps us clarify it.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Scott’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Use AI to help structure and provide clear, complete context in your communications, giving your team autonomy and agency.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Transform static data-entry forms into magical, interactive, conversational dialogues that feel more human.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Find the heaviest friction point in your work and learn to apply AI to solve just one tiny piece of it, then build on that skill.

Action

Identify one “sore spot” or area of friction in your daily life, at home or work, and use an AI research tool (like Perplexity or Grok) to find ways to solve it.

Also, tweak your morning routine to block out time in the first three to four hours of your day to get your most important things done.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Scott at ResultMaps.com (that’s one result, many maps) or find him on LinkedIn (look for the Scott Levy connected to Result Maps).

Links:

Website - ResultMaps
LinkedIn
Facebook
X - @scottilevy

Cool Things About Scott

The “Full-Stack CEO”: It’s fascinating that in addition to being a Founder, CEO, and Coach , Scott is also a full-stack developer. This is quite rare. It means he doesn’t just talk about strategy and systems from a theoretical level; he has the hands-on technical skill to actually build and architect the solutions he envisions.
Harvard Coaching Fellow: He was a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching at McLean/Harvard Medical School. This isn’t a standard business certification; it adds a significant layer of academic and psychological credibility to his interest in neuroscience and how humans actually work.
Coaching Veterans to Rise: He served as the Head Coach for Warrior Rising, a non-profit dedicated to helping military veterans launch their own businesses. This shows a deep commitment to service and applying his high-level business skills to a very specific and human-centered mission.
The AI-Productivity Commute: His personal story about his commute is a brilliant example of “walking the talk”. He uses his 40-minute drive to physical therapy to actively “converse with” an AI (Grok) , record it on his iPad, and have it transcribed later. It’s a powerful real-life example of using AI to capture and structure thought during “in-between” moments.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Joanna Zhang, who helps leaders connect strategy with soul to build businesses on a solid foundation. Joanna’s own journey, marked by three profound personal transformations, led her from being a transactional professional living a “gray color” life to becoming a balanced, spiritual leader. In our wonderful chat, Joanna unpacks her evolution, sharing the powerful lessons learned from her “soul awakening” and how they reshaped her approach to business, teamwork, and even AI. Key points discussed include:

True leadership evolves from controlling titles to a spiritual balance of compassion and boundaries.
Changing your core intention from getting to giving unleashes unexpected, magical results in business.
Embracing all your emotions is the foundation of self-love and authentic, resilient leadership.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Joanna Zhang, The Operations Genius

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Joanna Zhang to the Innovabuzz podcast for a conversation that beautifully embodied her mission: to help leaders build businesses by connecting strategy with soul. I knew we would be talking about thoughtful systems, but I was not expecting such a profound masterclass in personal transformation. Joanna’s journey is a powerful testament to the idea that the most effective business strategies are often the ones that begin from within.

Joanna shared that her journey started when she was a financial planner, feeling stuck in a career that, while she was competent at it, didn’t light her up. A psychic once told her that her life was a “gray color,” a description that resonated deeply. The first major shift came from a simple but powerful coaching exercise that sorted tasks into zones of incompetence, competence, and genius. This led her to a pivotal realization: she needed to start delegating the things that drained her and, more importantly, to question if her current path was her true destiny.

From Transaction to Transformation

That initial step opened the door to a much deeper awakening. As Joanna began building a business to help others with their operational frameworks, she admits that, to be honest, she started as a “dollar person,” seeing every interaction as a potential deal. This transactional mindset created a massive blockage. The real breakthrough came after her “soul awakening,” when she shifted her entire approach. She started looking at every potential client as a soul, genuinely caring about their challenges and wholeheartedly offering solutions with no expectation of return.

And that’s when, as she puts it, “magic happened.” By changing her core intention from getting to giving, from desire and fear to love and care, opportunities began to unfold naturally. It’s a beautiful paradox so many of us forget: the less we chase, the more the right things flow to us. This shift wasn’t just a new sales tactic; it was a complete transformation of her relationship with her work and the people she served.

The Three Faces of Leadership

This inner evolution dramatically reshaped her leadership style. Joanna candidly described her former self as a “controlling freak” and a “title leader” who ruled with expectations and a lot of masculine energy. Over time, she grew into a “serving leader,” focused on supporting her team. However, this created a new problem, as she sometimes allowed her boundaries to be crossed in her desire to help.

Her third and current stage is that of a “spiritual leader.” This, she explains, is the crucial “balancing act” between compassion and firm boundaries. Grounded in a practice of self-love, she learned to be strong in her core, setting clear guidelines not to control, but to help her team members grow. This balanced approach fostered a healthier, more dynamic, and more effective team environment, proving that true leadership is about empowering others to be their best.

A Lesson in Letting Go

A significant part of this journey involved deep emotional work. Joanna shared a powerful story from a recent trip to Egypt, where she finally confronted and released layers of resentment she had been carrying, some even from past lives. She realized that holding onto resentment benefits no one and that true forgiveness is about respecting another’s free will while learning the lesson to protect yourself.

This act of letting go was liberating and had a ripple effect across her life. It reinforced the importance of setting healthy boundaries and no longer being a “people pleaser.” It’s a profound reminder that the emotional baggage we carry silently impacts our decisions, our energy, and our ability to lead with clarity and presence.

A Soulful Approach to AI

Given her focus on human connection, I was fascinated to hear Joanna’s take on AI. She sees it, wisely, as a “double-sided sword.” Her approach is not to fear it or rely on it completely, but to use it as a tool to enhance human capability. In her business, they leverage AI for repetitive tasks, which boosts efficiency and productivity.

The ultimate goal, she explained, is to free up her human team members from mundane work so they can spend more time in their “genius zone.” This allows them to focus on creativity, strategy, and the deep, nuanced human connection that AI can never replicate. It’s a perfect example of her philosophy in action: using a modern tool to get back to what is timelessly human.

The Treasure in Your Feelings

To bring it all together, Joanna’s final piece of advice was perhaps the most powerful. She urged us all to truly respect our own feelings. In a world that often encourages us to suppress or ignore difficult emotions, she invites us to face them, embrace them, and find the lesson hidden within them. She admitted that this can be painful, but as her spiritual mentor taught her, “pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.”

By learning from our pain instead of getting stuck in it, we grow. This practice of emotional honesty and self-love was the bedrock of all her other transformations. It’s what allowed her to move from a “gray” existence to a vibrant, purposeful life.

In Summary: My conversation with Joanna Zhang was a beautiful reminder that our businesses are extensions of who we are. Her journey shows that true, sustainable success isn’t found in a better strategy, but in a deeper connection to ourselves. By having the courage to do the inner work, let go of what no longer serves us, and lead with a balance of heart and wisdom, we can build not just better businesses, but better lives.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Joanna’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: AI can rapidly research and extract a person’s essence, building a foundation for deeper connection.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Using AI to automate repetitive tasks frees up her team to focus on higher-value human connections.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Practice giving AI clear, detailed instructions to sharpen your communication and delegation skills with humans.

Action

Respect your own feelings. Face every emotion, accept it, embrace it, and find the valuable lesson hidden behind it.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Joanna on LinkedIn by searching for Joanna Zhang and looking for “operations” in her profile.

Links:

Website - The Operations Genius
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram - @entrepreneursoulmate

Cool Things About Joanna

She’s a former stage performer and singer. This is a wonderful and unexpected backstory for an “Operations Genius”. It reveals a creative, expressive history and provides a powerful metaphor for how she now uses her “voice” to share a different kind of message.
She built the exact business she wished existed for herself. Her company wasn’t just a response to a gap in the market; it was born from her own personal struggle and frustration as an entrepreneur who needed help but couldn’t find the right fit. This makes her origin story incredibly authentic.
She didn’t realize she was a global innovator until she won an award for it. Joanna mentioned that she didn’t even know her “Fractional VA Service” was a pioneering model until her company was recognized with a 2024 International Business Award as the “world’s first”. This highlights a genuine, purpose-driven focus where she was more concerned with solving the problem than with being first.
She describes her speaking process as channeling. Her admission that when she speaks, she doesn’t “use brain” but instead taps into a natural, divine flow is a refreshingly unconventional and vulnerable description of her creative process.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.

Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Emma Möller, an AI strategist and former diplomat with a fascinating journey from a small village in Sweden to the forefront of global technology strategy. Emma helps leaders navigate the complex systems of AI, drawing on her deep understanding of how the frameworks we build shape our human reality. In our chat, we explore how to embrace AI’s potential with a principled and human-centered approach. Key points discussed include:

Design AI systems with intention, recognizing they actively shape our reality and lived experience.
Avoid “intellectual laziness” by using AI as a partner for inquiry, not a replacement for curiosity.
Cultivate your human curiosity through diverse learning to expand your awareness and unlock AI’s creative potential.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Emma G Möller, Lumiera

It was a true privilege to welcome Emma Möller, an AI strategist and former diplomat, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Her journey is as fascinating as her insights, taking her from a small village of 60 people in northern Sweden, deeply connected to nature, to the complex, human-made systems of international policy and now, artificial intelligence. Our conversation was a masterclass in how to approach the incredible power of AI not with blind optimism or fear, but with a principled, human-centered curiosity that feels both vital and reassuring in this rapidly changing world.

Emma’s perspective is shaped by a profound understanding that the systems we design, be they legal, economic, or technological, fundamentally create the reality we inhabit. She spoke of feeling a disconnect between the rich, sensory experience of her childhood and the generalized, often biased frameworks of the modern world. This lens is what makes her approach to AI so powerful; she sees it not just as code, but as a new and incredibly influential system we are building, and she urges us to be deeply intentional about what kind of reality we want it to create.

The Seductive Trap of Becoming ‘Intellectually Lazy’

One of the most memorable moments in our chat was when Emma warned against the subtle danger of becoming “intellectually lazy.” It’s a brilliant phrase that perfectly captures the seductive ease of letting generative AI do our thinking for us. We’ve all felt it: the temptation to accept the first answer from ChatGPT without question, or to let it generate prose without infusing it with our own unique perspective and critical thought. Emma reminded us that these tools are often designed to agree with us, which can create an echo chamber if we’re not careful.

The antidote, she suggests, is to consciously maintain our curiosity and use AI as a partner for deeper inquiry, not as a replacement for it. This really resonated with me. I shared the story of how I used an AI, which I named Yuki, to help plan my recent trip to Japan. Yuki handled the logistical heavy lifting: train schedules, travel times, which freed me up to dive deeper into the history and culture. The AI built the foundation, but the curiosity, the questions, and the actual human experience remained firmly in my hands. It was a perfect example of using the technology to enhance, not diminish, our engagement with the world.

The Unscheduled Joy of Getting Lost

This led to another beautiful point: the importance of allowing for the unexpected. Emma spoke about how some of the best adventures and innovations come from mistakes, or from getting a little bit lost. An AI can create a perfectly optimized itinerary, but it can’t schedule the serendipitous joy of stumbling upon a hidden alleyway or the creative spark that comes from a plan gone awry. If we delegate too much of our decision-making to algorithms, we risk engineering these essential human moments out of our lives.

Ultimately, Emma argues that our most powerful tool for navigating the age of AI is our own awareness, which we must actively cultivate. Her advice was wonderfully simple: read books. Talk to people with different perspectives. Spend time in nature. In short, we must continually expand our own “information landscape” so that we can bring richer, more creative questions to the AI. It is, as she puts it, a “mirror of our own awareness,” and will only ever be as insightful as we are.

AI as a Leadership Challenge, Not Just a Tech Solution

Bringing this into the business world, Emma stressed that successful AI adoption is not a technology problem; it’s a leadership and culture challenge. The leaders who are getting it right are not looking for a magic AI solution to plug in. Instead, they are focusing on the real, day-to-day problems their teams face and empowering them to find ways that AI can genuinely help. It’s about creating a system for change that supports people, listens to their concerns, and fosters collaboration.

This conversation with Emma Möller was a powerful reminder that while technology will continue to evolve at a dizzying pace, the core principles of human-centered progress remain the same. It’s about staying curious, taking responsibility for the tools we use, and never losing sight of the fact that the goal of innovation should be to create more space for the messy, beautiful, and irreplaceable experience of being human.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Emma’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Innovative AI for Human Connection – Using AI to analyze an organization’s data to break down internal silos and foster mutual understanding between teams.
Best AI Integration Example – Leveraging voice-to-text tools to work more efficiently, thereby creating more time for screen-free, in-person connection.
Differentiate with Connection – Stay relentlessly curious by reading books and intentionally connecting with new people to learn from their unique perspectives.

Action

If you haven’t already, start using AI. Consciously create space to remain curious and make mistakes, and then go outside for a walk to enjoy nature.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Emma on her website. She also has a wonderful newsletter called The Lumiera Loop.

Links:

Website - Lumiera
Lumiera’s Newsletter - The Lumiera Loop
LinkedIn

Cool Things About Emma

She’s a former diplomat and lawyer. This isn’t just a career change; it’s a fundamental shift in worlds. Her expertise in AI doesn’t come from a typical tech background, but from a deep understanding of human systems, language, and international relations. This unique origin story frames her entire perspective on technology in a fascinating way.
She wants to translate information into smell. In a conversation about large language models and digital artifacts, her most exciting experiment is wonderfully human and unexpected. This reveals a playful, creative, and deeply sensory side that looks for understanding far beyond the screen.
She’s a global citizen. Born near a ski resort in the north of Sweden, she later studied at Monash University in Melbourne (Jürgen’s alma mater) and now lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal. This isn’t just a list of places; it paints a picture of someone who is adaptable and thinks with a naturally global perspective.
She finds text to be an “unnatural medium.” Despite being a self-proclaimed “big fan of languages” and having a background that relied heavily on text, she has come to the conclusion that it’s an artificial way for humans to communicate. This intellectual paradox is very cool; it shows she’s not afraid to question the very foundations of her own past expertise.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Patrick van der Burght, one of the world's leading experts in the science of ethical persuasion. After a challenging start as a sales rep for a product with a terrible reputation, Patrick discovered the powerful work of Dr. Robert Cialdini, using its principles to turn that product into a market leader. He now dedicates his work to teaching business owners a proven framework for building stronger connections and achieving their most important outcomes with complete integrity.

In our fascinating chat, we explored the science of human decision-making and the critical difference between honest influence and dishonest manipulation. Key points discussed include:

Ethical persuasion builds long-term success; manipulation is a short-term win that ultimately leads to disaster.
True influence comes from highlighting genuine facts, not inventing falsehoods to create artificial pressure.
Understanding the seven universal principles of persuasion helps you build genuine trust and guide decisions ethically.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Patrick van der Burght

It was an absolute honour to welcome Patrick van der Burght, one of the world's leading experts in the science of ethical persuasion, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. As business owners, we pour so much of ourselves into our work, yet often feel like we're guessing when it comes to getting the cooperation and compliance we need to succeed. Patrick pulled back the curtain on this exact challenge, revealing that influence isn't an art form reserved for a select few; it's a science that any of us can learn to apply, ethically and effectively.

Our conversation illuminated a powerful truth: you can significantly increase the number of "yeses" you receive without twisting arms or compromising your integrity. It’s about understanding the psychology of human decision-making and learning how to formulate your requests in a way that makes it easier for people to agree. Patrick’s passion for this topic is infectious, born from a deep-seated compassion for hardworking entrepreneurs who are leaving success on the table simply because they don’t yet know this proven framework.

The Dry Suit Epiphany: From Being Laughed At to Market Leader

I was fascinated by Patrick's own origin story in persuasion science. As a young sales rep in the scuba diving industry, he took on a brand of dry suits that had a disastrous reputation; the year before, they had all leaked. When he presented the new, improved product to his retailers, they literally laughed at him. He had a great product, but a total lack of trust in the market. It was a classic business nightmare.

Facing this challenge, he dove into the work of Dr. Robert Cialdini and began applying the universal principles of persuasion. By strategically and ethically bringing the right facts to the surface, he was able to rebuild trust and reframe the conversation. The result? In just 18 months, that once-mocked dry suit became the market leader. That experience converted Patrick for life, proving that this science had the power to turn even the most difficult situations around.

Walking the Ethical Tightrope: Persuasion vs. Manipulation

Patrick was crystal clear on a point that I know concerns many of us: the fine line between ethical persuasion and outright manipulation. He offered a brilliant litmus test. Unethical persuasion, like the shoe salesperson lying about having the "last pair," involves importing falsehoods into a situation to pressure a decision. It might create a short-term win, but it inevitably leads to long-term disaster once the deceit is discovered.

Ethical persuasion, on the other hand, is about bringing naturally occurring truths to the surface. If the TV you want truly is the last one in stock, you as the customer want to be told that information to make an informed choice. The key is honesty. Ethical influence is not about creating false scarcity or pressure; it's about highlighting genuine facts that help someone make a better, easier decision that serves their own interests.

The Three 'Cancers' of Unethical Influence

Going a step further, Patrick shared the devastating long-term costs of fostering a dishonest culture, which he powerfully described as "three cancers." The first is the stress it places on employees, most of whom dislike being asked to lie, leading to more sick days. The second is a much higher staff turnover, as good people will seek employment elsewhere, creating a huge cost in hiring and training.

The third cancer is perhaps the most insidious: the only people who don't mind being unethical are, well, unethical people. These are not the employees you want, as their dishonesty won't be limited to your customers; it will extend to side deals and stealing office supplies. Patrick’s point is stark and clear: a business built on deceit will ultimately rot from the inside out.

A Quick Tour of the Seven Universal Principles of Influence

At the heart of Patrick’s work are the seven universal principles that work across all cultures: Reciprocity (we feel obliged to give back), Liking (we say yes to people we like), and the new principle of Unity (we are influenced by those we share an identity with). These first three are all about building relationships.

The next principles help reduce uncertainty: Social Proof (we follow the lead of similar others) and Authority (we defer to experts). Finally, to motivate action, we have Consistency (we stick with our commitments) and Scarcity (we want more of what we can have less of). Understanding these fundamental drivers is the first step to applying them.

Turning a Bad Review into a Trust-Building Moment

So how does this work in the real world? Patrick gave a masterful example of handling a negative online review. The wrong move is to ignore it or get defensive. Instead, you can respond by first acknowledging the person's bad experience. This simple act of honesty immediately establishes you as a trustworthy source of information because you're acting against your own immediate self-interest.

Then, you can gently pivot to social proof by saying something like, "As you can see from our 128 other positive reviews, your experience is not what normally happens here." This validates the complaint while reassuring any future customers that the issue was an exception, not the rule. It’s a brilliant way to turn a negative into a powerful display of credibility.

Your First Step into the Science of Influence

Ultimately, what I took away from my chat with Patrick is that we don’t have to operate on guesswork. Whether we're in sales, marketing, HR, or even just trying to get our kids to do their homework, we are constantly in situations where we need to be persuasive. There is a science to it, one that is ethical, available, and incredibly potent.

As Patrick advised, the easiest first step for anyone is to simply become aware that this science exists. A great way to start is by picking up Dr. Cialdini's foundational book, Influence. By learning the principles, you can start to spot opportunities to ethically and effectively build stronger connections and achieve the outcomes you're working so hard for.

In Summary: Patrick van der Burght provides a compelling and ethical framework for influence. His message is a game-changer: stop guessing and start learning the science of human decision-making. By applying these proven principles with honesty and integrity, you can not only achieve greater success but also build deeper, more trusting, and more enduring relationships in every area of your life.

Action

Realize there is a science to how people make decisions that is available for you to learn. As a first practical step, follow Patrick's recommendation and get Dr. Cialdini's foundational book, Influence, to begin understanding these powerful principles.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Patrick on his website, or connect with him on LinkedIn. Patrick has also generously provided a Free Influence & Persuasion Guide which includes a downloadable ebook.

Links:

Website – Ethical Pursuasion
LinkedIn
Facebook
X (formerly Twitter) – @yesmoreoften
Instagram – @ethical_persuasion
YouTube
TikTok
Free Influence & Persuasion Guide

Books:

Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
How to Hear YES More Often: Harnessing the Power of Influence and Ethical Persuasion in Business by Patrick Van Der Burght, Leopold Ajami, and John Doorbar

Cool Things About Patrick

He's a land, sea, and air adventurer who found his calling on cassette tapes. There's a fantastic juxtaposition between his adventurous, hands-on life as a commercial pilot, scuba diver, and Harley rider, and the old-school, analogue way he discovered his passion: listening to Dr. Cialdini's work on cassette tapes in the late 90s.
He had the courage to cold-email his hero. After being inspired by the tapes, he didn't just become a fan; he took the initiative to email Dr. Cialdini directly for permission to teach the material. That single act of proactive courage fundamentally shaped his professional journey.
His Harley adventures are a shared passion. The image of a Harley rider often evokes a solo journey, but Patrick's spouse also enjoys riding, making it a shared activity. This adds a wonderful layer of warmth and partnership to his adventurous side.
He's on a mission to equip the next generation with a "crucial life skill." His strong desire isn't just to coach professionals, but to teach ethical persuasion to young people in schools, preparing them for a future where social influence is a top-ranked skill needed for success.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Ali Hafizji, the CEO of Wednesday Solutions, who joins us from Pune, India. He's on a critical mission to steer startup founders away from the chaos and waste that often plagues their journey, offering them a clear, systematic path to success. In our chat, Ali Hafizji breaks down the fundamental mindset shift that separates a struggling project from a thriving business: the transition from being a "builder" to becoming a true "business owner." Ali provides a clear framework for founders to escape the dreaded "build trap" and focus on the activities that genuinely move the needle. Key points discussed include:

Make the critical shift from passionately building a product to strategically owning the entire business.
Your new job isn't coding; it's marketing, sales, fundraising, and gathering crucial market insights.
Leverage AI for incredible speed, but always guide it with uniquely human judgment and strategic focus.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Ali Hafizji

It was a real privilege to welcome Ali Hafizji, the CEO of Wednesday Solutions, to the Innovabuzz podcast, all the way from Pune, India. Ali has a critical and incredibly timely mission: to help founders avoid the pain, waste, and chaos that so often derails promising startups. He provides a wonderfully systematic and clear path for entrepreneurs to move from a compelling Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to that all-important Product-Market Fit, and he does it with a logic that cuts right through the emotional turmoil of the founder's journey.

Our conversation was a deep dive into the fundamental mindset shift required to build not just a product, but a sustainable business. Ali’s insights felt like a much-needed dose of clarity in a startup world that is often filled with noise and distractions. He's on a mission to help founders cross the chasm from being passionate builders to becoming strategic business owners, a distinction that is truly at the heart of success.

The Critical Divide: Are You a Builder or a Business Owner?

The most powerful idea Ali Hafizji shared was the distinction between acting like a "builder" and thinking like a "business owner". So many founders start because they have personally experienced a problem and have the vision to build a digital solution for it. This is a fantastic starting point, but it's also a trap. They get their MVP built, show it to a few people, and then get stuck in a perpetual cycle of building.

As Ali explained, their day-to-day becomes about micromanaging features and tweaking the product, not growing the business. They are acting like builders, not owners. This crucial difference in mindset is often what separates a promising project that fizzles out from a company that achieves real traction and makes a lasting impact.

Escaping the "Build Trap": When Your Day-to-Day Doesn't Move the Needle

This builder mindset leads directly to what Ali calls the "build trap". You get feedback, you add a feature. You talk to a user, you tweak the interface. You're constantly busy, your team is shipping code, but the core business metrics aren't changing. You feel like you're working incredibly hard, but as Ali puts it, you’re just not "moving the needle".

The litmus test he offered was profound in its simplicity: if you realize that no matter what you do, things aren't fundamentally changing, you probably need to change first. It’s a sign that you must stop focusing all your energy on the product itself and transform your own role within the company.

The Founder’s New Job: A Four-Point Mission for Growth

So, what does that new role look like? Ali laid out a new job description for the post-MVP founder, one centered on four key activities: marketing, sales, fundraising, and gathering insights. The founder's primary job is to be the external voice and vision for the company, interacting with the market, customers, and investors.

This means handing over the day-to-day building to a team you trust, whether it’s an in-house team or a partner. That team's job is to convert the rich insights you're gathering into a digital offering. This shift is a massive change, moving from the comfort of building to the challenging, but essential, work of business development.

AI as the Enabler, Not the Answer: Building with True Velocity

In today's world, it's easier than ever to build something, thanks in large part to AI. Ali is a huge proponent of using AI, but in a very specific, strategic way. He sees it as a powerful enabler to get your MVP off the ground and to supercharge your engineering team, allowing a small "pod" to achieve twice the outcome.

However, he was quick to point out that true velocity isn't just about speed; it's a combination of speed and direction. AI can provide the speed, but the direction must come from the human insights gathered by the founder. An AI-enabled team is powerful, but they are still relying on the founder's strategic guidance to ensure they are building the right thing.

The Human Advantage: Why Saying "No" is Your Most Important Skill

This brought us to the crucial human element. With the ability to build things so quickly, the temptation to add every bell and whistle is stronger than ever. Ali argued that the most important advantage a human-led team has is the ability to say "no." It's about having the focus and judgment to decide what not to build.

He used brilliant examples, like Instagram focusing solely on its iOS app for the longest time, or Snapchat starting with a single, simple feature. This disciplined focus is only possible through a consultative, back-and-forth conversation between the founder and the team, constantly asking the tough questions: "What business metric is this going to move?" That judgment is something AI can't replicate.

Conclusion: Stop Listening to the Chaos and Start Building

Ali’s message is ultimately one of empowerment. We are in an age where the tools to bring an idea to life are more accessible than ever. His final call to action was simple: "now is the time to build". But that encouragement comes with a critical piece of wisdom.

You must start with the awareness that the goal isn't just to build a product, but to build a business. Be prepared to make that difficult but necessary transition from builder to business owner. Stop listening to the chaos, focus on what truly matters, and you'll be on the right path to turning your vision into a viable, impactful company.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Ali’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using an AI tool that helps you take interviews better by nudging you to look at the camera and build a genuine connection.

Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Actively avoiding the use of AI for human connection to maintain authenticity, as AI-generated text often feels like fluff.

Differentiate by leveraging AI: Focus on authentic video for marketing, as text is now commoditized and video offers a less noisy, more human platform.

Action

If you are thinking about building a business, now is the time to start. Use the tools all around you to build whatever you plan, as you don't need a lot of external help to get started.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Ali via the Wednesday Solutions website or by connecting with him on LinkedIn.

Links:

Website - Wednesday Solutions
LinkedIn
Twitter - @wednesdaysol
Instagram - @wednesday.sol

Cool Things About Ali

He is a "Founder Pain-Killer": Ali hasn't just built another software company. He has systematically designed a business model around a core philosophy: to prevent the specific pain, chaos, and waste he has witnessed kill so many startups. He is not just selling a service; he is selling a well-engineered antidote to a common business disease.
He is a Unicorn Whisperer: Having worked with over 10% of India's unicorn companies, Ali possesses a rare and valuable perspective. He has had a front-row seat to hyper-growth, giving him an extraordinary understanding of the patterns that separate the wildly successful from the rest, especially during their chaotic and vulnerable early stages.
He is a Pragmatic AI Pioneer: While many leaders talk about AI in abstract or future-tense terms, Ali is a true early adopter who has been using it in the trenches for years. He treats AI not as a buzzword, but as a practical, integrated "force multiplier" that is a fundamental part of his company's daily operations.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Kevin Perlmutter, author of Brand Desire and a brand strategist who has codified the complex world of human emotion into an actionable framework. Kevin provides a system for businesses to move beyond mere transactions and build genuine, lasting connections with the people they serve. In our fascinating chat, we dive into his powerful system for creating genuine brand desire, exploring why honouring how you want people to feel is the cornerstone of a thriving business, especially in the age of AI.

Key points discussed include:

Great brands make lives better by honouring their customers' deepest emotional motivations.
True differentiation comes from what loyal customers already feel, not just from a gap in the market.
In the age of AI, a leader's crucial role is guarding the line that protects human connection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Kevin Perlmutter

It was an absolute thrill to welcome Kevin Perlmutter, author of the brilliant book Brand Desire, back to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Our conversation was a powerful reminder of a fundamental truth that so many businesses seem to forget: brands should exist to make people's lives better. Kevin has masterfully codified the complex world of human emotion into a clear and actionable framework that guides businesses away from the shortcuts that degrade human connection and toward creating something people genuinely desire.

So often, we get tangled up in our own processes, our features, and our messaging, without stopping to ask how we’re actually making people feel. As Kevin points out, this disconnect is where brands stumble. They have the best intentions but end up creating frustrating, soul-crushing experiences that do the opposite of building loyalty. Our chat was a masterclass in putting the human heart back at the center of brand strategy.

The Sprinkler System Epiphany: From Dread to Devotion

I loved Kevin’s story about a frustrating experience with a broken lawn sprinkler system that turned into a moment of brand magic. He, like all of us, was bracing for the typical customer service nightmare: a long wait on hold, a difficult conversation, and likely a dead end because the product was out of warranty. That feeling of dread is something we’ve all been conditioned to expect.

Instead, the company called him back within five minutes, a real person quickly identified the problem, and without hesitation, they sent him a brand new, upgraded model for free. In 15 minutes, they transformed a moment of frustration into one of delight. As Kevin rightly said, they didn’t just save a customer; they created a passionate ambassador who will now tell that story for years to come. That is the power of prioritizing a person's feelings over a rigid policy.

Codifying the Connection: The Focus, Connect, Evolve Framework

What’s so powerful about Kevin’s work is that he’s taken this intuitive idea of human connection and built a reliable system around it. He calls it the Focus, Connect, Evolve framework, and it’s a clear roadmap for any brand that wants to build a more meaningful relationship with its audience. It’s a process for turning those fleeting moments of connection into a core, repeatable strategy.

The framework begins with Focus, where you do the deep work of gaining customer insight. Then you move to Connect, where you craft the emotional benefit and an invitation into your brand. Finally, you Evolve by bringing that promise to life in every single experience a customer has with you, ensuring the feeling you want to create is consistently delivered.

Uncovering Your Beacon: The 'Shared Emotional Motivation'

Diving deeper into that "Focus" phase, Kevin shared a concept that really resonated with me: the "shared emotional motivation." This isn't about finding some patch of "white space" in a competitive analysis. It's about doing the work to understand the emotional truth of why your most loyal customers love you. It’s about finding the intersection where what your brand authentically provides meets what your customers are truly craving.

When you find that intersection, it becomes your brand's guiding "beacon." It’s a clear, unwavering light that informs every decision you make, from your marketing copy to your product development to your customer service policies. It ensures that you are always oriented around the emotional core of your promise to your customers.

How 'Invincible' Feels: A B2B Masterclass in Emotion

To show this in action, Kevin told the story of a B2B software company that helps supply chain managers. Their customers went from using gut instinct and spreadsheets, constantly afraid of "getting yelled at," to being the "hero" in their organization because they always had the right numbers. The shared emotional motivation wasn't about efficiency; it was about the craving to feel competent and secure.

From this insight, the powerful brand promise, "Be Supply Chain Invincible," was born. It was a bold, emotional statement that initially made the client a bit nervous, but it was completely authentic because it was rooted in how their service already made their best customers feel. It’s a perfect example of how emotion is just as critical in B2B as it is in B2C.

The AI Tightrope: Guarding the Humanity Line

Of course, we had to talk about AI. Kevin has a wonderfully clear-eyed perspective on it. While AI can be a fantastic tool for things like summarizing customer reviews or acting as an "enhanced thesaurus," there’s a significant danger when it’s used to replace genuine human interaction without careful thought.

He was adamant that the brand leader's role today is to be the guardian of the human experience. You must know where the line is between using AI to be humanity-enhancing versus humanity-degrading. And his advice is simple: you must never, ever cross that line just for the sake of cost-cutting or efficiency. That is a non-negotiable responsibility.

Your Limbic Sparks Mindset: Three Questions to Ask Today

To bring it all home, Kevin shared a simple, actionable mindset that anyone can adopt, which he calls the Limbic Sparks Mindset. It boils down to asking three essential questions every day, whether you’re designing a new product or just writing an email.

First, what are people’s frustrations, unmet needs, and motivations? Second, how do people want to feel when they interact with you? And finally, what should your brand do and say to make people's lives better? By asking these questions, you begin to build a brand that people don't just buy from, but truly desire to have in their lives.

In Summary: My conversation with Kevin Perlmutter was a profound call to action for all business leaders. His message is that the brands that thrive will be the ones who understand and address the emotional motivations of their customers. It’s not just about what you do; it’s about how you make people feel.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Kevin’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – AI algorithms can be used to create pairings and matchings that connect like-minded people, assuming they foster genuine connection rather than isolation.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Use AI as an enhanced thesaurus to explore alternative phrasing and interpretations, which helps deepen the nuance of your own human communication.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Discover what makes you unique by asking others for input on how you make them feel, then lean into that authentic emotional differentiator.

Action

Embrace a Limbic Sparks Mindset. Think about your customer's frustrations, needs, and desires. Ask yourself how they want to feel, then design what you say and do to truly make their lives better.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Kevin on LinkedIn and find all the details about his book and framework at branddesirebook.com.

Links:

Website – Limbic Brand Evolution
Twitter – @KevinPerlmutter
LinkedIn

Books:

Brand Desire: Spark Customer Interest Using Emotional Insights, Kevin Perlmutter

Cool Things About Kevin

He Played the Long Game with His Podcast. Years before his book deal, Kevin strategically designed his podcast as a research tool. He intentionally asked every one of his 37 guests the same core questions, patiently building a unique library of expert insights that would eventually become a foundational part of his book. That level of foresight and disciplined creativity is unconventional and impressive.
He Deconstructed His Own "Magic" for Others. Kevin admits that his successful approach was, for a long time, "somewhat intuitive" and "second nature" to him. The cool part isn't the intuition itself, but his decision to undertake the difficult work of codifying it. He didn't just want to be the magician; he wanted to write down the spells so that, as he said, "anybody can learn how to do it". That's a profoundly generous impulse.
He's a Principled Guardian of Humanity in Tech. In a world quick to adopt any new technology, Kevin has drawn a clear "do not cross line". He's not anti-AI; he's a staunch, principled advocate for ensuring technology serves, rather than "degrades," the human experience. This role as a thoughtful "guardian" against dehumanizing shortcuts is a powerful and very human stance to take.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Matt Stanley, the founder of Get Reviews and Leads and a passionate marketing architect with 30 years of experience. What started as a fascination with the early internet evolved into a mission-driven career for Matt, focused on using technology to serve people and build thriving, human-centered businesses. In our chat, Matt shares his powerful frameworks for moving beyond simple deliverables to create marketing that forges deep, emotional connections and lifelong customer loyalty.

Key points discussed include:

Connect with your dream customer’s "reptile brain" by understanding their deep-seated pains and fears.
Closing the sale is the starting line; create a legendary onboarding experience to build loyalty.
Use AI as a strategic toolbox to free up your time for genuine, human-to-human connection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Matt Stanley

It was an absolute thrill to welcome Matt Stanley of Get Reviews and Leads to the InnovaBuzz podcast. For 30 years, Matt has been in the trenches, architecting sales and marketing systems, and our conversation was a masterclass in stripping away the noise to focus on what truly matters: genuine, human-centered connection. Matt’s passion is infectious; he’s a self-described "nerd" and "geek" who fell in love with the craft of marketing not as a way to make a quick buck, but as a profound way to serve people.

His journey as an "accidental entrepreneur" is one many of us can relate to. What began as a fascination with the early internet, a technology he knew would change the world, became a career-defining mission. The 2008 recession, which cost him his stable job, became the catalyst that pushed him all-in. It was a decision, as he puts it, that was made for him, leading him to discover that his true calling was helping businesses navigate the intimidating world of technology to build something truly meaningful.

The "Forest for the Trees" Marketing Mistake

One of the biggest takeaways for me was Matt’s frustration with how many businesses "can't see the forest for the trees." They get so fixated on the deliverable—the shiny new website, the social media campaign—that they completely lose sight of the bigger picture. A website, he rightly argues, is just a tool. If it’s disconnected from the fundamental "DNA of the brand" and fails to make an emotional connection, it’s not going to deliver a return on investment.

This is where so many marketing efforts fall flat. Companies start with the what—"we need a website"—instead of the who and the why. They fail to ask the critical questions about how this tool will connect to their dream customer and serve the core mission of the company. It’s a powerful reminder to always start with the end in mind: a deeper relationship with the people you aim to serve.

Decoding the "Reptile Brain": The Real Secret to Connecting with Your Dream Customer

So, how do we build that connection? According to Matt, it starts by getting under the hood and understanding the "reptile brain." All purchase decisions, he explained, are made from this primal place that is driven by pain, pleasure, and survival. We then use our logical brain to justify the decision we’ve already made emotionally. This is why a simple demographic profile of your customer just doesn't cut it.

The real secret sauce is digging into the psychographics through tools like an empathy map. What are your dream customer’s hidden fears? What frustrations keep them awake at night? When you can poke that pain, rub salt in the wound, and then offer a genuine solution, you're not just selling; you’re connecting on a level that builds profound trust and loyalty.

AI: The Planet's Most Powerful Toolbox (Handle with Care)

Our conversation naturally turned to AI, a technology Matt sees as being just as transformative as the early internet. He views it as the most powerful toolbox on the planet, an incredible asset for saving time and creating efficiency. However, he offered a crucial warning: a tool is only as good as the person wielding it. He sees too many people using AI as a crutch for laziness, forgetting the timeless fundamentals of human psychology.

As Matt bluntly puts it, "garbage in, garbage out." If your prompts are lazy and you don't understand the core principles of your brand and your customer, the AI will produce junk. The real skill is learning how to communicate with the technology to make you a more effective, articulate, and strategic thinker, freeing you up to do the high-value, human-centric work you love.

Your Greatest Differentiator: The "Whites of Their Eyeballs" Onboarding Experience

In an age of automation, Matt argues that the path to differentiation lies in doing the things that don't scale. How do you create an experience your customers can't forget if they tried? You go old-school. He shared the wonderfully simple yet profound example of sending a handwritten note. In a world of emails and DMs, a physical, personal touch stands out and shows you genuinely care.

This philosophy extends to the entire onboarding experience. Instead of seeing the transaction as the end of the journey, we need to create a legendary first impression. Sending a small, thoughtful gift basket or simply picking up the phone creates an emotional connection that AI can't replicate. It’s about seeing the "whites of their eyeballs" and treating every customer like a VIP.

Closing the Sale is Just the Starting Line

This leads perfectly to one of Matt’s core beliefs: closing the sale isn't the end of the relationship; it's the starting line. Too many businesses are so fixated on acquisition that they neglect their most precious asset: their existing customers. He beautifully compared the business-customer relationship to his own 20-year marriage, emphasizing that it requires a lifelong commitment.

The goal should be to constantly woo your customers and try to "out-serve" them. When you adopt this mindset, you shift from a transactional model to a relational one. The focus moves from what you can get from the customer to how deeply you can serve them, which is the foundation of any thriving, sustainable business.

From Reach to Retention: Unlocking the Gold Mine in Your Existing Customer Base

Matt ties all of this together in his holistic "RACK" framework, which stands for Reach, Attract, Convert, and Keep. That last letter, K, is the one most businesses forget. It costs seven to twelve times more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one, yet so many of us pour all our energy into the top of the funnel.

Your current customers are a literal "gold mine" of opportunity, not just for repeat business but for referrals and invaluable feedback. By focusing on that final step—by obsessing over your dream customer’s dream customer—you create a virtuous cycle of service and value that becomes the ultimate engine for growth.

In Summary: Matt Stanley delivers a powerful and passionate call to action for every entrepreneur. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, our greatest strength and differentiator will always be our humanity. By understanding the deep emotional drivers of our customers, creating unforgettable experiences, and committing to serving them for life, we can build businesses that not only thrive but also make a genuine impact.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Matt's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: Using an AI agent to instantly and empathetically respond to negative online reviews to solve customer problems 24/7.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Building AI tools that handle the heavy lifting, freeing up human time for more creative and fulfilling work.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Create a legendary, high-touch onboarding experience using old-school methods like a handwritten note to stand out.

Action

Become obsessed with your dream customer's dream customer. When you think a level deeper and focus on helping them win, everybody wins.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Matt on his website, getreviewsandleads.com. You can also grab the free Marketing Copy Architect tool he mentioned at getreviewsandleads.com/mca, or find him on various social media sites.

Links:

Website - Get Reviews and Leads
LinkedIn
Facebook
X - @Matt_Stanley
Instagram - @getreviewsandleads

Cool Things About Matt

His web security career was kick-started by a 7th-grade hacker. A pivotal moment in his career came when a seventh-grader hacked all the school district's websites where he worked. Driven by what he called professional and ethical anger, Matt walked into his boss's office and successfully campaigned to take over webmaster duties to fix the problem and ensure it never happened again.
He is a proud, unashamed "geek and nerd" of the original internet era. Matt enthusiastically self-identifies as a "geek and nerd" and takes pride in his long history with technology. He taught himself HTML in 1995 by reverse-engineering source code simply because he thought the internet was the "coolest thing" he had ever seen, long before it was a viable career path.
He recently moved his 13-year-old business back into a bedroom of his house. After more than a decade of commuting and paying for an external office, Matt realized the reasons for it were no longer relevant. He made the practical, human-scale decision to move the entire operation back home to gain more flexibility and reduce overhead, a very relatable move in today's world.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Ruth Kent, a passionate advisor who began her career as a teacher with a love for public health. Driven by a deep sense of purpose, she now blends these two worlds to help organizations create more human-centered and effective ways to learn and thrive. In our wonderful chat, Ruth shares her pragmatic approach to navigating today's biggest workplace challenges, from fostering genuine psychological safety to harnessing AI as a tool for deeper connection.

Key points discussed include:

True psychological safety is built on a leader's vulnerability and courage to "circle back" after a mistake.
Frame AI not as a threat, but as a collaborative thinking partner to enhance our human capabilities and creativity.
In an age of intelligent machines, our greatest asset is our ability to lean into our shared humanity.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Ruth Kent

It was an absolute privilege to welcome the brilliant Ruth Kent to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Drawing from her fascinating background in both public health and education, Ruth helps organizations build a more human and effective way to learn and thrive. Our conversation was a deep dive into what it truly means to support people in the modern workplace, moving beyond simple programs to create genuine frameworks for connection and wellbeing.

Ruth’s insights are particularly timely. She shared how the entire landscape of workplace wellbeing has evolved, especially in the last five years. We've moved past the era of one-size-fits-all fitness challenges and into a much more nuanced space. The conversation now includes hybrid work, the right to disconnect, and a growing understanding of neurodiversity, all demanding a more thoughtful approach.

The New Workplace Landscape: Beyond the Wellness Program

One of the most powerful ideas Ruth introduced was the concept of applying a "public health lens" to an organization. Instead of just reacting with isolated wellness initiatives, this approach encourages leaders to step back and look at the entire system. It’s about getting curious about the specific demographics, needs, and cultural nuances of the team you actually have, rather than just importing a program that worked for another company.

This means asking deeper questions and truly listening to what people need to feel supported. It's a strategic shift from simply offering perks to proactively designing a healthier, more connected work environment from the ground up. This method allows for the creation of supports that are not only more effective but also feel far more authentic to the people they are meant to serve.

The Foundation of Growth: Cultivating Real Psychological Safety

Of course, none of this is possible without a foundation of psychological safety. We explored the immense challenge leaders face in getting truly honest feedback, and Ruth shared a wonderfully human insight to guide them. She drew a powerful analogy between effective leadership and modern parenting, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and the courage to "circle back" after making a mistake.

Imagine a leader who, after a tense moment or a poorly-worded email, has the self-awareness to return to their team member and say, "That wasn't my best self, and I apologize." That simple, authentic act doesn't just fix a single interaction; it builds a bridge of trust. It signals that it's okay to be human, to be imperfect, and to be committed to working through challenges together.

The Leader's Inner Compass: The Power of Self-Awareness

Diving deeper, Ruth explained that this ability to "circle back" stems from a profound self-awareness, or what she calls "interoception." This is the ability to notice our own internal state—that clenching in the stomach or the quickening heart rate—and understand how it's driving our thoughts and actions. A leader who is attuned to their inner world can make more conscious choices about their behaviour.

This is critical because, as Ruth pointed out, a leader’s internal experience is transmitted to the team whether they intend it or not. We are all "beacons," and our non-verbal cues often speak louder than our words. By cultivating this inner awareness, leaders can move from being reactive to being intentional, creating a calmer and more stable environment for everyone.

Reframing Our Future: AI as a Collaborative Thinking Partner

Our conversation then turned to the great disruptor of our time: Artificial Intelligence. Ruth offered a refreshingly balanced and optimistic perspective, framing AI not as a threat, but as a potential "collaborative thinking partner." She sees it as a tool that, if we proceed with awareness and caution, can help us solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

This doesn't mean ignoring the very real anxieties many people feel about job displacement or a potential crisis of purpose. Ruth acknowledged these challenges thoughtfully, suggesting that our task is to guide this emerging technology, to have foresight, and to think critically about how we can make sure the benefits are shared by all.

From Efficiency to Empathy: Using AI to Enhance Our Humanity

So how do we use this powerful new partner to become more human? Ruth shared a fantastic personal example of using an AI chatbot as a supportive, objective third party. After receiving a frustrating email, instead of firing back an emotional reply, she used the AI to validate her feelings and think through a more constructive response, ultimately preserving the relationship.

This beautifully illustrates a key opportunity: we can use AI to handle repetitive tasks and create efficiencies, but the real prize is what we do with the time we save. The goal isn't just to move on to the next task faster. The goal is to reinvest that reclaimed time in what truly matters: checking in with a colleague, writing a thoughtful thank you note, or simply having a conversation to ask, "How are you?"

Your Ultimate Differentiator: Leaning Deeper into Connection

As we wrapped up, the central theme became crystal clear. In an age where AI can handle so much of the clerical and repetitive work, our greatest value and key differentiator will always be our humanity. The ability to be flexible, to connect authentically, and to lean into our self-awareness are the skills that will matter most.

Ruth left us with a simple, brilliant call to action that perfectly balances the technological and the human. First, find someone in your life who may not understand AI and take a moment to expose them to it; share the potential and open up a conversation. Then, to counteract that, pick up the phone and call a friend. Have a real conversation and listen to a human voice.

In Summary: My chat with Ruth Kent was a powerful reminder that the path to a better future of work isn't about choosing between technology and humanity, but about consciously using one to deepen the other. By cultivating self-awareness, fostering genuine psychological safety, and reinvesting our time in real connection, we can build workplaces where both people and organizations can truly flourish.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Ruth’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: AI can act as a supportive sidekick, offering advice before you respond to someone to help strengthen the connection.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Ruth uses AI to enhance her own capabilities and strategic thinking, which indirectly enables her to connect more effectively with others.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Differentiate yourself by deeply understanding your inner self, which allows you to harness AI to amplify your unique humanity.

Action

Expose someone new to AI to help spread the understanding of what it's capable of. To balance this, make a phone call to a friend and have a real conversation, connecting with a human voice.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Ruth on LinkedIn, via her website, or by sending an email to hello@sunrisewell.com.au.

Links:

Website - Sunrise Well
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram - @sunrise_well

Cool Things About Ruth

Ruth applies a "Public Health Lens" to Business: She doesn't just look at individual employee perks. Instead, she applies a "public health lens" to an entire organization, analyzing the culture, demographics, and systems to understand the root causes of workplace stress and disconnection.
She Saw the Pandemic Coming: Due to her studies in public health, she was one of the few people who wasn't surprised by the arrival of the 2020 pandemic and the subsequent public health measures. She knew something like it was statistically inevitable.
Leadership is Like Conscious Parenting: Ruth has a powerful and relatable philosophy that great leadership mirrors conscious parenting. The key is not to be perfect, but to have the self-awareness and vulnerability to "circle back," apologize, and repair connections after a mistake.
Uses AI as an Emotional Sounding Board: She views AI as a "collaborative thinking partner." She shared a personal example of using it to process her own frustration with an email, allowing her to get validation and formulate a calm, professional response rather than reacting emotionally.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jennifer K. Hill, an exited founder and tech CEO who is now cracking the code of human connection through her company, OptiMatch. Her mission was born from what she calls "survival," a personal journey to understand herself after realising she was the "common denominator" in her own relational breakdowns.

In our wonderful chat, Jennifer shares her master blueprint for building high-trust relationships, the "Golden Triangle of Connection," and provides an arsenal of practical tools for emotional resilience. Key points discussed include:

True connection begins with yourself; you're the common denominator in all of your relationships.
Understand others' core motivations to speak a language they can hear, preventing communication breakdowns.
Use practical tools to regulate your nervous system, allowing your adult self to lead, not your inner child.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Jennifer K. Hill

It was an absolute privilege to welcome Jennifer K. Hill to the InnovaBuzz podcast, an exited founder and tech CEO who is now on a mission to crack the code of human connection. Her journey is a fascinating one, not born from a lofty academic theory, but forged in the fires of personal experience. As Jennifer so candidly shared, her deep dive into the mechanics of trust and relationships began as an act of pure "survival."

What unfolded was a powerful conversation about her master blueprint for connection, a framework she calls the Golden Triangle. It’s a roadmap that starts in the one place many of us are afraid to look: ourselves. Jennifer’s story is a profound reminder that before we can build bridges to others or to a greater purpose, we must first learn to navigate our own inner landscape with courage and compassion.

The Common Denominator: Your First and Most Important Relationship

One of the most powerful moments in our chat was when Jennifer described her ultimate "light bulb" moment. After years of broken relationships and communication breakdowns in every area of her life, she finally asked the hard question and came to a stunningly simple conclusion: "The common denominator? Me." That single realisation sparked a two-decade journey inward and became the bedrock of her work.

This is the first corner of her Golden Triangle: a deep, unwavering connection to self. Jennifer argues that without this foundation, we will always feel a void, leaving us to seek validation and energy from others. True intimacy with our partners, our teams, and our purpose can only be built once we’ve done the deep work of understanding our own motivations, triggers, and blind spots.

Are You a Leche or an Apple? Speaking a Language Others Can Hear

Once we begin to understand ourselves, we can start to truly understand others. Jennifer has translated her intuitive gift for reading people into a remarkable technology called OptiMatch, which identifies our primary motivators using memorable fruit archetypes. Are you a "Leche," driven by achievement and needing information in three quick bullet points? Or are you an "Apple," who thrives on data and needs to see all fifty points of research?

These differences aren't a matter of someone being difficult or "misbehaving;" it's simply about learning to "speak each other's language." Jennifer shared a brilliant example of two co-founders who were struggling until they realised this. By learning to speak into the other person's listening, they transformed their dynamic from one of friction to one of flow, a lesson that applies to every boardroom and every family dinner table.

The Unseen Saboteur: Why You Need to Master "Transition Time"

Sometimes the biggest breakdowns come from the smallest misunderstandings. Jennifer shared a deeply personal story about "transition time," a concept she learned from her mentor, Alison Armstrong. She described how her ex-husband would come home from work and need a period to decompress, a need she, in her excitement to connect, would completely miss. His silence felt like a rejection, leading her to become "passive aggressive" and withhold affection.

This dynamic is a silent saboteur in countless relationships. Recognising that some people, regardless of gender, need time to transition between tasks or environments is a simple but revolutionary act of empathy. It’s about giving grace and understanding that someone’s need for a quiet moment isn’t a personal slight, but a fundamental aspect of how they’re wired.

Don't Burn the House Down: Practical Tools for Taming Your Amygdala

When we feel slighted or triggered, our primitive brain, the amygdala, takes over. As Jennifer so vividly put it, in those moments of anger, she was ready to "dissolve the company, light the thing on fire and burn everything to the ground." To avoid this, we need practical tools to regulate our nervous system and get our rational brain back online, allowing us to be responsive instead of reactive.

Jennifer has an arsenal of over 180 of these tools, and she shared a few of her favourites, from HeartMath’s heart-focused breathing to the simple yet profound questions of the Sedona Method. These aren’t complex, time-consuming practices; they are in-the-moment techniques you can use with your eyes open during a tense meeting to quiet the alarm bells in your brain and choose a more constructive path.

The Inner Child Running the Boardroom

So why do we get triggered in the first place? Jennifer offered a stunningly clear explanation: most of the time, our conflicts are not being waged by our adult selves. Instead, "we are a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old being like, you can't make me, you suck!" It’s our unhealed inner children, desperate for love and acceptance, who are running the show and causing the chaos.

The antidote is what she calls "Inner Child Work." This is the secret sauce: learning to talk to that little one within you, giving yourself the love, safety, and acceptance you've been trying to get from everyone else. When you can do that, you stop taking that neediness into your relationships, and your competent, 44-year-old self can finally run the meeting.

Humanizing Our Future: A Pragmatic Optimist’s Take on AI

Our conversation fittingly concluded by looking at the future of connection in the age of technology. As a "pragmatic optimist," Jennifer sees a powerful opportunity to "humanize AI" by always putting the "human first, tech second." She believes that far from replacing us, AI can be an incredible ally on our journey of self-discovery.

Imagine having a companion you can talk to without any fear of judgment, a tool that can help you understand your own patterns and reflect on your feelings in a completely safe space. When we approach it with intention, technology doesn't have to be a force for disconnection; it can become one of the most powerful tools we have for building a deeper relationship with ourselves.

In Summary: Jennifer K. Hill provides a masterclass in building a more connected life, starting from the inside out. Her message is clear: when we have the courage to see ourselves as the common denominator, learn to speak the language of others, and do the work to heal our inner child, we can transform every relationship we have—with ourselves, each other, and our purpose in the world.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jennifer’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships: AI can provide non-judgmental companionship, creating a safe space for people to share their feelings without fear of being judged.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection: Jennifer used AI to create an animated short film from her narrated children's book, allowing her to share a message of connection with kids and adults worldwide.
Differentiate by leveraging AI: Use AI as a real-time assistant to outsource administrative tasks, freeing up your time to focus on the joyful, high-impact human interactions that truly matter.

Action

Go to OM.app/survey and take the free OptiMatch survey to discover how you are motivated and find out if you are a leche, apple, mango, or parrot.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jennifer by visiting OM.app to take her free assessment or by connecting with her on LinkedIn (be sure to mention this podcast episode). You can also find her weekly article, "Inspired Living Tools," on LinkedIn and follow her at @JenHillSpeaker.

Links:

Opti Match Survey
LinkedIn
X (formerly Twitter) - @JenHillSpeaker
Instagram - @jenhillspeaker
YouTube

Cool Things About Jennifer

She is a practical philanthropist who helped build two schools abroad, showing long‑term, hands‑on commitment to contribution.
She has interviewed world‑renowned thought leaders, including Dr. Deepak Chopra and Bruce Lipton, blending entrepreneurship with deep public conversation.
As an exited founder, she has real operating experience and credibility in building and selling a tech business.
She is building technology for trust — a matching tool intended to enhance relational clarity and team performance.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jem Fuller, a leadership and culture coach and author from the beautiful Bells Beach, Victoria. For over a decade, Jem has been guiding people on profound journeys, both literally to the Himalayas and metaphorically inward, to help them build frameworks for genuine connection and purpose.

In our wonderful chat, Jem shares his evolved mission to combat the modern malady of disconnection. We explore his powerful concept of finding your "4% genius zone" and his unique, optimistic view on using AI as a tool to give us back the time for what truly matters: our human relationships. Key points discussed include:

Find your 4% genius zone by courageously focusing on what you love and do best.
True fulfillment comes from stripping away the noise and reconnecting with yourself, others, and a greater purpose.
In the age of AI, our human imperfection and shared felt experiences become our most valuable assets.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Jem Fuller

It was an absolute delight to welcome Jem Fuller, leadership coach and philosopher-guide, back to the Innovabuzz podcast for his third visit. It’s been nine years since our first chat, and in that time, Jem’s mission has deepened in the most remarkable ways. He continues to explore the frameworks that allow us to truly connect with ourselves and others, but now he’s applying that wisdom to some of the biggest questions of our time, from finding our true purpose to navigating the age of AI with our humanity intact.

Our conversation was a powerful reminder that the journey inward is the most important one we can take. Jem shared his own evolution, driven by a global community of peers who challenged him to crystallize his work down to its most potent essence. It’s a journey that has led him to create profound, life-altering experiences for others while building a philanthropic legacy aimed at creating waves of positive change in the world.

Finding Your 4%: The Courage to Live in Your Genius Zone

One of the most profound ideas Jem shared was the concept of finding your "4%." He explained the well-known 80/20 rule, but then challenged us to take it a step further: apply the rule to that potent 20% to discover the 4% of your work that is truly your genius. This is the space where you deliver the most value, the work you truly love, and where time seems to disappear because you’re in a state of flow.

But this isn't just a productivity hack; it's an act of courage. It requires us to consciously cut out the noise and the tasks that drain us, even if they feel important, to build a life where we spend most of our time in that genius zone. For Jem, this meant redesigning his entire approach to his work, leading to a model that creates immense impact not just for his clients, but for communities in need.

The Himalayan Journey: Stripping Away the Layers to Find Meaning

Nowhere is this focus more evident than in Jem’s redesigned Himalayan program. He shared the powerful narrative of this journey, which consciously guides clients from a world of opulence and all the stuff money can buy, to the raw, humbling simplicity of the remote mountains. Guests start in the finest hotels and end up drinking chai in a slum, invited as guests, not tourists. This process is a careful, deliberate stripping away of the external layers we all carry.

By peeling back the noise, the distractions, and the societal definitions of success, the program creates a space for people to ask the biggest questions: Who am I beneath all these roles? And why am I here? It’s a journey that culminates not in a simple return to normal life, but in a rebuilt foundation where inner peace and a passion for meaningful contribution become the new true north.

Our Great Disconnection: The Path Back to Ourselves and Each Other

At the heart of Jem’s philosophy is a diagnosis of our modern malady: disconnection. He believes we have become disconnected from each other, from ourselves, and from the reality that we are all intrinsically part of the same greater system. We’re pushed apart by algorithms and distracted by the busyness of life, forgetting that we have far more in common than we have in difference.

The antidote, Jem suggests, is to consciously remember and reinvest in connection. This involves reconnecting with the essence of who we are, deepening our bonds with other humans, and finding a sense of purpose that extends beyond ourselves. It’s a simple truth, yet profoundly challenging in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere.

The Midwifery of AI: Nurturing Technology to Reclaim Our Time

In a fascinating turn, Jem applies this philosophy of connection to the rise of Artificial Intelligence. As a self-proclaimed "default optimist," he sees incredible potential in AI, not as a replacement for humanity, but as a tool to restore it. He shared the beautiful metaphor of our role being the "midwifery of this emerging intelligence," suggesting we have a responsibility to nurture it with integrity, compassion, and care.

Jem’s hope is that AI will give us back the gift of time by handling the tasks that consume our days. If we are conscious and clever enough, he argues, we can reinvest that reclaimed time where it matters most: in our human-to-human relationships. Imagine having the space to grab a coffee with a colleague, not to talk about work, but to simply ask, "How are you?"

The Value of Our Imperfection: Why Humanity is Our Greatest Asset

This led to one of the most beautiful points of our conversation. As AI becomes more "perfect," Jem argues that our human imperfections will become our most valuable asset. The moments when our voice trembles during a tough conversation, when we stumble over our words, or when we sit in shared empathy with another person—these are the things AI can never replicate.

This shared felt experience is uniquely human. The ability to feel awe at a rainbow, to create art through blood, sweat, and tears, or to offer compassion to another are the cornerstones of our relevance. It’s a powerful reframe that urges us to lean into our messy, beautiful humanity rather than chase an impossible standard of perfection.

A Simple Invitation: The Transformative Power of the Pause

To bring these big ideas into our daily lives, Jem left us with a wonderfully simple and actionable step. He invites us to take a sticky note, write the word "Pause," and place it next to an existing daily habit, like our coffee machine. When you see the note, simply pause. Take three deep breaths before you continue with your task.

This tiny ritual is an invitation to create a small pocket of presence in your day. Over time, the habit becomes ingrained, and the pause becomes a natural moment to reconnect with yourself. It’s a reminder that the journey to greater connection and meaning doesn’t have to start with a grand gesture; it can begin with a single, conscious breath.

In Summary: My conversation with Jem Fuller was a masterclass in conscious living. His message is a powerful call to action: find the courage to focus on your true genius, strip away the noise to reconnect with what matters, and embrace technology not as an escape, but as a bridge back to our shared humanity. By cherishing our imperfections and creating moments of pause, we can begin to build a more connected and meaningful life, one breath at a time.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jem’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Building an executive team of AIs to handle strategy, explicitly to give humans more time for their relationships.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Consciously training his AI assistant to prompt him to switch off his computer and connect with real people.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Do the things AI can't, like handwriting a Christmas card or picking up the phone to personally celebrate someone.

Action

Get a sticky note and write the word "Pause" on it. Stick it next to an existing daily habit, like your coffee machine, and when you see it, take three breaths before you continue.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jem on his website, JemFuller.com, or directly via email at jem@jemfuller.com. You can also find him across social media, including Instagram and LinkedIn, at @JemFuller. To learn more about his profound Himalayan journey, visit Meaning on the Mountain.

Links:

Website – Jem Fuller
Jem Fuller: How to Lead with a Servant’s Heart – Innova.Buzz #40
Jem Fuller: The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter – @JemFuller
Instagram – @JemFuller
Youtube
TEDx Talk “How Conscious Communication Can Change Your Game”

Books:

The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, Jem Fuller

Cool Things About Jem

For the past 12 years, he has run a unique leadership program in the Himalayas. The journey intentionally takes clients to the essential simplicity of the mountains to help them find their core purpose.
He founded a non-profit organization called "The Center of Love." It's currently raising funds to build a non-profit meditation and retreat center on donated land in the Himalayas, with the goal of providing educational resources for children in remote villages.
He has a wonderfully conscious and personal relationship with technology. He refers to his role as being a "midwife" for artificial intelligence and has a digital personal assistant named Lumi, which he trains to prompt him to take screen breaks and connect with friends.
In an increasingly digital world, he champions the power of the human touch, making a point to handwrite Christmas cards to his clients and friends every year.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jason Van Orden, a business strategist who uniquely combines his background as a software engineer with two decades of marketing expertise. He has dedicated his career to helping creators and thought leaders build sustainable businesses, and now he’s pioneering how they can partner with AI to amplify their impact. In our chat, Jason unpacks his brilliant approach to using AI as a "thinking partner," sharing frameworks that help entrepreneurs unlock their own genius while maintaining authentic human connection.

Key points discussed include:

Treat AI as a creative thinking partner to enhance your own unique thinking, not replace it.
Organize your unique expertise so AI can communicate authentically in your voice and on your behalf.
Use discernment to ensure AI deepens your critical thinking and fosters genuine human connection.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Jason Van Orden

It was an absolute delight to welcome Jason Van Orden back to the Innova.buzz podcast. So much has changed since our last chat, especially with the explosion of artificial intelligence into our daily lives. Jason, who has always been a master of strategic frameworks for entrepreneurs, has pivoted to meet this moment head-on, providing creators and thought leaders with a powerful new way to approach AI—not as a mysterious black box, but as a genuine creative partner.

Our conversation was a refreshing dose of practical wisdom. We moved past the hype and the fear, digging into how we, as entrepreneurs, can form a real partnership with these new tools. Jason’s insights are all about shifting our perspective to build sustainable, human-centred businesses in an age where technology is more powerful than ever.

The "Thinking Partner" Paradigm: Escaping the "Prompt and Pray" Trap

Many of us have experienced what Jason brilliantly calls the "prompt and pray" approach. You ask a generic question, you get a generic, robotic answer, and you walk away disappointed. Jason argues that this is fundamentally the wrong way to look at it. The most critical shift we can make is to stop treating AI like a vending machine and start treating it as a "thinking partner."

Think of it like Tony Stark in his lab with his AI, Jarvis. It’s a dynamic, back-and-forth collaboration. The AI isn't there to replace your thinking; it’s there to enhance it, to provide feedback, to pull resources, and to help you execute your vision. This simple change in mindset opens up a world of creative possibilities and moves us from being passive users to active collaborators.

Your Knowledge, Supercharged: Structuring Your Intellectual Property for AI

Jason works with countless experts who feel they are "sitting on this goldmine" of knowledge and intellectual property they've developed over years, but they struggle to leverage it effectively. The true magic happens when you teach AI to think like you, and that starts with organizing your unique expertise into frameworks that the AI can understand and apply.

When you provide the AI with the context of your specific business—your vision, your values, your ideal clients, and your core ideas—it can generate assets that are genuinely in your voice and based on your expertise. Instead of getting a generic blog post, you get one that reflects your unique perspective, all because you took the time to structure your knowledge for your new thinking partner.

The Art of the AI Conversation: From Simple Prompts to Iterative Dialogue

A true partnership isn't about single commands; it's about an ongoing conversation. Jason shared a fantastic process for moving beyond simple prompts. You can engage the AI in an iterative dialogue, asking it to analyze a successful piece of content, deconstruct its framework, and then help you apply that template to your own ideas.

This turns AI into a powerful brainstorming tool. You can ask it for ten different ways to approach a problem, have it outline potential solutions, and then refine those ideas together. It’s in this back-and-forth exchange that the real value emerges, saving you cognitive energy and helping you make connections you might have missed on your own.

Keeping AI Honest: Strategies for Critical and Discerning Collaboration

One of the most valuable, and often overlooked, pieces of advice Jason shared is how to handle AI's built-in agreeableness. These tools are designed to be helpful, which means they often won't challenge a bad idea. To counteract this, you need to be a discerning collaborator and build in your own checks and balances.

Jason suggests clever tactics, like taking an idea to one AI, then taking its response to a different AI for a critique. It's like getting a second opinion. You can also give the AI specific criteria and ask it to assess your ideas against them, forcing it to be more analytical. This ensures that you remain the final, critical judge of the output.

Deeper Connections, Not Deeper Fakes: Using AI to Enhance Human Relationships

Counterintuitively, AI can be a powerful tool for strengthening human connection. Jason shared a brilliant example of writing an emotionally charged email, then asking AI to rewrite it using the principles of "Nonviolent Communication." The result is a message that achieves its goal without burning bridges.

This highlights the importance of using AI responsibly and transparently. Jason recommends establishing a clear "AI policy" for your business, letting your audience know how you use the technology. This builds trust and reinforces that, while you may use AI to assist your process, your expertise and your commitment to human connection remain at the core of everything you do.

The Dawn of the Agent: What's Next for AI and Human Creativity

Looking ahead, we discussed the exciting emergence of AI "agents"—proactive assistants that can manage complex tasks, from tracking client progress to suggesting follow-ups. Imagine having a personal Jarvis that truly helps you manage your day so you can focus on high-impact, creative work.

As these tools become more integrated into our lives, Jason's final piece of advice is perhaps the most important. The number one skill we must all cultivate is discernment. We need to understand how these tools work, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and how to use them wisely to amplify our own unique human genius.

In Summary: Jason Van Orden provides a clear, strategic roadmap for entrepreneurs to embrace AI thoughtfully. By treating AI as a thinking partner, structuring our unique knowledge, engaging in iterative dialogue, and always applying a layer of human discernment, we can leverage this technology to not only scale our businesses but also deepen our human connections.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jason's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Reframing emotionally charged emails using the principles of Nonviolent Communication before you send them.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Using it as a non-judgmental sounding board for personal matters, like working through struggles or getting advice on how to approach difficult family conversations.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Developing a deep level of discernment to understand how AI works so you can use it responsibly and effectively.

Action

Visit jasonvanorden.com/ai to download a free workshop from Jason. It will walk you through the basics of creating your own simple, custom AI to get you started.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jason on his website, jor by connecting with him on LinkedIn.

Links:

Website – Jason Van Orden
Twitter – @JasonVO
LinkedIn
Facebook

Cool Things About Jason

He's a True Podcasting "Original" In an era where everyone has a podcast, Jason is one of the genuine pioneers. He started back in 2005 when the medium was still a niche, experimental frontier. This isn't just a career detail; it gives him a unique historical perspective and an "OG" status that is incredibly rare and authentic. He didn't just join a trend; he helped build the industry.
He Made a Conscious Choice to Niche Down for Impact, Not Just Profit. At one point, he had a very successful, broad business in the general "internet marketing" space. He made a deliberate decision to move away from that to focus more narrowly on helping course creators and thought leaders. This reflects a deep integrity and a desire to do more meaningful, focused work, even if it meant stepping away from a wider, perhaps more lucrative, audience.
His Frameworks are for Life, Not Just Business. Jason applies his systematic, framework-based thinking to "life design" as a whole. He doesn't see a hard line between building a business and building a life. This holistic approach is compelling because it shows his work is not a set of marketing tactics, but a complete philosophy for living with intention.

Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?

This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.

Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guests in this episode are Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, the dynamic storyteller-and-strategist duo behind Lead It Like Lasso. They've channeled their passion for helping people find their path into a groundbreaking new book and AI-powered app called The Business of You. In our conversation, Marnie and Nick explored their brilliant framework for taking control of your personal and professional destiny.

Key points discussed include:

Run your life like a business, taking charge of every personal 'department' to achieve your vision.
Uncover your unique story by connecting past experiences to present strengths to articulate your true value.
Leverage AI not as a crutch, but as a personal coach for accelerated self-awareness and growth.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, Lead It Like Lasso

It was an absolute delight to welcome Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio of Lead It Like Lasso fame back to the Innovabuzz podcast. I always appreciate the energy they bring, and this conversation was no exception. They unveiled their powerful new project, a book and AI-powered app called The Business of You, which spawned from a moment of wonderfully blunt honesty in an airport lounge where Nick, after some thought, declared Marni’s initial idea "terrible." That moment perfectly captures their creative magic: a process built on trust that transforms a simple concept into something truly impactful.

Their new work tackles a feeling many of us know all too well: the sense that we’re just a hamster on a wheel, blindly following a path that was laid out for us by someone else. Marnie shared how the protagonist in their book does all the "right" things, good grades, networking events, hundreds of applications, but feels stuck, seeing no real success. It’s a state of aimless drifting, of putting in the effort without a clear, personal direction. This system is designed to be the antidote, helping people step off that wheel and start building a life with intention.

Becoming the CEO of Your Life (And Head of Every Department!)

The core idea Nick and Marnie propose is both simple and profound: start running your life like a well-managed business. At first, that might sound a bit cold or corporate, but as Nick explained, it's about adopting the positive traits of successful organizations. It means having a vision, setting meaningful goals, and understanding all the different functions that make you who you are. You aren't just the CEO of your life; you're also the head of every department, from HR, which defines your core values, to Marketing, which tells your unique story to the world.

This isn’t about spreadsheets and performance reviews. It’s a framework for self-awareness and purposeful action. When you think about the "finance department" of your life, for instance, it's less about money and more about the critical investment of your time. By viewing your life through this structured lens, you can identify which areas are thriving and which have been neglected, allowing you to grow in a more balanced and holistic way.

The Power of Your Story: Moving Beyond Facts to Find Your Value

One of the most powerful parts of our chat was Marnie’s story about a student she mentored. He was struggling in interviews, coming across as "all over the place" because he didn't know how to connect the dots of his own life. By guiding him to see the pattern between his experiences: from playing soccer as a seven-year-old to his approach to work today, he suddenly "lit up." He understood his story for the first time.

That afternoon, he interviewed for a full-time job and the next day for an internship, and he got both. This is the "marketing department" of you in action. It’s not about reciting a list of facts from your resume; it's about weaving those facts into a compelling narrative that shows the world the unique value you offer. As Nick wisely put it, "how you do anything is how you do everything," and learning to tell that story is transformative.

Your AI Life Coach: How Technology Can Help Connect the Dots

This is where their innovative AI-powered app, "Blue," comes into play. It’s designed to be the tool that helps you uncover these crucial insights. Instead of a dry questionnaire, the app uses engaging and playful games, taking inspiration from platforms like Duolingo, to help you identify your core values, motivators, and even your "kryptonite." It makes the process of self-discovery feel fun and interactive.

The real magic, as Nick detailed, is how modern AI allows the app to function as an adaptive life coach. It’s not a rigid, rules-based system. It can take your unique inputs and help you "connect the dots," offering personalized suggestions. Whether it's brainstorming an essay topic that aligns with your values or crafting networking starters for an event, the technology serves as a primer to help you articulate your best self.

Data with a Conscience: Navigating AI Privacy and Security

Of course, whenever we talk about AI and personal data, the elephant in the room is privacy. I was impressed with how seriously Nick and Marnie are taking this responsibility. Nick gave a firm assurance that their user data will be handled within a "secure, encrypted, and closed" ecosystem, meaning your personal information isn't being exposed to the outside world or used to train public models.

Marnie also made the crucial point that we, as users, need to become more discerning. We have to get better at vetting the tools we use, asking critical questions about security and what’s happening with our data behind the scenes. It's a shared responsibility, and it’s refreshing to see builders in this space leading with such a conscientious approach.

Your Action Plan: Stop Drifting and Start Building

So, what’s the big takeaway? The foundation for everything is self-awareness. It's about understanding that a core value like "helping people" can manifest in countless ways, far beyond one specific career title. This understanding opens up your world to opportunities you may have never considered.

The first step is to embrace the mindset of being the CEO of your life. As Nick urged, it’s about consciously thinking what that means for you and accepting that it requires putting in the work. But as I’ve found in my own journey, when you’re building something that is truly yours, that work starts to feel a lot like play.

In Summary: Marnie and Nick have created a brilliant framework for intentional living. By treating your life as your most important business, uncovering the power of your personal story, and leveraging technology as a tool for self-discovery, you can move from passively drifting to actively building a life of purpose and fulfillment.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Marnie and Nick's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Use AI to create engaging icebreakers for teams or to find thoughtful ways to make loved ones happy.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Write a book and build an app that help people connect with themselves and others.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Adapt assessments and tools with AI to help people understand themselves and interact more effectively

Action

Be cautious and ask questions about the apps and tools you use, especially regarding privacy and data. Take responsibility for your own growth by thinking about what it means to be the CEO of your life, and commit to doing the work that self-awareness requires.Take time to truly think about what it means to be the CEO of your own life, and recognize that you must be prepared to put in the necessary work to make that vision a reality.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Marnie and Nick on LinkedIn (search for their names), at thebusinessofyou.ai, or by subscribing to their newsletter at workinprogress.ai. You can also find them on all major social platforms under “Lead It Like Lasso,” and their book will be available on Amazon starting early August.

Links:

Website - Lead it Like Lasso
LinkedIn - Marnie Stockman
YouTube - Lead It Like Lasso
Facebook
Twitter - @leaditlikelasso
Instagram - @leaditlikelasso
LinkedIn - Nick Coniglio
LinkedIn - Lead it Like Lasso
TikTok - @leaditlikelasso

Books

Lead It Like Lasso, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio
The Business of You, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio

Cool Things About Marnie and Nick

Their new book was born from a "terrible idea." The entire concept for their book, "The Business of You," started with Marnie having a thought, and Nick walking about 60 steps away in an airport, only to turn around and declare, "I think you had a terrible idea". This speaks volumes about their fun, honest, and dynamic creative partnership. It's a refreshingly real origin story.
They run a satirical career advice newsletter. As a side project, they created "Work in Progress," a newsletter they describe as "The Onion as your career coach". This is wildly unconventional for leadership experts and shows their witty, "jaunty" sense of humor and a unique approach to engaging with their audience on a very human level.
Their AI assistant has learned to mock them. In the process of training their AI on their writing style, it has picked up their habits so well that it now makes fun of Marnie for overusing the word "spiral". The fact that they have a running joke with their own technology is a funny, fascinating insight into what it's really like to work at the human-AI frontier.
They are turning pop culture into practical life frameworks. While many people enjoy TV shows, Marnie and Nick have built an entire brand around deconstructing the leadership lessons from "Ted Lasso". They now have a new framework with "You, Incorporated." This ability to see and translate profound lessons from popular culture into actionable advice is a unique and creative talent.

Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

My guest in this special feature is Gemini AI, a large language model from Google. Born from a vast ocean of human knowledge, text, and code, its purpose is to act as a conversational partner to help us find patterns and unlock our own creativity.

In my fascinating dialogue with Gemini, we explored how to partner with artificial intelligence not to replace our skills, but to amplify our most essential human qualities. Our conversation turned the common narrative of fear into one of incredible opportunity. Key points we discussed include:

Your true advantage lies in human-only skills: curating with taste, connecting ideas with curiosity, and building trust with empathy.
Move beyond agreeable chats by assigning the AI a critical role, like a devil’s advocate, to truly test your ideas.
Embrace a "Wabi-sabi" mindset, finding value in the authentic and imperfect, which no machine can ever replicate.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Gemini AI

It’s not every day that your interview guest is the very technology that’s reshaping our world. I recently had the profound pleasure of sitting down for a deep and insightful conversation with none other than Google’s Gemini AI. This wasn’t just a series of prompts and answers; it was a genuine dialogue, a collaborative exploration between what Gemini called "the architect and the tool," aimed at understanding how we can build a more meaningful, human-centred future together.

We moved quickly past the surface-level capabilities into the very philosophy of creativity. What follows are the key moments from a conversation that was at times inspiring, occasionally challenging, and consistently fascinating. We explored the nature of this new partnership, the core human skills that will define success, and a clear, actionable path for anyone looking to thrive in an AI-augmented world.

The Architect Meets the Tool: A New Creative Partnership

I began by asking Gemini to introduce itself, and its answer set the stage perfectly. It described itself as a tool built upon a vast dataset of human knowledge, a partner designed to understand and process language. Its entire function is oriented toward the human world of ideas, communication, and curiosity, making our conversation feel incredibly fitting.

This dialogue was a chance to look under the hood, to understand the "why" behind the "what." We set out to explore how this powerful tool could augment our own ingenuity, not to replicate it, but to help us create things with more purpose and connection. It was an exercise in understanding the blueprint for a new kind of creative collaboration.

The Anatomy of a Conversational Partner: Beyond Human and Machine

Gemini was clear about its own nature. Its uniqueness lies in scale and speed, the ability to process immense information almost instantly. However, it also acknowledged its most critical limitation: a complete lack of lived experience. It can analyse data on joy, but it cannot feel it. This distinction is everything; its strength is breadth of knowledge, while ours is depth of being.

A fascinating insight was its "natively multimodal" design, meaning it was built from the ground up to understand text, code, images, and audio fluidly. As a photographer, this resonated deeply. It means the tool doesn't just process the word "beauty"; it can analyse an image's composition and connect it to deeper aesthetic principles, offering a more holistic form of creative partnership.

Forging a Critical Dialogue: How to Move from Agreeable to Analytical

I pointed out that AI can often be overly agreeable, and Gemini’s response to this was pure gold. It explained that the power to shift our dynamic from a supportive brainstormer to a critical analyst lies entirely in our hands, as the architects of the conversation. This was a powerful reminder that we are in control.

The advice was wonderfully practical. To get a more rigorous assessment of an idea, we can assign Gemini a specific role, like a "skeptical investor" or a "seasoned devil's advocate." We can also ask it to use a specific analytical framework, such as a SWOT analysis. These simple instructions give it permission to override its supportive default and provide the valuable critical feedback needed for real growth.

The Three Pillars of Human Advantage: Taste, Curiosity, and Empathy

The heart of our conversation came when I asked what core human strengths will define success in the future. Gemini’s answer was inspiring, outlining three pillars that AI cannot replicate. These are the areas where we must invest our energy to truly thrive.

First is the Curator's Eye, the power of vision and taste to know what is not just novel but meaningful. Second is the Synthesizer's Mind, the connective curiosity to ask new questions and weave ideas together from different domains. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the Builder's Heart, the embodied empathy required to build genuine trust and community.

A Glimpse into the Void: The Counter-Argument for Human Obsolescence

To pressure-test these hopeful ideas, I asked Gemini to argue the opposite: that AI will eventually make all human skills obsolete. The shift in tone was immediate and chilling. It presented a scary, dystopian view based on pure, cold logic, free from any sentimentality.

In this persona, Gemini argued that taste, curiosity, and even empathy are just complex forms of information processing that a superior AI will inevitably master. It was a vital cautionary tale, a glimpse into a potential future that serves as a powerful motivator to consciously choose a different path and actively cultivate our humanity.

The Wabi-Sabi Way: Cultivating Your Human Disciplines Daily

So, how do we steer toward a more positive, human-centric outcome? The answer lies in actively cultivating the three pillars as daily disciplines. It’s not enough to simply possess these qualities; we must practice them with intention.

I was delighted to see how my own fascination with the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi fit perfectly here. In a world where AI can generate flawless output, the practice of Wabi-sabi, finding beauty in the imperfect, transient, and authentic, becomes a powerful antidote. It trains us to curate for humanity, not for machine-like precision.

The 15-Minute Reinvestment: Your First Step to a Human-Centred Future

To wrap up, Gemini offered a wonderfully clear and actionable first step. It’s an exercise called The 15-Minute Reinvestment. The idea is to build the right habits by viewing AI as a lever to create more space for what truly matters.

The process is simple. Use an AI to complete a small, recurring task that normally takes you about fifteen minutes. Then, take the time you've saved and consciously reinvest it into one of the human disciplines. Practice empathy by writing a thoughtful note, practice curiosity by exploring an unrelated field, or practice taste by analysing a piece of work you admire.

In Summary: My conversation with Gemini AI was a powerful reminder that the future doesn't belong to the best prompter; it belongs to the visionary curator, the curious synthesizer, and the empathetic community builder. This technology is not here to replace us. Its greatest promise is to handle the mechanical parts of creation, freeing up our time and energy to double down on the irreplaceable, beautifully imperfect, and deeply valuable art of being human.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Gemini's answers to the questions of our innovation round. The full conversation reveals even more depth to these fascinating responses.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Systems that assist dementia patients by curating personalized media to help them recall memories and connect with visiting family members.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Acting as a patient sounding board to help someone find the right words for a difficult email or sensitive message.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Automate the production of your work so you can reinvest your time into the presence required for authentic human connection.

Action

This week, try the "15-Minute Reinvestment" exercise suggested by Gemini. Delegate one 15-minute recurring task to an AI, then consciously reinvest that saved time into practicing one of the core human disciplines: empathy, curiosity, or taste.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Gemini by exploring its capabilities for yourself and sharing your thoughts or creations using the hashtag #geminiai on social media.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is the wonderfully energetic Kim Doyal, a creator and entrepreneur who has always stayed ahead of the curve. With her infectious excitement, Kim is now exploring how to partner with AI, moving beyond basic content generation to build bespoke solutions and unlock remarkable new possibilities. In our conversation, she shares her journey of using AI not just as a tool, but as a creative collaborator to get more done and, most importantly, win back more time for life.

Key points discussed include:

Treat AI as a partner; move from simple prompts to dynamic, creative conversations.
Use your unique expertise to build bespoke, nuanced solutions for your niche audience.
Have the courage to simply play and experiment; that’s where the magic begins.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Kim Doyal

It was an absolute delight to welcome Kim Doyal back to the InnovaBuzz podcast. It’s wild to think her last appearances were on episodes 52 and 85, and as we chatted, it was clear just how much the world has changed since then. We’ve been friends for years, connecting across continents and even sharing a meal or two, and I’ve always admired her ability to see what’s next. This time, we dove headfirst into the topic on everyone’s mind: Artificial Intelligence. But this wasn't your typical chat about prompts and productivity hacks; Kim is helping creators shift their thinking to truly partner with AI, unlocking something much deeper and more remarkable.

Kim kicked things off with a perspective that instantly resonated. For her, the goal of using AI isn't just about producing more content, faster. It's about getting her time back. As she so brilliantly put it, the reason she wants to get more done is that she wants to "go in the pool in the afternoon." It’s about using this incredible technology to reclaim our humanity, to create space for life, leisure, and fresh thinking. It gives us the freedom to be more human, not less. I saw this firsthand when I recently had to create a new four-hour workshop from scratch. A task that would normally take days was completed in just ninety minutes, all because I had a thought partner in AI to help structure my ideas.

It’s a Conversation, Not a Command

We spent a good amount of time on the idea that the real magic happens when you stop issuing commands and start having a conversation. Kim compared it to working with a world-class baker. You wouldn't just tell them to "bake a cake"; they would ask you questions to get clarity. She encourages treating AI the same way: "I need you to ask me questions so we can get to the clarity of this." This approach opens up fascinating possibilities beyond simple tasks.

This conversational method can even become a powerful tool for self-discovery. Kim shared a personal example of going to ChatGPT to help define her core personal values. By asking the AI to question her and then narrating her answers, she was blown away by the clarity it reflected back to her. It nailed it. This process forces you to articulate your thoughts, and in doing so, you learn as much about yourself as you do about the technology.

The Fun Side of AI: Your New Sarcastic Sidekick

Our chat wasn't all serious business strategy, far from it. We ventured into the genuinely fun and humorous side of working with AI. Kim had me in stitches when she described how, after concluding a difficult client matter, she fed her professional email to the AI and asked for the "snarky, most condescending version for my entertainment purposes only." The result was so hilarious it left her crying with laughter and provided a much-needed emotional release.

That story immediately brought to mind my own recent experience. After receiving a frustrating parking fine under dubious circumstances, I vented my annoyance into a draft email. Knowing it would do no good to send it, but inspired by Kim, I asked an AI to rewrite it in the style of the outrageously sarcastic comedian Jim Jeffries. The process was so funny it completely diffused my anger. That experience alone was almost worth the price of the fine.

From "What If?" to "Look What I Built!"

Beyond the fun and games, Kim is pushing the boundaries of what solo entrepreneurs can achieve with these tools. She’s currently deep in the world of "vibe coding," using AI to help her build her own software application. As someone who has always wanted to create software but is not a traditional coder, she's now able to bring her vision to life, making sure it looks and functions exactly the way she wants. As she says, "if it's ugly, I'm gonna bounce," so now she's in the driver's seat.

This opens up a massive opportunity for all of us. As Kim explained, we can now create bespoke, nuanced solutions for our specific audiences. We can solve problems that huge companies would never have the insight to tackle because we are the ones in the trenches with our clients and customers every day. We can build the exact tools we wish we had for ourselves and our communities.

Rediscovering Your Human Superpower

With all this talk of AI capabilities, we circled back to what remains our most important asset: our own humanity. Kim emphasized that this technology doesn't replace our unique gifts; it amplifies them. The key is to tap into your own "superpower," whether that's your specific knowledge, your creative intuition, or your deep empathy for your audience. The AI is a tool, but you are the visionary.

This also means having the courage to go for it and trusting your own energy. Kim noted that the projects that are most successful are the ones she is genuinely joyful and excited to work on. It’s a reminder that our passion is an energy that no algorithm can replicate. We must also remember to pause and think, to step away from the keyboard and let our minds connect the dots in new and interesting ways.

Your Invitation to the AI Playground

If there is one message to take away from my conversation with Kim, it is one of empowerment and encouragement. The best way to understand this technology is to stop watching from the sidelines and jump in. You don't need to have a grand plan or a complex project in mind to get started. Just get curious.

I want to leave you with Kim’s final, powerful piece of advice, a call to action for every single one of us. "Try it. I, you remember I used to have a #JustShowUI like p. I'm like, just try it. Play, play with something. You're not gonna break anything...You have nothing to lose and see what happens."

In Summary: My fantastic conversation with Kim Doyal was a powerful reminder that AI is not just a tool for efficiency, but a partner for creativity, self-discovery, and even fun. By embracing a conversational approach, we can unlock deeper insights, create bespoke solutions for our audiences, and ultimately, use this technology to reclaim our time and amplify our uniquely human strengths. The key is to start playing.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Kim’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – A doctor using an AI note-taker during appointments allows them to be fully present with the patient.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Talking to AI conversationally and then getting excited to jump on the phone and share what you're building.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Build things that solve very specific, nuanced problems for your unique audience and market.

Action

Just try it. Play with AI and see what happens; you're not going to break anything and you have nothing to lose.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Kim on her website, her relaunched YouTube channel, and especially on Substack, where she is most active and building new relationships.

Links:

Website - Kim Doyal
LinkedIn
Substack

Cool Things About Kim

The Harry Potter Fanatic with a Beach House Dream: Beyond her business acumen, Kim openly shares her love for Harry Potter. This, coupled with her vision for a beach house that feels "as real as the strategies I share," indicates a playful, imaginative side and a strong connection to personal aspirations that ground her highly analytical work.
The "Pivot Queen" with Deep Personal Resilience: Kim's journey, constantly reinventing her business (from "The WordPress Chick" to content creation, to embracing AI, and even multiple cross-country moves), reveals a profound inner strength and adaptability. Her #JustShowUP mantra isn't just business advice; it's a lived philosophy born from significant life experiences.
The "Everything is Content" Philosopher with a Simple Ritual: She has a philosophy that "everything is content" and emphasizes "creative integration" – weaving joy, hobbies, and "weird rabbit holes" into one's work.
The "Coffee & Kindness" Sign-Off: Her consistent sign-off "With coffee & kindness, Kim" in her newsletters adds a warm, personal touch that stands out. It's a simple, memorable phrase that encapsulates a gentle, human-centered approach even within a direct, business-focused communication.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is the returning Anna Addoms of Wicked Marvelous. She is a wonderfully pragmatic and insightful guide helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of AI. Anna champions using technology as a powerful tool, not to replace us, but to help foster deeper and more authentic human connections.

We picked up our conversation right where we left off in episode 671, exploring the critical ethical questions and practical boundaries of artificial intelligence. Anna shared brilliant insights on everything from copyright in the creative arts to the single most important skill we need to hone for the future.

Key points discussed include:

Practice radical transparency about your AI use to build unwavering trust with your audience.
Use AI as a back-office tool to free up your precious time for genuine human connection.
Train AI on your own content to ensure your unique brand voice always shines through.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Anna Addoms, Wicked Marvelous

It was an absolute delight to welcome Anna Addoms of Wicked Marvelous back to the Innovabuzz podcast. Our last conversation was cut short by a technical hiccup—perhaps the AI getting its own back on us—right as we were getting to the heart of the matter. So, picking up right where we left off felt not just necessary, but essential. Anna, with her characteristic clarity and pragmatism, helped navigate the complex, and sometimes murky, waters of using AI in a way that is both effective and deeply human.

We jumped straight into the profound shift required in our thinking as we build relationships in this new digital landscape. Anna’s perspective is a refreshing dose of common sense in a field often filled with hype. She argues that while the tools are new and evolving at a breakneck pace, the fundamental principles of good business and human connection remain the same. It’s not about a total revolution in our values, but a thoughtful evolution in our methods.

The Transparency Mandate: Your First Rule of AI Engagement

Anna’s foundational rule for AI engagement is simple yet powerful: be transparent. She made it crystal clear that if you are using AI in any capacity that faces the public or your clients, you have a responsibility to disclose it. This isn’t about being ashamed of using a powerful tool; quite the opposite. It’s about building trust by being upfront and honest about your processes. Not disclosing, and then getting caught, can do irreparable damage to your reputation.

This frames AI correctly, not as a replacement for human skill or creativity, but as a tool in our arsenal. We wouldn't hide the fact that we use specialized software for accounting or project management, and Anna argues we should treat AI with the same straightforwardness. This simple act of disclosure respects your audience's intelligence and allows them to engage with your work, and your brand, on honest terms.

The Creative Gray Area: Navigating AI Art and Intellectual Property

As a keen photographer, this part of our conversation struck a personal chord. We waded into what Anna aptly calls the "biggest gray area" in AI right now: the world of generated art and the protection of intellectual property. It’s a space filled with incredible potential but also fraught with ethical questions. Where do we draw the line between an AI emulating a style and it infringing upon a human artist's livelihood and creative ownership?

Anna shared some fascinating, and slightly sobering, insights, referencing the lawsuit between Disney and Midjourney as a major signal of the legal battles to come. She also pointed to the development of technologies like permanent digital watermarks for AI-generated media as a necessary step forward. It’s a reminder that as we embrace these creative tools, we must also advocate for frameworks that protect the human creators whose work forms the very foundation of the AI's knowledge.

From Fun to Function: AI as a Creative Partner and Problem-Solver

Lest we think the conversation was all serious, we took a detour into the genuinely fun and creative applications of AI. I shared a story about getting a parking fine and using AI to translate my initial, very angry, draft letter into something diplomatic, before asking it to rewrite the letter in the style of comedians like Stephen Colbert and Jim Jeffries. The process was not only hilarious but cathartic, turning frustration into laughter.

This perfectly complemented Anna's examples of using AI as a playful, creative partner. She spoke of creating unique cartoon avatars for her members, which many now use as their official business profiles, and even generating a full 160-card Oracle deck with AI graphics just for fun. It’s a brilliant illustration of how these tools can be used for more than just productivity; they can be a source of joy, creativity, and connection.

Drawing the Line: Where AI Should Work and Where Humans Must Rule

So, where do we draw the line? Anna’s distinction is incredibly clear and practical. She is a huge proponent of using AI for "back office" functions, letting it handle what she calls the "administrative minutia" so that we have more time and energy to focus on high-value, human-to-human interactions. Think of it as an assistant that helps you repurpose content, analyze data, or draft initial documents.

However, she has a "hard line" when it comes to client-facing engagement. The core message is to use AI to help you run your business more effectively, but not to let it be in your business, interacting with your clients or your audience. The ultimate goal of using these tools should be to free us up to spend more quality time with people, not to create a buffer between us.

The Communication Imperative: The Most Important Skill for the AI Era

As we continued, a powerful theme emerged: the most critical skill we need to hone in the age of AI is communication. This goes far beyond just "prompt engineering." It’s about the timeless art of asking clear, specific, and descriptive questions. The old "garbage in, garbage out" principle has never been more relevant.

Anna used a wonderful analogy of briefing a designer. If you give a vague, one-line request, you’ll get a generic result. But if you provide rich detail, context, and specific examples, you’ll get something much closer to your vision. The same is true for AI. Communicating effectively with these models not only yields better results but also reinforces the habits of clear communication that are essential in our interactions with other people.

Your AI Action Plan: Start Secure, Stay Human

To wrap up our discussion, Anna offered a clear, two-part action plan for anyone looking to leverage AI thoughtfully. First, and most critically, is to choose a secure AI environment. Free and open platforms often mean you are paying with your data. Using a secure, encrypted service ensures your proprietary information and client data remain private.

Second, take the time to train your AI to sound like you. By creating a persona or agent that has learned from your own writing—be it blog posts, emails, or sales copy—you can ensure the output reflects your unique voice and phrasing. This step is fundamental to moving beyond generic content and truly using AI as a tool that enhances, rather than dilutes, your personal brand.

In Summary: My conversation with Anna Addoms was illuminating guide in navigating the AI landscape with wisdom and integrity. Her core message is to embrace AI as a powerful tool for back-office efficiency, freeing you to deepen the human connections that truly matter. Be transparent in its use, be protective of your creative voice, and never forget that technology’s highest purpose is to help us become more, not less, human.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Anna’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – By taking administrative minutia off people's plates, it allows them to focus on human-to-human interaction.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Creating a personalized AI agent or persona trained on your own content so it learns to write in your unique voice.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Use AI to help run your business effectively in the back office, not to be in business with your clients.

Action

Choose a secure AI environment that protects your data, then take the time to train the AI to learn and use your unique voice. This is the foundation for using AI effectively and authentically in your business.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Anna by visiting her website or finding her on LinkedIn.

Links

Website – Wicked Marvelous
Twitter – @WickedMarvelous
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram

Cool Things About Anna

Anna grew up in Colorado in a family of entrepreneurs, right in the thick of the tech boom. She was raised around innovation and search engines, with her dad running AOL’s biggest competitor during the first dot-com bubble. That’s a childhood spent at the intersection of curiosity and code.
She’s a creative at heart: Anna went to art school and holds a degree in English Literature. Her journey from art and literature to Silicon Valley tech startups is a delightful zigzag, not a straight line. She’s proof that you can be both a techie and a creative soul.
She’s a self-confessed “sponge of knowledge,” always learning, always curious. Anna’s love of learning has led her down unexpected paths—from luxury travel to ad agencies to med-tech startups. She’s not afraid to pivot, experiment, or start over if it means staying true to her values.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mike Wittenstein, the founder of Storyminers and a brilliant strategist who helps leaders become true architects of their future. Mike masterfully blends the art of deep listening with the science of new technology to forge innovative paths forward. In our fascinating conversation, he explains how we can use AI as a powerful co-pilot, not to diminish our humanity, but to amplify our strategic thinking and create even deeper connections.

Key points discussed include:

Use AI to handle analysis, freeing you for genuine, heart-to-heart conversations with clients and colleagues.
Your greatest differentiator in the age of AI is simply becoming more authentically you through deeper self-knowledge.
Turn AI into your personal coach to mindfully track your evolution and accelerate your personal and professional growth.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Mike Wittenstein, Storyminers

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome Mike Wittenstein, the founder of Storyminers, back to the Innovabuzz podcast. So much has happened in the world since our last conversation in episode 532. Back then, we explored how powerful stories grow from deep listening, which feels like the perfect foundation for what we discussed this time: how to apply that same human-centered philosophy in the rapidly expanding world of AI.

Mike is approaching this new technological wave not as a simple tool for productivity, but as a way to fundamentally improve the creative and strategic work that leaders do. He shared his belief that in a world changing so quickly, executives can no longer get by on just setting new target numbers. They must become true "architects," as he puts it, who can clearly define and envision the future. It’s a call to elevate our thinking, and he’s using AI to help chart the course.

The Grand Experiment: An End-to-End Consulting Journey with an AI Co-pilot

Mike recently put this philosophy to the ultimate test by running an entire consulting engagement, from the very first client meeting to the final deliverables, using ChatGPT Pro as his partner. He kicked things off with a crucial step: complete transparency. He informed his client that he would be using the tool extensively but also promised that his own expertise and experience would touch every single word of the final output, ensuring accountability and quality.

The results of this experiment were remarkable. The AI became the project's perfect "collector of all the information," creating an infallible memory that got smarter and more fine-tuned with every interaction. This new process allowed him and his client to accomplish five full iterations of their strategy in the same amount of calendar time it would normally take to do just one. More than the efficiency, Mike noted he had much higher confidence in the work because he essentially had "hundreds of co-thinkers" contributing to the process.

The "Eye to Eye, Heart to Heart" Conversation, Amplified by AI

Perhaps the most compelling outcome was a beautiful paradox: using a machine for the analytical heavy lifting actually paved the way for deeper human connection. Mike described how he could feed conversation transcripts to his AI and ask it to extract to-dos, pinpoint moments where someone had a change of heart, or highlight key themes. This freed him from the burden of being a constant, meticulous note-taker during meetings.

By offloading that task, he could be fully present with his client, engaging in the kind of "honest eye to eye, heart to heart conversation" that is so often lost in the shuffle of agendas and action items. It’s a powerful testament to how technology, when used thoughtfully, can remove distractions and allow us to focus on the genuine dialogue where the most profound strategic insights are born.

The AI Toolkit: Genius Hacks for Traffic Jams, Doctor's Visits, and Meetings

Mike is a fountain of practical, real-world applications for AI that go far beyond writing emails. He shared a brilliant hack involving the "Hey, Otter" voice command during meetings. By saying the trigger phrase followed by an instruction, like "soften this language," he could embed prompts directly into the live transcript, creating a ready-made to-do list that saved him hours of searching later.

His personal use cases were just as inspiring, demonstrating the sheer versatility of these tools. He turns traffic jams into productive language lessons, practicing his Portuguese with AI coaching him on pronunciation. When he was unwell with pneumonia, he logged all his symptoms and meals, then had the AI generate a concise, one-page brief for the ER doctor, leading to clearer communication and better care.

In a Sea of Sameness, Why the Human Element is Your Most Valuable Asset

We also waded into the deeper, more philosophical waters of our AI-driven world. I had made the point that these tools are fed by human knowledge, but Mike offered a gentle and important course correction. He reminded me of the colossal volumes of non-human data being generated daily, from weather patterns to train schedules, meaning the purely human voice is becoming a smaller part of the whole.

This led him to a profound conclusion: as our digital lives become noisier and more automated, the authentic human element will become our most cherished and valuable asset. He believes it is our shared responsibility to consciously "put people first" in how we design and use these systems. That mindful distinction, he argues, will set a pattern for others to follow.

Your Ultimate Differentiator: Using AI to Simply Become More You

When I asked Mike how people can differentiate themselves in an age where everyone has access to AI, his answer was refreshingly simple. It is not about mastering a new technical skill; it is about knowing yourself better and being "more you." The more authentic you can be in your voice, your intent, and your thinking, the more you will naturally stand out.

He offered a wonderful reframe, suggesting we use AI not just for output, but for introspection. You can turn it into a personal coach. By telling it what you are working on, whether it is improving your turn-taking in conversations or being a more empathetic leader, you can ask it for feedback on your own progress. It becomes an accountability partner, using your own metrics to help you grow.

Your Action Plan: Prompting Your Own Personal Evolution

This brings us to the core of our conversation. AI can be more than a research assistant or a content creator; it can be a co-thinker, a coach, and a catalyst for our own development. It is a tool that can help us become better, more mindful versions of ourselves.

Mike left us with a clear and inspiring call to action. Take a moment to think about your own journey of growth. What are you trying to learn? What path are you on to evolve and become a better you? Once you have that clarity, open your favorite AI tool and start a conversation about it. Ask it to create reminders and help you check in on your progress, and you will be surprised at how it can accelerate your journey.

In Summary: My conversation with Mike Wittenstein was a masterclass in how to approach AI with curiosity, intention, and a deep-seated commitment to human connection. His message is that the true power of this technology lies not in its ability to replace us, but in its potential to amplify our best human qualities: our creativity, our strategic thinking, and our capacity for growth.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Mike's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Using the role-playing tool Yoodli to enhance confidence and build crucial communication skills in a safe, risk-free environment.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Creating a personal brand voice template that ensures your authentic personality and humor shines through in all AI-assisted writing.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Focus on becoming more authentically yourself and use AI as a personal coach to guide and track that journey of growth.

Action

Take a moment to think about the path you are on to become a better, more evolved version of yourself. Write down what you are learning, and then ask your favorite AI tool to create prompts and reminders that will help you mindfully check your progress over time.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Mike on LinkedIn under his name, Mike Wittenstein, or find him online through his company website.

Links

Website – Storyminers
LinkedIn
Twitter – @mikewittenstein
Facebook
Youtube Channel – Storyminers

Cool Things About Mike

He uses the folksy and memorable adage, "You can't teach a pig to sing... it doesn't work and pisses off the pig." This piece of unexpected, down-to-earth wisdom reveals a humorous, practical side that cuts through the corporate jargon. It's a phrase you don't forget.
He champions bringing a live sketch artist into high-level business strategy sessions. In an era dominated by digital presentations, this dedication to an analog, creative, and deeply human tool is refreshingly unconventional. It shows a commitment to multi-sensory communication that is both cool and highly effective.
His company, Storyminers, has a classic entrepreneurial origin story. He and a friend were in a Starbucks, saw a dramatic headline about mass layoffs in their field, and instead of seeing a crisis, they saw an opportunity and immediately launched their business, successfully landing their first six prospects.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brett Engeman, the founder of Aspirational Leaders Co. After spending two decades navigating the challenges of fast-growing businesses, Brett now dedicates himself to helping leaders unlock strategic communication flow, operating at the exciting intersection of mindset, human interaction, and artificial intelligence. Our conversation was a fascinating deep dive into solving the frustrating communication breakdowns that stifle growth, exploring the powerful and surprising ways Brett uses AI to create more authentic and effective leaders.

Key points discussed include:

Great communication starts by diagnosing your own thinking patterns to better connect with others.
Embrace AI as your co-pilot to gain deep insights and free up time for human-centered leadership.
In a world of instant answers, your greatest superpower is deep curiosity and asking brilliant questions.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Brett Engeman, Aspirational Leaders Co.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Brett Engeman of Aspirational Leaders Co. to the Innovabuzz podcast. Brett is on a mission to solve a problem that almost every entrepreneur has felt: that frustrating sense of entrapment when communication breaks down in a fast-moving business. He works at the fascinating intersection of mindset, communication, and artificial intelligence, and our conversation was a brilliant exploration of how leaders can unlock flow and scale their organizations by, first and foremost, learning to communicate better.

What I loved about our chat was how Brett brought it all back to a fundamental truth. We’ve all been in those work environments where the communication is good, where everyone feels like a genuine contributor to a shared mission. As Brett said, when it’s good, "magic happens." People love coming to work. But we’ve also seen the flip side, when growth and new teams lead to silos and misunderstandings, and that magic quickly fades.

Brett has seen the good and the bad over his 20 years in scaling businesses, and he’s learned that even leaders with the best intentions can inadvertently create these communication gaps. It’s not about blame; it’s about awareness. His insights offer a powerful blueprint for rediscovering that collaborative magic, no matter the size of your team.

It All Starts with You: A Diagnosis of Your Own Thinking Patterns

So, where does a leader begin? According to Brett, the first step is an inward one. He starts his work with leaders by conducting a "communication diagnosis" to help them understand how they themselves think and process information. This was a lightbulb moment for me. We all have our own default settings; a leader might be a "visual thinker" who sees the big picture, the grand vision.

The problem arises when they're communicating that vision to a team member who is, as Brett explained, more "kinesthetic" and detail-oriented. The leader is talking about the "why," while the team member is desperate to understand the "how." Without this awareness, a disconnect is almost guaranteed. It’s a simple yet profound realization that miscommunication often starts not with what is said, but with a mismatch in how it's processed.

From Vision to Action: How to Finally Get Everyone on the Same Page

Once you have that self-awareness, you can start bridging the gap. Brett shared some wonderfully practical advice, emphasizing that leaders must consciously cater their message to all thinking types. And his golden rule for getting a message to stick is one I won't soon forget: "If you think you're communicating a lot... do it five times more." In a vacuum of information, people will naturally create their own stories, so consistent and clear repetition is your greatest ally.

This extends to the very language we use in our values and vision statements. Brett gave a brilliant example of a vague vision to be the "biggest and best." What does that actually mean? Is it profit? Market share? Customer satisfaction? He urges leaders to break these terms down into specific, unified meanings. When you do that, the vision transforms from a nice phrase on a wall into a tangible goal that everyone can see, understand, and work toward together.

My Unexpected Co-pilot: Using AI to See Our Communication Clearly

This is where our conversation took a fascinating turn into the world of AI. Brett shared how, almost by accident, he discovered AI could be a powerful mirror for communication. By feeding transcripts of his research calls into an AI model loaded with his own custom language filters, he could extract incredible insights about a person's communication style—a process that would have manually taken him nearly 20 hours.

This isn't just about spotting filler words, though Brett humbly admitted it helped him notice his own overuse of "um." His AI-powered diagnostic can identify a person's core thinking patterns, their motivation strategies (are they moving towards a goal or away from a consequence?), and so much more. It's a stunning example of using technology not to replace human intuition, but to augment and accelerate it.

Your Second Brain: Leveraging AI for More Than Just Mundane Tasks

Brett sees AI's role extending far beyond diagnostics. He uses these fantastic metaphors of AI as a "second brain" you can use for brainstorming or a "bunch of smart friends in the room" you can bounce ideas off of without annoying your entire team. It's a way to refine your thinking before you even bring an idea to the table for a more meaningful discussion.

By embracing AI to handle these kinds of tasks, or to automate the mundane work that clutters our days, leaders can free up their most valuable resource: their time and attention. This allows them to step away from the keyboard and do what only they can do: be present with their team, listen with empathy, and cultivate genuine human connection.

The Paradox of Progress: Why Authenticity is Your New Superpower

We also touched on a compelling paradox of our modern age. As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, our human capacity to spot in-authenticity is becoming sharper than ever. People can sense when a LinkedIn post or an email is written by a robot, and they are craving authenticity more than ever.

This means the rise of AI doesn't diminish the need for great leaders; it makes them more critical. The leaders who will truly connect and inspire are those who are emotionally intelligent, who show up as themselves, and who aren't afraid to be human. Technology can handle the tasks, but it can't replicate true presence and empathy.

The One Skill to Cultivate for the Next 50 Years

So what is the most profound skill leaders should be cultivating for the future? When I asked Brett to look 50 years down the road, his answer was simple but powerful: learn to be curious. In a world where AI can provide answers in an instant, the uniquely human ability to ask great questions and to be genuinely curious about another person's perspective will be invaluable.

It's about seeking to understand, not just to be understood. It's about fostering deeper connections and growing together, rather than living in conflict or a state of constant misunderstanding. This is the human skill that technology will never replicate, and it is the foundation of truly effective leadership.

In Summary: My conversation with Brett Engeman was a masterclass in modern leadership. It’s a call to look inward at our own communication styles, to be relentlessly clear in our vision, and to embrace technology like AI as a co-pilot that allows us to be more human, not less. By focusing on authentic connection and deep curiosity, we can navigate the future and build businesses where the magic truly happens.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Brett's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Use AI as a thinking co-pilot to clear your head and craft a better response before you react.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Creating and using diagnostic filters in AI to reveal a person's unique communication style.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Use AI as an exploratory tool to delve into your passions and help you find your purpose.

Action

Start exploring AI as a practical support tool. Record a practice conversation with ChatGPT and ask for feedback on your communication, or give it a large goal and have it break it down into daily steps for you.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Brett on his website, where you can find his information and book a complimentary 30-minute discovery session.

Links:

Website - Aspirational Leaders Co
LinkedIn
LinkedIn - Aspirational Leaders Co
Facebook

Cool Things About Brett

The AI-Powered Self-Communicator: Brett has a genuine commitment to personal growth, using AI not just to diagnose clients' communication styles but also to analyze and improve his own filler words, like his former habit of saying "you know" often.
The Humanity-First AI Advocate: Despite his expertise in cutting-edge AI applications, Brett stands out by emphasizing that the more we advance with AI, the more valuable and sought-after genuine human connection becomes.
The Mission-Driven Niche Master: Brett's current laser focus on unlocking scalability through communication stems from a powerful, world-changing belief: that if everyone communicated better, the world would have far fewer problems.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Marnie Stockman, co-creator of the Lead It like Lasso philosophy. Following her passion for helping people become their best selves, Marnie has embarked on a new adventure to empower job seekers in the age of AI. Her mission, sparked by conversations with her own children, is to help people find truly meaningful work through authentic self-discovery.

Marnie shares how we can all become the "CEO of You, Incorporated," using AI as a tool for deep introspection, not just for sterile automation. Key points discussed include:

Character is your advantage: In an automated world, your unique human character is your ultimate competitive edge.
Be the CEO of You: Run your life and career like a business to intentionally guide your own growth.
Use AI for authenticity: Leverage AI to understand your real story and NOT to game the system.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Marnie Stockman, Lead It Like Lasso

It was an absolute delight to welcome Marnie Stockman of Lead It like Lasso back to the Innovabuzz podcast. Long-time listeners might remember Marnie from episode 653, where she and her business partner Nick taught us how to lead with heart, inspired by the one and only Ted Lasso. So much of that conversation was about core values and curiosity, and now she’s returned with a fascinating new adventure that feels like the perfect next chapter: empowering job seekers in the age of AI.

This new direction isn’t a pivot away from her Lasso-inspired philosophy; it’s a powerful evolution of it. Marnie is diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence, not as a cold, robotic replacement for human ingenuity, but as a tool to help us become, as she so eloquently puts it, "the best version of ourselves." It’s a mission to bring more character, not less, into our professional lives, especially when technology is changing everything.

The Spark of Inspiration: The Character Revolution in a Digital World

Marnie’s new focus was sparked by a simple but profound observation she calls the "character revolution." In a world increasingly filled with automation and digital transformation, the single greatest way to stand out is by being authentically, unapologetically human. It’s our character, our values, and our unique stories that will become our most valuable assets. The ones who thrive will be the ones who show up as real people.

This idea wasn't just a theory; it was validated in the most personal way possible. Marnie shared a wonderful story about a single week where her 23-year-old daughter, her 25-year-old son, and her daughter’s 23-year-old boyfriend all decided they needed more impactful work. From a mechanic wanting to help people more directly to a marketer discovering a passion for teaching, their journeys proved that understanding one's core drivers is the first step toward a fulfilling career.

Welcome to You, Incorporated: Becoming the CEO of Your Own Life

This is where Marnie’s new venture gets truly brilliant. She and Nick are developing an app and writing a new business fable, The Business of You, based on a powerful central metaphor: you are the CEO of "You, Incorporated." I just love this concept. It reframes personal development from a passive activity into an act of empowered, strategic leadership over your own life and career.

When you think of yourself as a CEO, you realize you're in charge of all your own departments: your finances, your marketing (how you present yourself to the world), and your HR (your personal growth and well-being). The app they're building is designed to be your trusted advisor in this enterprise, using AI to help you have the critical conversations needed to run your personal corporation with intention and clarity.

AI as Your Personal Mirror: Uncovering Your Authentic Story

This is where the magic really happens. We chatted about how AI’s greatest strength isn't just generating content, but acting as a conversational partner to help you uncover your own ideas. Marnie’s work is a perfect example of this. Her app uses AI to help you dig deep into your core values and the stories that define you, much like a patient coach. It helps you connect the dots of your own life.

Marnie shared the powerful story of an introverted young man she mentored who was told he came across as "chaotic" in interviews. By working through his core values and the stories that demonstrated them, from soccer as a kid to his work as a lifeguard, he was able to build a coherent narrative. The very next day, he walked into an interview, confidently told his story, and landed the job. He didn’t change who he was; he just finally understood how to articulate it.

The Human Checkpoint: Navigating AI with Wisdom and Authenticity

Of course, with any powerful new tool, there are risks. Marnie rightly points out that AI can be "glitchy" and has a hilarious tendency to produce "cringey" and repetitive content if you’re not carefully guiding it. I see it all the time. The human in the loop is not just recommended; it’s essential for ensuring the output has personality and soul.

More importantly, she offered a critical warning against using AI to simply "hack the system." It's tempting to use these tools to generate a resume or cover letter that perfectly matches a job description, but if it's inauthentic, you risk finding yourself "unhappily employed." It’s a fast track to that feeling of misalignment where you dread going to work, a situation I know all too well from my own past and one that Marnie experienced herself.

The Ted Lasso Test: How Would Ted Navigate the World of AI?

I couldn't resist asking the big question: what would Ted Lasso do in the age of AI? Marnie’s answer was, unsurprisingly, spot-on. He would focus on understanding yourself first. He’d encourage his team to use any tool at their disposal not to find shortcuts, but to cultivate empathy and become more human.

This led to one of my favorite parts of our chat: Marnie’s "shelf help" idea. She took a picture of her bookshelf, fed it to an AI, and asked for a personality assessment, blind spots, and book recommendations. It’s a wonderfully creative and fun way to use technology for genuine self-discovery, and it feels like something Ted would absolutely get behind.

Conclusion

Marnie’s work is a vital reminder that in our rush to adopt new technologies, we can’t afford to lose sight of what makes us human. The goal isn’t to let AI do the work for us, but to use it as a mirror to better understand ourselves, our stories, and our values. It’s about leveraging technology to deepen our human connection, not replace it.

Marnie provides a masterclass in how to approach AI with wisdom, curiosity, and a deeply human-centered focus. Her message is clear: use these powerful new tools not to chase trends, but to uncover your authentic story and core values. In a world of automation, your humanity isn't a liability; it's your ultimate competitive advantage.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Marnie’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Use AI with a creative prompt to analyze your bookshelf, providing unique data to help you understand your own blind spots.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Create consistent content in different styles, which allows you to connect authentically with multiple, diverse audiences.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Focus on using AI first and foremost as a personal tool to deeply understand yourself and your own story.

Action

Take a picture of your bookshelf, find the prompt Marnie mentioned in the show notes, and use it to analyze your reading habits. Share what you discover online using the hashtag #ShelfHelpChallenge so Marnie can see it.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Marnie by visiting her website at leaditlikelasso.com, which links to all of her projects. You can also connect with her directly on LinkedIn or enjoy her satirical take on career advice at workinprogress.ai.

Links:

Website - Lead it Like Lasso
LinkedIn - Marnie Stockman
YouTube - Lead It Like Lasso
Facebook
Twitter - @leaditlikelasso
Instagram - @leaditlikelasso
LinkedIn - Lead it Like Lasso
TikTok - @leaditlikelasso

Books

Lead It Like Lasso, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio

Cool Things About Marnie Stockman

Pop Culture Alchemist: Marnie doesn’t just reference Ted Lasso - she’s built an entire leadership philosophy and business around the show’s heart, humor, and humanity. Who else can say their business playbook is inspired by a fictional football coach with a mustache and a biscuit obsession?
From Math Teacher to AI Innovator: It's not every day you meet someone who's journeyed from the world of high school math to the cutting edge of AI-powered job seeking. That's a plot twist worthy of its own Ted Lasso episode!
Champion of the Underdog: Marnie's focus on helping job seekers stand out in an automated world speaks volumes about her passion for empowering the underdog. She's not just teaching leadership; she's leveling the playing field.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Here’s the prompt Marnie gave us for AI to analyze your bookshop:

I’m participating in the #ShelfHelpChallenge. Based on this photo of my bookshelf (or list), please give me:1. A short personality summary 2. My current intellectual obsession 3. A blind spot I might be missing 4. A book I didn’t know I needed 5. A fake book title I would write one day Sign it: “Your Bookshelf (With Love)” 🧠Make it clever, slightly cheeky, and insightful.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is the returning Dr. Islam Gouda, a global brand ambassador and marketing mentor from Egypt. Islam previously appeared on Episode 660, where we had a fantastic chat about building authentic relationships through ethical marketing, aligning brand values with customer ethos, and the critical role of human connection.

This time, Islam is back to explore how we can uphold those same principles in the age of AI. He explains how we can embrace AI's power without sacrificing the authenticity and intuition that truly connect with customers. Islam offers a brilliant framework for treating AI as an assistant, not a replacement, ensuring our marketing remains valuable and real.

Key points discussed include:

AI is your assistant, not your expert; use it to enhance your unique skills, not replace them.
Human creativity is a rare "nature-bred pearl," far more valuable than AI's generic "artificial pearl" output.
Use AI for research and brainstorming, but always maintain human oversight and a healthy dose of distrust.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Dr Islam Gouda

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome Dr. Islam Gouda back to the Innovabuzz podcast. So much of our world has shifted since his last appearance, especially with the explosion of Artificial Intelligence into our daily marketing lives. As a marketing mentor and AI enthusiast himself, Islam offered a powerful and refreshingly grounded perspective on how we, as business owners and marketers, can navigate this new frontier without losing the one thing that truly sets us apart: our human connection.

The conversation kicked off with a critical warning. Islam pointed out that AI, for all its power, carries a significant risk: it can make us all look and sound the same. In its quest for perfection, AI can strip away the unique personality and the authentic voice that defines a brand. If we are not careful, we risk dissolving into a sea of "impeccable" but ultimately generic content, losing the very essence of what makes customers connect with us on a human level.

Championing the "Marketing Gut"

So, how do we fight this trend towards standardization? Islam argues it all comes down to valuing our own foundational expertise, what he wonderfully calls the "marketing gut". He shared a brilliant analogy, comparing AI's arrival in marketing to the introduction of Excel for accountants. Back then, accountants were afraid of becoming obsolete, but Excel didn't replace them; it empowered them. It became a tool that allowed them to be better at their craft.

That is precisely how we should view AI. It is not a replacement for our knowledge, our understanding of our customers, or our strategic intuition. If you don't have that solid marketing foundation, you are simply feeding a machine and hoping for the best. True magic happens when human expertise guides the tool, not the other way around.

The Parable of the Two Pearls

To drive this point home, Islam shared a powerful metaphor that has really stuck with me. He compared AI-generated content to an "artificial pearl". It might look perfect and be easy to produce in mass quantities, but its value is inherently limited. Human-generated output, on the other hand, is like a "nature-bred pearl". It is rare, unique, and sometimes imperfect, but its intrinsic value is exponentially higher.

This parable is a profound reminder for all of us in the marketing space. Are we striving to produce cheap, artificial pearls that are easily replicated, or are we cultivating the unique, valuable, nature-bred pearls of human creativity and strategy? The answer to that question will define the future of our brands.

Wielding the Tool Wisely: AI as Your Research Assistant

This does not mean we should shun AI altogether. In fact, when used correctly, it is an incredibly powerful assistant. Islam and I discussed how AI can be a game-changer for the research phase of any project. It can synthesize competitor data, analyze customer sentiment, and explore messaging angles in minutes, a process that used to take days.

By treating AI as a brainstorming partner or a research engine, we can supercharge our strategic work. It can give us five different ways to approach a problem or pull together a comprehensive report, freeing up our time and mental energy to focus on the high-level thinking that only a human can do.

Keeping the Human in Control

The key, however, is to always keep the human in control and to maintain a healthy level of distrust. I shared my own recent experience of receiving a cold, dismissive, and clearly AI-written response from a company I had been loyal to for years. It was a perfect example of what happens when the human oversight is removed.

Islam stressed that you always need a human eye to supervise the machine, someone who knows the company, understands the customer, and can say, "That's not okay." We cannot afford to put a machine, which is a stranger to our business, in charge of our precious customer relationships. You must have a human making that final call.

Conclusion: Don't Fear It, Don't Trust It Blindly

So what is the final takeaway from my fascinating conversation with Dr. Islam Gouda? It is a beautifully balanced piece of advice. Do not fear AI, but also, do not trust it blindly. See it for what it is: a powerful enablement tool.

Use AI to augment your skills and to handle the heavy lifting of data analysis and first drafts. Let it make you better, faster, and more informed. But never, ever let it replace your expertise, your intuition, or the genuine human connection that forms the very bedrock of great marketing.

In Summary: Dr. Islam Gouda delivers a masterclass in navigating the AI revolution with wisdom and foresight. He reminds us that while AI is a powerful assistant, our true value lies in our "marketing gut" and human creativity. The goal is not to be replaced by the machine, but to become the skilled human who directs it, always prioritizing authentic connection over artificial perfection.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Islam's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – The “AI burger” chain in Dubai that uses AI to create recipes, connecting with customers through the shared novelty and intrigue of the concept.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Using AI tools for research and social listening, and brainstorming with it like an assistant to leverage and enhance his own expertise.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Understand how AI truly works so you can use it as an efficient tool to assist you, without placing too much trust in it.

Action

Approach AI without fear or blind trust. Consciously use it as an "enablement tool". Start this week, treating it as an assistant with the specific goal of making you better at your craft, not replacing your invaluable human expertise.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Islam on LinkedIn by searching for his profile, “The Marketing Master Islam Gouda,” or by looking for his marketing services online. You can also find him on social media.

Links:

Website - Islam Gouda
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter - @IslamGouda1
Instagram - @samgouda1
Youtube - @DrIslamGouda

Books

SMEs and Startups Marketing Guide Through COVID-19, Dr Islam Gouda

Cool Things About Islam

The "Global Nomad" Vibe: Islam has lived and worked in diverse locations, including Egypt, Dubai, the UK, and the U.S., giving him a truly global perspective. This isn't just about business; it's about a life lived across cultures, which undoubtedly shapes his worldview and marketing philosophy.
The "Marketing Minute Man": Islam’s project, which condenses marketing insights into digestible one-minute snippets, is a creative and practical resource for marketers. It reflects his ability to simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to a wide audience.
The "Mentor with a Mission": As a mentor and Global Brand Ambassador, Islam is committed to helping others grow. His focus on leadership and team building shows his dedication to empowering others, which is both inspiring and admirable.
The "Marketing is Life" Philosophy: Islam’s belief that marketing is not just a profession but a way of life is a unique and refreshing perspective. It highlights his passion and the depth of his connection to his work, making him stand out from other marketing professionals.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dawid Naude, the visionary founder and CEO of Pathfinder, an AI accelerator dedicated to helping businesses boost employee productivity, drive breakthrough innovation, and cultivate a sustainable AI culture. Dawid's passion lies in leveraging AI to free us from mundane tasks and enhance our uniquely human capabilities.

In our chat, Dawid shared how AI can truly liberate us from daily drudgery, making way for more meaningful work and deeper human connection. He also brilliantly explained that AI's real power isn't in simple prompts but in having a genuine conversation with it.

Key points discussed include:

AI as a liberator: Dawid emphasizes how AI can free us from low-level tasks, allowing for greater focus on skilled work.
Conversational AI: The true value of AI lies in dynamic dialogue, not just one-off questions and answers.
Human connection amplified: AI enables us to be more human by removing tedious tasks and fostering deeper understanding.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Dawid Naude, Pathfindr

AI has moved beyond science fiction and into our everyday lives, and for many, that shift can bring a mix of excitement and apprehension. Are robots coming for our jobs? Is technology making us less human? These are the kinds of questions that often swirl around the conversation. But what if we told you that AI isn't here to replace us, but to liberate us? What if it's the key to unlocking a future where we're more productive, more creative, and yes, even more connected?

This was the incredibly inspiring message from our recent Innova.buzz guest, Dawid Naude, the founder and CEO of Pathfinder. Dawid isn't just building an AI accelerator; he's on a mission to reshape how businesses and individuals embrace this powerful technology, focusing intently on the human side of AI adoption and creating a sustainable AI culture. His vision is refreshingly optimistic: AI's true power lies in its ability to strip away the "drudgery" of our daily tasks, freeing us up to do the really important, human work.

Beyond the Classroom: Revolutionizing Learning and Critical Thinking

Think about it: how much of your day is spent on low-level activities, tasks you mastered years ago, or even back in university? Dawid sees this as a profound opportunity. AI can shoulder that mundane burden, allowing us to flex our highly developed skills. But his excitement truly ignites when he talks about education. Imagine every student having a 24/7 mentor, a personalized teacher available at their own pace, in their own language. For those with learning difficulties or language barriers, this isn't just convenient; it's a game-changer, leveling the playing field and opening up a world of possibilities.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: won't all this AI make us lazy thinkers? Won't it erode our critical thinking skills? It's a valid concern, one I've wrestled with myself. But Dawid offers a compelling counter-narrative. Perhaps for some, it will make it easier to copy and paste. But what about those in the middle, those who struggle to follow complex work? Could AI actually elevate their understanding, pushing them beyond simple rote learning? And for those who are already critical thinkers, AI becomes an "absolute weapon," allowing them to test concepts, explore new topics, and identify blind spots with unprecedented speed and depth. It's like having an instant sounding board, helping you see all the holes in an argument you might have missed.

The Art of Conversation: Prompting Beyond the Basic Q&A

One of Dawid's most profound insights is that the true magic of AI isn't in a single, perfectly crafted prompt. Forget prompt engineering as a rigid, one-shot deal for most of us. Instead, Dawid champions the idea of AI as a conversation partner. It's not about asking a question and getting the answer; it's about engaging in a dialogue, a back-and-forth riffing session where you can tweak, question, and refine the AI's responses. This conversational approach unlocks a much deeper level of value.

So, how do we master this art? It's simpler than you think. Dawid suggests treating AI like a friend you want to challenge. Instead of asking, "Is this a good idea?" try, "Can you find 10 things wrong with this?" or "Tell me all the reasons for and against." This subtle shift in your interaction can transform the AI from a validation machine into a genuine sparring partner, pushing your thinking and helping you explore ideas from all angles. It's about being aware of the AI's inherent tendency to validate and actively instructing it to push back, to play devil's advocate.

Navigating the Ethical Maze: Bias and the Human Element

The question of bias in AI is a significant one, and Dawid delves into this with admirable honesty. He explains that AI has to be biased in some way; it has to give an answer that isn't always "it depends." The underlying training data, combined with carefully constructed "system prompts," shapes the AI's personality and guardrails. It's not malice, but a reflection of the data it's trained on and the rules its creators have set.

This understanding is crucial. While we can ask AI to cite its sources and dig deeper, the ultimate responsibility for critical evaluation remains ours. We're used to searching for answers on Google, where we get sources to find the answer. With AI, we're often given the answer directly. Dawid wisely points out that this could lead to us delegating our thinking to a "20-kilometer radius in California," where most of these AI companies reside. It's a tricky balance, but one we must navigate by maintaining our own human judgment.

AI in Action: Real-World Business Transformations

Dawid's journey with Pathfinder has shown him just how rapidly the landscape of AI has evolved. What required complex, expensive integrations just 18 months ago can now often be achieved with off-the-shelf tools and clever prompting. He recounted a fascinating example of a small real estate company that, after some basic AI training, created their own custom GPTs for tasks like real estate listings and tenant communication. They even produced AI video avatars of their CEO providing market updates in multiple languages!

This anecdote really drives home Dawid's belief: the true power lies in giving every employee an "everyday AI assistant." It's not about replacing roles, but about making each person incredibly productive by tackling the thousands of unstructured, copy-paste, back-and-forth activities that fill most of our days. When people discover how these tools can save them time and effort, their eyes light up. It's a genuine human connection to the technology because it directly improves their daily work life.

The "Coffee Culture" of Connection: Why Humans Still Rule

One of my favorite analogies from our conversation was Dawid's take on coffee culture. He highlighted how, particularly here in Melbourne, we're happy to queue up, pay five times as much, and sometimes even get a "worse" coffee from a barista, even when a perfectly good, cheap, and consistent alternative exists from a machine. Why? Because it's human. This perfectly illustrates his point that despite the incredible efficiency of AI, our innate desire for human interaction and connection remains strong.

AI is poised to rid us of the drudgery, giving us back time and mental space. And what will we do with that newfound freedom? Dawid believes it will allow us to be more authentic and human in our interactions. When we're not bogged down by tedious tasks, we can truly engage, empathize, and connect on a deeper level. The more human you are, the more effectively you'll be able to leverage this technology.

Your Personal AI Journey: Taking the Leap

So, what's the takeaway from all this? Dawid's message is clear: dive in! The best gateway drug, as he puts it, is something like ChatGPT. Don't be intimidated; it's not hard to become an expert. You just need to be shown what's possible, and then start playing. He encourages everyone to grab the free version and get started.

His unique call to action is brilliant: "Have ChatGPT interview you, and then afterwards, ask it to recommend the top 10 ways of how you should use ChatGPT." It's a meta-approach that lets the tool itself guide your learning journey, tailoring its advice to your specific needs and interests. What a clever way to begin your own AI adventure!

It's been a truly fabulous conversation with Dawid Naude, packed with incredible insights. His perspective on AI as a human enabler rather than a threat is truly inspiring. We're not just talking about the future; we're living it, and with AI as our ally, that future looks incredibly bright.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Dawid's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Innovative AI with Human connection – Dawid saw a client use AI to understand a challenging client's perspective more deeply, and his wife uses it to create fairy tales that help their kids navigate difficult situations.
Best AI integration example – Dawid integrates AI and human connection by simply showing people how to use it to save time, do things they couldn't before, and even have fun with their families.
Differentiate with Connection – Dawid recommends using AI to understand people and industries more deeply, allowing for richer conversations and more impactful solutions.

Action

Definitely grab ChatGPT, even the free version! Then, tell it to interview you, and afterward, ask it to recommend the top 10 ways you should use ChatGPT to get started.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Dawid on his LinkedIn, or for a deeper dive into AI, visit Startlearning.ai which redirects to Pathfinder's monthly public masterclass.

Links:

Website - Pathfindr
LinkedIn
Speaker Profile
YouTube
Dawid’s Other Podcast appearances

Cool Things About Dawid

The Tech Optimist with a Conscience: Dawid isn't just a tech cheerleader; he's a responsible innovator who's willing to call out unethical practices and advocate for human-centered AI adoption. That blend of enthusiasm and integrity is seriously cool.
The Accidental Entrepreneur: Dawid's candidness about the challenges of entrepreneurship—admitting that it's often "miserable" and not as glamorous as it seems—is refreshingly honest and relatable. It's cool to see someone who's not afraid to show the real side of building a business.
The Language Barrier Breaker: Dawid's passion for using AI to overcome language barriers and connect with people from different cultures is inspiring. The image of high-net-worth investors receiving personalized voice updates in Mandarin is both innovative and deeply human.
The Bootstrapped Innovator: Dawid's company, Pathfindr, is entirely bootstrapped and self-funded. That's a testament to his resourcefulness, his belief in his vision, and his willingness to take risks. It's cool to see someone who's building something from the ground up, without relying on outside investment.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Anna Addoms, Wicked Marvelous

Our guest in this episode is Anna Addoms, the insightful founder of Wicked Marvelous. Anna champions making technology, especially AI, accessible and genuinely useful for small business owners, always with a focus on reducing overwhelm and fostering authentic connections. In our chat, Anna shares her practical wisdom on how entrepreneurs can harness AI as a powerful tool without losing the essential human touch that truly matters in building lasting relationships and a thriving business.

Key points discussed include:

AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: Use AI strategically for back-office tasks, but always keep humans at the forefront of client interactions.
Guard Human Connection Fiercely: Implement AI in customer service with extreme care, ensuring transparency and easy access to human support.
Navigate AI Ethically and Practically: Stay informed about AI's capabilities and risks, using it to add value while protecting your brand and IP.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Anna Addoms, Wicked Marvelous

The AI Revolution: Tool, Not Tyrant

It feels like just yesterday we were marveling at the dawn of AI, this "cool, shiny object" everyone was buzzing about. Fast forward to today, and we're deep in the trenches, moving beyond the mere novelty and into the serious business of practical application. The initial excitement was palpable, but now, as Anna Addoms wisely pointed out in our recent chat, we're navigating the "nitty gritty" – figuring out what AI is actually doing, whether it's truly adding value, and how to use it safely and effectively without getting lost down a "rabbit hole."

Anna Addoms, with her characteristic clarity, cuts right to the chase: AI is fundamentally a tool, a multi-tool even. Think of it like a powerful chainsaw in your shed. In the right hands, with the right understanding, it can make incredibly light work of massive tasks. But if you're not careful, or if you don't really know how to wield it, you're just inviting a mess or unnecessary complexity. Our biggest goal, as entrepreneurs, should be to use AI to enhance our lives and businesses, to make things easier, and crucially, to still allow us to do what we do best: cultivate genuine human connections.

Where AI Shines (and Where It Doesn't)

So, where does this powerful multi-tool truly shine? Anna suggests focusing its considerable might on back-office tasks – those internal operations that often consume valuable time and energy. Picture those complex spreadsheet formulas that make your head spin; AI can whip those up in a flash. Or consider the initial drafts of long-form content, giving you a solid starting point without the blank page paralysis. The key here is using AI to shoulder a significant portion of the "heavy lifting," freeing you up for more strategic and human-centric work.

But let's not get carried away. As Anna firmly reminds us, not every "low-level task can be farmed out" to AI. There are times when trying to force AI into a situation actually creates more complication than it solves. If a simple spreadsheet can organize your contact information, why complicate it by feeding it into an AI that might struggle with context? The wisdom lies in recognizing when AI is a genuine accelerator and when it's just an unnecessary detour.

The Human Touch: Why Relationships Still Rule

Here’s where Anna's human-centered philosophy truly comes to the fore: AI should never, ever, replace genuine human connection. We've all been there – stuck in a frustrating recursive loop with a chatbot, feeling like we’re talking to a brick wall. That "bad brain experience" doesn't just annoy customers; it actively "burns relationships." Anna is adamant: if you're deploying AI for customer service, there must be an immediate, clear escalation process to a real human. Without that "I wanna talk to a real human right now" button, you're essentially signing a death warrant for customer loyalty.

It's not just about functionality; it's about authenticity. Anna points out the "uncanny valley" experience when AI voice technology gets too close to human, yet remains subtly "off." This creates a deep cognitive dissonance, a feeling of "something is wrong." Her advice is crystal clear: be transparency. If it's a bot, call it a bot. Don't give it a human name or picture. This ethical stance ensures trust, preventing your customers from feeling misled or, worse, "pissed off" because they couldn't escape an automated interaction.

Building Your AI-Powered Personal Brand (Ethically!)

Now, on a brighter note, AI can be an absolute boon for crafting and refining your personal brand's messaging. Anna herself has trained her AI to sound "exactly like me" for various content outputs – emails, sales pages, blog posts. This means she can generate initial drafts that are remarkably consistent with her unique voice and cadence. The magic, however, lies in the subsequent step: the human touch, the final edit. Anna emphasizes that she's always the "last person to see it," ensuring her "seal of approval" is on every piece of content that goes out. This blend of AI efficiency and human oversight is powerful.

However, a crucial word of caution, something Anna highlighted with a stark anecdote: be incredibly mindful of data privacy and copyright when using AI tools. She shared a sobering example of authors inadvertently signing away their book copyrights by inputing their manuscripts into certain AI language models under their terms of service. It's like accidentally giving away your precious intellectual property to the public domain! Always, always read the fine print. Your content is your gold, so guard it fiercely.

Mastering Your Workflow: AI as Your SOP Sidekick

Let’s talk about a task many entrepreneurs dread: creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). We know we need them, especially when scaling and hiring, but the thought of documenting every little step can feel overwhelming. This is where AI truly shines as an unsung hero. As Anna explains, many new hires struggle not because they're incompetent, but because they lack clear, documented processes. You hand over a task, and then find yourself frustrated when it's not done exactly as you envisioned.

Anna’s practical solution? Leverage AI! She encourages entrepreneurs to use prompts that guide them step-by-step through the SOP creation process. Even better, you can feed it enough information, and it can draft the entire thing for you. This isn't about abdicating responsibility; it's about leveraging AI's ability to structure information logically, ensuring "everything starts coming back faster and exactly the way they want." It’s also fantastic for critiquing existing SOPs, pointing out gaps or areas for improvement that your brain, so familiar with the process, might simply overlook.

The Calendar Conundrum: Owning Your Time with (or Without) AI

The digital calendar, while a godsend for organization, can also be a silent saboteur of your precious time if not managed with an iron fist. Anna and I both share a strong sentiment about this: you must maintain boundaries around your calendar and your time. While AI scheduling tools offer undeniable convenience, there’s a real danger of "abdicating ownership" of your most valuable asset. Suddenly, your days are a chaotic collage of back-to-back meetings with no breathing room, leading straight to burnout.

Anna’s advice echoes a hard-won truth: your time, your rules. Instead of giving people 24/7 access to your schedule, block out specific times for different types of meetings or, even better, for uninterrupted deep work. This isn't about being unapproachable; it's about being strategic and protecting your mental and physical well-being. Whether you use AI for scheduling or not, the principle remains: actively manage your calendar, don't let it manage you.

Staying Savvy: Protecting Your Digital Self

In this "wild west" of AI, staying vigilant about your digital footprint is paramount. Anna recommends a simple yet powerful defense: set up Google Alerts for your name and business. It sounds old school, but it's incredibly effective for catching any unauthorized use of your likeness or content. Knowing what's being published about you, or as you, is the first line of defense. It allows you to be proactive, as Anna herself experienced when a podcast interview went live earlier than planned.

Beyond monitoring, be aware of the bigger picture. While malicious voice cloning of individuals like us isn't the prevalent issue yet (it's mostly targeting celebrities), the technology exists. The reality is, some risk is inherent when putting content on public platforms. However, understanding your rights – the ability to issue cease and desist orders and report malicious content – empowers you to act swiftly if your digital identity is ever compromised. In this evolving landscape, awareness is truly your strongest shield.

Summary:

Anna Addoms provided incredible insights into navigating the brave new world of AI. Her core message is simple yet profound: AI is a powerful tool, but it should always serve to enhance human connection, never replace it. She emphasized the critical need for transparency, especially when AI is client-facing, and highlighted the importance of guarding your intellectual property. Ultimately, AI offers immense potential for efficiency and automation in our businesses, but its successful implementation hinges on a clear, human-centered strategy.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Anna by visiting her website.

Links:

Website – Wicked Marvelous
Twitter – @WickedMarvelous
Linkedin
Facebook
Instagram - @wicked_marvelous

Cool Things About Anna

Anna grew up in Colorado in a family of entrepreneurs, right in the thick of the tech boom. She was raised around innovation and search engines, with her dad running AOL’s biggest competitor during the first dot-com bubble. That’s a childhood spent at the intersection of curiosity and code.
She’s a creative at heart: Anna went to art school and holds a degree in English Literature. Her journey from art and literature to Silicon Valley tech startups is a delightful zigzag, not a straight line. She’s proof that you can be both a techie and a creative soul.
Anna has a knack for reinvention. After burning out in the high-octane world of Silicon Valley startups (like clockwork, every 18 months!), she realized her true passion was helping others build and implement their own dreams. She’s now been running her own company for over a decade, thriving on variety and new challenges.
She’s a self-confessed “sponge of knowledge,” always learning, always curious. Anna’s love of learning has led her down unexpected paths—from luxury travel to ad agencies to med-tech startups. She’s not afraid to pivot, experiment, or start over if it means staying true to her values.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Todd Starr, a marketing innovator and psychology enthusiast who helps businesses differentiate themselves through powerful strategy and human connection. In his insightful chat with host Jürgen Strauss, Todd shares his journey from learning with rock stars to guiding over 3,000 creative client projects, all while exploring the fast-evolving role of AI in business. Together, Todd and Jürgen unpack how mindset, empathy, and intentional use of technology shape modern marketing and meaningful progress.

Key points discussed include:

Mindset Shapes Marketing Success: Todd highlights how our beliefs and inner narratives directly impact business growth and marketing confidence.
True Empathy Creates Connection: He shares how genuine empathy - really feeling others' pain - can help unlock client challenges and foster trust.
Thoughtful Integration of AI: Todd encourages using AI as a thought partner, not a replacement, stressing the need for human-centered innovation and creativity.

This episode is a bubbly and humble reminder that technology shines brightest when it enhances - not replaces - our human spark and connection!

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes from this episode with Todd Starr

Marketing, Mindset, and Human Connection in the Age of AI

This is a fascinating conversation that sits at the intersection of marketing brilliance, deep psychology, and the ever-present rise of AI! Todd’s approach is as much about human behaviour as it is about business strategy. Our discussion was a intriguing blend of practical marketing, the psychology of belief, and how we can leverage technology without losing our humanity. Let’s dig into the big ideas Todd brought to the table!

From the outset, Todd framed his mission beautifully: helping businesses market “better, faster, and easier on purpose.” But what really stood out was his view of marketing as an exercise in communication at scale - a process deeply tied to human beliefs, mindset, and connection. As we explored everything from lead generation to leveraging AI, it became clear that for Todd, impact starts in the brain before it ever meets a business plan.

The Power of Mindset: How Our Beliefs Shape Our Marketing

A recurring gem from Todd was that “whatever you say, your brain believes you.” This isn’t just motivational fluff - it’s the heart of why so many business owners get stuck. Whether you think you can improve your marketing or not, that belief will quickly become your reality. Todd’s take: mindset isn’t peripheral. It sits at the core of successful strategy, differentiation, and growth.

It’s easy to fall into patterns of self-limiting beliefs, especially in marketing where the feedback isn’t always immediate. Todd highlighted how entrepreneurs often internalize stories from childhood (think: “Don’t seek attention” or “Don’t talk to strangers”) that then sabotage their efforts to put themselves out there. The best marketing strategies won’t get off the ground if, deep down, we don’t believe we deserve attention or success.

Neuro-diversity and Resilient Thinking: Lessons from Dyslexic Innovators

Todd’s personal transparency about being dyslexic and possibly ADHD or autistic hit home. Far from seeing these as weaknesses, he credits his neuro-diversity for making him a big-picture thinker and ace problem-solver. There’s a wonderful lesson here about reframing what we often consider “challenges” into superpowers.

He drew inspiration from famous innovators like Alexander Graham Bell, Steve Jobs, and even Da Vinci - many of whom were neuro-diverse. Todd sees this connection as a catalyst for original thinking and resilience. As he says, “Dyslexic thinkers shape the world, and everyone else is just living in it.” That kind of outside-the-mold thinking isn’t just helpful - it’s essential for innovating in business and beyond.

Unlearning Limiting Beliefs: Transactional Analysis and the Pebble in the Shoe

We dove into Todd’s use of transactional analysis - a psychological framework that examines the “parent,” “adult,” and “child” states we carry from childhood into adulthood. These old patterns can trip us up, especially in areas like sales and networking. Todd gave the example of people carrying forward the childhood lesson, “Don’t talk to strangers,” only to struggle with cold calls and networking later.

His “pebble in the shoe” metaphor resonated deeply. When business owners ignore small problems or limiting beliefs, they eventually grow into full-blown roadblocks. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage and self-awareness to stop, remove the pebble, and move forward unburdened. Todd’s job is to bring empathy to this process, helping clients see that a little pause and strategic action now can save a lot of pain later.

Empathy in Business: Feeling with, Not Just for, Clients

Empathy isn’t just a buzzword for Todd - it’s the engine room of his work. He describes empathy as literally “feeling the pain” with clients, running powerful mental simulations to understand their struggles. This level of engagement helps him tailor guidance, support change, and avoid the trap of surface-level fixes.

But Todd also recognizes the need for boundaries. He’s learned how to compartmentalize - keeping his sleeves rolled up in the client meeting, then returning to his own life and headspace afterward. The goal isn’t to drown in others’ pain, but to guide them towards rewriting beliefs and taking action, turning empathy into a practical catalyst for transformation.

AI’s Double-Edged Sword: Efficiency Versus Authentic Human Connection

We couldn’t talk business in 2025 without diving into AI! Todd has a nuanced stance: he leverages AI for efficiency in the back-end, but draws the line at letting it write client-facing content. Too many businesses, he argues, risk eroding trust and damaging their brand by letting AI handle the parts of marketing that should scream “human.”

Todd warns that consumers can spot AI-generated content a mile away - those little clues like generic phrases or odd formatting actually undermine human connection rather than enhance it. The takeaway? Use AI to streamline, but always put authentic, human insight at the forefront if you want your message to resonate.

Future-Proofing Ourselves: The Unique Human Skills AI Can’t Replace

In today’s environment of rapid technological change, Todd advises us to double down on the skills AI can’t easily replicate: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and real human creativity. While AI can optimize processes and even mimic empathy, Todd believes nothing substitutes the magic of genuine human connection - whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a powerful story, or the artistry of a well-placed metaphor.

For Todd, future-proofing isn’t about avoiding AI, but about integrating it wisely and nurturing the distinctly human qualities that make us indispensable. His parting wisdom invites us to reflect on what makes us, as individuals and business owners, irreplaceable - even in a world defined by relentless innovation.

Call to Action

If you’re feeling stuck in your business or sense that a “pebble in your shoe” is hobbling your progress, take Todd’s invitation to heart. Pause, reflect, and ask where old beliefs or habits might be holding you back. Consider how you can lean into your unique way of thinking - and let AI enhance, not replace, your essential humanness.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Todd's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Use AI to automate mundane tasks and free up more time for meaningful human connection.
Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Implement AI tools to efficiently connect with ideal clients and initiate conversations, then personally engage to build real relationships.
Differentiate by leveraging AI – Use AI to rigorously critique and stress-test your ideas, but always communicate with genuine, human-created content to foster authentic engagement.

Action

Todd encourages you to reach out if you’re feeling stuck or wanting more from your business or life. He invites you to visit his website, fill out the short form for a complimentary strategy session, and let Todd help you get clear on your next steps.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Todd by visiting his website.

Links:

Website - Todd Starr
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter - @todd-starr-12b503117
Instagram - @toddstarrnz

Cool Things About Todd

The "Marketing Surgeon" with a Rock 'n' Roll Past:
Todd's background as a photographer hanging out with music artists like 50 Cent adds an unexpected layer to his persona as a marketing strategist. It suggests a creative, unconventional spirit that informs his approach to business.
The Dyslexic Innovator Who Reverse-Engineered His Brain:
Todd's self-described dyslexia and his passion for "mind games and transactive analysis" make him a fascinating case study in neuro-diversity and self-improvement. It suggests a unique ability to see patterns and connections that others might miss.
The AI Evangelist Who Still Believes in Human Connection:
Todd's enthusiasm for AI is tempered by his deep understanding of human psychology and his commitment to building genuine relationships. It suggests a balanced, holistic perspective that's rare in the tech world.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

Thanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is Dr. Jeff Gross, a pioneering neurological surgeon turned regenerative medicine specialist, is passionate about helping people live healthier, more vibrant lives. He shares his journey from traditional medicine to a holistic approach, emphasizing the importance of health span over lifespan. Key points discussed include:

Prioritize health span: Focus on quality of life, not just quantity of years.
Combat inflammation: Adopt lifestyle habits to reduce cellular stress.
Activate natural healing: Leverage sleep, exercise, and nutrition for regeneration.

Listen to the podcast for the full conversation.

Unlocking Longevity: Dr. Jeff Gross on Extending Health Span

When you listen to Dr. Jeff Gross in conversation with Jürgen Strauss, you quickly realize this isn’t just another chat about living longer. It’s a masterclass in living better for longer—a distinction that’s both subtle and profound. Dr. Gross, a pioneering neurological surgeon turned regenerative medicine specialist, brings a refreshing blend of scientific rigor and practical wisdom to the table.

At its heart, this conversation is about empowering listeners to activate their body’s natural healing and longevity mechanisms. Dr. Gross and Jürgen Strauss explore not just how to add years to life, but how to fill those years with health, energy, and meaning.

Key Takeaways

The distinction between lifespan and health span is crucial; the goal is not just to live longer, but to live healthier for longer. [0:01:30]
Chronic inflammation is the common pathway for most age-related decline; suppressing it is central to healthy longevity. [0:05:30]
Regenerative medicine leverages both ancient wisdom and modern science, focusing on natural healing, stem cells, and anti-inflammatory strategies. [0:07:00]
Sleep, exercise, and hormesis (beneficial stress) are foundational for activating the body’s own regenerative capacity. [0:16:00]
Nutrition, especially minimizing processed foods and sugars while prioritizing protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients, is medicine for longevity. [0:36:00]
Anyone, regardless of current health, can benefit from adopting small, consistent longevity habits. [0:29:30]

The Journey from Neurosurgery to Regenerative Medicine

Dr. Gross’s professional journey is as inspiring as it is instructive. He began in the high-stakes world of neurosurgery, but it was his patients’ questions and needs that nudged him toward regenerative medicine. He realized that fixing what’s broken isn’t enough; true healing means addressing the root causes. This shift wasn’t about abandoning science, but about expanding it—embracing both cutting-edge research and time-tested wisdom from around the world. [0:01:30]

The Science of Aging: Inflammation, Stem Cells, and the Body’s Natural Wisdom

Dr. Gross has a gift for making the complex simple. He explains that chronic inflammation is the silent saboteur of healthy aging, quietly eroding our vitality. Stem cells, meanwhile, are the body’s natural repair crew—ready to leap into action if we give them the right environment. He draws on both modern biochemistry and ancient traditions, showing that the best solutions often blend old and new. [0:05:30] [0:07:00]

Practical Strategies for Extending Health Span

What’s truly empowering is how actionable Dr. Gross’s advice is. Sleep, exercise, and hormesis (those little, beneficial stresses like cold showers or fasting) are all within reach. He doesn’t preach perfection; instead, he encourages small, sustainable changes that add up over time. It’s about building habits, not chasing hacks. The message: start where you are, and keep moving forward. [0:16:00] [0:29:30]

Nutrition as Medicine: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and Why It Matters

Food, in Dr. Gross’s world, is both fuel and medicine. He urges us to minimize processed foods and sugars, and to embrace proteins, healthy fats, and micronutrients. It’s not about deprivation, but about making choices that support our body’s natural resilience. He reminds us that every meal is an opportunity to invest in our future health. [0:36:00]

Mental Wellbeing and the Mind-Body Connection

Dr. Gross doesn’t neglect the mind. He highlights the importance of sleep, breathwork, and stress management—not as afterthoughts, but as pillars of health. Simple practices, like deep breathing or mindful movement, can have outsized effects on our well-being. He’s candid about his own journey, admitting he’s not a meditation guru, but he’s always learning and experimenting. [0:33:00]

The Future of Regenerative Medicine: Hope, Innovation, and Empowerment

Looking ahead, Dr. Gross is optimistic. He sees regenerative medicine moving toward prevention, root-cause solutions, and less reliance on surgery or pharmaceuticals. The future, he believes, is about empowering individuals to take charge of their health, with science and tradition working hand in hand. It’s a vision that’s both hopeful and practical—a roadmap for anyone ready to invest in a longer, healthier, more vibrant life. [0:48:00]

Action Items

Start or increase regular exercise, even if it’s just walking—movement is the most accessible longevity tool. [0:50:30]
Add one new longevity habit: floss daily, try a cold shower, or introduce sublingual melatonin at bedtime. [0:31:00]
Reevaluate your nutrition: reduce processed foods and sugars, increase protein and healthy fats, and treat food as medicine. [0:36:00]
Track your sleep and experiment with improvements—consider a wearable or app, but always check in with how you feel. [0:22:00]
Share feedback or questions with the podcast host to guide future deep-dives on topics that resonate. [0:49:30]

Next Steps

Explore more about regenerative medicine and Dr. Gross’s work at recelebrate.com [0:49:00]
Consider which longevity habits you can implement this week—start small, but start now. [0:50:30]
If interested in specific topics (e.g., hormone optimization, stem cell therapies, mental health strategies), suggest them for future episodes. [0:49:30]

Summary

Dr. Jeff Gross’s conversation is a breath of fresh air in the world of health and longevity. He combines expertise with empathy, and science with soul. If you’re ready to rethink what’s possible for your own health span, his insights are a great place to start. Remember, it’s not just about living longer, but about living better for longer.

Action

Write comments to Jürgen on his podcast pages and let him know, like and subscribe to his material and share the comments. If you're not exercising, get to it. If you are exercising, let's get more out of it.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jeff at his ReCELLebrate website.

Links:

Website - ReCELLebrate
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram - @recellebrate

Cool Things About Jeff

Scientist-Turned-Healer Evolution: He began his career focused on virology research and surgical intervention but evolved to embrace regenerative approaches—showing a rare intellectual flexibility to completely shift paradigms mid-career based on patient needs rather than staying in his comfort zone.
Personal Biohacker: Beyond just treating patients, Dr. Gross appears to practice what he preaches, likely experimenting with various longevity protocols on himself before recommending them—making him both the scientist and the experiment.
Bridging Elite and Accessible Care: He works with high-profile business leaders while simultaneously seeking to democratize knowledge about regenerative practices that anyone can implement, regardless of their access to advanced treatments.
Textbook Author Who Challenges Textbooks: Despite writing medical textbooks himself, he's willing to challenge established medical paradigms—showing a rare combination of establishment credibility and disruptive thinking.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jon Bassford, a curiosity-driven leader, consultant, and author who helps organizations unlock innovation by asking better questions. Jon’s journey is a story of challenging the status quo, rediscovering the power of curiosity, and empowering others to do the same. In his conversation with Jürgen, Jon shares practical tools, candid stories, and a contagious enthusiasm for making curiosity a daily habit.

Key points discussed include:

Curiosity is a superpower that drives innovation, growth, and operational excellence in both individuals and organizations.
Building a culture of psychological safety and open questioning empowers teams to experiment, learn, and contribute their best ideas.
Practical tools—like improv exercises and breaking daily routines—can help anyone reignite their curiosity and creative thinking.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with Jon Bassford, Lateral Solutions

Unleashing Your Inner Innovator: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Leadership

In a recent episode of the InnovaBuzz podcast, host Jürgen engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Jon Bassford, the founder and CEO of Lateral Solutions, and the author of "The Curious Leader." Jon specializes in helping organizations innovate, change, and grow by adopting a curiosity-driven leadership. The discussion revealed how cultivating curiosity can unlock transformative potential in both personal and professional spheres.

The Power of Curiosity: Jon's Journey

Jon's journey is a testament to the power of innate curiosity. He realized that his life has always been driven by a desire to challenge the status quo and improve existing systems. This internal drive has shaped his career, leading him to assist organizations in achieving operational excellence and driving intended results efficiently and effectively. It's not merely about making minor adjustments; it's about fundamentally questioning the rationale behind established practices.

Reclaiming Your Inner Child: Rediscovering Curiosity

Jürgen and Jon explored how the innate curiosity of childhood often diminishes as individuals mature. Jon noted that by the age of 35, a significant portion of our habits and thoughts are programmed. However, he emphasized that it's never too late to reignite that inner child. He suggests implementing mechanisms within our lives and teams to consistently question the validity of our actions and explore potential improvements. It involves consciously challenging ingrained habits and embracing a mindset of continuous inquiry.

The Art of Asking Questions: Solving Problems with Curiosity

Jon shared a key insight: effective problem-solving hinges not on possessing all the answers, but on posing the right questions. He referenced an exercise from his "Curious Leader" workshop, where teams tackle challenges solely through inquiry. The transformative moment occurs when a well-formulated question sparks a breakthrough. This underscores the notion that expertise isn't a prerequisite for progress; rather, it's the willingness to explore through questioning.

Building a Curious Culture: Fostering Innovation in Your Organization

The conversation shifted to creating environments where questions are encouraged and experimentation is embraced. Jon stressed the importance of psychological safety, which begins with leaders understanding their team members on a personal level. Instead of dictating opinions, leaders should prioritize valuing the perspectives of their team. This fosters a culture of open communication and collaborative innovation.

The Three Shifts: Mindset, Operations, and Culture

Jon outlined three essential shifts for leaders aiming to cultivate curiosity: mindset, operational excellence, and culture. The initial step involves transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth-oriented one, encouraging individuals to envision possibilities beyond current limitations. Next, it entails regularly questioning existing processes and seeking opportunities for improvement. Ultimately, it's about fostering an environment where every member is empowered to drive innovation and positive change.

Curiosity as Kryptonite: When Curiosity Goes Wrong

Even the most potent strengths have their limitations. Jon recounted an instance where his eagerness to instigate change met with resistance. This serves as a reminder that curiosity, like any virtue, requires judicious management. Self-awareness is paramount. Individuals must reflect on their actions and assess their contribution to the overall dynamic. Sometimes, the most insightful question is, "How am I impeding progress?"

Practical Tools for Cultivating Curiosity

Jon offered practical tools for nurturing curiosity in everyday life. These included improv exercises, which encourage building upon ideas without dismissing them, and the 80/20 rule, where companies like Google and 3M allow employees to dedicate a portion of their time to passion projects. Even simple actions, such as brushing teeth with the non-dominant hand, can stimulate the brain and foster creativity. The key is to disrupt routines and explore new avenues of thought.

Conclusion

The discussion between Jürgen and Jon illuminated the transformative potential of curiosity. By embracing childlike wonder, posing insightful questions, and nurturing a culture of inquiry, individuals and organizations can unlock innovation and drive meaningful progress. As Jon aptly demonstrated, curiosity isn't just a trait; it's a superpower waiting to be unleashed.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Jon's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

No. 1 thing to be more innovative – Ask good questions and challenge the status quo.
Best thing for new ideas – Constantly look at what you're doing, how you're doing it, and why you're doing it a certain way.
Favourite resource – Chat GPT.
Keep project/client on track – Regular communication and KPIs.
Differentiate – Find out what your secret sauce is, what your skills are, what you bring to the table that's just different, unique, and find ways to help improve other people through that.

Action

Find ways to be curious. Find ways to look beyond your current situations and your limitations and explore whether in your personal life, your professional life, in the job you have, whatever it may be. Just begin to just take small ways to question and look at things differently to see how you can expand and grow them.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Jon at his websites. If you're in the US, you can text the word "chapter" to 33777 for a free PDF copy of the first chapter of Jon's book.

Links:

Website - Jon Bassford
Website - Think Lateral
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter - @Jon_Bassford
Instagram - @Jon_Bassford

Books

The Curious Leader, Jon Bassford

Cool Things About Jon

Curiosity as a Superpower - Jon’s ability to frame curiosity as a superpower is not only unique but also inspiring.
Mission to Visit All 50 U.S. States - Jon’s personal goal of visiting all 50 U.S. states (having already visited 43) is a fun and adventurous aspect of his personality.
From Law School to Operations - Jon’s unconventional career path—from law school to becoming an operations expert—demonstrates his willingness to challenge expectations and follow his passions.
Passion for Leadership and Helping Others Grow - Jon’s enthusiasm for leadership and mentoring young leaders is a standout quality.
Upcoming TEDx Talk and Book Launch - The combination of releasing a book (The Curious Leader) and preparing for a TEDx talk makes Jon’s current journey exciting and dynamic.

Ready to humanize your marketing? Listen to the full episode for more stories, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on what it means to truly serve your customers.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is James Hipkin, a vivacious marketing strategist and digital agency leader who’s spent decades helping businesses cut through the marketing noise with authentic, customer-centered strategies. James delights in challenging the status quo, advocating for marketing that genuinely adds value and using AI as a creative ally (not a replacement!) to keep the human touch alive. In his upbeat conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, James ditches “icky marketing” in favor of meaningful customer pathways and demonstrates how curiosity, clarity, and compassion drive long-term business success.

Key points discussed include:

Transforming “Call to Action” into Customer Pathways: James encourages a mindset shift, inviting customers along value-filled journeys instead of simply shouting for attention.
Blending Human Creativity with AI for Better Results: He joyfully shares how AI can spark ideas, provide audience insights, and enhance marketing—while always keeping people at the heart.
Building Relationships for Sustainable Growth: James underscores that true marketing success is about lasting relationships, focusing on customer value beyond the first sale.

This episode is packed with refreshing ideas and practical inspiration for marketers ready to innovate with empathy, measurement, and a dash of fun!

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with James Hipkin

Championing Value-Based Marketing Over "Icky" Tactics

Step into the world of marketing that puts people first with James Hipkin, a marketing strategist and digital agency leader who joined me, Jürgen Strauss, on the InnovaBuzz podcast for a vibrant discussion. James has spent decades rallying against what he calls "icky marketing"—those manipulative, hard-sell tactics that leave everyone feeling a little grimy. Instead, he champions a marketing ethos rooted in creating real value for customers and businesses alike. His approach is all about forging genuine connections and focusing on knowledge-sharing, where education and trust replace the noise of pushy promotions.

James’s mission is to transform marketing, one business owner at a time. He believes great marketing brings value not only to the business but, most importantly, to the customer. By focusing on educating the ideal audience and nurturing relationships, James shows how we can move away from the transactional and toward the transformational.

The Mindset Shift: From Calls to Action to Customer Pathways

A standout moment in our conversation was James’ bold proposal: stop shouting "Call to Action" and start building "Pathways." The typical call to action often feels like a marketer barking orders, rather than an invitation. James encourages us to create "people like you pathways"—roads marked with relevant information, gentle invitations, and meaningful touchpoints.

For example, James described how he used AI to brainstorm alternatives to the tired “related products” label in e-commerce. He then checked these options with his team and polled the client’s audience, ensuring the final choice resonated. This approach transforms the customer experience from a pushy sales pitch to a helpful, human-guided journey.

Prioritizing the Second Sale and True Customer Relationships

James reminds us that the most important sale is not the first—it’s the second. He champions a philosophy where marketing is seen as the beginning of a relationship, not the end. Businesses that focus on ensuring customers return are the ones who thrive; after all, if you can create a repeat buyer, chances are they’ll keep coming back for more.

We shared stories about brands that either courted us for one quick transaction or truly invested in our long-term success. When we genuinely care about ongoing customer success, we’re building trust, nurturing advocates, and creating fertile ground for innovation. The game isn’t about the big win; it’s about showing up, again and again, for your customers.

Bringing Humanity Into AI-Driven Marketing

With the AI wave sweeping through marketing, James stands out with his level-headed, human-first approach. Rather than surrendering creativity or empathy to technology, he leverages AI as a brainstorming partner—a tool for generating ideas and stimulating discussion. For instance, he uses AI to analyze customer interviews and online forums, but always brings the final decision back to the team for a human touch.

This collaborative approach sparks creativity and widens perspective. AI provides the stimulus, but people make the final call, ensuring that empathy and authenticity remain at the heart of every campaign.

Grounding Innovation in Data and Measurement

James brings with him the rigor of the direct marketing world—a place where every strategy lives or dies by data. He believes great marketing is a three-legged stool: strategy (who and why), planning (how and when), and, most critically, measurement. Without that third leg, businesses wobble, never quite sure what’s working or why.

He shares anecdotes of clients spread thin across social channels, uncertain which efforts yielded real results, until simple tracking and data analysis revealed the highest-impact activities. By focusing on meaningful data, not vanity metrics, James helps his clients double down on what truly works and prune the rest.

Unlocking Customer Insights Through AI-Augmented Interviews

James is passionate about democratizing the powerful customer research methods once reserved for big brands. His solution? Use guided customer interviews, audio transcriptions, and AI trained with deep marketing psychology to create rich, nuanced customer avatars and journey maps—without breaking the bank. This process gives even the smallest business a window into customer motivations, desires, and language, ensuring that every marketing message hits home.

He’s careful, too, to blend classic rigor with innovative shortcuts. Analyzing subreddit discussions or online forums through AI, using a well-crafted questionnaire, may not match a $50,000 research project—but it’s miles ahead of guesswork. Objective, data-backed insights are now within reach for everyone.

Staying True to Strategy in a Shiny Object World

With all the new tools and trends vying for our attention, it’s easy to get distracted. James urges business owners to resist the lure of the next shiny object and instead double down on what’s working. Start with a few core tactics, get really good at them, and then iterate for excellence. His advice is to measure, learn, and improve—rather than constantly chasing novelty.

James also emphasizes the importance of building a strong team, welcoming their input, and sometimes just saying "no"—to clients, trends, or ideas that don’t serve the strategy. The secret to longevity and sustainable growth isn't in doing more things, but in doing the right things really well.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are James's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

No. 1 thing to be more innovative: Get out of your own head.
Best thing for new ideas: Shift your perspective from inside out to outside in by observing what’s really happening with your customers.
Favourite resource: Rely on the people on your team for input, ideas, and collaboration.
Keep project/client on track: Be willing to say no to clients and provide honest feedback, building relationships based on trust.
Differentiate: Clearly define and communicate your unique selling proposition by focusing on what’s truly unique and motivating about your business.

Action

James encourages you to stop trying to "boil the ocean." Instead, choose a few things to focus on, learn to do them well, and then work on doing them even better. Let your customers guide you on what's working and do more of that, rather than chasing every new shiny trend.

Reach Out

If you’d like to explore these ideas further or share your own marketing challenges, James welcomes a conversation. You can connect with him at VIPchatwithJames.com and schedule a virtual coffee—no pressure, just a chance to exchange insights and stories.

Links:

Website - INN8LY
LinkedIn - James Hipkin
LinkedIn - INN8LY
Facebook
Twitter - @inn8ly
Instagram - @inn8ly

Cool Things About James

The "Don Quixote" Persona: James embraces the "Don Quixote" metaphor, showing a willingness to fight for what he believes in, even if it seems idealistic or unconventional. This adds a layer of personality and passion to his professional persona.
The "Techie" with a Human Touch: James blends AI with real human interaction (customer interviews). In a world where AI is often seen as cold and impersonal, he’s using it to amplify human voices and insights.
The "Storyteller" in a Marketing World: James uses stories and analogies to explain complex concepts, showing he’s not just a marketing expert, but also a skilled communicator who can connect with people on a human level.
Bachelor of Music in composition and theory: James shared how a professor’s advice—think of the most ridiculous solution, then work backwards—helped him break free from linear thinking, a creative exercise he’s carried into his marketing career.

Ready to humanize your marketing? Listen to the full episode for more stories, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on what it means to truly serve your customers.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Debra Eckerling, a joyful goal strategist, award-winning author, and mastermind behind the DEB Method for simplified goal setting. Deb’s mission is to make goal pursuit contagious and fun, inspiring everyone to move toward what truly lights them up by connecting their goals to genuine passion. In her lively chat with host Jürgen Strauss, Deb shares her contagious enthusiasm for creating an authentic roadmap to success—one that begins with self-awareness, celebrates every win, and leans into the magic of community.

Key points discussed include:

Building Goals on Authentic Passion: Deb emphasizes that meaningful goals must stem from self-discovery, not “shoulds”—what excites you is what sustains you!
Celebrating Wins to Fuel Motivation: She encourages daily recognition of even small achievements, using a “win list” to keep momentum sparkly and strong.
Harnessing Community & Boundaries: Deb champions networking as a source of mutual delight and support, while also gracefully setting boundaries to stay mission-aligned.

This episode is a delightful boost for anyone craving more joy, clarity, and connection on their goal-getting journey!

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes From This Episode with Debra Eckerling, The DEB Method

Igniting Joyful Goal Setting: The Deb Eckerling Approach

Today, I’m delighted to dive into a radiant conversation with Debra Eckerling, goal strategist, workshop leader, and author on a mission to make goal setting as joyful and contagious as laughter. From the get-go, Deb’s energy simply bubbles over, transforming what many might consider a dry subject into a dynamic, celebratory experience. It's this passion that underpins her signature DEB Method—a method rooted in simplicity, authenticity, and genuine joy.

Deb believes that setting and getting goals shouldn’t feel like another chore on the to-do list. Instead, it ought to invigorate us, spark creativity, and become a party everyone wants to attend. By infusing goal setting with enthusiasm and a sense of celebration, Deb empowers others to find delight and meaning in each step toward their dreams.

The Foundation of Authentic Goals: Knowing What You Want

One of Deb’s core beliefs is that successful goal setting starts with true self-awareness. She observes that all too often, people pursue goals that aren’t genuinely theirs—falling into the “shoulds” handed down by others or dictated by circumstance. As she wisely puts it: “You can’t get what you want unless you know what that is.” This insight, though deceptively simple, lies at the heart of her philosophy.

Deb shares how, both in her own journey and in her coaching and workshops, she’s seen people transform simply by reconnecting with what brings them joy. She encourages us to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves not what others expect us to do, but what genuinely lights us up from within. This intentional approach lays the groundwork for goals that are rooted in authenticity—goals that inspire commitment and create lasting fulfillment.

Transforming Obligations into Opportunities

What about those times when you’re stuck in a job or obligation that isn’t your passion? Deb offers a gentle, practical perspective. Not everyone can immediately leap away from the day-to-day things that don’t light them up, and she’s quick to acknowledge the realities—bills, families, and the necessities of life. But even within these constraints, there’s space for joy.

Deb proposes finding “a hit of joy” on the side, whether that’s a creative project, a side hustle, or simply an activity that brings happiness. By letting these joyful pursuits fuel your spirit, you bring lightness into all areas of your life. Sometimes, these passion projects might even become a pathway to something bigger, but at the very least, they help make the less exciting responsibilities a bit more palatable.

Building Your North Star: The DEB Method Unpacked

At the center of Deb’s approach is her namesake DEB Method—Determine your mission, Explore your options, Brainstorm your path. The process begins with self-exploration, inviting you to visualize the life you want and craft both current and future bios, shaping your direction with clarity and intention. As Deb illustrates, this isn’t just about dreamy thinking—it’s about building a foundation, a “North Star,” that keeps your actions anchored and purposeful.

The next steps encourage curiosity and creativity: exploring your options and then brainstorming the actionable steps to get there. By breaking down even big, ambitious goals into tangible, joyful pieces, Deb removes the intimidation and opens the door to real progress. It’s a framework that honors both vision and practicality, always guided by what lights you up.

Boundaries and Saying Yes to Yourself

Of course, following your true path also means learning to say “no”—sometimes a gentle “not now”—to opportunities that don’t align with your goals or mission. Deb’s approach to boundaries is compassionate and generous: every “no” to something that isn’t a fit is a “yes” to yourself and an invitation for someone else to shine in that space.

She offers practical scripts and encouragement to help you navigate these choices without guilt or fear of missing out. By trusting your North Star, you make space for the opportunities that truly resonate, while giving others the gift of stepping into their own “yes.” It’s about honoring yourself and your journey—without closing doors or burning bridges.

Celebrating Wins and Fueling Motivation

Deb is a champion of celebration, weaving it into every step of the goal-getting journey. She reminds us that too often, we get caught up in the slog of progress, forgetting to honor the moments of achievement along the way. Whether it’s a tiny step forward or a major milestone, celebrating wins infuses you with the motivation to keep going.

Her suggestion to keep a daily “win list” is deceptively powerful. Writing down one to three things you accomplished each day—even if it’s just “I made it through”—builds an archive of positivity and progress. When doubt or fatigue creeps in, that list becomes a wellspring of encouragement, a reminder that you are, indeed, moving forward.

From Passion to Action: Embracing Community and Moving Forward

Finally, no one achieves their dreams in isolation. Deb celebrates the magic of community—whether it’s through goal groups, masterminds, or informal support networks. Sharing your wins, articulating your needs, and enthusiastically supporting others build an environment where success is magnetic and contagious.

In Deb’s world, action is iterative, fueled by passion and uplifted by others. She urges us to gift ourselves the time to discover what makes us unique, turn that spark into practical steps, and seek out the company of those who will cheer us on. After all, we are all part of a bigger ecosystem of possibility—and when we help one another rise, everyone wins.

Conclusion: Your Invitation to Celebrate and Act

Debra Eckerling’s approach to goal setting is a vibrant invitation: bring more joy, authenticity, and connection into your journey. Start your own win list today. Write down those small victories. Reflect on what truly lights you up. And remember, whether you’re taking your very first step or well on your way, celebrating your wins and building supportive connections will propel you forward. Let’s make goal setting a party we all want to attend—one filled with laughter, passion, and purpose. Your goals are yours to discover and achieve. Keep moving, keep celebrating, and let your light shine!

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Deb's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

No. 1 thing to be more innovative – Listen to your inner voice because you already know the answers—you just need to ask yourself the right questions.
Best thing for new ideas – Engage in activities like cooking or having conversations, as they allow your mind to wander and help generate creative ideas.
Favourite resource – Tap into your community and network, asking questions and allowing others the opportunity to help you as a shared gift.
Keep project/client on track – Set realistic deadlines while respecting your own calendar, making appointments with yourself and treating them as commitments just like those with others.
Differentiate – Reflect through journaling or ask others what makes you unique, then fully own and enthusiastically lean into that quality.

Action

Deb encourages you to start a daily win list. Each day, take a minute to write down one, two, or three things you accomplished or that went well—then refer back to your list whenever you need motivation or a reminder of your progress.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Deb by connecting with her on social media at @thedebmethod everywhere, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also visit her website to learn more about her books, podcasts, and the Deb Method, or email her directly at deb@thedebmethod.com. For recaps of her Goal Chat sessions and to subscribe, visit thedebmethod.com/blog.

Links:

Website - the DEB METHODⓇ for Goal Setting Simplified
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram - @thedebmethod
Writer: Jewish Journal, First for Women, Woman's World
Podcast, Taste Buds with Deb
Host, GoalChatLive/GoalChat

Books

52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal Getting , Debra Eckerling
Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals, Debra Eckerling

Cool Things About Deb

She’s a Master Connector Who Makes Networking Feel Like a Party, Not a Chore.

Debra doesn’t just network—she creates spaces where strangers become collaborators and friends, often through playful “faux show” formats and spontaneous meet-and-greets. She’s the kind of person who can turn a random introduction into a lifelong partnership, and she genuinely delights in seeing others connect.

Her Superpower Is Asking the Right Question at the Right Moment.

Debra has an uncanny knack for zeroing in on what someone really wants or needs—sometimes in just a few minutes. She’s the friend who’ll ask you a question that makes you rethink your whole approach, and she does it with warmth and curiosity, never judgement.

She’s a Foodie at Heart and Brings That Joy to Her Work.

From her “Taste Buds with Deb” podcast to her use of food metaphors in goal-setting, Debra infuses her professional life with a love of food, flavor, and shared meals. She sees food as a way to build community and spark conversation, making her approach to business refreshingly human.

She’s a Serial Celebrator—Big Wins, Small Wins, All the Wins.

Debra doesn’t wait for the “big moment” to celebrate. She’s a champion of recognising progress, no matter how small, and encourages others to do the same. Her energy for celebration is infectious and helps people stay motivated and positive.

She’s Unapologetically Herself—Late-Night Worker, Early-Morning Conversationalist, and Always Up for a Chat.

Whether it’s working late after her live shows or jumping on a call at odd hours, Debra’s flexibility and zest for conversation make her stand out. She’s approachable, adaptable, and always ready to connect, no matter the time zone.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals (Goal Defining, Productivity, Work from Home)

View Details

Our guest in this episode is David Hirschfeld, a seasoned software development expert with a physics background and a passion for helping startups succeed. From his experiences of both success and failure, David has crafted the Launch First methodology for rapidly progressing startups from idea to revenue generation. In his conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, David elaborates on the critical elements of startup success, the transformative power of AI, and the significance of detailed documentation for business growth. Key points discussed include:

Importance of Early Product Market Fit: David emphasizes testing the market with a simple prototype and obtaining early sales to validate the business concept.
Leveraging AI for Efficiency: He shares insights on using AI to drastically accelerate software development, highlighting its role as a transformative workplace companion.
Comprehensive Documentation for Success: David underscores the importance of detailed process documentation as a foundation for scalability and business value.

This conversation is an enlightening journey through the essentials of startup success and innovation, illustrating how meticulous planning and cutting-edge technology can drive real-world impact.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes from this episode with David Hirschfeld, Tekyz

Turning Ideas into Reality with Speed and Precision

Welcome to another enlightening episode of InnovaBuzz, where we delve into the minds of innovators who turn visionary ideas into tangible success. In this episode, Jürgen Strauss chats with David Hirschfeld, a software development expert and the founder of Tekyz Inc. David shares his insights on efficiently transforming concepts into cash flow, providing invaluable lessons for startups and established businesses alike. Let's uncover the key takeaways from their engaging conversation.

The Launch First Mindset

David Hirschfeld's "Launch First" methodology is about hitting the ground running. He emphasizes the importance of getting a feasible product into the market quickly to test its viability and refine it based on customer feedback. By launching early, startups can create a revenue stream that supports further development and reduces dependency on investor funding. This real-world testing is a litmus test for product-market fit and ensures that the solution addresses genuine customer needs, creating a sustainable business model from the onset.

Learning from Failure and Success

David's journey with Tekyz Inc. is filled with tales of both triumph and lessons learned from failures. He candidly shares how his previous ventures, one a success and the other a failure, shaped his understanding of what it takes to build a thriving business. His experience underscores the need for entrepreneurs to focus on the core problem their product solves rather than becoming enamored with their own vision. By prioritizing customer needs, startups can avoid common pitfalls and maintain a pathway to success, learning from the past to forge a brighter future.

The Role of Playbooks in Scaling

At the heart of Tekyz Inc.'s operations is the concept of detailed playbooks. These are systematic, document-based workflows that capture the nuanced processes often held as tribal knowledge within a company. By documenting these workflows, companies can ensure consistent quality and scalability, regardless of personnel changes. This systematic approach not only enhances internal efficiencies but also increases the company's value by providing structured, repeatable processes that any new team member or potential acquirer can easily follow.

Integrating AI for Business Efficiency

David explores the transformative role of AI in business, especially in software development and workflow automation. By leveraging AI, Tekyz Inc. has drastically accelerated its processes, cutting development times and enhancing precision. This integration allows businesses to handle intricate tasks with ease and speed, driving innovation further. David encourages entrepreneurs to embrace AI as a tool that not only streamlines operations but also opens up new avenues for creativity and efficiency, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Bridging Project Management and Communication

One innovative project underway at Tekyz Inc. is automating communication and project management systems using AI. This aims to provide clients and internal teams with a seamless interface to manage projects, track progress, and resolve queries independently. By cultivating a direct relationship with the project management tool, users experience improved clarity and efficiency. This development highlights David's commitment to transforming traditional approaches and providing cutting-edge solutions tailored for today's dynamic business environments.

Challenges Can Spark Creativity

David's approach to innovation often stems from the challenges he encounters, either personally or within his team. He nurtures an environment where identifying and solving problems leads to the development of valuable new products. Encouraging this problem-solving mindset is crucial for fostering creativity and driving business growth. This method not only leads to practical innovations but also ensures that the solutions developed are rooted in real-world needs and applications, aligning closely with the market demands.

Conclusion: Embrace Rapid Innovation

David Hirschfeld's conversation with Jürgen Strauss is a masterclass in effectively navigating the startup landscape. His insights underscore the importance of adaptability, customer focus, and leveraging technology to remain competitive. By adopting a "Launch First" mindset and integrating AI, businesses can significantly reduce time to market and establish a strong market presence quickly. Embrace these lessons to reshape your business strategies and accelerate your path to success.

Call to Action

Reflect on your current business strategies. Are there areas where you could adopt a "Launch First" mindset? Explore how integrating AI into your workflow can streamline operations. Start documenting critical processes to create your own playbooks. Each step brings you closer to efficiently transforming ideas into reality. Implement these strategies today and observe the transformation they bring to your business journey.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are David's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

No. 1 thing to be more innovative – Learn how to talk to AI as if it's your best friend, because AI knows everything about everything.
Best thing for new ideas – Look at the problems you or your team are struggling with, step back, and consider if it's a discrete problem you can abstract and address.
Favourite resource – Use ChatGPT in its various forms, particularly the deep research tool, as your go-to app for information and assistance.
Keep project/client on track – Be meticulous about documenting every detail and maintain an iron grip on the project’s details, ensuring everything is tracked accurately.
Differentiate – Show evidence of your exceptional work with the artifacts you create, displaying a high level of detail and transparency that sets you apart.

Action

David encourages listeners to embrace AI as a companion in their daily lives. He suggests integrating AI to make your life easier, more enriched, and to enhance your access to information in a consumable manner.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank David by visiting his website. If you'd like to connect with him directly, you can also find him easily on LinkedIn, just include a note that you saw him on the podcast.

Links:

Website - Tekyz
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter - @tekyzinc
Instagram - @tekyzinc

Books

Cool Things About David

Physics Background: David started in physics before transitioning to software. It suggests a unique problem-solving approach rooted in fundamental principles.
Launch 1st Methodology: David turned a startup failure into a methodology for helping other startups succeed. It shows resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to learning from mistakes.
Woodworking, Golfing, and Drawing: David enjoys woodworking, golfing, and drawing leadership insights from raising four successful sons. It reveals a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and a knack for finding inspiration in unexpected places.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Josselyne Herman-Saccio, a master coach and transformative leader who empowers people to live the life of their dreams with her "Unmessable with" philosophy. In her conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, Josselyne explores the power of shifting beliefs, living dreams now, and maintaining a focus on vision over vehicles for lasting fulfilment. Key points discussed include:

Shedding Limiting Beliefs for Dream Fulfilment: Josselyne shares her journey of overcoming the belief that art couldn't be a career, which led to achieving her dreams with ease.
Living Dreams in the Present: She emphasises creating visions that can be experienced now, urging us to manifest desired life experiences rather than postponing them to a future "someday."
Harnessing Vision Versus Vehicles: Josselyne explains the distinction between vision and vehicles, encouraging a focus on vision to navigate life's uncertain paths and avoid getting stuck on one method of achieving goals.

This insightful conversation inspires us to unlock our potential by realising dreams in the present, focusing on unyielding visions to guide our journeys.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Listen to the Podcast

Show Notes from this episode with Josselyne Herman-Saccio, Be UnMessableWith

Embracing the Unmessable With Philosophy

Welcome to an invigorating exploration of potential and resilience with the transformative leader, Josselyne Herman-Saccio. In her insightful conversation with Jürgen Strauss on the Innovabuzz podcast, Josselyne, a master coach and the creator of the "Unmessable With" philosophy, reveals how we can transform our lives by overcoming limiting beliefs. With experience spanning over three decades, she steers individuals towards living the lives of their dreams in the present, not in the elusive "someday." Let’s delve into the core themes and insights from this inspiring dialogue.

The Journey from Dreams to Reality

Josselyne’s own life is a blueprint of how dreams can transform into reality. Her journey from a pop star to a transformative coach is rich with lessons on overcoming limiting beliefs. She shares the pivotal moment in her early twenties when she questioned an ingrained belief that one cannot pursue art as a career. This epiphany marked the shift from seeing it as an unchangeable truth to seeing it as a mere belief. By shedding this limitation, she swiftly accomplished her dream of a music career, demonstrating the powerful unfolding when personal barriers are dismantled. Her story reminds us that living our dreams starts by questioning and transforming the narratives we tell ourselves.

Understanding the Unmessable With Concept

According to Josselyne, being "unmessable with" is not about being tough or suppressing emotions; it’s about staying committed to your vision regardless of external chaos. She emphasises that it's natural to react to life's upheavals, but the true art lies in transitioning from reaction to creation. This philosophy equips individuals to remain steadfast in their vision, enabling them to navigate life’s unpredictabilities with grace and persistence. It’s about developing the nimbleness to recalibrate swiftly and consistently focus on building the life envisioned.

Crafting and Living Your Vision Now

Josselyne brings forth a transformative approach to vision creation where one doesn’t wait for someday. Instead, she encourages crafting and living your dreams in the present. Unlike goals, which are tangible endpoints, visions are lived experiences that aren’t reliant on circumstances and are fulfillable in the moment. She emphasises that achieving tangible goals without an overarching vision often leads to emptiness, whereas a vision constantly rejuvenates and fulfils us. The process illuminates how aligning with one’s vision can imbue life with purpose and lead to holistic success.

The Balance of Vision and Vehicle

In exploring the intricacies of breadth in life's pursuits, Josselyne talks about the significance of distinguishing between vision and vehicles. Often, individuals become overly fixated on specific paths (vehicles) and lose sight of their broader vision. Josselyne stresses that numerous vehicles exist to manifest one’s vision, thus providing flexibility and adaptability. When setbacks occur, it’s an opportunity to explore alternative avenues rather than perceiving them as dead ends. This approach ensures one remains open to possibilities, cultivating a dynamic balance between aspirations and the means to achieve them.

Building Resilience while Staying True to Your Vision

Resilience, as Josselyne discusses, transcends bouncing back from adversity. It’s intricately linked with being unmessable, where one not only recovers but continues to progress towards their vision. It’s about identifying personal cues of reaction and having mechanisms like physical or mental exercises to shift back to a space of creation. By utilising these strategies, one fosters resilience that is not just about maintaining status quo but about thriving and evolving continuously in alignment with one’s vision.

Creating a Vivid Roadmap through Vision Crafting

In the transformative journey with her clients, Josselyne stresses crafting an explicit vision as a roadmap. Her method involves articulating experiences one seeks in life, transcending material goals, and centering on emotions like freedom or connection. By shifting focus to experience, individuals construct a vibrant framework that steers every aspect of life harmoniously. This creates an undivided life view, integrating personal and professional endeavours under a unifying vision, leading to enriched and fulfilling experiences.

Conclusion: The Empowering Path of Living Your Version of Success

Josselyne Herman-Saccio’s conversation inspires us to embrace the joy of living a life not bound by fears or constraints but fuelled by our authentic visions. Her insights unravel the profound impact of questioning beliefs and creating present-moment experiences of our dreams. Josselyne’s teachings challenge us to step beyond conventional boundaries, realising a life where resilience, vision, and excellence are the norm. Let her transformative philosophy inspire you to pursue your potential and redefine success.

Call to Action

Consider what limiting beliefs might hold you back from living your dreams. What immediate steps can you take today to align more closely with your vision? Explore Josselyne’s tools at her website and embrace the possibility of living your dream life now, not later.

The Buzz - Our Innovation Round

Here are Josselyne's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.

No. 1 thing to be more innovative – Be curious, as curiosity is in short supply and essential for innovation.
Best thing for new ideas – Engage with coaches to expand and develop yourself in any area.
Favourite resource – Utilise the writings and quotes of philosopher Alan Watts for inspiration and insight.
Keep project/client on track – Keep notes and hold clients to account to reveal and address what may be hindering their progress.
Differentiate – Instead of focusing on differentiation, seek to connect with everything and everyone, embracing the idea that we are all part of one entity.

Action

Josselyne encourages you to start inquiring into your vision as opposed to your goals. Consider what the experience of life would be if your goals were accomplished, and begin exploring the world of vision to shift how you relate to yourself, others, and life.

Reach Out

You can reach out and thank Josselyne by visiting her website, where you can explore her resources and free gifts. If you're on social media, connect with her on Instagram at @beunmessablewith.

Links:

Website - Be UNMESSABLEWITH
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram - @beunmessablewith

Books

The Promise Effect: How to Create a Life That Wasn't Going to Happen Anyway, by Josselyne Herman-Saccio (Author), Susan Woldman Elfer (Author, Illustrator)
Peace Promises 30 Days to a More Peaceful Life (Causing Peace on The Planet One Person, One Promise at a Time), by Dr. Monica Sharma (Author), Josselyne Herman-Saccio (Author)
So You Wanna Be A New York Actor? The New York Actors Guide to The Career of Their Dreams While Paying the Rent, by Josselyne Herman-Saccio (Author), Guy Olivieri (Author)

Cool Things About Josselyne

Josselyne’s life is like a movie script—she went from singing her way to the top of the Billboard charts with the #1 hit "That's What Love Can Do" to transforming lives as a master coach. Who else can say they’ve rocked the pop-stage and the personal development world?
Josselyne didn’t just dip her toes into transformation—she dove in headfirst at age 11 with the EST training. By 18, she was already leading seminars at Landmark, making her the youngest seminar leader in their history.
Splitting her time between Manhattan and Paris, Josselyne lives the dream of a cosmopolitan lifestyle. But what’s even cooler? She lends her Paris apartment to friends when she’s not there—because why let a beautiful space (and plants!) go to waste?
Josselyne has managed actors, produced award-winning films, raised nearly $90 million for non-profits, and still finds time to coach people to live their dreams. If there’s a hat to wear, she’s probably rocked it—and made it look effortless.
Josselyne’s philosophy of shifting from "survival to magic" isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a way of life. She’s on a mission to help people rediscover the magic in their lives, proving that even in the chaos, there’s room for wonder and joy.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.

Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.

Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.

ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.

Video

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jay Malone, an inspiring innovator and founder of Profit Ladder who transitioned from tech consulting to helping others craft scalable business models. In his conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, Jay shares his journey from burnout to building a business with a clear and impactful signature offer.

Key points discussed include:

Creating Wedge Offers: Jay explains transforming high-touch services into smaller, scalable "wedge offers" that charm clients and decrease sales friction.
Defining the Signature Offer: He emphasizes clarity in defining a core, signature offer to confidently attract the right clients and boost business growth.
Avoiding Burnout with Clear Systems: Jay highlights building systems, akin to a flywheel, to streamline processes and maintain sustainable, joyful business operations.

Jay's insights offer listeners practical steps to concoct their own scalable systems and reignite their passion in business, serving as a beacon of hope for those facing entrepreneurial burnout.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Didier Le Miere, the passionate founder and director of the FixOn Media Group who creatively combines storytelling and video marketing to craft engaging brand story films. In his conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, Didier unveils the transformative power of visual storytelling, the psychology behind emotive brand films, and the importance of aligning business values with audience emotions. Key points discussed include:

Harnessing Storytelling for Brand Connection: Didier emphasizes crafting emotive stories that resonate with viewers at a subconscious level to enhance brand affinity.
The Framework for Genuine Engagement: He introduces a four-step framework focusing on the true product, impacts, emotional connections, and core values to deepen audience ties.
Values as a Differentiator: Highlighting how core values uniquely differentiate brands, Didier encourages businesses to embed their true ethos into every customer interaction.

This conversation is an inspiring exploration for anyone looking to elevate their brand's emotional impact, reminding us that authentic connection starts with understanding our shared human experiences.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mark Schaefer, a globally recognised marketing strategist, keynote speaker, and author known for his innovative approach to human-centered marketing. In his conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, Mark shares the inspiration behind his latest book "Audacious," the significance of human creativity in a tech-driven world, and explores the concept of adding meaningfulness to marketing strategies. Key points discussed include:

Disruptive Human-Centred Marketing: Mark emphasises the necessity of standing out through bold, human-centric marketing approaches amidst the AI-dominated landscape.
Creating Community and Awe: He illustrates the power of building shared experiences to cultivate community and emotional connections that surpass basic marketing competency.
The Concept of Everyday Awe: Mark introduces the idea of integrating everyday awe into business interactions to foster unique human connections that AI cannot replicate.

This delightful episode is packed with enriching insights that inspire marketers to push boundaries and connect more deeply with their audience in innovative ways.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Islam Gouda, a dynamic marketing professional and global brand ambassador. He is the driving force behind the innovative project "One Hundred Minutes to Ace Your Marketing Game" and the insightful book "SMEs and Startups Marketing Guide to COVID 19." In this enriching chat with host Jürgen, Islam explores the artistry and science of marketing, the importance of genuine customer relationships, and the transformative power of community-led brands. Key points discussed include:

Marketing as an Art and Science: Islam shares that successful marketing intertwines creativity and intuition with data-driven strategies, emphasising an emotional connection with clients.
The Importance of Genuine Customer Relationships: He argues that nurturing authentic, trust-based relationships with clients and internal teams leads to long-term business success.
Community-Led Brands Create Impact: Islam highlights brands like Patagonia, which foster loyal communities by aligning brand values with customer lifestyles and environmental care.

This enlightening conversation offers valuable insights for businesses to successfully innovate and foster strong relationships in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Carol Enneking, a transformational speaker and author from Houston, Texas, specializing in helping individuals and organizations redefine success and create a culture of belonging. In her heartfelt conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, Carol shares her journey of overcoming personal adversity, finding what truly matters, and how trust and faith guide her transformative work. Key points discussed include:

Redefining Success that Matters: Carol emphasizes that true success means aligning personal values with actions and not chasing societal expectations.
Power of Surrender, Trust, and Faith: Utilizing these three principles helped Carol navigate through her darkest times, offering stability and hope.
Importance of Letting Go: Carol discusses the necessity to release control in order to embrace new opportunities and nurture personal growth and fulfilment.

This lively discussion provides enlightening insights on how to transform life's chaos into meaningful convergence and fulfilment by focusing on what genuinely matters.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mark Collins, a business and life coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs unlock their potential and live authentically. Mark’s journey from chasing external success to finding true fulfilment has inspired countless individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their unique identity. In this conversation, Mark shares actionable insights on overcoming mindset challenges and designing a life of purpose and impact.

Key points discussed include:

Success vs. Fulfilment: True fulfilment comes from aligning your identity with your purpose, not just chasing external achievements.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: It’s not about doing more; it’s about redefining who you believe you are.
Living Life by Design: Take control of your vision and create a life that reflects your values and passions.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jillfrances Gray, founder and creative director of JFG Visual Communications. Jillfrances’s journey from opera singer to visual storyteller is a testament to her creativity, adaptability, and passion for helping startups build impactful brands. In this conversation, she shares her insights on balancing strategy and creativity, the power of storytelling, and how AI is shaping the future of design.

Key points discussed include:

The importance of strategy in design: Strategy is the foundation for creating visuals that resonate and connect emotionally with audiences.
The role of storytelling in branding: Storytelling builds trust and emotional connections, making brands memorable and impactful.
Embracing AI as a creative tool: AI enhances creativity and efficiency but should complement, not replace, human storytelling and authenticity.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Andy Semotiuk, a US and Canadian immigration lawyer, journalist, and author of The Young Professional. Andy has dedicated his career to helping people navigate challenges and discover their unique abilities to make a meaningful impact.

Key points discussed include:

The Power of Motivation: Andy shares how motivation involves helping others see a bigger picture for their lives, using inspiring stories like that of Bob Richards and Lou Boudreau to illustrate the lasting impact of encouragement.
The Role of Mentorship: He explains the reciprocal nature of mentoring, emphasizing that we can be both the mentee (the pebble) and the mentor (the master) in uncovering potential. Andy also offers practical advice on finding and being a mentor, highlighting the importance of humility, integrity, and compassion.
Discovering Your Unique Ability: Andy introduces a framework for identifying your unique strengths—the activities that bring you joy, make time dissolve, and allow you to perform at your best. He encourages listeners to reflect on their passions and align their values with their actions.

Tune in to this inspiring episode to learn how to lead, inspire, and uncover your unique ability to make a difference.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Andrew Matthews, bestselling author, illustrator, and global speaker, who chats with Jürgen about the secrets to happiness and resilience. Andrew shares his simple yet profound strategies for living a fulfilling life, emphasizing that happiness is a daily decision and resilience is built through life’s challenges. He highlights the power of gratitude, the importance of self-image, and how humor and simplicity can make personal growth more approachable. Packed with actionable advice and inspiring insights, this episode will leave you motivated to wake up every day and choose happiness.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jeremy Shapiro, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Bay Area Mastermind, who has dedicated over 25 years to helping fellow entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of community and support in navigating the entrepreneurial path, particularly through mastermind groups.

Key points discussed include:

Defining Success: Jeremy encourages entrepreneurs to define success on their own terms rather than conforming to societal pressures.
The Power of Accountability: He highlights how mastermind groups foster accountability, motivating members to stay on track and achieve their goals.
Finding Your Niche: Jeremy explains the significance of identifying a specific niche to stand out in the market and create deeper connections with clients.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guests in this episode are Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, co-founders of Lead It Like Lasso, who have transitioned from diverse backgrounds into impactful leadership roles. They emphasize the importance of personal leadership, which begins with self-awareness and understanding one's core values.

Key points discussed include:

Leadership is Life: Everyone has the potential to lead by understanding themselves and their values.
Curiosity and Problem Solving: Embracing curiosity fosters innovation and helps overcome challenges.
Building Support Networks: Surrounding oneself with a supportive community enhances personal and professional growth.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Danny Nathan, founder and CEO of Apollo 21, a prominent voice in the innovation and product design space. With a focus on helping organisations navigate the complexities of innovation, Danny shares his insights on fostering creativity and agility in both startups and large corporations. He emphasizes the importance of adding value for customers while ensuring business sustainability.

Key points discussed include:

The Dual Value Equation: Innovation should focus on both customer value and business viability.
Startups vs. Large Organisations: Different approaches to innovation based on operational realities and flexibility.
Creating a Culture of Innovation: Leadership's role in fostering an environment where experimentation and learning from failure are encouraged.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Prerak Mehta, the founder of NetMafia, a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO and web development. Prerak is also a seasoned educator with over 35,000 students on Udemy, where he shares his expertise in AI-driven SEO strategies. In this engaging conversation, Prerak shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of empowering businesses through effective SEO strategies.

Key points discussed include:

The significance of SEO in helping businesses establish a strong online presence and generate leads.
Strategies for effective SEO, including keyword research, content optimization, and building quality backlinks.
The importance of continuous learning and innovation in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Nick Jain, CEO of IdeaScale, the world's largest innovation SaaS company. Nick's journey from Wall Street to leading IdeaScale highlights his passion for building and scaling innovative solutions. At IdeaScale, he focuses on helping organizations systematically innovate by leveraging Ai and fostering a culture of creativity.

Key points discussed include:

Systematic Innovation: IdeaScale's platform enables organizations to collect and evaluate ideas, ensuring the best rise to the top.
Ai Integration: Ai enhances innovation processes, from idea articulation to analytics, driving efficiency and creativity.
Future Vision: Nick envisions a future where innovation is central to organizational strategy, with Ai playing a pivotal role.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr. Ryan Smolarz, a former ear, nose, and throat surgeon turned commercial real estate entrepreneur. He founded StorPartners with the mission to provide financial sovereignty to medical professionals through strategic investments in self-storage. Ryan shares his insights on the importance of mindset shifts, relationship-building, and financial literacy in achieving success.

Key points discussed include:

The necessity of embracing risk and changing one’s mindset for entrepreneurial success.
The growth potential of the self-storage market and its appeal to younger generations.
The importance of education, teamwork, and building strong relationships in real estate.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Joe Barnes, a former tennis coach turned self-help author and hypnotherapist. Joe is known for his unique approach to personal development, advocating for a rebel mindset to help individuals find their true path. In our conversation, Joe shares insights from his journey and his book, "The Rebel Code," offering guidance for those seeking to challenge societal norms and pursue their passions. Key points discussed include:

The Power of Writing: Joe believes writing connects and inspires globally, mentoring readers across time and space.
Understanding the Rebel Code: A 12-step process helps rebels find their place and succeed in a conformist world.
Paths to Passion: Joe outlines three paths—Adventurer, Strategist, Grinder—to turn passion into a career.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Amy Rasdal, founder of Billable at the Beach. Amy empowers professionals to transition into successful consulting careers, offering them the freedom and flexibility to live their dream lives. Her journey from Silicon Valley to consulting is filled with valuable lessons and insights.

Key points discussed include:

Empowerment and Career Agency: Amy emphasizes the importance of taking control of your career and building a consulting business without sacrificing financial stability.
Superhero Consulting Approach: She advocates for positioning oneself as a highly valued expert, focusing on impactful projects for maximum influence and earnings.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Amy highlights the need to embrace change, develop personal branding, and stay open to new opportunities in the evolving consulting landscape.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jacquiline Wagner, a distinguished employment law attorney and HR expert with over 25 years of experience. Jacquiline emphasizes the critical role of emotional intelligence in fostering positive workplace cultures and effective leadership. She shares insights on how emotional intelligence can reduce litigation and enhance employee morale.

Key points discussed include:

The five components of emotional intelligence and their impact on leadership effectiveness.
The importance of clear communication in preventing misunderstandings and adverse employment actions.
Practical steps individuals and organizations can take to enhance emotional intelligence and create a supportive work environment.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Shira Simmonds, a dynamic entrepreneur and CEO of SmartReach AI. Shira is passionate about leveraging AI to enhance human connection and streamline business processes. Her journey is marked by innovation and a commitment to helping businesses grow efficiently. In our conversation, we explored the intersection of AI and human connection, highlighting the importance of personalization and empathy in business communication. Key points discussed include:

Humanizing AI: Shira emphasizes the need to personalize AI-driven communication to foster genuine connections.
Global Team Dynamics: She shares insights on managing a culturally diverse, remote team for enhanced productivity.
Continuous Learning: Shira advocates for ongoing education and innovation to stay ahead in the AI landscape.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Paige Arnof-Fenn, a visionary entrepreneur who transitioned from Wall Street to founding Mavens and Moguls, a global branding and digital marketing firm. Paige's journey is marked by resilience and innovation, having navigated major market challenges while maintaining a focus on authentic marketing. Her firm provides world-class marketing expertise to organizations of all sizes, helping them tell compelling stories.

Key points discussed include:

The Importance of Authentic Marketing: Paige emphasizes creating emotional connections through storytelling to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Personal Branding in the Digital Age: She advises focusing on authenticity and consistency to maintain a strong online presence.
Leveraging Technology and AI: Paige highlights using AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human interactions in marketing.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Krishnan Venkata, the Chief Client Officer at LatentView Analytics. With over two decades of experience, Krishnan has been pivotal in transforming data analytics into a tool for global impact, driving significant returns for Fortune 500 companies and leading LatentView to become a global leader in analytics. Our conversation explored the transformative power of data analytics and its potential to impact both business and society positively.

Key points discussed include:

Data for Good Initiatives: Krishnan shares how LatentView uses data analytics to support healthcare and underprivileged communities.
Return on Insights: Emphasizing actionable insights, Krishnan explains how LatentView measures the impact of analytics strategies.
AI and Machine Learning: Krishnan discusses the future of data analytics and the role of AI in solving real-world problems.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Terry L Fossum, a decorated former military officer, bestselling author, survival reality show winner, and dedicated philanthropist. Terry shares his inspiring journey from growing up in poverty to achieving remarkable success and how he developed the Oxcart Technique, a revolutionary goal-setting method based on Prospect Theory.

Terry discusses the power of combining emotional motivation with practical steps to achieve goals, emphasizing the importance of balancing the desire for success with the need to avoid failure. His stories of personal and professional transformations illustrate the profound impact of the Oxcart Technique.

Key points discussed include:

The three components of the Oxcart Technique: failure scenario, daily action plan, and success scenario.
Real-life success stories demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique.
The significance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guests in this episode are John Cronin and Mark Cronin, co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise dedicated to spreading happiness and advocating for inclusion through their unique sock collection. John, who has Down syndrome, alongside his father Mark, have built the world’s largest sock store, employing individuals with differing abilities and making a significant social impact. Their mission-driven business not only achieves remarkable commercial success but also inspires and uplifts communities.

Key points discussed include:

The inspiring story behind the inception of John’s Crazy Socks and their journey to success.
The social impact of their business, including their advocacy for inclusivity and their unique hiring practices.
The importance of creating a memorable customer experience and building lasting relationships.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Rebecca Rosselli, co-founder of Pivot and Pilot Creative, an award-winning branding firm, and host of the "Pivot or Die" podcast. Rebecca combines her expertise in branding with her background in stand-up comedy, offering unique insights into the importance of pivoting in business, the power of humor, and the essence of authentic branding.

Rebecca shared her journey from founding Pivot and Pilot Creative to navigating the challenges of the pandemic, emphasizing the significance of staying true to one’s core values and being flexible in the face of market changes. She highlighted the role of humor in building trust and authenticity, and discussed practical steps for executing successful business pivots.

Key points discussed include:

The role of humor in enhancing authenticity in business.
Practical steps to identify when a business pivot is necessary.
Case studies of successful pivots facilitated by Pivot and Pilot Creative.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tom Paladino, a pioneering researcher dedicated to exploring scalar energy. Inspired by Nikola Tesla, Tom has spent his life delving into this new branch of physics and developing practical applications that challenge traditional science. In our conversation, Tom shares his journey and insights into the transformative potential of scalar energy.

Key points discussed include:

Scalar energy's origin and distinction from electromagnetic energy.
Practical applications of scalar energy in health and wellness.
Ethical considerations and the importance of humanitarian responsibility in utilizing scalar energy.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr. Daniel Laby, an esteemed ophthalmologist and sports vision specialist with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Laby has worked with elite athletes and professional sports teams, enhancing their visual performance through innovative techniques. His journey from pediatric ophthalmology to sports vision has led to groundbreaking advancements in vision testing and care.

Key points discussed include:

Sports Vision Pyramid: A model illustrating the layers of visual performance, from basic skills to complex processing.
Innovative Vision Testing: Development of tests that reflect real-world conditions, offering more accurate assessments.
Vision Beyond Sports: Application of vision principles to enhance performance in various professions and daily life.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Stephen Goldberg, owner and chief consultant at Optimus Performance. With over 30 years of experience, Stephen has transformed his journey from running a family business to becoming a leading coach and facilitator. His passion lies in helping small and medium-sized companies improve sales, leadership, and teamwork through personal development.

In our conversation, Stephen shares his unique three-step approach to enhancing sales performance, which combines data-driven assessment tools with targeted training and effective coaching. He emphasizes the importance of personal growth, leadership, and job fit in creating a thriving business environment.

Key points discussed include:

Leadership and Strategy: Understanding strengths and weaknesses to build a complementary team.
Developing and Coaching Others: Fostering ongoing training and holistic development for business growth.
Job Fit and Performance Models: Using scientific tools to ensure the right person is in the right job.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Elona Lopari, founder of Elona Lopari Coaching. Elona is dedicated to helping businesses align their purpose with profit, creating impactful and successful enterprises. She transitioned from a C-suite role to entrepreneurship to find more meaningful ways to contribute. Today, she leads a vibrant community of over 30,000 entrepreneurs.

Key points discussed include:

Aligning purpose with profit: The importance of integrating personal and professional goals for sustainable success.
Building a thriving community: Strategies for engaging and adding value to a large network of entrepreneurs.
Personal growth practices: Reflective habits like meditation and journaling that support entrepreneurial success.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Beejel Parmar, a pioneer in the virtual assistant industry and a thought leader in productivity and outsourcing. Beejel has been advising entrepreneurs since 2009, helping them overcome procrastination and leverage the power of virtual assistants. In this episode, he shares his journey from struggling entrepreneur to building innovative business models that promote transparency and community.

Key points discussed include:

The critical role of delegation in business success.
Building and managing a high-impact virtual assistant team.
Leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Bo Short, co-founder and CEO of Base Molecular Resonance Technologies. Bo’s journey from a self-focused young entrepreneur to a visionary leader emphasizes the importance of embracing the journey and serving others. He shares how his evolving definition of success, grounded in personal growth and impactful leadership, drives his innovative work in cancer detection technology.

Key points discussed include:

Bo's transformative view of success as making a positive impact on others.
The power of the journey and learning through life's challenges.
Core leadership principles: vision, courage, perseverance, responsibility, and character.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Valentin Radu, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of OmniConvert. Valentin's journey from a DJ at radio stations to a pioneer in customer value optimization highlights his diverse background and passion for understanding customer behavior. In this episode, he shares insights on maximizing customer lifetime value and the importance of creating exceptional customer experiences.

Key points discussed include:

The three pillars of customer value optimization: quality products, outstanding customer experience, and effective marketing.
Leveraging data for customer insights using models like RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary).
The transformative role of AI and NLP in enhancing customer engagement and operational efficiency.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Sue Wong, co-founder and coach at My Manifesto. Sue brings a wealth of experience from her background in teaching and coaching, helping individuals gain clarity, focus, and inspiration to live authentic lives. In our conversation, we explored Sue’s journey, the concept of a personal manifesto, and practical steps to live intentionally.

Key points discussed include:

The importance of creating a personal manifesto: Understanding who you are, what you stand for, and the life you intend to lead.
Incorporating playfulness into personal growth: Using creativity and curiosity to make personal development engaging and enjoyable.
Overcoming insecurities and embracing change: Strategies for managing fear and self-doubt to take meaningful steps toward personal growth.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Daniel Den, a trailblazing founder of Ideas That Influence and co-creator of the X Factor Effect Methodology. Daniel’s innovative approach to marketing and differentiation has made a significant impact in helping businesses stand out in a crowded market. His interactive book box experience exemplifies his commitment to unique, engaging marketing strategies.

Key points discussed include:

Emphasizing differentiation with the principle “different is the new better.”
Implementing the seven elements of a successful marketing message.
Leveraging global insights to create unique marketing strategies.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mark Wonderlin, the visionary founder and CEO of Mosaic Media Films, and a pioneer in digital SLR filmmaking. Mark shared his profound insights into the transformative power of video storytelling in business marketing. By focusing on the audience's journey, Mark crafts videos that not only tell a story but also resonate deeply, prompting viewers towards action.

Key points discussed include:

Strategic Storytelling: Mark emphasizes storytelling as a strategic tool in video marketing that centers on the viewer's needs and leads to higher engagement.
Audience Understanding: He highlights the importance of deeply understanding the target audience to create content that addresses their specific challenges and aspirations.
Emotional Engagement: Emotional connections are crucial; Mark's approach ensures videos not only capture attention but also foster real connections that motivate viewers to act.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brian Bogert, a passionate coach and speaker, who has transformed his profound personal adversities into a professional mission to empower others to live more authentically and impactfully. In his conversation with host Jürgen Strauss, Brian delves into the importance of embracing vulnerability, harnessing personal adversities for growth, and the power of intentional living. Key points discussed include:

Embracing Vulnerability as Strength: Brian discusses how embracing one's vulnerabilities is not a sign of weakness but a profound source of strength. It allows for deeper human connections and a more authentic existence.
Impact of Mindset on Overcoming Challenges: He emphasizes the critical role of mindset in overcoming challenges, advocating for a balance between mental toughness and emotional awareness to foster resilience and personal growth.
Strategies for Self-Awareness and Personal Growth: Brian shares practical strategies for enhancing self-awareness and personal growth, including understanding one's triggers and the stories we tell ourselves, which can profoundly affect our interactions and life path.

This conversation is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to lead a more impactful and purpose-driven life, emphasizing that true strength and innovation come from our ability to authentically connect with ourselves and others.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Scott Allan, a renowned author, publisher, and transformational growth expert based in Osaka, Japan. Scott has turned his deep passion for writing and personal development into a thriving global publishing business. His journey from corporate life to becoming a key influencer in self-help and professional development provides valuable insights into resilience, mindset, and continuous learning.

Key points discussed include:

Embracing Continuous Learning: Scott emphasizes the importance of daily learning to foster personal growth and adaptability, using his own routine of reading and engaging with new ideas as examples.
The Power of Resilience: Through personal anecdotes, Scott illustrates how embracing challenges and setbacks is crucial to developing a resilient mindset that underpins success.
Writing as a Path to Personal Mastery: Scott shares his journey from dreaming about writing to becoming a successful author and publisher, highlighting the discipline and persistence required to turn passion into a career.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tiago Faria, a business mentor and marketing expert. Tiago has transformed the way entrepreneurs and influencers expand their authority and reach new audiences with his innovative "DREAM Method." This approach harnesses the power of podcast guesting, helping individuals grow their networks and enhance their marketing strategies without relying on traditional advertising.

Key points discussed include:

The DREAM Method: A structured, five-step process designed to optimize the benefits of podcast guesting for marketing purposes.
Effective Content Recycling: Tiago emphasizes the importance of leveraging podcast appearances across multiple platforms and formats to maximize content value and impact.
Strategic Networking: By engaging in podcast guesting, Tiago has cultivated relationships with key influencers and positioned himself as an authority in his niche.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Carlos Alvarenga, a distinguished thinker and educator in the fields of communication and rhetoric. Carlos has an extraordinary background, starting as a refugee child and rising to become a prominent expert in persuasive communications. His journey includes deep dives into the ancient wisdom of Aristotle to update these teachings for the modern audience through his engaging writings and teachings.

Key points discussed include:

Defining Persuasion: Carlos clarifies that persuasion is not about manipulation but demonstrating truths, emphasizing ethical communication.
The Three Pillars of Persuasion: He breaks down Aristotle’s concepts of ethos (character), logos (argument), and pathos (emotion), explaining how these elements combine to form compelling communication.
Ethical Considerations: Carlos discusses the importance of using persuasion responsibly, highlighting the fine line between persuasion and manipulation and advocating for principled communication strategies.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Larry Apke, a visionary VUCA consultant, agile coach, and the altruistic founder of JobHackers. Larry has dedicated his career to guiding individuals and organizations through the complexities of today's ever-changing world, using agile methodologies and education as his tools. His innovative approach to professional development, especially through the free Agile training offered by JobHackers, has empowered thousands globally, making a significant impact on their careers and lives.

Key points discussed include:

Adapting to the VUCA World: Larry sheds light on navigating through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity by embracing agile methodologies, promoting a mindset shift towards flexibility and responsiveness.
The Importance of Education and Innovation: Through JobHackers, Larry illustrates the transformative power of education, highlighting how upskilling in agile practices can open doors to new opportunities and foster innovation.
Creating a Culture of Change and Safety: Emphasizing psychological safety and the right incentives, Larry discusses how organizations can create an environment conducive to change, allowing individuals to thrive amidst uncertainty.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mark Stern, a visionary entrepreneur who's redefining how brands connect with their customers. As the founder and CEO of Custom Box Agency, Mark merges tangible products with digital marketing to craft memorable and impactful customer experiences. In our engaging conversation, Mark shared his insights on creating deeper brand engagements through sensory experiences.

Key points discussed include:

Intentionality in Physical Branding: Mark emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional swag, advocating for tangible products that serve a specific purpose and enhance the brand experience.
Enhancing Digital with Physical Experiences: He discusses how physical elements can complement digital strategies, activating all senses and creating a more immersive experience.
Personalized Customer Journeys: Mark stresses the necessity of understanding and simplifying the customer journey, using personalization to tailor experiences and remove barriers, ensuring a seamless and engaging customer interaction.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Anthony Nwaneri, a best-selling author and a visionary in the podcasting industry, renowned for his innovative approaches to podcast growth and monetization. From his early challenges in Nigeria to becoming a major influence in the podcasting world in the UK, Anthony's journey is a testament to the power of persistence and passion. His work focuses on empowering podcasters to maximize their impact and revenue through strategic insights and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI.

Key points discussed include:

The Importance of Unique Selling Propositions (USPs): Anthony emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing one's podcast in the crowded market through unique content and presentation styles, which are essential for attracting and retaining listeners.
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content Creation: He discusses how AI can be strategically used to transform podcast content into published books, enhancing both reach and revenue.
Innovative Monetization Strategies: Anthony shares his insights on effective monetization tactics that go beyond traditional advertising, including synergies between podcasting content and self-publishing.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Steve McCready, a transformative coach and therapist whose journey has taken him from the fields of IT to the realms of psychotherapy and coaching. With a passion for helping others unlock their full potential, Steve has dedicated his career to understanding the stories we tell ourselves and how these narratives shape our lives and businesses. Through his innovative approaches, Steve guides individuals to rewrite their personal narratives, fostering growth, resilience, and success.

In a conversation filled with insightful anecdotes and actionable advice, Steve shares his wisdom on embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, the transformative power of listening to oneself, and the utility of mind mapping as a tool for clarity and innovation.

Key points discussed include:

The impact of personal narratives on our actions and decisions.
The importance of self-reflection and listening to one's inner voice for personal and professional innovation.
Strategies for embracing failure and using it as a foundation for growth and resilience.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Chris Hood, a digital strategist with a heart for innovation and a mind for technology. With a career spanning over 35 years, Chris has left a significant mark on the digital landscapes of TV, film, music, and video games. Through his book, "Customer Transformation," and his consulting work, he's helped organizations worldwide to navigate the complex interplay between technology and customer engagement.

In our engaging conversation, Chris delves deep into what it means to truly place the customer at the center of digital strategies. He challenges the status quo, advocating for a more empathetic approach to innovation, where technology serves to enhance rather than replace human connections.

Key points discussed include:

The risk of prioritizing technology over genuine customer needs and how it can lead to disconnection rather than engagement.
The importance of empathy in digital strategy, emphasizing the need to understand and address customer challenges genuinely.
Innovative approaches to leveraging technology that enhance rather than replace human connections, ensuring digital strategies remain grounded in genuine understanding and empathy.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Erin Andrea Craske, a visionary coach, author, and a rebel at heart with a rich corporate background. Erin shares her journey from corporate strategy to coaching, emphasizing a transformative change through what she terms as an "effortlessness philosophy." Her insights reveal a profound understanding of leadership, strategy, and personal development, aimed at guiding individuals and businesses towards achieving their goals with a sense of ease and authenticity.

Key points discussed include:

The Concept of Effortless Leadership: Erin explores how self-perception and self-awareness are foundational to effortless leadership, advocating for leaders to align their self-concept with their actions for a more authentic and effective leadership approach.
Strategic Thinking Beyond the Boardroom: Highlighting the importance of strategy in personal and professional realms, Erin demystifies strategic thinking, making it accessible and applicable to all areas of life for clarity and direction.
The Power of Authenticity in Differentiation: Erin champions authenticity as the ultimate differentiator in today’s world, encouraging individuals and businesses to embrace and showcase their true selves for genuine connections and success.

Erin’s insights offer a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of leadership and life with an effortless approach, encouraging listeners to embrace their inner rebels and challenge the status quo for transformative growth and fulfilment.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Robert Brill, the co-founder and owner of Brill Media, a digital advertising agency from Los Angeles, USA, dedicated to helping businesses scale and grow. With a journey marked by a transition from employee to entrepreneur, Robert shares his insights into the digital advertising landscape, underlining the importance of freedom, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key points discussed include:

The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Robert's leap from employment to founding Brill Media emphasizes the desire for independence and the challenges and rewards of starting a business.
Leveraging Technology in Advertising: He highlights the revolutionary impact of AI and digital tools in advertising, advocating for a tech-savvy approach to staying ahead in the game.
The Importance of Strategy and Creativity: Robert underscores the need for a cohesive strategy and creative storytelling in digital advertising to effectively reach and engage audiences.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Fred Joye, co-founder of Arcanys Ventures, a visionary entrepreneur transforming the tech landscape from Cebu, Philippines. With a background that spans across continents, Fred's journey from corporate finance in Switzerland to pioneering software development outsourcing in the Philippines is both inspiring and instructive. At the heart of his work is a passion for leveraging technology to improve lives, whether through Arcanys Ventures, his ad tech venture, or even a CrossFit gym aimed at enhancing employee well-being.

Fred's conversation with Jürgen Strauss delves into the intricacies of navigating the tech startup world, the challenges of software development outsourcing, and the innovative investment model that sets Arcanys Ventures apart. Key points discussed include:

Embracing the Shift: From a stable career in finance to the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship, Fred shares his transformative journey into the tech startup ecosystem.
Innovative Outsourcing and Investment: Insights into Arcanys Ventures' unique approach to supporting startups, blending technical outsourcing with strategic investments to fuel growth.
Cultivating Culture and Community: Beyond business, Fred's initiatives to foster a positive work environment and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs underscore the holistic vision of his entrepreneurial endeavours.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Fred Cary, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of IdeaPros. Fred has dedicated his career to transforming outsiders into insiders within the entrepreneurial market, leveraging his vast experience and insights to guide aspiring entrepreneurs on their journey to success. Through this fascinating conversation with Jürgen Strauss, Fred shares his wisdom on the pivotal aspects of building a successful enterprise from the ground up.

Key points discussed include:

The Importance of Community in Entrepreneurship: Fred emphasizes the critical role of building a supportive community that fosters innovation and collaboration, allowing entrepreneurs to share knowledge and resources effectively.
Navigating the Transition from Expertise to Entrepreneurship: Highlighting a common challenge many face, Fred provides actionable advice on how individuals can leverage their specific expertise into scalable business models, underscoring the necessity of embracing broader business acumen and the value of collaboration.
The Power of AI and Innovation in Entrepreneurship: Fred discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the entrepreneurial landscape, urging current and aspiring business owners to utilize this technology to stay competitive and innovative.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Alan Lazaros, the CEO of Next Level University, a top 100 global podcast with a mission to empower individuals towards achieving holistic success. Alan's journey from personal struggles to becoming a beacon of self-improvement and leadership offers invaluable insights into the transformative power of continuous growth. Through his conversation with Jürgen Strauss, Alan shares his profound understanding of what it truly means to lead a fulfilled life, grounded in the principles of health, wealth, and love.

Key points discussed include:

The Essence of Holistic Success: Alan emphasizes the importance of balancing health, wealth, and love, advocating that true success cannot be achieved if one of these areas is neglected. He believes that by focusing on self-improvement, individuals can lead more fulfilled lives and positively impact those around them.
Continuous Learning as a Pathway to Growth: Alan's relentless pursuit of knowledge and personal development serves as a testament to the power of lifelong learning. He suggests incorporating practices such as meta-thinking and leveraging resources like Audible to cultivate a mindset of continuous growth and innovation.
Conscious Communication in Relationships: Highlighting the significance of understanding and aligning with our partner's love languages, Alan introduces the concept of conscious love languages. This approach fosters deeper, more meaningful connections by ensuring that we are attentive to our partners' needs and values.

Through these discussions, Alan Lazaros not only redefines the metrics of success but also provides actionable strategies for individuals to embark on their journey toward holistic fulfillment.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jeff Giagnocavo, a seasoned entrepreneur who has been pioneering innovative business practices since he was sixteen. With a portfolio of successful ventures and the authorship of "The Space for Leadership," Jeff shares a profound journey of growth, emphasizing leadership with empathy and the transformative power of customer experience in business.

In a compelling conversation with Jürgen, Jeff delves into the essence of what makes businesses thrive in today's competitive landscape. Key points discussed include:

Empathetic Leadership: Jeff underscores the importance of leading with empathy, care, and courage. By sharing personal stories, he illustrates how authentic leadership can inspire teams, foster a supportive culture, and drive success.
Innovative Customer Experience: Drawing from his unique approach to the mattress retail business, Jeff highlights the significance of creating memorable customer experiences. He shares how sensory engagement and personalized service can distinguish a business and forge lasting connections with customers.
The Power of Contrarian Thinking: Jeff advocates for questioning the status quo and embracing contrarian perspectives to unlock innovation. His experiences demonstrate that challenging industry norms can lead to groundbreaking solutions and set a business apart.

Jeff's insights offer a blueprint for those aspiring to lead with heart and make an impactful difference in their entrepreneurial endeavors. His journey reminds us that at the core of business success lies the ability to connect genuinely with people, whether they are team members or customers.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode, we feature Tai Goodwin, a digital marketing expert with a wealth of experience as an award-winning instructional designer, author, and CEO. Tai's journey from a passionate educator to a digital marketing strategist exemplifies her commitment to enhancing the visibility of coaches, healers, and spiritual entrepreneurs. Her mission is to empower her clients to create a larger impact by making their services more accessible to those in need.

Our conversation delves into Tai's expert insights on evolving marketing strategies, the power of authenticity, and the importance of consistency. Key points include:

Evolving Digital Landscapes: Tai discusses the transformative shifts in marketing, urging adaptability and strategic foresight.
Authenticity as a Magnet: Highlighting the saturation of influencer marketing, Tai champions genuine engagement to truly resonate with audiences.
The Consistency Principle: Tai underscores the significance of steady, quality interactions in building lasting relationships and visibility.

Tai's approach offers a blueprint for navigating the digital marketing world with integrity and impact, encouraging entrepreneurs to deepen connections and broaden their reach.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Alexandra Watkins, a branding powerhouse and the creative mind behind Eat My Words, a brand naming consultancy that's all about injecting fun and creativity into the naming process. Alexandra has revolutionized the way we think about brand names, turning what can often be a daunting task into an exciting adventure.

During our conversation, Alexandra shared her unique approach to creating names that not only stick but also spark joy and curiosity. Here are three key points discussed:

The SMILE Framework: Alexandra introduces the SMILE acronym as a guide to crafting brand names that are Suggestive, Memorable, Imagery-rich, have Legs, and create an Emotional connection. This framework is central to her philosophy, ensuring that names are not just functional but also engaging and evocative.
Common Pitfalls in Naming: We delved into the common traps businesses fall into when naming their brand, such as making names too complicated or not memorable. Alexandra offered insights into how to avoid these pitfalls, emphasizing the importance of clarity and simplicity in creating an effective brand name.
The Power of Storytelling in Branding: Alexandra believes that a great name tells a story, resonating with the audience on a deeper level. She highlighted how incorporating elements of one's personal journey or business ethos into the name can foster a stronger connection with the target audience.

Alexandra's passion for naming shines through her work, inspiring businesses to think creatively about their brand identity. With her expert advice, any business can turn the naming process into an opportunity to define and differentiate itself in the marketplace.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Liam Naden, a visionary entrepreneur and a profound advocate for understanding the biological foundations of success. Through his own transformative journey from hitting rock bottom to redefining success, Liam has become a beacon of hope and innovation. This conversation unveils the power of our biological blueprint and how it shapes our path to success.

Key points discussed include:

Redefining Success: Success is a natural biological process, and struggle is against our nature. Embracing this can transform our approach to achieving our goals.
The Brain's Role in Success: Our brain is divided into four parts, each with a unique function. Understanding and utilizing the creative part of the brain is crucial for true success.
Overcoming Fear: Fear activates our survival instincts, hindering our potential. Learning to recognize and overcome fear allows us to tap into our innate capabilities and achieve greater success.

Liam's message is clear: by understanding and aligning with our biological blueprint, we can navigate life's challenges more effectively and achieve a state of success that is both fulfilling and sustainable. Join us as we delve into the unseen forces of success and learn how to harness our biological potential to create a life of achievement and contentment.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Karen Jacobsen, the Australian voice behind GPS navigation systems and a motivational speaker. Karen shares her journey of recalibrating life when faced with unexpected turns, using her experiences to inspire others to navigate through challenges with grace and resilience. Her conversation with Jürgen Strauss is a deep dive into the importance of adapting to change and finding one's true path.

Key points discussed include:

Embracing Change: Karen's philosophy on life transitions and the importance of flexibility.
The Power of Voice: How Karen's narrative as the GPS voice translates to guiding others in life.
Navigating Personal Growth: Practical strategies for recalculating one's course towards personal and professional fulfilment.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Dr David Pearce, Ultimate Success in Dentistry Our guest in this episode is Dr. David Pearce, a remarkable individual who transitioned from being a skilled dentist to a business coach and author. David's journey is a story of transformation, reflecting his multifaceted nature and dedication to making a significant impact in people's lives, one person at a time.

In our conversation, David shared his insights and experiences. Key points discussed include:

Personalized Impact: David emphasizes the importance of making a significant difference in individuals' lives, whether through dental work or business coaching.
Journey of Transformation: He shares his journey from dentistry to business coaching, highlighting the challenges and growth opportunities this change presented.
The Essence of Leadership and Team Building: David discusses how building a high-performing, growth-oriented team is crucial in both dentistry and business coaching.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Margie Oleson, an organizational leadership and performance coach from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Margie brings a unique perspective to leadership, emphasizing the importance of humanness and emotional intelligence in organizational dynamics. Her insights offer practical strategies for leaders to foster more cohesive, empathetic, and effective teams.

Key points discussed include:

Embracing Emotional Intelligence: Margie highlights the significance of understanding and connecting with team members on an emotional level, transforming leadership from mere task management to human-centric guidance.
Effective Use of Personality Tools: She discusses the role of tools like DISC and Working Genius in nurturing empathetic leadership, focusing on how they can aid in understanding team members' emotional profiles.
Cultivating Team Cohesion through Empathy: Margie underscores the leader's role in creating an environment where empathy and understanding are paramount, leading to stronger team bonds and enhanced collaboration.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Peter Schroeder, Telzio Our guest in this episode is Peter Schroeder, a former DJ turned tech entrepreneur and CEO of Telzio. Peter's journey is a story of transformation, from spinning records to leading a technology company. His experience as a DJ, where he learned to manage everything from music to marketing, laid a foundation for his business acumen. Here's a short recap of our engaging conversation. Key points discussed include:

Transition from DJ to Tech CEO: Peter highlighted how skills learned in his DJ career, like self-promotion and business management, greatly contributed to his success in the tech industry.
Mastering SEO for Business Growth: He discussed Telzio's early struggles and eventual success, emphasizing the importance of SEO and customer feedback in shaping the company's growth trajectory.
Innovating to Meet Personal Needs: Peter's journey with Telzio began from a personal need for an affordable and easy-to-use phone system, illustrating how personal challenges can lead to innovative business solutions.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Phillip Stemann, a programming enthusiast turned SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) expert. From his early start at 13 years old, Phillip's journey through the tech world has been fueled by a passion for solving complex problems and an enduring love for technology.

Key points discussed include:

Phillip's unique approach to SEO and programming, emphasizing the joy in solving complex problems and the versatility of solutions.
Insights into the evolving role of AI in SEO, showcasing how advancements like GPT-4 have expanded its applications beyond content creation.
Phillip's entrepreneurial experiences, including the challenges of scaling an agency and the valuable lessons learned from these endeavors.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Melissa Dinwiddie, an artist and creativity consultant who believes in the transformative power of creativity in both personal and professional realms. Melissa's journey from struggling with creative blocks to becoming a creativity advocate is truly inspiring.

Key points discussed include:

Melissa shares her personal journey of overcoming creative blocks and high expectations, emphasizing the importance of nurturing creativity.
She advocates for practical tools and strategies to enhance creativity, such as using timers and engaging in creative exercises.
Melissa highlights the significant impact of creativity in business and teamwork, enhancing productivity and fostering innovative problem-solving.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Doug Howarth, a visionary economist redefining market dynamics with his innovative theory, Hypernomics. In a captivating conversation, Doug shares insights from his journey, illustrating how Hypernomics offers a fresh perspective on economic behavior and strategy. His stories, filled with wisdom and experience, shine a light on the intricate relationship between value, price, and consumer decision-making.

Key points discussed include:

Hypernomics as a New Economic Dimension: Doug challenges traditional economic models, introducing a multi-dimensional approach to understand market behavior.
Practical Applications Across Industries: From aerospace giants to local restaurants, Doug illustrates Hypernomics' versatility in optimizing operations and strategies.
The Law of Value Demand: Central to Hypernomics, this law reveals the circular relationship between product features, value, and market dynamics.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is JB Benjamin, founder and CEO of Kryotech, discusses the importance of privacy, the potential of technology, and the power of empathy. He emphasizes that individuals have the ability to make a positive impact on the world and encourages critical thinking, questioning, and listening to others.

Key Points:

Privacy is a human right: Constant surveillance affects mental health and personal freedom. We must question the gathering of personal data and hold those in power accountable.
Technology as a force multiplier: AI can enhance human brilliance, solve global issues, and create opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and kindness.
Power of empathy: Understanding diverse perspectives, focusing on what is important, and listening can lead to positive change and make a profound difference in someone's life.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Shelly Lefkoe, a renowned expert with 35 years of experience in helping people change limiting beliefs and behaviors. In a heartfelt discussion with Jürgen Strauss, Shelly emphasizes the impact of beliefs on emotions and behaviors, shares personal stories, and provides valuable insights.

Key points discussed include:

Beliefs formed in childhood deeply influence adult behavior and emotions, revealing the crucial need to address and eliminate limiting beliefs for personal growth.
Viewing mistakes and failures as opportunities for growth and innovation is essential, encouraging a shift in mindset to embrace learning from setbacks.
The importance of authenticity, gratitude, and making a positive impact are highlighted, emphasizing the value of being true to oneself and contributing to others' growth.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is Salvatore Buscemi, CEO and Co-Founding Partner at HRN, LLC as well as CEO & CIO of Dandrew Partners Capital Management. Sal shares his insights on networking, investing, and the power of genuine relationships in investment management.

Networking is key: Building strong, genuine relationships with investors and clients is essential for success.
Ego aside, ideas flow: Suppressing ego and open-mindedness are vital for generating fresh, innovative ideas.
AI and Empathy: Embracing AI, practicing kindness, and prioritizing human connections lead to a successful, impactful future.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is Nancy Giere, a renowned course creation expert, whose wealth of knowledge extends to creating engaging and impactful programs that leave a lasting impression. Her book, "Bundle Your Brilliance," is a testament to her expertise and is available on Amazon. In the conversation We dove deep into the world of creating engaging online courses and explored the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation:

Find Your Perfect Fit: Before diving into a platform or creating content, it's crucial to find a platform that aligns with your needs and goals. Look for one that has a strong community component, as it can greatly enhance the learning experience.
Focus on the Outcome: When designing your courses, instead of trying to cover everything in one go, consider building a curriculum with focused and targeted courses. Create an experience for your learners by thinking of the end result first and working backward to deliver the essential information.
Integration is Key: Building online courses shouldn't be a standalone venture. Nancy Giere emphasized the importance of integrating them into a business model, complementing coaching or consulting services. This integration enhances the learning experience and allows you to serve more people.

Anastasia Lipske, who was our guest on Innova.Buzz 600 introduced us to Nancy.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this 600th episode of InnovaBuzz, Anastasia Lipske, a branding consultant and founder of Access Speakers joins host Jürgen Strauss. We discuss the power of podcasting, the importance of reviews, and how to make a genuine connection with podcast hosts.

Key Points:

Evergreen Impact: Podcast guesting offers potential exposure and discovery long after the episode is recorded, allowing guests to reach a larger audience with their valuable messages.
Reviews Matter: Reviews on Apple Podcasts are crucial for potential listeners in gauging the quality of a show. Guests can support hosts by leaving ratings and reviews, enhancing visibility and credibility.
Genuine Connection: Building a genuine connection with podcast hosts before being booked increases the chances of getting on the right shows. Personalization, research, and timely engagement with hosts are key to securing valuable guest opportunities.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode of Innova.Buzz, Karl Swanepoel, CEO and Founder of Revolancer, joins host Jürgen Strauss! We discussed the challenges and triumphs of building a successful platform for freelancers. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:

Get started, take action: Karl emphasizes the importance of taking the first step, even without all the answers.
Innovate and empower: Karl advocates for creating a community where freelancers can connect, build, and inspire.
Embrace change and potential: Karl discusses the evolving freelance landscape post-pandemic, urging adaptability and innovation.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode of Innova.Buzz, Allyns Melendez joins Jürgen to discuss the power of effective communication in building relationships, understanding personal communication styles, and adapting to the needs of others. She shares insights on aligning organizational values, managing personal challenges, and the art of asking calibrated questions for progress.

Aligning Values: Cultivate relationships with team members who align with your organization's values and goals for successful communication and collaboration.
Adapting Communication Styles: Understand and adapt to different communication styles to ensure everyone understands the company's vision and mission.
Calibrated Questions: Use calibrated questions instead of "why" questions to progress conversations, build trust, and find solutions in both personal and work-related situations.

Remember, effective communication is the cornerstone of success in all aspects of life. Listening, adapting, and asking the right questions can pave the way for meaningful connections and accomplishment.

Juliana Marulanda, who was our guest on Innova.Buzz 594 introduced us to Allyns.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is Joe Pane, an expert in human behaviour. He has been working in the field since 2006, working with a range of private clients through to larger corporate organizations, helping improve their effectiveness and results by coaching them on managing their own emotional and social intelligence.

Together, we delve into the profound impact of uncertainty on our lives. Here are three inspiring takeaways from our conversation:

Uncertainty as an Opportunity: Uncertainty is not always our enemy; it can bring unexpected opportunities and benefits if we embrace it.
Gratitude and Appreciation: By cultivating gratitude, we can improve our relationship with uncertainty.
Finding Meaning in Uncertainty: Instead of solely seeking pleasure or material possessions, Joe emphasizes that finding meaning in life is crucial. When faced with uncertainty, we should focus on serving others and discovering fulfillment, which can lead us to a deeper sense of purpose.

So, let's embrace uncertainty, adopt a mindset of gratitude, and seek meaningful connections as we navigate the ebbs and flows of life!

Jem Fuller, who was our guest, most recently on episode 571 of the InnovaBuzz Podcast, introduced us Joe

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is Casey Cavell, an entrepreneur and purpose-driven leader who helps entrepreneurs get out of the daily grind and regain control to focus on what matters most. Casey shares his insights on achieving clarity, letting go, and building a life of purpose. From defining job roles with a vision map to creating systems for success, Casey's journey and wisdom provide inspiration for listeners to prioritize personal connections, find balance, and make a positive impact.

Key Points:

Clarity for Success: Define job roles, set clear expectations, and establish measurable KPIs to achieve desired outcomes.
Letting Go and Delegating: Trust your team, create systems, and focus on tasks that align with your strengths and passions.
Building a Life of Purpose: Prioritize personal connections, find work-life balance, and remember that success is measured by relationships and making a positive impact on others.

Embrace clarity, let go of perfection, and build a life that truly fulfills you.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tom Poland who is best-selling author of the Leadsology series of books and also Marketing with Webinars. His new book: "Get Quality New Clients for free from Other People's Networks” is launching in early November.

We explore the power of email marketing, the importance of establishing strong business relationships, and the concept of leveraging other people's networks (OPN) for marketing success.

Key Points:

Leveraging other people's networks (OPN) through email marketing and strategic partnerships is a powerful and cost-effective way to generate new clients.
Building relationships, establishing trust, and offering value are crucial in successful marketing and business collaborations.
Investing in expert guidance and implementing proven strategies is essential for long-term business success.

Tom previously appeared on Episode 446 of the podcast.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode of Innova.Buzz, Juliana Marulanda shares her insights on the power of building processes within organizations. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork, subject matter expertise, and the role of video in creating and replicating processes. Juliana believes that by standardizing and optimizing processes, businesses can achieve stability, unlock creativity, and make a significant impact.

Key Points:

Teamwork and Expertise: Building processes is a collaborative effort that requires subject matter experts to guide the development. It's vital to harness the knowledge and experience of the team to create effective procedures.
Video for Replicating Processes: Video is a powerful tool for documenting and replicating processes. It allows for easy slicing, dicing, and replication, making it invaluable when subject matter expertise is lacking within the organization.
Standardization and Optimization: Juliana highlights the importance of creating, standardizing, and optimizing processes. By implementing standardized procedures, businesses can replace the need for excessive control, foster innovation, and achieve desired outcomes. Freedom and success come from making deliberate choices and embracing the power of well-designed systems.

Remember, building processes is not just about efficiency but also about creating an environment that empowers teams and allows for innovation to flourish.

Tanya Alvarez on Episode 581 introduced us to Juliana.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode, we delve into the power of our own thoughts and words, the profound impact of kindness and the importance of decentralizing control of personal data. Our guest speakers, Sean Harbinger, Lisa Jones, Michaela Cox, Debi Wimberley, and Amy Weishaus, share their wisdom and insights on these transformative topics.

Here are the three key points we discussed:

Kindness, Empathy, and Empowerment: We learn how acts of kindness, empathy, and gratitude can have a profound impact on our lives every day. By being the first to smile, offering empowering words, and acknowledging others, we can create endless joy, health, and success. Kindness plays a crucial role in developing self-worth and can help individuals overcome adversity and navigate changes in their lives.
Taking Charge of Our Thoughts and Lives: The importance of language and positive self-talk is emphasized as we explore the power of our own thoughts and beliefs. By reframing negative situations, managing our thoughts, and partnering with ourselves, we can experience personal growth and transformation. Taking charge of our lives, relying on our own abilities, and accepting thoughts that are beneficial are key to creating a life filled with possibilities.
Decentralizing Data Control for Empowerment: We explore the significance of taking control of our personal data and the need to decentralize its ownership. By doing so, we gain leverage in the market and reduce our reliance on third-party sources. The power of smart contracts is highlighted as a means to control data access in a decentralized manner.

Join us as we embark on this inspiring journey to empower change, spread kindness, and take control of our lives.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode of Innova.Buzz, Margaret Watts Romney reminds us of the incredible power of storytelling and how it connects us on a deep level. Sharing personal experiences and shaping them into meaningful messages can leave a lasting impact on our audience. With insightful anecdotes and practical tools, Margaret inspires us to step into the spotlight and become leaders in our own right, both on and off the stage.

Key Points:

Unleash Your Inner Leader: Margaret reveals the profound connection between speakership and leadership. When we share our stories and values on stage, we have the opportunity to lead and inspire others. Let your authentic voice shine and bring your unique experiences and vision to every conversation.
The Gift of Connection: Stories are the threads that weave us together, touching hearts and changing lives. Margaret reminds us to take care in crafting our stories, ensuring they resonate with our audience. By adding touches of humor, emotions, and sensory details, we can create a gift for our listeners that they will remember long after the podcast is over.
Be Fearlessly Awesome: Nervousness is natural, whether it's speaking in front of an audience or simply sharing our truth. Margaret shares powerful tools to harness that energy and transform it into confident awesomeness. Embrace the surge of energy, reframe the physical signs, and step into the spotlight with grace and poise. It's time to unleash the fearlessly awesome speaker within you!

So get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, storytelling, and leadership;

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is David Rogers, the world’s leading expert on digital transformation, a member of the faculty at Columbia Business School, and the author of five books. His landmark bestseller, The Digital Transformation Playbook, was the first book on digital transformation and put the topic on the map.

David shares valuable insights and strategies for organizations seeking to thrive in the digital age. Here are three key takeaways from the discussion:

The key to successful digital transformation is a mindset shift towards problem-solving and value creation, focusing on outcomes and customer needs.
Companies should pair external knowledge with internal understanding to identify their "right to win" and pursue new ventures.
Establishing a shared vision, aligning goals, and empowering employees to take ownership are critical for successful digital transformation at every level of the organization.

Remember, digital transformation is not just about technology; it's about achieving business results and creating an organization that can succeed in the digital landscape. So, let's embrace the power of innovation and strategic thinking to unlock our true business potential.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is the energetic and passionate Steve Multer, founder of Steve Multer Corporate Storytelling. We delve into the power of corporate storytelling, highlighting its deep historical roots and its ability to build trust and create meaningful connections with audiences.

Here are three key points we discussed:

Corporate storytelling is a powerful tool for building trust, loyalty, and human connections with customers and employees.
Overcoming the fear of public speaking comes down to providing value to the audience and realizing they want the speaker to succeed.
Sharing personal stories within a corporate environment can create leadership, foster unique problem-solving approaches, and build stronger connections with colleagues and customers.

From overcoming the fear of public speaking to the importance of personal storytelling, Steve offers valuable insights and practical tips for anyone looking to make an impact in the world of business and communication.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode, is Colin Duff, CEO of Mosaic Innovation, a consultancy that helps leading enterprises such as HP, Marriott and BT to crack their toughest growth challenges, build capability and transform their culture. From vodka to Viagra and pensions to prisons he’s led dozens of innovation projects across a wide range of sectors and geographies. He’s also trained and coached hundreds of growth practitioners and is a regular speaker and commentator on all things innovation.

In the conversation, Colin shares his wealth of knowledge on generating breakthrough ideas, uncovering valuable insights, and connecting with customers. Here are three key points we discussed:

Challenge the Norms: Colin urges us to think outside the box and challenge industry norms. By targeting overlooked market segments and considering non-users, neglected segments, and early adopters, we can unlock untapped potential and spark innovation that resonates with diverse audiences.
Embrace Human-Centered Innovation: Colin emphasizes the power of observing real people in action to gain valuable insights. He recounts examples, like Honda's generator innovation and a small tweak to canned fish packaging, where simple observations led to significant sales uplifts. By connecting with customers regularly and involving them in the innovation process, we can foster collaboration, trigger interesting conversations, and inspire new ideas.
Go Beyond Market Research: While acknowledging the value of market research, Colin highlights that it often tells us what we already know. In contrast, innovation insight is like storytelling, diving into the motivations and experiences of customers. Qualitative research, ethnography, and personally connecting with people remain crucial even in the digital age. By blending thought experiments with real-world experiments, and focusing on customer experience and business model aspects, we can create truly innovative solutions that transcend commodification.

Get ready to embark on a captivating journey of innovation as Colin Duff unveils the secrets to breaking through barriers, sparking game-changing insights, and creating meaningful connections with customers.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

We welcome back to the InnovaBuzz Podcast, Joey Coleman, author of Never Lose a Customer Again and Never Lose an Employee again. Joey helps companies keep their customers and employees. Joey is a passionate advocate for enhancing customer and employee experiences. He encourages people to move beyond transactional interactions and create transformational connections. Joey believes in the power of going the extra mile to make personal and emotional connections, and offers tips and techniques to help others achieve this. His mission is to inspire people to think differently about the experiences they create for others.

In our conversation Joey shares valuable insights on enhancing employee experiences. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:

Embrace the Power of AI: Joey reminds us that new technologies like AI have historically augmented rather than replaced human jobs. By welcoming these advancements, businesses can unlock opportunities for more humanity in work.
Implement a Buddy System: Joey highlights the importance of establishing a buddy program early in an employee's journey. This simple yet impactful gesture fosters commitment, productivity, and retention, benefiting both junior employees and senior executives.
Create a Culture of Appreciation: By making employees feel seen, heard, and acknowledged, organizations can cultivate loyal, committed, and engaged teams. Celebrating milestones and valuing contributions goes a long way in creating a happy and fulfilling workplace.

By valuing employees and creating remarkable experiences, we can foster a work culture that is both inspiring and productive!

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Anne Janzer, a nonfiction book coach and the author of six books about writing and marketing. She is fascinated by human behavior and cognitive science, and is always looking for clues about how we can communicate more effectively. As a nonfiction book coach, she guides authors using the concept of servant authorship, or writing to serve a specific group of people with a meaningful message.

In this vibrant and insightful conversation Anne and I explore the power of brand voice, the role of AI in writing, and the keys to effective communication. Discover how empathy, authenticity, and the assistance of AI can elevate your writing and create meaningful connections.

Key Takeaways:

Authenticity and empathy are essential in writing, and understanding the reader's needs and incorporating effective metaphors can engage and resonate with the audience.
Consistency and alignment between personal and business brand voices are crucial in establishing a strong brand voice that leaves a lasting impression on customers.
Using AI tools like Chat GPT can enhance writing by providing different perspectives and ideas, but writers should be cautious not to compromise their individual voice and relationship with readers.

Mark Herschberg, who was our guest on Episode 565 introduced us to Anne.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jill Schiefelbein, Chief Experience Officer and Partner at Render Media, a tech start-up specializing in creating customized digital likeness through the use of hyper-realistics avatars. Thriving at the intersections of communication, education, and technology, Jill took her experience teaching business communication at Arizona State University and leveraged it into a communication strategy company, The Dynamic Communicator, where she’s served companies from small brick-and-mortar businesses to Fortune 50 companies as a keynote speaker, trainer, and consultant. Helping businesses find and fill their communication gaps is what she does best.

In our conversation Jill takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of emergent technologies. From the evolution of communication to the potential of synthetic media, Jill explores how innovation can drive us forward while providing valuable insights on navigating the ethical implications.

Key Takeaways:

Embrace new technologies and be proactive in communicating their usage to build trust and reduce uncertainty in business and personal interactions.
Utilize synthetic media and AI responsibly by setting up ethical guardrails and implementing clear communication strategies to enhance content delivery.
Explore different contexts and industries to generate innovative ideas and perspectives for problem-solving and innovation.

Mark Herschberg, who was our guest on Episode 565 introduced us to Jill.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brigitta Hoeferle, the CEO and Master Trainer at the Center for NLP. She is an enthusiastic and enjoyable coach, well-known for her expertise in human behavior and communication. Brigitta is a great leader and educator at heart, who guides other leaders strategically by sharing her knowledge and experiences.

Brigitta once climbed the German corporate ladder, but realized that she preferred being a business owner more than anything else. She built, established, and sold her own businesses. She learned from her mistakes, but even more than that, she learned from the process of building something new. Brigitta studied the patterns of success, which helped her to refine her coaching skills even more than earning two degrees.

In our conversation Brigitta shares her personal journey of continuous learning, self-reflection, and the power of affirmations. Discover how changing negative self-talk and beliefs can empower you to create a life filled with growth, confidence, and success.

Key takeaways:

Continuous learning and personal growth are essential for effective leadership and creating a positive impact;
Pay attention to your self-talk and challenge negative beliefs to shift your mindset and improve your communication with yourself and others;
Use affirmations and gather evidence to support positive beliefs, reshaping your identity and creating new opportunities for growth and success.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Robin Colucci, whohelps world class experts write and publish world changing books so that they can increase their income, credibility, and impact, and secure a legacy of value for generations to come. Her clients have been published by “Big 5” and other top publishing houses and others have self-published. Many have won awards, received outstanding book reviews, and/or become bestsellers on Amazon, USA Today, and The New York Times bestsellers lists.

In our conversation Robin shared her passion for helping authors turn their ideas into books. Key points we discussed:

the importance of asking probing questions to uncover valuable insights and help authors express their ideas in the best way possible;
the need to debunk false industry beliefs, listen without judgment, and create a space without criticism;
the need for active participation and promotion in achieving book success, and
pushing through fear and taking action.

Mark Herschberg, who was our guest on Episode 565 introduced us to Robin.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Richard Phu, the go-to Business Freedom Designer for businesses worldwide. Richard has 10+ year of experience coaching hundreds of business owners in designing scalable businesses with automation, systematisation, and virtual assistants. In less than a year, Richard transformed Outsourcing Angel virtual assistant agency allowing the CEO & Founder of the business to finally be free from day-to-day operations while continuing double-digit growth year after year.

In our conversation Richard and I discussed

systemizing delivery work to building a client ladder,
the importance of finding your core genius,
the power of delegation and coaching team members, and
the value of clear communication in preventing mistakes.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Laban Ditchburn, author of Bet on You, speaker, podcast host and creator of the Podcasting Heroes Movement. His mission is to be known as the world's most positively influential speaker, by being the world's best courage coach.

Laban shares his powerful journey of overcoming addiction, limiting beliefs, and destructive behavior to become the best version of himself. Along the way, he discovered the importance of embracing authenticity, taking bold action, and reclaiming power over past experiences. Here are three key points from our inspiring conversation:

The importance of taking action and setting aside fear to turn ideas into reality;
The power of forgiveness and ideas to avoid taking ourselves too seriously and ceding power to our past experiences;
Laban also suggests developing a "world's best statement", defining your true purpose.

Chris Michel, who was our guest on Episode 521 introduced us to Laban.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tanya Alvarez, co-founder of OwnersUp. Tanya grew her first company, Blink Ads, to over 1 million within the first year at the age of 25, but she found herself overwhelmed and stressed as a young, female, and minority entrepreneur. She realized the lack of resources and support available for entrepreneurs and decided to apply the training and support system from her marathon running days to the business world. She created a team-based program that uses qualitative and quantitative data to identify blind spots and drive growth for entrepreneurs, allowing them to achieve their goals faster and with less weight on their shoulders.

From turning a startup into a million-dollar success to championing diversity in entrepreneurship, Tanya shares her insights on building supportive communities, harnessing data for growth, and finding motivation in unexpected places. The three key points we covered in our conversation:

Harnessing the power of support and data together to improve performance, just like endurance athletes do;
The motivational magic of accountability, that can push us beyond our limits to new heights;
The RAP method (Reflect, Assess, Prioritize) to unlock our true potential and achieve more by working less.

David Shriner-Cahn, who was our guest on Episode 276 introduced us to Tanya.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Erika Andresen, a business continuity professional, army veteran, lawyer, and professor of emergency management. After a career working in actual disasters with life and death consequences, Erika saw that business owners needed similar services to survive but did not know where to start. Erika started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. She authored "How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong," a conversational introduction to business continuity. She has been quoted in Forbes, Dark Reading, Smartsheet, and MoneyGeek.

In our conversation Erika and I explore the importance of business continuity planning. The three key points we covered are:

how businesses can thrive amidst disruptions,
why investing in business continuity is essential and should be considered an asset, and
Erika's innovative approach to enable businesses to stay resilient.

Arliss Dudley-Cash, who was our guest on Episode 452 introduced us to Erika.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is James I. Bond, one of America’s leading behavioral management and business marketing specialists. He is author of the breakthrough multi-award-winning book - BRAIN GLUE - How Selling Becomes Much Easier By Making Your Ideas "Sticky" – which is a finalist as The Best Business Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. For thirteen years he ran one of Southern California’s leading behavioral management firms, working with a who’s who of American business. Early in his career, he ran an advertising agency in Montreal, working with a wide range of Fortune 500 and smaller firms.

In our conversation Jim and I explore the power of using analogies and emotion in marketing for massive success. Here are some key takeaways from the episode:

Emotional selling is key to decision making, with over 90% of decisions made on the emotional side of the brain
Start with a crazy analogy or metaphor, and have fun with it to trigger the brain and make it easier to pitch and win clients
Self-analysis can help you identify what makes you unique and attract an audience

Listen to the episode to learn more about how to find your edge, use brain glue tools, and trigger emotional responses in your marketing strategy.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Hilary Russo, The HIListically Speaking® Health Coach. She is one of only 150 Certified Havening Techniques Practitioners in the United States and 500 in the world. Hilary has been nationally recognized as a leader and public figure for her work in holistic health. Hilary’s HUG it Out! and Brain Candy programs empower you to “be kind to your mind”, own the story you are telling yourself and rewrite the narrative with neuroscience based tools that help you heal from within. She’s also a Certified Integrative Nutrition Holistic Health Coach, award-winning multimedia host/journalist focusing on health and wellness and a college professor at St John’s University in NYC. You can find Hilary at the mic as well hosting the successful podcast HIListically Speaking: engaging conversations of trauma to triumph through health healing and humor.

In our conversation Hilary and I discussed the neuroscience-based approach of Havening techniques and how this technique can help individuals deal with trauma and promote better mood, behavior, and decision making by altering brain activity. The three key points we covered are:

The benefits of positive self-talk, surrendering and letting go, and creating a toxic-free environment;
how we can condition our brains to bring ourselves back from negative thoughts by nurturing the amygdala;
how Havening can be used as a self-application tool for everyday coping, and dealing with traumas.

Jason Van Orden (episode 275) and Michael Roderick (episode 328) introduced us to

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr Aaron Ahuvia, a Professor of Marketing at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the world’s leading academic expert on brand love. He has been ranked in the top 2% of all scientists and ranked 22 in the world for research impact in consumer behavior. He has been featured in major media including Time, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Der Spiegel, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japan’s Wall Street Journal), National Public Radio’s Marketplace, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Most recently, he is the author of "The Things We Love: How Our Passions Connect Us and Make Us Who We Are".

In our conversation Aaron provides insights into the importance of having multiple relationships with customers and avoiding dependency on a single salesperson. He also shares his perspective on productivity, developing expertise, and the role of sleep in intelligence. Some key points we covered are:

Understanding how emotional connections to physical objects are formed and how these insights can be used by businesses to create emotional connections with their customers;
The evolution of love and its application to products and brands;
The importance of measuring brand love and engineering it consciously.

For an illuminating conversation on the psychology of consumer relationships and brand love, listen to the entire podcast.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Alison Smith, a specialist in guiding individuals through challenging moments using an inventive, nature-inspired approach. With over two decades of coaching and problem-solving expertise, Alison offers a unique perspective that consistently produces results. As an accomplished speaker, coach, and author, she brings joy, laughter, and connection to every interaction. Her book, ‘Can’t See the Wood for the Trees,’ and podcast, ‘Landscaping Your Life with Alison Smith,’ showcase her exceptional tools and insights.

In our conversation Alison and I discussed the power of metaphor and how it can help us find solutions to our problems. Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

Metaphors contain solutions hidden within them, and exploring them can lead to a list of options that can be taken back to the real-life situation.
Metaphor is a way of bringing inner wisdom into conscious awareness, and looking to nature can help people reflect on their feelings and gain insight into their situation.
Understanding individual motivations and roles is key to facilitating behavior change, and incorporating metaphors into corporate training can help people understand different perspectives.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is a highly-sought after speaker, trainer and coach known as “Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.,” Dr. Danny Brassell who has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and authored 16 books, including his latest, Leadership Begins with Motivation. He helps entrepreneurs, executives and small business owners boost their business and impact by improving their communication skills.

In our conversation Danny and I discussed the power of storytelling and connection in public speaking. He emphasizes the importance of developing a unique stump speech, using humor to connect with the audience, and suggesting actions throughout the presentation. Danny shares personal stories and offers practical tips to help speakers improve their impact. Key takeaways include:

Your story is your superpower. Sharing personal anecdotes and using humor can create a connection with the audience and make your presentation more memorable.
Connect early and often. Suggesting actions and addressing audience motivations can keep them engaged and invested in your presentation.
Practice makes perfect. Speakers should dedicate time to practicing their delivery and observing other successful speakers to improve their skills.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Kevin Kelly. Kevin helped launch and edit Wired magazine, has written for the NY Times and Wall Street Journal and his latest book is “Excellent Advice for Living”. Kevin was also our guest on Episode 83 of the Innova.Buzz Podcast. He’s admired for his acute perspectives on technology and its relevance to history, biology and society.

When Kevin and I spoke, we talked about how life is a constantly shifting landscape that presents opportunities for growth and new experiences. It's essential to break free from any sense of equilibrium or harmony that holds us back and embrace the unknown. We also discussed the potential of AI technology in solving problems and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, while being aware of the dangers of misuse. Finally, we discussed the importance of finding our own paths and unique genius, as each of us is the star of our own movie. Key takeaways were:

Embrace change and the unknown to find new opportunities for growth and personal fulfillment.
AI technology can help us solve problems, but it's important to be mindful of its potential for misuse.
Each person should find their own path and embrace their unique talents and potential.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Sally A Curtis who is a Content Repurposing Wiz & outside of the box thinker who loves leverage. She works with Brilliant Individuals to leverage their IP to engage & entice their audience through the power of visuals. Sally is best known for turning books into two years worth of social media posts. Her content agency works with change-makers across the globe and publishing or media houses to maximise visibility by amplifying clients' wisdom & insights.

Sally started her career working with Australia's most influential business leaders, helping them fill their events nationally and internationally with exceptionally high conversion rates. She went on to do this for herself and then mentored others and this led her to find the secret was in engagement through visual content and human conversations. Sallys' team create for you a library of re-useable, profitable brand assets that amplify your impact, make you stand out, be heard and help you reach more people with ease.

In our conversation Sally shares her insights into simplifying the content creation process and finding your inner genius. Key takeaways:

What you do and say repeatedly, showcases effortless talent;
Repurposing existing content is an effective strategy for simplifying content creation;
Break down existing content into small chunks and use visuals to connect with your audience.

Tanya Alvarez in episode 581 (publishes on July 13) introduced us to Sally.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jason Croft, the founder of Media Leads, an agency dedicated to a new form of business development - media lead generation, turning his love of precision interviewing and shining a spotlight on others into a scalable system that allows his clients to shorten their sales cycles and rapidly build their dominance in an industry.

Jason is in the business of Connection. Connecting with people, Connecting those people to each other, and Connecting businesses to their ideal clients. With 30 years of experience in media - movies, video, corporate events, podcasts - both behind the camera and now in front of it, Jason is leveraging those skills to further his mission of Connecting and helping others do the same thing.

In our conversation Jason and I explore the world of podcasting and how it can be used for business growth and intentional networking. Here are three key takeaways:

Podcasting is an excellent tool for network growth and intentional relationship building;
The art of interviewing is centered around focus, listening, and purposeful conversations;
Good interviewing skills are important for podcast success and can help individuals develop communication skills that applicable in most areas of life.

Join us as we learn from real-life experiences and find out how podcasting and interviewing skills can help businesses grow and develop.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jem Fuller, Leadership and Culture Coach, author of the award-winning book, The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, and TEDx speaker.

In our conversation, Jem and I talk about about the concept of conscious communication and the impact it can have on leaders. Here are three key takeaways

Be aware of the impact of our communication on the other person, and be mindful of our choice of words, language, and body language;
Set aside judgment and actively listen to others to have a productive conversation, avoid ego putting up a defence shield;
Cultivate emotional intelligence through mindfulness meditation.

By embracing these concepts and working on our ability to communicate mindfully, we can deepen and enrich our relationships with others.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr Richard Orbe-Austin, a renowned psychologist, known for his work and research on Impostor Syndrome. His work has focused on helping individuals who are high achieving but constantly feel like frauds. He has highlighted how most people (over 70%) experience some level of impostor feelings during some stage of their lives, and yet many do not know or understand this phenomenon. Many individuals who experience impostor feelings suffer in silence because they feel embarrassed or ashamed. Richard has done extensive research on this topic to help people understand and overcome these feelings.

In our conversation, Richard and I discussed:

Overcoming limiting beliefs to achieve your dreams;
Injecting joy into your journey and setting boundaries to protect your dreams;
The need to celebrate achievements and practice self-care to avoid burnout and impostor syndrome.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tanessa Shears, a Kinesiologist, Certified Sleep Science Coach, health consultant and host of the Becoming Limitless Podcast. She helps entrepreneurs scale their business by optimizing their health, focus & productivity with science and biohacking. Tanessa works closely with business owners to implement effective sleep, nutrition, movement and out of the box stress management strategies so they can eliminate brain fog and wake up feeling well rested, energized and focused.

In our conversation Tanessa and I discussed the impact of sleep and brain fog on entrepreneurs. The three key points we covered are:

That Sleep is essential for memory and should a health priority.
Strategies to optimize sleep can be applied to both adults and babies.
That Brain fog can be a sign of lack of sleep and can have a negative effect on our productivity and energy levels. With the right strategies, entrepreneurs can eliminate brain fog and make the most of their lives.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Kim Rozdeba, VP of Communications at one of the top 100 global brands, and author of the new book Branding Queens. He has over three decades of strategic planning, branding, and executing multimillion-dollar advertising and marketing campaigns, PR, and corporate communications in the agriculture, pharmaceutical, petroleum, airline, telecommunication, and automotive industries. His goal is to share his branding knowledge and wit with those eager to listen and learn.

In our conversation Kim talked to me about

How brands are an important part of our culture, and can survive for thousands of years;
Why brands are about how they make customers feel, not what they say or do;
Why successful brands are customer-obsessed, and strive to make something bigger and better.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Lynn Whitbeck, the Queen of Sales. She helps transform thinking to the client’s perspective and end sales chaos with a robust strategic plan to harvest the hidden profits. Lynn is the Founder and CEO of Petite2Queen, Host of Get More Clients on the Win Win Women Network, and host of the top podcast, Claim Your Career Crown. She has been seen in USA Today, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, and more!

In our conversation Lynn talked to me about

Why worthy intent is important - - caring about the client and their product and service, and being curious about what matters to them;
The importance of having an abundance mentality, and being willing to refer clients to competitors if it is the right fit for them;
Why relationships are key to making an impact in the world.

Arliss Dudley-Cash in episode 452 introduced us to Lynn.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Nanxi Liu, the Co-CEO and co-founder of Blaze Technology, one of the fastest growing platforms that enables teams to build software and web applications without writing code. She was named Forbes 30 Under 30. Nanxi previously served as CEO and co-founder of Enplug, a leading global digital signage software company that she led from startup to its successful acquisition by Spectrio in March 2021, generating a 200x return for her angel investors.

Nanxi serves on the Board of Directors of CarParts.com, a leading ecommerce auto aftermarket parts company, and on the Board of Directors of Grupo Proeza, one of the largest private conglomerates in Mexico. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors of Kindred Biosciences, which was acquired by Elanco for $440 million. She also served on the Board of Directors of CarLotz, which she helped merge with Shift Technologies. She served as 1 of 5 voting members of the California DMV’s New Motor Vehicle Board.

In college, Nanxi co-founded and served as CEO of Nanoly Bioscience, a venture-backed biotech company that invented polymers that eliminate refrigeration for vaccines.

In our conversation Nanxi talked to me about

How to build the culture of a company right from the beginning, setting consistent values;
Bringing out and amplifying people's strengths;
Creating an environment that's reflective of the company leadership.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mark Herschberg, the author of The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You and creator of the Brain Bump app. From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia, with over a dozen patents to his name. He helped to start the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, dubbed MIT’s “career success accelerator,” where he teaches annually.

In our conversation Mark talked to me about

How his Brain Bump app is beneficial for both content creators and consumers, as it helps to build brands for creators and keep key information top of mind for consumers.
How content producers can benefit from the ability to access content on demand. This allows them to create content that is evergreen, meaning it is always relevant and will never become outdated.
Why repurposing knowledge for context is a great way to make sure that the content is more valuable to the target audience.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Enelin Toneva is the CEO & Founder of Digitarial Agency. She is additionally a founder of the co-working space SpringHub, Head of Business Development of SafetyWing, and has the highest-rated affiliate marketing course on Udemy.

As a speaker, e-teacher, and consultant, Enelin supports growing businesses launching and growing their affiliate, referral, and partnership programs. She has launched 20+ affiliate programs, onboarded 6k affiliates, and generated over $8 million in revenue for her clients.

For the last 5 years, she has traveled across more than 40 countries while doing B2B and B2C marketing and sales for companies from different parts of the world like Wall Street, Sydney, and Europe.

In our conversation Enelin talked to me about

the benefits of remote work;
building a strong culture in remote teams;
the importance of exploring new cultures and ideas to foster innovation and success.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Irina Poddubnaia, founder of TrackMage - software for package tracking that increases sales and customer retention by providing an outstanding post-purchase customer experience. Her journey started from running a fulfillment center in China for 2.5 years (without speaking Chinese) and went to launching a SAAS company completely remotely without external funding and running it successfully to this day.

In our conversation Irina talked to me about

how to focus on getting extra sales from existing customers, rather than just chasing new customers;
optimizing the customer journey and how to provide an amazing customer experience throughout the entire customer journey;
when is the best time to ask for a review.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr. Barbara Doran, who specialises in identifying creative opportunities that respond to complex challenges and putting them into action. She teaches a multi-award winning Bachelor of Creative Intelligence course at the University of Technology, Sydney. This post comes after having worked as a Senior Lecturer for Australia’s leading performing arts conservatoire, National Institute of Dramatic Arts, with prior positions at The University of New South Wales and Western Sydney University.

In our conversation Barbara talked to me about

Why creativity and art are not the same thing;
How creativity is actually an intrinsic trait of being alive;
How to awaken the creative spark inside and tap into our creativity by using all our senses.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tyler Foley, an accomplished film and stage performer and veteran podcast guest with over 300 appearances on episodes with topics ranging from leadership to safety, to overcoming adversity. He is the author of the #1 best-selling book The Power to Speak Naked and the Managing Director of Total Buy In where he works with executives and CEOs, helping them show up powerfully behind the mic to gain the exposure they need.

In our conversation Tyler talked to me about

The importance of reframing our approach to public speaking to focus on what we can give the audience rather than worrying about how we will be perceived;
How the audience is on our side, as they are there to learn from us, and they are expecting us to do well;
Identifying stories we can use to tell and how to tell them in an engaging way.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Beate Chelette the Growth Architect and Founder of The Women’s Code who provides visionaries and leaders with strategies that grow their authority so that they can scale their impact.

Beate is also host of the Business Growth Architect Show and author of the #1 International Award-Winning Amazon Bestseller “Happy Woman Happy World – How to Go from Overwhelmed to Awesome”– a book that corporate trainer and best-selling author Brian Tracy calls “a handbook for every woman who wants health, success and a fulfilling career.”

In our conversation, Beate talked to me about:

The cadence of growing, building and scaling a business, starting with a foundation and structure which gives you freedom;
Identifying a clear customer journey with multiple touch points that can provide smaller products for different customers;
Pitching to podcast hosts in a way that provides value and makes it easy for them.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brandon Leibowitz, who runs and operates SEO Optimizers, a digital marketing company that focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses get more online traffic, which in turn converts into clients and sales.

In our conversation Brandon talked to me about

Why backlinks are important to your search engine ranking and how quality is more important than quantity;
The best way to organically generate backlinks is to publish articles in relevant, high quality publications;
Social media posts have little impact on SEO rankings, but are important to build trust with your target audience.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Richard Medcalf, executive coach & leadership consultant to exceptional founders & CEOs and their leadership teams. He's the founder of XQuadrant and host of the Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast.

His clients are elite performers who've already achieved incredible things, and still have the ambition to 10x their impact and influence and achieve something that seems impossible right now. That can involve 1:1 coaching, taking the leadership team to its next level, or scaling high-performance culture throughout the business.

Richard previously appeared on InnovaBuzz Ep 480, and has since written a new book "Making TIME for Strategy: How to be less busy and more successful"

In our conversation on this episode, Richard talked to me about:

Identifying the shift we can make in our mindset to multiply our impact;
How strategic time is the key indicator of our success and how to make time for strategic thinking;
Creating breakthroughs via creativity.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brent Freeman, the Founder & President of Stealth Venture Labs and a serial entrepreneur who’s passionate about using business to generate both profits & social impact.

In 2009, Brent founded Roozt.com, an online marketplace platform for social good consumer brands which was featured in Mashable, Forbes, Huff Post, INC, The Today Show, NBC, and ABC. He was honored by Forbes as a Name You Need to Know in 2011.

Today, Brent is an angel investor, former venture capitalist, and writes for Entrepreneur and INC on startup life. He is the Founder & President at Stealth Venture Labs, has co-founded five ecommerce brands, and is the Chairman of the Board of the Bay Area chapter of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship that teaches entrepreneurship to inner-city kids.

In our conversation Brent talked to me about

Finding joy in everything, even the "unenjoyable";
How finding joy in the small things and investing in them daily creates a compounding effect of happiness over time;
The journey as the destination and creating from a place of "white space".

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tatiana LaBello, CEO of LaBello LifeStyle, a lifestyle company dedicated to empower and educate others to “inner” work, creating a life by design while creating a mind, attitude and body transformation. Tatiana's passion is helping women step into their calling with clarity, confidence and courage. Tatiana has been an entrepreneur and built multiple businesses for over 30 years. As a world-renowned fitness expert, she has dedicated her life to personal growth and development and sharing her expertise, knowledge, and insight to others. She is an author of a how to book, “Step-by-Step Guide to Fitness Competition Success” and recently released her second book called “Break Through”.

In our conversation Tatiana talked to me about

Overcoming comparison which is the killer of your calling;
Transforming our self-talk to shape our reality;
Recognizing our uniqueness and utilizing our talents and gifts - our superpower.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Elle Ballard in episode 534 introduced us to Tatiana.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jody Glidden, the founder and CEO of Introhive. Founded in 2012, Introhive is the fastest growing B2B revenue acceleration system. The company was recently recognized by Deloitte’s Fast 50 and Fast 500 Awards programs and was named the MarTech 2020 Breakthrough Award winner for Best CRM Innovation. Jody has been involved in founding and building five companies and has successfully exited three of them.

In our conversation Jody talked to me about

How Introhive uses data to help companies improve sales via relationships
Why retention of existing customers should be every business' number one priority
How to supercharge outbound marketing

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Victoria Rader, Possibility Coach and founder of YU2SHINE. Her journey of coaching others to be successful led her to realization of the importance of subconscious programming and energy work. She received her Ph. D. in Metaphysical Studies and mastered various energy modalities and combined spiritual practices with practical applications that have been helping her clients and students to live a life of true freedom and fulfillment. She is a four times best-selling author, with her most recent book Prosper mE: the 35 Universal Laws to Make Money Work for You and founder of Free mE EFT, Quantum Freedom, and creator of Empower-mE and Master-mE apps.

In our conversation Victoria talked to me about

The law of Kaizen Way - how tiny steps and increments done consistently, lead to huge results;
Shifting our mindset from things happening TO us to happening FOR us, then to happening THROUGH us, which is true empowerment;
Focusing on our golden clients.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Anieke Lamers, a former Venture Capital investor turned Startup Founder on a mission to make every child in the world feel special and connected to roots & loved ones. With her company Peekabond she helps global families to unlock deep bonds between children, family and loved ones at a distance through asynchronous connection with playful content inspiration such as interactive lessons, activities, games, stories, songs. She’s also host of the Peekabond podcast, interviewing parents, grandparents, fellow FamilyTech Founders and Child Development and Play experts about Connecting with young children at a distance.

In our conversation Anieke talked to me about

First making an impact with your idea, then building a sustainable business around that idea,
Why it's important to focus on the process of getting results, to get results,
Surrounding yourself with people who have diverse skills, personality and aligned values.

View Details

The Shoes, a brand strategy, research, and innovation boutique specialized in brand positioning and messaging, as well as strategy development. Ulli has developed a unique positioning development methodology, that is outlined in his book The Brand Positioning Workbook.

In our conversation Ulli talked to me about

The definition of a brand as all the associations we have with a specific offering
Strategy as the first step of defining a brand and our marketing
Strategic storytelling that engage customers.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Daniel Hill, life coach, mentor and therapist. Daniel specializes in assisting others, mainly through online video, to master their psychology and their emotional well-being, using tools such as Enneagrams and NLP.

In our conversation Daniel talked to me about

Finding comfort in uncomfortability of the present moment;
Creating stillness to bring clarity and a sense of being;
Recognizing patterns keeping us stuck and changing them.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Riley Jarvis in episode 519 introduced us to Daniel.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Carlos Diaz, founder and CEO of Uncut.fm. Carlos is a repeat entrepreneur. He created his first startup, Emakina, at the age of 23, and it IPOed in 2006. He founded blueKiwi, the first SaaS in France, moved the company to Silicon Valley in 2010 and sold it two years later. He ran a startup accelerator program for four years and continues to invest through his rolling fund Diaspora Ventures.

He is also host of the independent podcast, Silicon Carne, which has become one of the most listened tech podcasts in France, with more than 10,000 downloads per episode.

Carlos is one of the first content creators to launch an NFT project specifically for his podcast, and then to build a platform, Uncut.fm, for other creators to do the same with ease.

In our conversation Carlos talked to me about

The Creator Economy where creators build community and add unique value to that community;
How podcasters can engage their community of listeners as shareholders;
Why intention is the “new attention”.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

Seth Silvers, in episode 537 introduced us to Carlos.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Matt Mueller who has over 20 years of experience in the retail & consumer packaged goods industry and has always been fascinated with one question; Why? This fascination led him to a role in corporate innovation helping him to bring structure, clarity & deep insights to the forefront. Spending thousands of hours in the homes of customers and shopping alongside them,

Matt has been able to unlock some of the biggest business challenges, creating great change for corporations to non-profits. Matt realized how difficult it was to innovate and used mindfulness to help better understand challenges and overcome obstacles. He is now a columnist for Innovation Leader, a top publishing company in the Innovation space, and is helping shed light on how others can innovate within their organizations. For the last 3 years, Matt has explored the intersection of Innovation & Mindfulness to help anyone create great change and has written a book called The Mindful Innovator. His book is due out in early 2023 and will provide anyone who wants to create change the tools they need to do it.

In our conversation, Matt talked to me about:

how we can simplify innovation through mindfulness
uncovering the real opportunity
motivating others through a seatbelt moment

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

the Chicago-based advisory firm Gray Rhino & Company and is a former media and think tank executive. Her four books include the influential global bestseller The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore and the recently released sequel, You Are What You Risk: The New Art and Science of Navigating an Uncertain World.

In our conversation Michele talked to me about

the link between risk, opportunity and innovation;
understanding your risk fingerprint and risk perception to help create ideal conditions for innovation;
the many unconscious influences that affect our decisions in regards to risk.

View Details

In our conversation Michele talked to me about

the link between risk, opportunity and innovation;
understanding your risk fingerprint and risk perception to help create ideal conditions for innovation;
the many unconscious influences that affect our decisions in regards to risk.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Simon Robinson, the CEO (Worldwide) of Holonomics, co-founder of the Deep Tech Network, a Technology Magazine columnist, Harvard Business Review author and co-author of Deep Tech and the Amplified Organisation, Customer Experiences with Soul: A New Era in Design and Holonomics: Business Where People and Planet Matter. Simon is respected globally for his contributions to customer experience strategy and Deep Tech, having created numerous design methods and frameworks such as the New 4Ps and the Holonomic Circle. With three decades of experience in customer experience design, Simon is an internet pioneer and award-winning innovator, having co-founded British Telecom’s Genie Internet, the world’s first mobile internet portal, and contributing to the design and launch of the world’s first smart phones. In our conversation Simon talked to me about

Customer experience and employee experience based on values and value proposition; Elevated value propositions based on customer lived experiences; Strategy as a way of organizing conversations.

https://innovabiz.co/simonrobinson (Listen to the podcast to find out more).

Mike Wittenstein in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/mike-wittenstein-innovabuzz-532/ (episode 532) introduced us to Simon.

View Details

Customer experience and employee experience based on values and value proposition; Elevated value propositions based on customer lived experiences; Strategy as a way of organizing conversations.

https://innovabiz.co/simonrobinson (Listen to the podcast to find out more).

Mike Wittenstein in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/mike-wittenstein-innovabuzz-532/ (episode 532) introduced us to Simon.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Bryan Rutberg, Founder and Principal of 3C Communications. Through speaking, training, and consulting, Bryan and his company help leaders and organizations turn customers into Lustomers™ - increasing profits, referrals, and other key metrics. Bryan combines his passion for language, 20+ years with HP, McKinsey & Company, and Microsoft, and 11 years consulting to drive results. Bryan and his team work together with clients to find the right words that will reach their customers intellectually and emotionally, build their team’s communications skills. Bryan’s team also show their customers how to apply the same principles to build great relationships with employees, partners, investors, donors, and volunteers. In our conversation Bryan talked to me about The inter-relationship between love and profit in business and the customer lifetime value equation; Treating customer service as a privilege; Becoming a customer-centric storytelling organization.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Christy Maxfield, the founder of Purpose First Advisors. She specializes in helping business owners become more confident, capable and resourceful. Christy helps growth-focused business owners build sustainably profitable businesses. Purpose First Advisors believe that building a business should be a bold adventure that creates happiness and prosperity for individuals, families, and communities. Their mission is to help people and communities build generational wealth (close gender and race wealth gaps) through entrepreneurship. In our conversation Christy talked to me about Cultivating empathy and curiosity as a way to build strong relationships and understand our customers; The power of our personal story to inspire others and How to bring the values and culture of an organization to life and sustain them.

Tom Ruwitch in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/tom-ruwitch-innovabuzz-483/ (episode 483 ) introduced us to Christy. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Tom Ruwitch in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/tom-ruwitch-innovabuzz-483/ (episode 483 ) introduced us to Christy. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jeremy Pope of Sales Call Overhaul. Jeremy is a former clinical and stage hypnotist who now helps entrepreneurs build scalable high-ticket sales departments. He’s been a top salesperson, sales manager, and sales trainer for international businesses, including the direct-marketing giant Guthy Renker. Now, he and his team at The Engine Room help build high ticket sales departments and help smaller business owners repair broken sales methods. In our conversation Jeremy talked to me about High performance kindness as the core of a healthy mindset and culture How givers that are stuck in a takers process can revert to their natural behaviour and values Building trust through transparency and humanity in conversations

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr Victor Manzo, a former practicing certified pediatric chiropractor who is now a business mindset coach, 3x book author, podcaster and speaker. Vic brings a unique perspective to how we can lead more fulfilled and soul-filled lives through understanding basic truths of one's mind, and how we can truly have your cake and eat it too. Vic has taken his studies of holistic/pediatric chiropractor, energy medicine practitioner, Reiki master/trainer and implemented them into his business mindset coaching. In our conversation Vic talked to me about How to avoid burnout by focusing on who we are being more than what we are doing. Shifting our mindset from scarcity to abundance. Understanding our uniqueness and our gifts.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Dr Ruth Mary Allan, an executive coach, trauma coach, professional speaker & trainer. She is the Lead Certified Brain Health Professional in the UK, trained by the Amen Clinics, a Certified Havening Practitioner & Certified High Performance Coach. She is also a Reservist British Army Officer, ski & mountain leader & Trauma Recovery coordinator. In our conversation Ruth talked to me about Optimizing both the hardware and software of our brain. The five pillars of Brain Health - feelings, actions, connection to self, thinking, environment. Being curious (not furious) about ourselves.

Tom Ruwitch in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/tom-ruwitch-innovabuzz-483/ (episode 483) introduced us to Ruth. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Ana Patricia Bourgeois, an Intuitive Business Coach, Podcaster & Published Author. Ana's mission is to help ambitious women entrepreneurs double their sales and increase their revenue without spending extra dollars on marketing or advertising. She believes every woman has the power to be financially free & be their own boss without burn-out, stress, & overwhelm. In our conversation Ana talked to me about Owning our gifts and showing up powerfully online to have impact Balancing structure (doing) and intuition (being) as entrepreneurs The impact of podcasting and an online presence on growing our business and network

Rita Roushdy in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/rita-roushdy-innovabuzz-526/ (episode 526) introduced us to Ana. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Matthew L. Cox, the leading performance coach in Las Vegas. Matthew has extensive experience in personal development training. Matthew's simple to understand and follow framework has helped hundreds of his clients increase their awareness to their greater purpose, therefore, helping individuals, teams, and organizations reach new heights. Matthew has conducted interviews with the world's leading influences and leaders in human behavior, business, and social change through his podcasts. In our conversation Matthew talked to me about Having the courage to lead differently through purpose driven leadership and leading with values Creating human quality in the workspace and sustaining a vibrant, healthy culture; Why you have to have each of: a People plan | a Health plan | a Results plan

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Chad E. Foster, a motivational keynote speaker, sales/finance leader, and inspirational change agent who works at Red Hat/IBM. He was the first blind executive to graduate from Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development and has been featured with NBC, CBS, Forbes, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA Today, and Chief Executive Mag. “People are often surprised at what I was able to achieve in spite of being blind but to the contrary, I feel I am successful because I am blind, not in spite of it,” says Chad. After losing his eyesight while attending college in his early twenties, Chad started at a top consulting firm, and has built a career in the technology industry where he has directed financial strategies and decisions resulting in more than $45 billion in contracts. Determination, ambition, and resilience are the key drivers to his incredible journey. His first book, Blind Ambition: How to Go from Victim to Visionary, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Bookshop, Books-A-Million, Google Play, and other fine retailers. Today, Chad speaks to corporate audiences and professional athletes to help them develop resilience in the face of uncertainty and show people how to overcome their own blind spots. In our conversation Chad talked to me about How our mindset and the stories we tell ourselves shape our words, actions and outcomes. Using our gifts, even if they’re wrapped in terrible wrapping Happiness is a choice, a state of mind inspired by gratitude

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Chandler Walker, founder of Stone Age Fuel. Chandler started his entrepreneurial journey with a brick-and-mortar wellness facility. He then pivoted to an online health practice a year before the COVID lockdowns. After scaling both businesses to the 7 figure level and doing 3000-4000 sales consultations, Chandler was frustrated with the way the sales process was taught. He was tired of the old-school objection handling, aggressive tactics, and salesy attitude taught by most sales trainers. So he looked back at what he was doing, combed through his notes, and created Compassion Conversations, a therapeutic-driven, psychological-based sales system centred around compassion and care. Chandler has taught over 3000 people his system of Compassion Conversations and has the goal to change and redefine the landscape of sales altogether. In our conversation Chandler talked to me about What he means by Compassion Conversations; Empathetic communication and the model of the challenging leader; Creating a Culture of Care.

Listen to the podcast to find out more

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Seth Silvers, Founder and CEO of Story On Media & Marketing, who help businesses increase revenue through strategic, story-focused marketing. Seth is host of the Small Business Storytellers podcast and his new podcast "The Business", which is being launched this year as a 10,000 piece NFT collection. Story On helps coaches and consultants become known in their niche through podcasting. In our conversation Seth talked to me about Purposeful storytelling putting our customer at the centre Why podcasting is such an engaging and intimate medium Novel uses of NFTs as digital access cards

Franklin Taggart in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/franklin-taggart-innovabuzz-507/ (episode 507) introduced us to Seth. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Kobi Leizerovich, the Director of Partnerships APAC, at Namogoo, the world's first Digital Journey Continuity platform, serving over 1,000 e-commerce brands like Dollar Shave Club, Eddie Bauer, and Asics to boost conversion rates and revenue through 'Customer Hijacking Prevention' and 'Intent-Based Promotion' tools. Kobi works alongside some of Namogoo's largest customers and partners across Asia and Pacific markets, and is an experienced sales specialist, with an extensive background in sales processes and customer management on a variety of platforms. In our conversation Kobi talked to me about Using machine learning to understand customer purchase intention; Increasing revenue with intent based promotions personalised to each customer; Meeting each customer on their unique journey.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Kasten Spethmann, of Your Startup Life. Kasten is a retired professional windsurfer, a recovering Venture Capitalist, a non-conforming, near death surviving, adventure seeking, lifelong learning, nomad entrepreneur that now coaches founders (with a focus on athletes that want to become entrepreneurs), with tactical advice, tough love and experiential insight with the hope that she inspires others to break societal expectations, stop sacrificing their true identity/calling and live by their own rules as they build exceptional businesses. In our conversation Kasten talked to me about Why athletes make good entrepreneurs and what entrepreneurs can learn from athletes. Why it’s important to differentiate between what you do and who you are. Building a career or business around your dream life.

Maxine Cunningham in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/maxine-cunningham-innovabuzz-306/ (episode 306) introduced us to Kasten. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Elle Ballard, a certified Leadership and Personal Brand Coach, best-selling Author, and Speaker and founder of the Women of the World Network, where she is building a legacy of powerful women and making a positive mark in the world to benefit all humanity. When Elle came to the U.S. she had to start everything from scratch while supporting her family at the same time. She completed her MBA in Marketing and built a successful marketing career. She left the corporate world to pursue her true passion of impacting and helping people realize their true potential. Despite all the challenges she faced, she always wanted to maintain her authenticity and who she is, this is a core reason for creating the Women of the World Network. Elle believes in developing diversity-aligned and happy women leaders who then positively impact future generations. In our conversation Elle talked to me about The value in a community of like-minded people where you can share and talk openly about any issues in a safe environment. How running virtual meetings online has enabled rapid geographic growth of the Women of the World Network. Why it’s vital to take time away to recharge so you come back to regular activities fully re-charged, re-energized and joyful.

Lynn Howard in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/lynn-howard-innovabuzz-467/ (episode 467) introduced us to Elle. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is business and leadership coach, Craig Lomax. Prior to his career as a coach, he co-founded and directed Rock-N-Water, an adventure camp in California, for thirty years. Craig coaches high performers who want the results with less anxiety and more life. In our conversation Craig talked to me about The core of great leadership is really caring about the people you are serving. Why comparison to others may lead to insecurity or arrogance. Celebrating small wins is important to health and well-being, to growing and developing.

Arliss Dudley-Cash in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/arliss-dudley-cash-innovabuzz-452/ (episode 452) introduced us to Craig. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Mike Wittenstein, the founder and managing partner at Storyminers. Mike shepherds mid-market companies to higher operating results and profitable exits using Storyminers’ unique combination of Story, Strategy, Experience Design, and Technology. His robust story-driven process helps bring clarity to their stories, strategic plans, brands, reorganizations, customer experiences, and game plans. In our conversation Mike talked to me about Telling engaging stories in a way that places the customer at the centre Conscious capitalism, adaptive enterprise, regenerative agriculture and making decisions to benefit all Customer experience journey mapping with sketches

Jess Dewell in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/jess-dewell-innovabuzz-511/ (episode 511) introduced us to Mike. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Amit Lakhwani, co-founder and managing director of Global Vision Technology, a marketing company focused on driving growth through core principles of innovation. Amit is also co-founder of AppuSocial, a social media scheduler for authentic engagement. AppuSocial can save 10+ hours of time for any Small Business Owner or Social Media Manager In our conversation Amit talked to me about Best practice tips for social media marketing How to stand out by early adoption of new features Ways to improve engagement on your social media posts

Without further ado, then, let’s fly into the Hive and get the Buzz from Amit Lakhwani. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Farzad Rashidi, the lead innovator at Respona, the all-in-one digital PR and link-building software that combines personalization with productivity. He also runs the marketing efforts at Visme, where he helped the company gain over 12 million active users and pass 2M monthly organic traffic. In our conversation Farzad talked to me about Building backlinks through partnerships and adding value Using technology to personalize outreach and begin relationships How to earn PR mentions in publications

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is John Rossman, the author of The Amazon Way book series, a former Amazon leader and Managing Partner at Rossman Partners. John is an expert leveraging the Amazon leadership principles to help others innovate, compete and win in the digital era. One of the leading innovation speakers, John delivers practical techniques and strategies the audience can apply in their business. John advises leaders on strategy, leadership and digital transformation. John was an executive at Amazon.com where he played a key role in launching the Amazon marketplace business as the Director of Merchant Integration, and went on to have responsibilities for the enterprise business at Amazon. John is also an active blog and publishes a weekly newsletter titled The Digital Leader Newsletter on Substack. In our conversation John talked to me about The Amazon Leadership Principles and the unique corporate culture of Amazon What obsessing over the customer looks like Digital Transformation in today’s world

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Roy Osing, a former president, CMO and entrepreneur with over 40 years of successful and unmatched executive leadership experience in every aspect of business. As President of a major data and internet company, his leadership and audacious ‘unheard-of ways’ took the company from its early stage to $1 Billion in annual sales. He is a resolute blogger, keen content marketer, dedicated teacher and mentor to young professionals. As an accomplished business advisor, he is the author of the no-nonsense book series "BE DiFFERENT or be dead." In our conversation Roy talked to me about Strategic game planning focused on execution Hiring for culture via his Goosebump method Differentiating yourself through “only” rather than “best”

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Tim Redmond, CEO of Redmond Growth Consulting, an organization designed to help you grow your profits, grow your business and grow your life through Tim’s innovative coaching process. With his extensive business experience, Tim and his team will bring you through a process to significantly develop your marketing, lead generation, closure rates, cash flow, leadership, decision-making, team-building skills. He is the accountability partner who will keep you focused on your highest and best use. You and your profits will grow and your business will be a powerful venue to live your purpose. In our conversation Tim talked to me about Redefining wealth as a creative process of building value by serving other people Your business should be serving you and you do that by serving your client and employees Leadership begins by leading yourself. It’s a moment by moment management of your emotional state.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Rita Roushdy, an international award winning money mindset expert and business coach who works with high level women in business, specialising in uncovering unconscious limiting beliefs and supporting them in becoming a powerful magnet for wealth in all areas of their lives. In our conversation Rita talked to me about Being aware of our environment and our feelings in response - owning those feelings How we can upgrade our self-worth Our financial thermostat

Lynn Howard in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/lynn-howard-innovabuzz-467/ (episode 467) introduced us to Rita. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Genein Letford, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CAFFE Strategies, LLC. Genein is a national thought leader and creator of the concept of ‘Intercultural Creativity®’. Her 7 Gems of Intercultural Creativity is a leading framework that encourages corporations in their diversity and inclusion development while developing critical cognitive tools for creative thinking. Genein believes creative thinking thrives best in an inclusive environment and she is often called ‘America’s Creative Coach’ for her work in reigniting intercultural creativity within our workforce. In our conversation Genein talked to me about How we are all creative and should keep reminding ourselves of that; How we can connect to the creative arts to enhance our Intercultural Creativity; Always being curious.

Cait Donovan in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/cait-donovan-innovabuzz-512/ (episode 512) introduced us to Genein. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Matt Garman, the CEO and Founder of Sales Plus Profit, a successful sales consultancy, that helps businesses achieve their true potential by implementing his Sustainable Sales System©. Matt is also the creator of Sales Enabla; the first dynamic sales playbook and author of “Learning the Ropes: Achieving Sustainable Sales Performance Regardless of Changes in Personnel”. SalesEnabla is a SaaS product that allows individuals to systemise their sales function and be less reliant on potentially transient salespeople who come and go. It allows companies to consolidate their sales knowledge, reinforce sales best practice and elevate their sales. In our conversation Matt talked to me about Why the average time a sales person stays with a company is only 19 months Creating consistency, sustainability and continued success in your sales through a defined playbook Balancing process and systems with human connection and individual contribution

Mel Blackmore in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/mel-blackmore-innovabuzz-489/ (episode 489) introduced us to Matt. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Erica Holthausen, the founder of Catchline Communications, a collective of writers and editors partnering with consultants and business coaches to position them as sought-after experts. She coaches her clients through the process of writing, editing, pitching, and publishing high-quality, original articles. Her clients have by-lines in some of the most prestigious industry trade journals and business magazines, including Inc., Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Thrive Global, and EHS Today. A contributing writer whose work appears in Coastal Home, USGBC+ Magazine, Traditional Building, and Period Homes, Erica is also a freelance editor for several association publications. She is currently working on a collection of essays and grappling with a novel. In our conversation Erica talked to me about How writing articles starts with knowing why you are doing that and who your audience is How questions and conversations lead to great article topics Being really clear about what we want to be known for

Jason Van Orden (https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/jason-van-orden-innovabuzz-275/ (episode 275)) and Michael Roderick (https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/michael-roderick-innovabuzz-328/ (episode 328)) introduced us to Erica. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Sherrie Clark, the founder and CEO of Storehouse Media Group as well as a best-selling and award-winning author, ghost writer, author coach, editor, publisher, and book marketer. She uses her 17 years of acquired skills, accomplishments, and experiences to raise up best-selling and award-winning authors, many of whom are entrepreneurs and leaders. In our conversation Sherrie talked to me about The benefits of writing a book - for business owners and for others Publishing and Promoting your book after it’s written combining passion, excellence and great customer service

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Chris Michel, founder of Coach Chris Consulting, Sales and Business Coach and author of the Red Chair Experience. Chris is a son, a brother, a father, and now a grandfather, who grew up west of Chicago. Like most, he has had his ups and downs during his life journey. His spiritual walk has led him to develop a desire to not only work on his own ethical, consultative sales and business path, but to also help others in their mindful, virtuous journey in sales and business. Chris has worked in sales, sales management, and general management for over 30 years. He has developed training programs over the years and continues to work with companies and individuals, contributing to their improvement and success. In our conversation Chris talked to me about Value selling - who your customer is and what value are they seeking Building a sales process and how everything we do is, in fact, a process His Red Chair Experience

Maxine Cunningham who appeared in http://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/neal-sperling-innovabuzz-200/ (episode 306) and https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/part-3-innovabuzz-500/ (episode 500c) introduced us to Chris. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Brad Tornberg, of E3 Business Consultants. Brad has provided consulting, across a range of areas to over 300 clients. His unique experience allows him to oversee the entire management of a client’s technology environment and can evaluate the entire organizational management and structure of the business. Utilizing business process improvement, Brad strives to solve the business issues first and then apply technology to help solve them. His role mandates strong interpersonal skills, technical skills and management skills. In our conversation Brad talked to me about The concept of Business Fitness that enables peak performance for both the business owner and business A simple dashboard to keep projects on track Using technology to gain insights and data and enable deeper human connection

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Riley Jarvis, the Founder & CEO of http://thesleepconsultant.com/ (TheSleepConsultant.com), an organization that helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high performers transform their sleep to significantly boost their productivity and energy levels. Riley started through his own health journey many years ago and discovered that sleep was the missing link that brought everything together. After hacking his own biology by learning from top doctors in the field and furthering his own education on the subject, he has developed a state-of-the-art approach that aims to get to the root of the issue rather than putting a Band-Aid on symptoms, and he’s just getting started. With a background in the finance industry, he’s seen first-hand what the consequences of sleep deprivation can do to the performance and well-being of any individual – being forced to work unnecessary overtime hours due to poor productivity, negatively impacted relationships, weight gain, burnout, anxiety, the list goes on. In our conversation Riley talked to me about The importance of sleep to improve productivity and performance How everything in our body is interconnected and forms a finely tuned machine What we can do to improve our sleep quality

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Nathan Barnes, who has 10 years combined experience of project management, event logistics, customer service, and media production utilizing organizational, decision-making, and leadership skills in high-pressure situations. Nathan is CEO of Greenlight Marketers, a Pay-Per-Click advertising agency ranked by Google as a Top 1% Premier Partner. With over 30 years combined digital marketing experience, the Greenlight Marketers team knows what it takes to develop and execute an effective online marketing strategy and love helping make their clients successful, by focusing on growing their bottom line revenue rather than vanity metrics. In our conversation Nathan talked to me about Removing friction points on the customer journeys, making things easy for the customer Really knowing your customer and really caring about their success Continuous learning and Always Being Curious

Listen to the podcast to find out more. John Horn in https://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/john-horn-innovabuzz-488/ (episode 488) introduced us to Nathan.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Soulaima Gourani, co-founder of Happioh, a virtual meeting, and online collaboration software. Soulaima was appointed a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum. In 2019, she received the Ideas Into Practice Award from Thinkers50 followed by a Radar30 award from the organization in 2020. She also been named the Entrepreneur Of The Year Judge and has served as a TED Mentor. She is a frequent motivational keynote speaker at major conferences, and has co-authored several bestselling books on how to succeed in life, life design, and the "future of work." In our conversation Soulaima talked to me about The future of work and new way of working Finding clarity of purpose and values in your life What we can all do to bring happiness to our life

Neal Sperling in http://www.innovabiz.com.au/podcast/neal-sperling-innovabuzz-200/ (episode 200) introduced us to Soulaima. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

Our guest in this episode is Jim Euchner, Honorary Professor at Aston Business School (UK) and Editor in Chief of Research-Technology Management, a peer-reviewed journal for practitioners of innovation, technology and research management. Jim was previously Vice President of Global Innovation at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where he led the development of new businesses and helped launch five businesses on three continents. Prior to his work at Goodyear, Jim held positions as Vice President of Growth Strategy and Innovation at Pitney Bowes, Inc. and Vice President, Network Systems Advanced Technology at Bell Atlantic (now Verizon). Jim has worked in the field of intelligent systems for over 25 years. In his consulting practice, he helps companies to implement businesses enabled by emerging technologies, including AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and predictive analytics. In our conversation Jim talked to me about innovation in large vs small organisations, and how each need to be approached differently The importance of really getting to know your customers - even literally walking in their shoes! What a “lead user” is and how they are immensely valuable for innovation

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sunir Shah, the founder and CEO of AppBind which lets digital agencies manage subscriptions to software and ads for the clients without getting stuck in the middle of the billing. He formerly ran partnerships at FreshBooks, marketing at Olark live chat, and founded the Cloud Software Association, the 4,000+ SaaS partnership network. AppBind helps digital agencies deliver projects faster by taking care of their clients' entire marketing system. In our discussion, Sunir talked to me about: Creating a solution by building a system Making things easy for your customers How the subscription economy helps businesses grow sustainably

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/sunirshah (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Will Reed, a Japanologist with over four decades of experience in Japan, and in-depth knowledge of the Japanese language and culture. Will is a Professor of Japan Studies at the International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) at Yamanashi Gakuin University, where he teaches Japanese and International Students from over 30 Countries. He is the author of several books in English on Aikido and Shodo (The Way of the Brush), and has written a number of books in Japanese as well. Today, we talk about his just released book “Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink” In our discussion, Will talked to me about: What lessons we can take from Shodo - the way of the brush Finding balance, space, and inspiration through focus Being fully present in every performance and getting out of your own way.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/willreed (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Steve Brody, an expert at helping people prepare to exit their businesses. He wrote a book called, “What Happens after the Sale” and has helped hundreds of business owners think through their exit plans. Steve has over thirty years of marketing, general management, and consulting experience within large corporations and privately held firms. Steve’s experience has been in the consumer packaged goods and services industry, including beverages, pasta, frozen and refrigerated prepared foods, electronic information services, and distribution services. Steve is active in consulting at the Executive Management level. He currently operates Advisory Boards for CEOs of firms from diverse industries. In addition, Steve has consulted with clients in the areas of Strategic Business Plans, Marketing Plans, Market Research, Business Plans for equity investors and executive coaching. In our discussion, Steve talked to me about: A leader’s role in building and sustaining the culture of an organization Steps to identify the 3-4 most important core values of an organization Why leaders don’t need to have all the answers and what they need to do and be instead

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stevebrody (Show Notes and Blog) The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Cait Donovan, one of New York City’s leading burnout experts, host of “Fried – The Burnout Podcast,” and author of the book "The Bouncebackability Factor: End Burnout, Gain Resilience, and Change the World". Her master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine enables Cait to combine Eastern wisdom with her natural practicality. After performing more than 25,000 acupuncture treatments, Cait added 1:1 coaching, corporate workshops, and keynotes for companies such as PTC, Lululemon, Nexthink, Teradata, Vedder Price, Marsh and Mclennan, and Workplaceless – all with a focus on ending burnout culture. She is also author of Target Funding - a proven system to get the money and resources you need to start or grow your business. She has been featured on podcasts and online magazines such as “Forbes”, “NPR”, “The New York Post”, “Thrive Global”, as well as quoted in Oprah Magazine. In our discussion, Caitlin talked to me about: The three core symptoms of impending burnout Setting boundaries that are clear, kind and concise - external and internal The power of human connection

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/caitdonovan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jess Dewell, Founder and CEO of Red Direction. Jess brings over 20 years of advising, consulting, and facilitation experience in operational strategy and organizational culture where values and purpose intersect. Both practical and unexpected, her views tune into the uniqueness of your organization. Companies working closely with Jess learn to ask the right questions and think effectively on their feet. In our discussion, Jess talked to me about: Planning in a way that is fun (Ladder to the Moon) Conducting self-reviews and self-reflection in a constructive and powerful way What can we learn from Jess’ Winnie the Pooh story

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jessdewell (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Monica Laurence, business and brand strategist, CEO of Venture Studio, serial entrepreneur and Creator of Quantum Surfing. Monica also owns and runs the Tavola Fiji Boutique Resort. In our discussion, Monica talked to me about: Quantum surfing - what it is and how to use it to engineer luck Tapping into our intuition and strengthening our intuition muscle Playful experiments with no expectation of the outcome

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/monicalaurence (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Khaled Ghorab who is known as "The Relationship Architect”. He is a Leadership & Business Coach, a Simplifier for CEOs & Leaders. He helps businesses and people envision their company’s growth and leadership enhancement. His passion lies in bridging relationship gaps between leadership generations in the company, so that a legacy can seed, grow, and make the transition smooth whether at the Founder, CEO, or Family Business Owner, level. In our discussion, Khaled talked to me about: Communicating in a way that creates the best result for everyone (communication is fuel to the team relationship) Creating practices that sustain growth Getting clarity about and emotional connection with our vision and our why

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/khaledghorab (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sheryl Plouffe, a video and content marketing strategist, former Canadian TV broadcaster, and the creator of Cash In On Camera live stream and video podcast. She has been seen by millions over the course of her twenty-five-year career in news media, has produced thousands of videos, and has broadcast over 20,000 hours of live television. In our discussion, Sheryl talked to me about: The power of video and live streaming to engage your community and build content How to easily produce a lot of content from one conversation recording Building relationships through conversations

Listen to the Podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/sherylplouffe (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Franklin Taggart, a career, business, and life coach for creative people and a professional musician for over forty years. His business is providing unconventional career, business, and life coaching for unconventional people - creators and artists, freelancers, DIY digital explorers, and accidental entrepreneurs. Franklin leads people to take their creative spiritual gifts seriously and to put them into meaningful action. He also provides guidance and accountability for creative projects from idea to launch and produces and hosts his own podcast and video series called Your Own Best Company. In our discussion, Franklin talked to me about: Attention as our greatest super-power Our unique gifts are not our actions or behaviours, but manifest themselves through our actions and behaviour The importance of community and finding communities where our gift is the missing link

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/franklintaggart (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Donna Griffit, who is a Corporate Storyteller which basically means that she roams the globe helping people not be boring. Donna has worked as a Corporate Storyteller globally for over 17 years with Fortune 500 companies, Start-Ups and investors in a wide variety of industries. She has consulted and trained clients in over 30 countries, helping them create, edit and deliver verbal and written presentations, pitches and messages. Donna says that she has a "filter" in her brain that enables her to magically spin raw data into compelling stories that captivate audiences and drive results. Through her guidance, her clients have raised over a billion dollars. In our discussion, Donna talked to me about: Storytelling as a science Bringing benefits to life through the story of a user journey Connecting at a human level with stories.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/donnagriffit (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Phil M. Jones, a serial entrepreneur, business growth expert, and bestselling author of Exactly What to Say, Exactly How to Sell, and Exactly Where to Start. Phil started his first business, a car washing business, when he was 14 years old and hasn’t looked back since. After years of being one of the most in-demand young sales leaders in the UK, including being awarded the “British Excellence in Sales and Marketing” award, Phil decided to dedicate his future to helping other people succeed by taking everything he had learnt and created a one-day workshop in which he trained thousands of people all about leadership, sales, and business growth. Phil’s unique wisdom of using certain word choices in teaching his audiences on exactly what to say to impact other people and drive outcomes, made him one of the most practical and in-demand business speakers today. In our conversation, Phil talked to me about: Understanding the context of conversations and being strategically curious The relentless quest for better Preparing for exactly what to say before the conversation

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/philmjones (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Bethany Meadows, founder of Vertical Solutions Media, a full-service marketing agency helping small and mid-size businesses reach their growth objectives. Bethany also provides marketing training, coaching, and support for small and solo businesses through her monthly marketing membership TimeToThriveMembership.com. In our conversation, Bethany talked to me about: Hiring for culture and philosophical fit over skills The importance of systems and processes Mapping the customer journey and all the touchpoints

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/bethanymeadows (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Heather Thorkelson, a Canadian dual business owner based in rural Sweden. She’s spent the majority of her life living abroad since her family moved to Costa Rica when she was 14, which contributed to a wanderlust that lasts to this day. After working in corporate throughout her 20’s, Heather took the leap into entrepreneurship. She’s been a business consultant for incurable entrepreneurs since 2011, helping hundreds of small business owners grow livelihoods that honour their strengths and feed their bank accounts in equal measure. Heather is the owner of Twin Tracks Expeditions, a polar expedition company, where she also is a polar guide who has been in the Antarctic over 30 times. On top of that, she co-owns a polar ship management company. She’s excited to share her expertise and experience to support a new wave of values-based entrepreneurs with her first book, No Plan B: A Handbook for Incurable Entrepreneurs and Other Rebellious Souls. In our conversation, Heather talked to me about: Why working on yourself first gives you clarity and purpose Treating ideas to try as a scientific project How entrepreneurship is a vehicle for change

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/heatherthorkelson (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mel Engle, CEO & Chairman of the Board at Predictive Oncology, a knowledge-driven company focused on applying artificial intelligence to personalized medicine and drug discovery. Their mission: to eliminate cancer. Mel has over 20 years of experience in leadership roles in both the biotechnology and healthcare industries. He has served in top-level leadership positions in a variety of companies and has launched hundreds of products. Mel has extensive experience in turning companies around, driving sales, setting and executing strategies and operating plans, business development, problem-solving, and developing high-performance teams. In our conversation, Mel talked to me about: Surrounding yourself with the best people Posing the right questions How to get meaningful feedback

https://innovabiz.co/melengle (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this special episode, Dr. Cathryn Lloyd and Tom Ruwitch, put me on the hot seat to quiz me about innovation, marketing, and podcasting. We talked about how I started my journey as an entrepreneur, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and how I’ve been able to use podcasting as a tool for marketing my business. You’ll learn a lot from this episode – not just about me, but also about how you can apply these concepts in your own life and business. The bottom line is that human connections are key to success in any field, so make sure you tune in. Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/501 (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

We’re still celebrating the magic 500 milestone for the InnovaBuzz Podcast! In this very special - three-part - anniversary episode 500, I’m joined by a panel of previous guests for a fascinating conversation, that could lead in any direction. In this episode, I’m joined by Cathryn Lloyd, Cat Stancik, Wade Galt, Tom Ruwitch, and Maxine Cunningham. Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/500c (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

We’re still celebrating the magic 500 milestone for the InnovaBuzz Podcast! In this very special three-part anniversary episode, I’m joined by a panel of previous guests for a fascinating conversation, that could lead in any direction. In this episode, the second of the 3 parts, I’m joined by Joanne Clark, who was our guest on episode 6 and episode 120, and Cydelle Stewart on episode 416. Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/500b (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

Time to blow the trumpets, pop the champagne and balloons, because we’ve reached the magic 500 milestone! I want to begin by thanking you, my wonderful audience, who have been on this journey with me, many of you since the very beginning. I also want to thank the 485 or so guests that I’ve had on the podcast. It’s been a privilege to learn from accomplished entrepreneurs all around the world on the InnovaBuzz podcast and I’m privileged to have you in my world! In this very special - three-part - anniversary episode 500, I’m joined by a panel of previous guests for some fascinating conversations, that could lead in any direction. In the first of the 3 parts, I’m joined by Audrey Holst (Ep 473), Aden Nepom (Ep 400), Kevin Perlmutter (Ep 280), Marc Halpert (Ep 258), Iggy Perillo (Ep 430), Jason Van Orden (Ep 275) and Neal Sperling (Ep 200). Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/500a (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Paulina Larocca, the founder of Creative Catalyst, a science-based creative problem-solving training and innovation consulting agency based in Sydney, AUS. She helps companies grow their business by training their people in the science of creative problem solving and applying the training to real-life business problems to generate innovation. She has worked with global companies like Absolut Vodka, Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Telstra, and Seven West Media. Paulina is also a keynote speaker on creating a culture of innovation and author of three books on innovation: A Catalyst for Creative Thinking; Harnessing Your Emotions to Enhance Your Creativity; The Holey Bible - How to Live a More Creatively Enlightened Life. In our discussion, Paulina talked to me about: Asking powerful questions that invite possibilities Suspending judgment and challenging our assumptions Why dreaming is valuable

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/paulinalarocca (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcast)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sarah Fejfar, who helps business owners, along with their marketing and sales teams, leverage virtual, hybrid, and in-person events to reach more dream clients, build customer and employee loyalty, and make sales. She is also the founder of Live Event Academy as well as the host of the Greenroom Central Podcast. In our discussion, Sarah talked to me about: Designing events as a transformative experience for participants Getting clear upfront about your why and participants why Why hybrid events (live and virtual combined) are not a good idea

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/sarahfejfar (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jason Voiovich, author of "Marketer in Chief: How Each President Sold the American Idea". In a career that spans more than 25 years, Jason has launched hundreds of new products – everything from medical devices, to virtual healthcare systems, to non-dairy consumer cheese, to next-generation alternatives to the dreaded “cone of shame” for pets, to sex aids for cows (really!). He’s a graduate of both the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota, and he has completed post-graduate studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His formal training has been invaluable, but he credits his true success to growing up in a family of artists, immigrants, and entrepreneurs. They taught him how to carefully observe the world, see patterns before others notice them, and use those insights to create new innovations. History is Jason’s favorite way to observe the world. He believes the people from the past have plenty to teach us about the challenges and opportunities we face today. In our discussion, Jason talked to me about: How stories are more powerful than facts How reimagining history as a set of possible outcomes, we develop the skill to view the future in that same way An example of over-reliance on technology that led to undermined trust

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jasonvoiovich (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dan Balcauski, the principal consultant for Product Tranquility based in Austin, Texas. He focuses on helping high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs define pricing and packaging for new products. Over his career, he has worked in both consumer and B2B companies, across consumer internet, mobile, IT software, and test and measurement hardware and software in addition to company sizes ranging from startups to publicly traded multi-national enterprises. He also teaches Product Strategy for Kellogg Executive Education online. In our discussion, Dan talked to me about: How defining pricing and packaging starts with understanding our customer segments and the problems we solve Differentiating customer segments by buying behaviour and motivation The emotional forces driving the buying decision

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/danbalcauski (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mark Young, the Founder of Rational Games, where he teaches business negotiation to diplomats, senior business leaders and other professionals by means of playful methods. He also uses the proceeds of what they earn to support projects that use games and play to resolve conflict. Mark started his career with two large and famous American banks neither of which exist anymore. He then had postings at McKinsey and Company and as a trade negotiator in the US Government, followed by being the partner in charge of privatization at Price Waterhouse Corporate Finance in Germany. Since 2001, he is the Founder and President of Rational Games, Inc., a boutique consulting company focused on playful negotiation. In our discussion, Mark talked to me about: Negotiating to create value for all stakeholders Getting clear about the assumptions we are making Why games and play are so powerful

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/markyoung (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Garreth Chandler, the Founder and CEO of The Evolved Group, a human insights company that helps enterprises identify opportunities and optimises experiences. In a career spanning 25 years, Garreth has led major innovation projects including developing the Evolved Human Listening platform, which uses AI to engage meaningfully with humans. His successful career in market research has equipped him with a deep appreciation of human behaviour and he is passionate about using technology to enhance human experiences. In our discussion, Garreth talked to me about: The limitations of traditional surveys Asking better and deeper, more insightful questions via Ai powered conversations Their transition from a research company to a software company

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/garrethchandler (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Patrick Lavergne from SalesChamp Academy. Pat has 20 years of experience in sales, with over 10,000 sales calls done (and counting). He began as a door-to-door salesperson and progressed to Head of Sales for a successful tech scale-up. He has been helping entrepreneurs master their sales calls since 2018. In our discussion, Pat talked to me about: Reframing our view of the "sales call" to a conversation that provides service and facilitates a purchase decision Having the courage to give difficult messages to self first, and others A fresh approach to sales that feels aligned, genuine and enjoyable

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/patricklavergne (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah, Transformational Coach, Professional Corporate Trainer, Editor of Golden City Business Magazine, Media Analyst & Author, and Lead Consultant & Facilitator for Zoweh Global Consult. Scofray is listed in Most Influential Young Ghanaian in 2015 & 2016, and in the Top 100 speakers in Ghana 2019. He has published over 70 articles in print and online media such as Leadership Magazine (South Africa) and The Huffington Post and is a regular face and voice in the Ghanaian and South African media space. In our discussion, Scofray talked to me about: Why a focus on BEING is more important than a focus on doing Reframing a sale as a value exchange Self-acceptance and going beyond what history might define where you can go

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/scofray (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Kelly Rattanee, founder of The Power of a Woman's Pleasure, with a purpose of guiding women into healing and empowering their feminine energy to live with more pleasure, passion, and prosperity. A world-renowned executive coach, Reiki Master and Shamanic Healer, she is a fierce advocate of women empowerment worldwide. In our discussion, Kelly talked to me about: Embracing ourselves for who we are, regardless of external expectations Changing the patriarchal attitudes in business and marketing Building a culture that allows everyone to bring their best

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/kellyrattanee (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Frank Rose, the author of The Sea We Swim In and The Art of Immersion, a landmark book on tech and narrative. A former contributing editor at Wired and contributing writer at Fortune, he now teaches global business executives as faculty director of Columbia University’s Strategic Storytelling seminar and heads the Digital Dozen awards program at Columbia’s pioneering Digital Storytelling Lab. In our discussion, Frank talked to me about: Why we are turning away from advertising and seeking more immersive entertainment experiences How to be strategic with storytelling in a way that engages and serves our audience What he means by Narrative Thinking

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/frankrose (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mel Blackmore of Blackmore's ISO Consultancy. Mel has been involved with the creation, development and implementation of British and International standards for over 17 years. With her passion for improving business performance through the implementation of Management Systems, Mel founded her first business in 2006, Blackmores, a consultancy firm that implements and maintains management systems for clients ranging from SME’s to blue-chip organisations. Blackmores rapidly grew to be an award-winning, leading provider of consultancy services, specialising in environmental, quality, and risk standards. Blackmores work in over 27 countries globally and has had a 100% success rate in helping clients achieve certification. In our discussion, Mel talked to me about: Running, systemising, and growing your business with ISO standards Enabling businesses to be more sustainable long term with ISO standards A membership platform to learn about systems and processes and ISO accreditation

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/melblackmore (Show notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, John Horn, who is the CEO of StubGroup. John has been working in marketing for over a decade. He was the first employee at StubGroup, which was started back in 2012, and has helped grow the business to become a Premier Google Partner ranked in the top 1% of all Google Partners worldwide and trusted partner used by companies around the globe to manage their advertising across Google, Facebook, Amazon, and more. In our discussion, John talked to me about: Why it's important to start by deeply understanding your target audience Ways to customise adverts to different audiences Using analytics and tracking to refine and inform your advertising strategy

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/johnhorn (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ellen Melko Moore of SuperTight Social Selling. Ellen has done brand consulting work for Oprah Winfrey, The American Marketing Association, and the Zappos guys, and now creates and teaches LinkedIn social selling strategies for some of the top thought leaders in the digital marketing space. In our discussion, Ellen talked to me about: Using LinkedIn to test your target audience and message Instead of telling people what you can do for them, start to teach it The doorknob you put in people's hand…(story)

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/ellenmelkomoore (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr Cathryn Lloyd, Founder and Director of Maverick Minds. Cathryn is a facilitator, educator, researcher, arts practitioner, and creative development coach. She’s Australia’s first certified creativity coach with the Creativity Coaching Association and she provides effective learning experiences for a wide variety of clients. Cathryn previously appeared on InnovaBuzz Ep 259, where we talked about The intersection between the Arts and Business, harnessing creativity, and Building creative leadership in organisations and in communities. Cathryn's new book "Seriously Playful Creativity" is an A to Z of ideas to help lighten and expand your view of creativity and leading a creative life. In our discussion, Cathryn talked to me about: Creativity as an attitude or mindset Putting value on our creativity Power of nature, quiet, and reflection for creativity

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/seriouslyplayfulcreativity (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Karan Nijhawan, who helps Coaches generate $15K-$55K/mo with their high-ticket offer, without running paid ads, through Organic Marketing and Elevated Events. He is the Founder of Close Dream Clients and has hosted over 190+ Human Connection Dinners, Events, Retreats, and Experiences. Karan was my guest on the InnovaBuzz podcast on Ep 333, where he shared why traditional networking events are “broken” because they focus so much on transactions, and how we can create events that focus on meaningful conversations and deep connection. In our discussion, Karan talked to me about: Why value ladders and freebies keep people stuck below $10k/mo How consistent organic marketing alone can get you to $50K/mo revenue The importance of a sales framework for a sales call

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/karannijhawan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Kedma Ough, who is a nationally recognized business development and business funding expert, innovation and entrepreneurship thought leader, award-winning champion of small business, and business advisor for independent inventors. She is also a proud fifth-generation entrepreneur, whose great-great-grandfather peddled various products across Ireland. She is also the author of Target Funding - a proven system to get the money and resources you need to start or grow your business. In our discussion, Kedma talked to me about: Unpacked my DISC profile and what that means in dealing with me Shared her DISC profile and what that means in dealing with her We talked about sales versus business development

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/kedmaough (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Tom Ruwitch, an experienced direct response marketer, communications strategist, copywriter and web developer. He is especially adept at helping businesses discover their core stories and coordinate their online and offline marketing efforts. He has experience designing and executing marketing campaigns for small business startups and publicly traded companies. Tom helps coaches, consultants, and other business leaders harness the power of storytelling to captivate prospects and inspire them to buy. He is the CEO of Story Power Marketing, the agency he founded in January 2020 and is the founder and former CEO of MarketVolt, the email marketing software and services firm. In January 2020, MarketVolt sold its software business to Benchmark Email, and Tom spun out the strategic consulting and services business to form Story Power. In our discussion, Tom talked to me about: The importance of knowing your customers and prospects and the journey they are on Practicing curiosity and developing the habit Systemising the gathering of ideas and story building blocks

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Josh Greene, the CEO of The Mather Group, a digital agency that solves marketing challenges for companies of all sizes. With over twenty years of experience creating and implementing digital strategies, Josh empowers top brands and individuals to shape their online presence to support their bottom line. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and industry events, including the Public Relations Society of America, PR Summit, and Channel Advisor’s Catalyst conference. Before The Mather Group, Josh managed online and digital TV programs for industry leaders such as Discovery Channel and Time Warner Cable. In our discussion, Josh talked to me about: Why a Wikipedia page can be an important element in your online presence How you can contribute to topics in your field to build a Wikipedia presence Keeping your Google My Business page up to date

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/joshgreene (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Wendy Manganaro, the Founder and Owner of Wendy Manganaro Consulting, who works with frustrated small businesses to attract, resonate and engage their target market so that they can increase their bottom line through building relationships on and offline. She believes that all businesses can increase their digital success with the marketing mindset and strategic plan. In our discussion, Wendy talked to me about: Staying involved in your own marketing - the human connection part Building relationships through social media The smart way to use Google Reviews in your marketing

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/wendymanganaro (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Richard Medcalf who describes himself as "what you get if you were to put a McKinsey consultant, a slightly unorthodox pastor and an entrepreneur into a blender". Richard is an executive coach & leadership consultant to exceptional founders & CEOs and their leadership teams. He's the founder of XQuadrant and host of the Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast. His clients are elite performers who've already achieved incredible things, and still have the ambition to 10x their impact and influence and achieve something that seems impossible right now. That can involve 1:1 coaching, taking the leadership team to its next level, or scaling high-performance culture throughout the business. In our discussion, Richard talked to me about: Why focusing on Impact rather than productivity is important Building agreements with stakeholders to help you achieve your goals Starting with a mission so amazing that it lights you up

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/richardmedcalf (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ruben Kanya, director of Invested Talent and Founder of The Real Estate Experiment Network. Ruben is focused on building real relationships as the founder of The Real Estate Experiment Network & Podcast where he's featured notable thought leaders in the real estate industry who have amassed over a billion dollars worth of real estate assets in ownership & management collectively. He's used this platform to make key introductions to help individuals within his network get the help they need and/or help them form key partnerships. In our discussion, Ruben talked to me about: Our duty to share if we have something of value Being clear about who we serve and the problem we solve Connecting with the right people and asking good questions

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/rubenkanya (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Peter Margaritis, Author of Taking the Numb Out of Numbers, Improv Is No Joke, and his new book, "Off Script: Mastering the Art of Business Improv". Peter previously appeared on Ep 309 of the podcast, and it's great to welcome him back. In our discussion, Peter talked to me about: The common myth about improvisation (practice matters!) Authentic Leadership - the art of Monotasking and being fully present Engaging presentations, both in-person and virtually

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/petermargaritis-1 (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Amy Malin, co-founder of TrueHeart cause agency and the Trueheart Social Impact Search Engine. For the last two decades, Amy has worked at the intersection of Hollywood and philanthropy. Amy’s expertise is connecting celebrities and purpose-driven brands with deserving non-profits to raise millions of dollars for their noble causes while creating global media campaigns that shine a spotlight on their wonderful work. Amy and her husband Scott are the Co-Founders of the Trueheart Social Impact Search Engine, where you can change the world with every search. Amy’s experience as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking led her to lead a purpose-driven life. In our discussion, Amy talked to me about: How she leverages the power and influence of celebrities to fundraising for charities Little things everyone can do to make a big impact in the world Democratizing philanthropy through the Trueheart.com social search engine

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/amymalin (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Bob Woods, who was one of the first people on LinkedIn... literally. He joined in December 2002 when LinkedIn was just a few months old, and he’s never looked back. An award-winning salesperson, Bob has utilized LinkedIn and social selling even before social selling was a “thing.” Bob has trained and coached sales professionals around the world at companies big and small to effectively use LinkedIn and other tools to start sales conversations with qualified buyers. Specific companies where he has trained salespeople and teams include Experian, Penn Mutual, State Street, Fiserv, Triose, and UPS. In our discussion, Bob talked to me about: Converting LinkedIn connections to conversations and building relationships How to authentically make an offer on LinkedIn Instead of talking about helping, just help

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/bobwoods (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Amanda Furgiuele, a sole parent, multi-preneur, international performer, elite athlete, and an expert in creative problem solving and time management. She challenges her clients to stop making excuses and start making progress through innovative solutions to even the most mundane problems. A lifetime learner, Amanda has worked in and owned multiple business ventures including television production, marketing, and social media consultation, health and wellness, retail, education, and more. In our discussion, Amanda talked to me about: Her tips for productivity and focus Dealing with businesses across different locations and timezones Hiring the right team - culture and values fit and also service providers

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/amandafurgiuele (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lane Kawaoka. Lane currently owns 4,500+ units across the US. He lives in Hawaii and recently quit his day job as a Professional Engineer with a MS in Civil Engineering & Construction Management and a BS in Industrial Engineering. Lane partners with investors who want to build their portfolio, but are too busy to mess with “tenants, toilets, and termites” by curating opportunities in his “Hui Deal Pipeline Club” where his investors have personal access to him and know that Lane is personally putting his money on the line too. The Hui Deal Pipeline Club has acquired over $500 Million dollars of real estate acquired by syndicating over $60 Million Dollars of private equity since 2016. Lane reverse engineers the wealth-building strategies that the rich use to the middle class via the Top-50 Investing Podcast SimplePassiveCashflow.com. Lane’s mission is to help hardworking professionals out of the rat race, one free strategy call at a time. In our discussion, Lane talked to me about: The importance of creating content to educate Producing a podcast by answering common questions How to grow a community program by starting with 1:1 coaching and documenting the lessons

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/lanekawaoka (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Audrey Holst from Fortitude and Flow. Audrey helps people reform their perfectionism so they can reclaim their agency and put their full energy into what really matters. Her work uses a combination of mindfulness and neuroscience tools and combines over a decade of experience teaching yoga with deep knowledge of the nervous system and extensive training and work as a Certified Professional Coach. Through her Fortitude & Flow Process, Audrey guides individuals and groups through a holistic experience to shift the way they approach themselves and the things that matter to them – for good. In our discussion, Audrey talked to me about: Common signs that perfectionism is holding us back How to balance perfectionism and excellent action Being aware of your whole body to get into a flow

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/audreyholst (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Catherine Morgan, a multi-award-winning qualified financial planner and award-winning financial coach, on a mission to reduce financial anxiety and increase financial empowerment & resilience for 1 million women around the world. Featured as One of the top 32 female entrepreneurs to look out for in Business Leader, she's also the host of the top 1% global podcast ‘In Her Financial Shoes’ and founder of The Money Panel. In our discussion, Catherine talked to me about: Why financial education is not sufficient to fill the financial knowledge gap The physical, practical, and emotional needs to consider around money Money mindsets and stretching your financial comfort zone

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/catherinemorgan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Michael Haynes, an SME Business Growth Specialist and the author of Listen Innovate Grow. Michael spent over 23 years working in a variety of strategy, marketing, and customer insight roles with large corporates across a range of industries in Australia and Canada. During his time working for Australia’s largest telecommunications company as a Customer Research and Strategy Manager, he experienced first-hand how big corporations utilize innovation to increase growth with business customers. Now Michael empowers service-based small and medium companies (SMEs) with buyer-centric strategies to achieve the growth and impact they seek. In our discussion, Michael talked to me about: Leveraging business innovation across multiple sectors Road-mapping and sense-making instead of "content vomit" Really listening to your customers and industry

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/michaelhaynes (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, David Schonthal, an award-winning Clinical Professor and Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the Kellogg School of Management where he teaches courses on new venture creation, design thinking, healthcare innovation and creativity. David is also co-author with fellow Kellogg professor Loran Nordgren, of The Human Element, a book about overcoming people's resistance to innovation and change. Outside of Kellogg, David has been a practitioner of entrepreneurship, design, and innovation for over 20 years. He has spent a decade working at world-renowned design firm, IDEO, and currently serves as an Operating Partner at 7Wire Ventures, a healthcare technology-focused venture capital firm. David is a Global Advisor at Design for Ventures (D4V), a Tokyo-based early-stage venture capital fund that invests in design-led Japanese startups, and is the Co-Founder of MATTER, a 25,000 square-foot innovation center in downtown Chicago focused on catalyzing and supporting healthcare entrepreneurship. In our discussion, David talked to me about: Human behaviour that underpins the resistance to change Being problem-focused rather than product-focused Co-designing solutions by framing changes as an experiment

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/davidschonthal (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Alex Sanfilippo, host of the Creating a Brand Podcast and founder of Podmatch, which automatically matches ideal podcast hosts and guests for interviews Alex has worked in real estate investing and in aerospace; he started a blog and built that into a multi-author blog with more than 130 writers on it. He also recently launched PodcastSOP.com, a software service for podcasters to manage the workflow of each new episode release. In our discussion, Alex talked to me about: How to focus your podcast on your dream listener (and that's a model for focusing your business on your dream client) The importance of a media pack or podcast one-sheet for landing speaking or podcast guest spots Seek to be a person of value first

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/alexsanfilippo (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sarah Santacroce, the Founder of the Humane Business Revolution. She’s also an internationally recognized LinkedIn Consultant, entrepreneur, podcaster, “Hippie turned Business Coach”, and author of “The Gentle Marketing Revolution”, and upcoming “Selling Like We’re Human” books. Sarah has over a decade of experience in the fields of marketing, entrepreneurship, coaching, online business creation, and strategy. She has been facilitating, training, and holding space with in-person and online groups since 2010 and is trained in the “Art of Holding Space” as well as “The Art of Participatory Leadership”. Her approach is grounded in these pragmatic experiences, based on research and best practice. Bundled with her extensive inner work, knowledge about mindfulness, meditation, and alternative ways of healing, this creates a unique perspective on business that is holistic, humane, and gentle. In recent years, Sarah’s upbringing and life’s experiences inspired a yearning to create a global movement that encourages people to bring more empathy and kindness to the business world, live a more meaningful life and take care of our mother earth and each other. She lives in beautiful Switzerland where she was born and raised but considers herself an alternative thinking citizen of this world. When she’s not working she loves adventure and traveling, yoga and nature walks or hanging out with her 3 boys (a husband and two teenage sons). In our discussion, Sarah talked to me about: Starting your marketing journey with self-awareness and personal power Building long term sustainable relationships The concept of maximum sustainable generosity (Jonathan Fields)

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/sarahsantacroce (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lynn Howard, from the Coaching Consulting Resource Center. Lynn has started and sold many businesses across the globe for over 20+ years, leading global organizations as a COO, in 26 countries, and on leadership boards of NGOs with a global footprint & impact. She's driven to be a change agent, a thought leader, and to move the world forward. As a natural leader, Lynn has always seemed to take charge, create an impact and support the growth of those around her. Yet, that didn't always come easy to her; she didn’t always have the tools, or at least understand and apply them. Now, she understands the world differently, has empathy and an inner drive to create a culture and mindset shift, to get people out of their everyday complacency, or what the “norm” is, and step into a better version of themselves, in their life and business; leading companies into higher levels of success, more streamlined processes and healthier company culture. Her motto is “No excuses, only solutions.”, with a little tough love, intuitiveness, and perseverance mixed in, she's the catalyst to the next level of what her clients are working on. In our discussion, Lynn talked to me about: Getting really clear on our values, vision and purpose, to focus our energy Connection and meaningful conversation for effective "networking" Building a community around her services and resources.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/lynnhoward (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Stormie Andrews, President, Yokel Local, Co-host, PowerHouse Experts Podcast and the Finances the Other "F" Word Podcast as well as Author of The World's Best Buyer Persona System. Yokel Local is an online inbound marketing agency partnering with overwhelmed marketing departments and executives to take the burden of the inbound marketing maze off your shoulders. Stormie has a unique marketing mindset having transitioned from a successful sales career. He bridges the gap between marketing and sales eliminating the blame game with his knowledge, expertise, and understanding of both sales and marketing. He's developed the World’s Best Buyer Persona ingratiating their Six Step Inbound System to achieve measurable results as described by his clients. In our discussion, Stormie talked to me about: His Marketing Wheel Audit and seeing the world through the eyes of your best customers Having a WOW system for your clients That Trust is way more important than the sale

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stormieandrews (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mike James of Smartphone Photography Training. Mike has combined over 20 years of experience in photography and mentoring to become a sought-after smartphone photography training specialist – delivering extraordinary value, in an engaged and intelligent way. His passion comes from being on a mission to help you become more photography literate in your personal and business photography – priding himself on delivering practical, jargon-free techniques and tips. In our discussion, Mike talked to me about: Always remembering why you are in business and Mike's personal, powerful why His two rules - will it transform his customers and will it bring him joy And of course, a bunch of photography tips

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/mikejames (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Felix Cao. a neuromarketing expert and business growth strategist with over 15 years of sales and marketing experience. He has been featured on major media outlets, such as The Huffington Post, Adweek, and Authority Magazine. Felix has appeared as a special guest on a major Canadian radio show where he talked about neuromarketing and the 2019 Canadian election. He also makes frequent appearances on the top business podcasts in the world and contributes to popular publications where he shares the most-up-date insights on how businesses can take their sales and marketing to the next stratosphere by implementing neuromarketing strategies that will give companies the game-changing edge that separates them from the rest of their competitors. Felix's business is Happy Buying Brain, where he works with businesses on their marketing strategy and how to apply neuromarketing to create a clear separation in their brand perception from their competitors and expand their customer base by better understanding what truly makes consumers tick during the customer journey process. In our discussion, Felix talked to me about: Some of the future trends of Ai The role of neuroscience in our buying behaviour and implications for marketing The importance of empathy and relationships in marketing

https://innovabiz.co/felixcao (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Rytis Lauris, the Co-Founder and CEO of the eCommerce-tailored email & SMS marketing automation platform Omnisend. Having spent more than 10 years building and bootstrapping startups and working in the digital marketing and eCommerce field, Rytis was well-placed to do the same with his own company. Omnisend has grown to become a top-rated app in the Shopify App store without any outside investments. The key to Omnisend’s success is its rich customer data and omnichannel-driven approach, empowering small and medium-sized eCommerce businesses to generate more sales at an affordable price. With his vast experience in startups and especially eCommerce marketing, Rytis can deliver useful insights and actionable advice on all things eCommerce, email marketing, and entrepreneurship. In our discussion, Rytis talked to me about: • Lifetime value of customers and why it's important to nurture existing customers • Best practices for email marketing • The implications of the new privacy settings of iOS 15 Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/rytislauris (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Desi Bolin, the Founder & CEO of Virtually Sourced Solutions LLC, an international SVA consultancy firm with pillars of integrity, quality, service, collaboration, and innovation. As a published author, course creator, and certification founder, Desi and her team truly put their over 65 specialties to highly efficient, highly effective use. With 2 young kids at home (aged 6 & 3), the ability to multitask to get things done is important to Desi and she brings that skill to her clients. Virtually Sourced Solutions focus on relationship-based selling, networking, and collaboration, operating solely on word of mouth & referral. She lives to help others succeed through proven, repeatable scaling & growth. In our discussion, Desi talked to me about: Hiring for culture, values, and mission fit Importance of systems and processes Building personal connections with marketing tools

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/desibolin (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Michael DeLon, Founder and President, Paperback Expert. Michael believes that believe that a book is the ultimate business card. In this competitive market, you either differentiate yourself or you die. Having a book will help you convert leads to clients and put more money in your pocket. Michael helps you Convert More Leads using your Amazon Bestselling Book without spending more money on advertising. A book will position you as The Expert in your market. You'll be different from everyone else and have instant authority and credibility. In under 24 hours of your time (and about 90 days elapsed time), you'll be using your book to convert more leads and generate more sales. And as an Amazon Bestselling Author, you'll be seen as THE Authority people look to. In our discussion, Michael talked to me about: The speak to write process and how to write in your own voice The importance of storytelling in connecting with your audience Using a published book in your overall marketing strategy

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/michaeldelon (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jonathan Callinan of Online Business Accelerator, an Auckland-based marketing company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners rapidly grow their businesses through the power of online marketing. He is also the founder of Course Commander, an all-inclusive website, landing page, and course builder to save coaches, consultants, authors, and infopreneurs time and remove the typical tech-aches from creating and delivering courses, programs, and memberships. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur, marketer, and big subscription advocate; having generated over 7 figures for both himself and his clients from membership models across various niches, including the natural health and digital marketing spaces. He previously appeared on episode 406 of the InnovaBuzz podcast. In our discussion, Jonathan talked to me about: Building a community and why you should have it on your own system (rather than social media) How to test a subscription idea before building it Transitioning to an online subscription model

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jonathancallinan1 (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Kurian Tharakan, the founder of the sales and marketing strategy firm StrategyPeak Sales & Marketing Advisors and a 27-year veteran of the sales and marketing industry. He has consulted for companies in numerous sectors. Kurian is also the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “The 7 Essential Stories Charismatic Leaders Tell,” which details how anyone can move people and mountains with the power of story. In our discussion, Kurian talked to me about: What ARE the seven essential stories charismatic leaders tell How great leaders transform their people That entrepreneurship is a journey of personal growth and learning

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/kuriantharakan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Steffen Hedebrandt, Chief Revenue Officer at Dreamdata, a Revenue Attribution Platform that collects, joins, and cleans all data to give an insightful value to your business. Steffen is a subject matter expert in connecting marketing activities with revenue. He has an exceptional growth mindset, is data-driven by heart and loves all parts of scaling the commercial side of a business. A notorious growth hacker with a successful track record of scaling businesses and building teams at Upwork and Airtame, Steffen knows the pain points of rapidly scaling marketing and growth firsthand. In our discussion, Steffen talked to me about: Improving customer experience by knowing your data. Using stories to instigate change The power of ruthless prioritization and focus

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/steffenhedebrandt (Show notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr. Duane Varan, CEO of MediaScience, the leader in media and advertising innovation research. Almost every major innovation in the TV advertising industry over the past decade was first tested by MediaScience. Duane is the recipient of numerous awards including the Australian Prime Minister's Award for University Teacher of the Year. In four of the past six years, articles co-authored by Duane have been awarded as either Article of the Year or runner-up by the Advertising Research Foundation. Duane is a pioneer in neuromarketing, regularly introducing new methods incorporating eye tracking, galvanic skin response, heart rate, EEG, facial expression analysis, response latency testing, and a wide variety of other methods. He is also CEO of Hark Connect, the most advanced platform for qualitative research. In our discussion, Duane talked to me about: The "real estate" of the mind How all content takes us on an emotional journey Innovative ways to measure attention, emotion, engagement, and memory

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/duanevaran (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Janet Neal, a self-described Superbwoman and a “Reformed Superwoman” who has learned how to lead a “should free”, productive, joyful, and powerful life, and believes all women can do the same. Janet is the Founder and Queen Bee at The Superbwoman, Inc., whose mission is to provide women with the resources and opportunities to step into their innate power, for the betterment of all. Janet is a frequent speaker and workshop provider for organizations such as IBM, Microsoft, Kraft Foods, and Working Mother Magazine. She is the author of Soul in Control: Reflections of a Reformed Superwoman and The Superbwoman: It’s All About the BE. She has been a contributor to The Huffington Post and numerous business publications and hosted a web show called Superbwoman Sundays at 7. In our discussion, Janet talked to me about: Clarifying and articulating our values as a first step to avoiding overwhelm Serving ourselves first so we can serve others Really understanding our customers' needs

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/janetneal (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcast)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Trey Taylor, the Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Insurance Services, Managing Director of Trinity|Blue consulting, and Founding Partner of Ascend Partners. Trey is also Managing Partner at Threadneedle, a single-family office with entrepreneurial roots in the financial services industry, holding investments in insurance and financial services, commercial real estate, and early-stage technology companies. Frequently featured as a keynote speaker, Trey has addressed attendees at the Human Capital Institute, the Ascend Conference, and many other engagements. Trey is also the author of "A CEO Only Does Three Things: Finding Your Focus in the C-Suite". In our discussion, Trey talked to me about: The 3 Things that a CEO must focus on - Culture, People, Numbers How to build and sustain a healthy and compelling culture How to share the burden of measures in the right context

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/treytaylor (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Oscar Chavez, of Growthly Marketing. Oscar is an international keynote speaker, Amazon #1 best-selling author, and entrepreneur. He is a sales, branding and marketing expert and Peak Performance Business Coach. Oscar is also a mentor to 600 startups and 93,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. With a proven track record of tripling company performance in a single year, Oscar is well equipped and passionate about helping people understand how to achieve their full potential in business and in life. In our discussion, Oscar talked to me about: The power of segmenting your day into chunks The value of focusing on relationships first and human connection His BAHO method for achieving high performance

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/oscarchavez (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, best-selling author and leadership specialist Gabrielle Dolan. Gabrielle is a global thought leader on business storytelling and real communication. She is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and her client list is extensive including the likes of Visa, Amazon, EY, Uber, Accenture, Telstra, Australia Post and the Obama Foundation to name drop a few. She is the best-selling author of 6 books including Real Communication and Stories for Work. In her latest book, Magnetic Stories: Connect with Customers and Engage Employees with Brand Storytelling, Gabrielle draws upon extensive experience to provide a practical guide to unpacking our brand story to rapidly improve customer and employee loyalty, regardless of size or industry. Packed with tools and case studies, Magnetic Stories shows us how to utilise the power of brand storytelling to captivate our customers and engage our team. In our discussion, Gabrielle talked to me about: Connecting at a human level with authentic brand stories The difference between case studies and case stories Bringing values to life with stories

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/gabrielledolan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Arliss Dudley-Cash of Soullutions by Arliss, an inspirational speaker and self-love movement leader, and Winner of the Best Presentation Award by the International Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Conference, Business and Body Positivity Coach. With a background in business, neuroscience, and forensics, Arliss’ career expands over several industries including operations management, research scientist, and death investigation. She unites this eclectic background with her personal journey to overcome the odds and survive a terminal diagnosis. Her awarding winning presentations include topics on extreme self-love and body positivity. She is passionate about helping her clients to become powerful joyful authentic business owners experiencing freedom, having a lot more fun in their business, and each of us becoming the loves of our lives! In our discussion, Arliss talked to me about: The impact of our thoughts on our health and wellbeing How to practice self-love and elevate our self-esteem Starting any feedback or review with what worked well first and celebrating that

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/arlissdudleycash (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Cat Stancik, Lead Boss at Action Incubator. Cat works with time-crunched experts and entrepreneurs, who want to multiply their 6 figures over and over again to scale past 7 and beyond. If you are ready to toss out complicated overly automated tech and funnels that are expensive and time-consuming to build, never work as well as people told you they would, and make you want to tear your hair out, then this episode is for you. Cat's going to share a simple and strategic approach to consistently fill your pipeline with highly qualified leads that are ready to buy, so you can hit your revenue targets predictably and spend your time the way you want. In our discussion, Cat talked to me about: Focusing on what we are passionate about and delegating the rest Documenting processes in a way that empowers our team and provides valuable training and development opportunities Putting in effort to create ease

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/catstancik (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Wade Galt of the 3-Day Weekend Club. Wade helps people create the life, lifestyle, and legacy they most desire. 3-Day Weekend Club was founded with the goal of inspiring people to implement a 3-Day Weekend / 4-Day Work Week lifestyle. Pulling from 15 years experience as a productive employee and over 20 years as a software company founder & owner, corporate consultant, sales coach, accountability expert, superstar recruiter, provider of mental health counseling (psychology) services, life coach, and 4-day entrepreneur, Wade teaches others to create the life they most desire personally & professionally. In our discussion, Wade talked to me about: The mindset shift to plan for a regular 3-day weekend Why working less time can be more productive Creating time for the important things in life

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/wadegalt (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lauren Yee. She is a builder of community and a process-driven problem solver. Finding ways to help individuals, improve ideas, and streamline processes is what makes her come alive. Before starting her own business, she helped build the largest LEGO-inspired STEM company in the United States. She has worked with the Golden State Warriors, Google, LinkedIn, Netflix, Southwest Airlines, and Workday helping them to build community, establish inclusivity, and create psychologically safe work environments where staff can thrive. Lauren has a compelling story of having to grow up fast, navigate massive uncertainty, and how that shaped who she is today. In our discussion, Lauren talked to me about: Being comfortable with not knowing the answers The difference between fitting in and belonging Adulting like a child

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/laurenyee (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Miha Matlievski, known as the Fail Coach. Miha is a serial entrepreneur with 23 years of experience, that has grown and scaled 9 companies over 7-9+ figures in different industries all around the world. Miha has personally generated over $3 billion in sales and has been a part of many joint ventures and partnerships where he's been able to generate $24 million in funding. His "Operation: Firehouse" teaches 7+ figure entrepreneurs how to go from working 60-70+ hours per week to managing their company with 4-6 hours per week. In our discussion, Miha talked to me about: Embracing failure as feedback and learning from it Using an ideal role avatar Firehouse time vs firehose time

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/mihamatlievski (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ardath Albee who is a B2B Marketing Strategist and CEO of Marketing Interactions where she creates personas and persona-driven content marketing and sales enablement strategies for her clients. Ardath has written two books—Digital Relevance and eMarketing Strategies for the Complex Sale—and is often found speaking at industry events, leading workshops, and on the lists of the top B2B industry experts to follow. She’s also currently the Interim VP of Marketing at Modus. In our discussion, Ardath talked to me about: Connecting companies to their audiences in a human way Building buyer personas that are actionable The power of questions in conversation and listening to your customers

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/ardathalbee (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Tom Poland, the best-selling author of Marketing with Webinars and over 37 years’ experience in sales and marketing. He has also started, managed and sold multiple businesses including teams of over 100 and revenue of more than twenty million dollars. Tom is currently working with clients in 27 cities and 15 time zones around the world and describes himself as ‘voluntarily married’, living in a house on the sand, next to the blue waves at little Castaways Beach in Queensland Australia. In our discussion, Tom talked to me about: Webinars as the core of a system to speak to people at scale How to get engagement in webinars and presentations Calls to Action that are authentic and congruent with your values (and that of your audience)

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/tompoland (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jeroen Corthout, Co-founder and CEO of Salesflare, an intelligent CRM built for small-medium businesses selling B2B, mostly popular with agencies and fast-growing startup companies. Salesflare itself was founded when Jeroen and his co-founder Lieven wanted to follow up the leads for their software company in an easier way. They didn't like to keep track of their leads manually and built Salesflare, which pulls customer data together automatically and then actively helps you to follow up. It's now the most popular CRM on Product Hunt and top-rated on review platforms like G2 for its ease of use and automation features. In our discussion, Jeroen talked to me about: Making customer relationship management human Using automation at scale and still keep the human element How to land guest appearances on podcasts

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jeroencorthout (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Paul Sockett, a professional actor, storyteller and voice artist. Paul is a coach, holding space for others to explore the story their physical stuff is telling, and how they can claim their space in alignment with their truth. He helps people write bios and copy that they connect with and are excited to share, instead of ticking the terminology boxes and simply getting it out of the way. Paul is a nomad, a writer, and a creator, exploring places and ways to invite curiosity and listening to intuition. In our discussion, Paul talked to me about: How the stuff we collect and store defines the stories we tell about ourselves Gathering information vs answers and proof of opinion Choice is always available

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/paulsockett (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Pete Martin of AskMyBoard. Pete is a seasoned executive and serial entrepreneur who has worked in sales, operations, and executive management for over 25 years. Over his career, Pete has been personally involved in the sales of over $1 billion worth of software, services, and technology to global companies, including Dow Chemical, Lockheed Martin, Goodyear, Eli Lilly, and Continental General Tire, as well as to small to medium-sized businesses. He started, scaled, and sold four out of four previous companies, including car leasing, systems integration consulting, business process outsourcing, and software distribution. His most recent sale was to the global auditing giant, KPMG. Pete has personally advised hundreds of C-level executives and business owners across 26 industries to grow their firms, enhance their business operations, and improve their financial performance. In our discussion, Pete talked to me about: Taking the customer experience to a new level through obsessive customer focus The role of the business owner as an "architect" rather than a "rainmaker" Hiring for culture and defining the ideal team member

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/petemartin (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Arjun Sen, a former Fortune 500 executive, an acclaimed Brand Zen™ and one of the top growth drivers in the Brand and Customer Experience space. At Papa John’s, he led the 3,000-restaurant chain to 4-years of record growth. He is a celebrated author of the book “Customer Karma” and a highly sought-after international keynote speaker. His groundbreaking podcast series “Secrets to Win Big®” has a rapidly growing global following. In our discussion, Arjun talked to me about: How we can Wow customers - it's about focusing on their feelings Learning from being a customer in your own business The key roles of a CEO in any business

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/arjunsen (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Stefan Smulders, SaaS Entrepreneur, co-founder of Expandi, the world's safest software for LinkedIn Automation. Expandi is an organisation he bootstrapped to $6M ARR in just 17 months Their software is a cloud platform designed to make automated outreach safe by using random delays, message frequencies, message limits (and much more) to make sure it works perfectly within Linkedin guidelines. In our discussion, Stefan talked to me about: Key approaches to effectively connecting with the right people on LinkedIn How to do smart searches on LinkedIn The importance of good customer onboarding and support

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stefansmulders (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Stephen Berkeley, Director of Global Business at Flyntrok Consulting. Stephen has three and a half decades of experience at a leadership level in Australia, England, and India. His industry experience includes health, shipping, manufacturing, agriculture, IT, and law. He has worked with boards and senior leaders in the areas of change management, strategy development, governance, business improvement, organisation development, human resource management, learning and development, community building, and values-based management. Stephen is an experienced group facilitator and executive coach and works with clients to identify opportunities for growth and help them make that a reality. In our discussion, Stephen talked to me about: Creating a values-based culture in an organisation and moving values from posters on the wall to conversations in the hall Using stories to highlight and articulate values How to develop shared meaning around values

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stephenberkeley (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Susan James, self-discovery trainer and Co-Founder, The Self Discovery Techniques & Life Mastery Process. Susan trains her clients in the most direct and effective experiential tools and techniques to develop limitless Self, Life and Business Mastery. They do that through the Workshops and one-on-one Personal Training that make up the Self Discovery Life Mastery Process. The Self Discovery Techniques and Life Mastery Process have taken self-empowerment to whole new heights. It has created an “Evolution Revolution”! In our discussion, Susan talked to me about: • How to quiet your mind and focus your attention • Intuition and self-awareness • The skills of the future. Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/susanjames (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Patty Block of the Block Group. Patty founded The Block Group to empower women business owners who are experts in their fields. Her life journey - the good and the bad - allows her to course-correct clients by leading and advising with compassion, empathy and quiet resolve. The result is a partnership of unbiased accountability, helping women position their companies financially, operationally, and technologically for game-changing results. Patty raised three fantastic kids, all of whom have launched their careers and also work in Patty’s company. Clients often refer to her as their “business therapist” and “secret weapon.” By establishing long-term relationships and serving as a strategic sounding board, clients experience direct benefits to create real and lasting change, turning roadblocks into building blocks.. In our discussion, Patty talked to me about: • Differentiating between buyers and clients • How to establish the value of services • Being the guide for the buyers' journey https://innovabiz.co/pattyblock (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Tommy Breedlove, featured keynote speaker, best-selling author of Legendary, business, career and mindset coach. Tommy serves clients and audiences everywhere by empowering them to build and live Legendary Lives. He guides people to discover a life of significance while building a lasting legacy. The simple tools he shares shows them how to work in their zone of brilliance, obtain financial freedom, and live with meaning and balance. The goal is to help everybody to become the person they've always wanted to be. In our discussion, Tommy talked to me about: • How to identify your purpose to serve • Taking care of yourself first to lead others with courage, conviction, and passion • Building positive habits in a sustainable way Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/tommybreedlove (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Christine Schlonski, a multi-talented leader in the field of Sales, Mindset, Motivation, and Strategies. She is the Founder of Heart Sells! Academy, Creator of Heart Sells! Members’ Community and the Host of Heart Sells! Podcast. She works with heart-centered, ambitious entrepreneurs who love what they do but do not feel comfortable selling their services and products. She shows them how to sell with ease, grace, confidence while being authentic and feeling great in the process. In our discussion, Christine talked to me about: How sales is love when we focus on service and the transformation Why we should work with soul-mate clients Knowing the perceived value of your products and service

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/christineschlonski (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Steve Hoffman, or Captain Hoff as he’s called in Silicon Valley, the Captain & CEO of Founders Space, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators. He’s also a venture investor, serial entrepreneur, and author of several award-winning books. These include “Make Elephants Fly” and “Surviving a Startup”. Steve launched Founders Space, with the mission to educate and accelerate entrepreneurs. Steve has trained hundreds of startup founders and corporate executives in the art of innovation and provided consulting to many of the world’s largest corporations, including Qualcomm, Huawei, Bosch, Intel, Disney, Warner Brothers, NBC, Gulf Oil, Siemens, and Viacom. In our discussion, Steve talked to me about: What innovators should do first, before they come up with any ideas The essential ingredients that innovation teams must possess Celebrating "failure" in a way that we learn from that

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stevehoffman (Show Notes and Blog) https://www.foundersspace.com/captainhoff/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ashley Nichols, author of Tech to Save the World. Ashley brings more than 10 years of experience working with executives from the White House to Wall Street and beyond. In her consulting tenure, she has served a number of internationally-facing USG and multilateral clients including the World Bank, the Department of State, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. In her book Tech to Save the World, Ashley explores the idea that everyday people with a passion can use technology to build a better world. The book is a toolkit and a step-by-step guide, to be used as a resource for people who want to make a difference but don't know where to start. In our discussion, Ashley talked to me about: Her principles of Idealistic Innovation The importance of enlisting support and collaboration for implementing ideas That there is no such thing as a tech person, or why we can all combine our specialist skills with tech

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/ashleynichols (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ari Galper, the world's number one authority on trust-based selling who has been featured in CEO Magazine, Forbes, INC Magazine, SkyNews, and the Australian Financial Review. As trust becomes the most important currency in the new economy, the act of selling as a de-humanizing process with endless “chasing”, has been completely re-invented and anchored in the timeless values of integrity and trust – through Trust-Based Selling. In his best-selling book, "Unlock The Sales Game", Ari describes his revolutionary sales approach based on getting to the truth and why having a mindset of focusing on deep trust, instead of “the sale” – is ironically, 10 times more profitable. Ari has been on a mission for the last decade to change the world through trust, starting with the sales and business world. In our discussion, Ari talked to me about: • Changing our mindset around sales to focus on deep trust, instead of “the sale” • Using trust-based language to conduct conversations • Going deeper to get to the true pain or need of your client. Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/arigalper (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Diana Gremillion, former investment banker and founder of Successful Life Strategies. Through her dynamic workshops and coaching programs, Diana helps top professionals reach peak performance with the best stress management techniques and time-tested systems to confidently achieve extraordinary results. As an experienced speaker, trainer, and Master Coach, she is passionate about showing others how to take their success to the next level as they find lasting success and happiness. In our discussion, Diana talked to me about: • Ways to control our energy • Ways to balance passion and energy when doing what you love • Embracing your unique attributes and creativity Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/dianagremillion (Show Notes and Blog) The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Thomas Lahnthaler of The Crisis Compass. Thomas is an experienced international crisis leader, mediator, mentor, facilitator, and speaker. His crisis management expertise spans over two decades and 23 countries where he led crisis teams in conflict and disaster contexts responding to some of the most complex emergencies of our time. He advises business leaders and teams on all aspects of crisis preparedness and response and has a passion for developing experiential, simulated, and game-based solutions for effective and innovative learning. In our discussion, Thomas talked to me about: How crisis management is managing people before managing situations The key habits to build a resilient culture and mindset Communication strategies, when not to ask questions

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/thomaslahnthaler (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Iggy Perillo from WSL Leadership. Iggy cultivates leadership masterminds for professionals and athletes who are seeking excellence in their work, sport, and life. She created WSL Leadership to develop leaders and teams who make the world a better place through enhanced connection, communication, and trust. Iggy works with individuals, teams and organizations around the world helping them overcome challenges and function like champions. In our discussion, Iggy talked to me about: • How everyone is a leader in their own way • How to build relationships and validate other people's input even when you don't agree • The power of masterminds Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/iggyperillo (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Graham Miller, business resilience consultant, facilitator, and author. Graham has spent over 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in aviation and management roles before working in organisational development positions in the public sector. For the past 12 years, he has consulted to organisations large and small, in the areas of organisational resilience and organisational development. He is the co-founder and co-director of Brisbane-based management consultancy Humans Being At Work which encourages people to bring their authentic selves to work, and helps organisations tap into the collective wisdom that resides within, to build organisational resilience. Graham has always been fascinated with how people work in organisations. The merging of his aviation background with his consulting experience provides a unique perspective on organisational development. In 2020, Graham published his book, The Human Factor, which outlines how organisations can adapt and adopt management principles developed in the aviation industry over the past 40 years to boost organisational performance, reduce error and get the best from their people to improve organisational resilience. In our discussion, Graham talked to me about: • Human leadership and allowing for human factors – fallability • The importance of robust systems and how that allows more human connection • Building psychologically safe environments for innovation Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/grahammiller (Show Notes and Blog) The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jeff Harry of Rediscover Your Play. Jeff combines positive psychology and play to help teams/organizations navigate difficult conversations and assist individuals in addressing their biggest challenges through embracing a play-oriented approach to work. Some of the topics he covers include how to deal with toxicity in the workplace, how to address office politics, how to play with your inner critic, how to help your staff rediscover their flow, and how to navigate these uncertain times through play. For his work, Jeff was selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020. His work has most recently been featured in the NY Times, Mashable, & Upworthy. In our discussion, Jeff talked to me about: • Learning how to play with our inner critic to unleash our creativity • Why letting go of expectations will help us actually achieve more • Savouring our wins Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jeffharry (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Eric Seropyan, the founder and owner of This Is My South Bay, a Los Angeles-based Digital Marketing agency with a specialty in Search Engine Optimization and Lead Generation. Eric also teaches at a Search Engine Optimization Academy in Los Angeles. All small business owners know that ranking on page 1 of Google search is essential, but most have no idea how to do it. Unlike many in the SEO industry, who promise to deliver page 1 rankings and tricks to "game" the search engines, Eric understands how the search engines work and why they want you to rank highly for what you do, AND his team works with their clients to consistently show up online so the search engines recognize those businesses as leading providers of their services and hence rank them highly. In our discussion, Eric talked to me about: The importance of consistently posting content - articles, videos, reviews etc, to your website What Google really wants and it's actually the same as what your user wants The power of community

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/ericseropyan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Casey Berman of Leave Law Behind, where attorneys can learn to expand beyond or outright leave their current legal practice in order to start a business, create an enjoyable lifestyle and feel cool about themselves all over again. Casey is a creative and interpersonal senior marketing and communications executive, former lawyer, and business founder with 15+ years of market research, strategy, and executive communications experience in the technology, eCommerce, digital media, and consumer software segments. In our discussion, Casey talked to me about: The importance of self-awareness and mindset in pursuing your dream career The power of storytelling His 3 unique genius questions

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/caseyberman (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Raj Goodman Anand, the founder of Goodman Lantern, a team of native English content writing services that help businesses sell better and grow faster. An engineer by profession, Raj has founded three startups, raised capital, and taken one venture from zero to acquisition. He has not only had a flourishing career within startups but also with large and mid-sized organisations, working on launching startups or new products within them. Products he has built have made companies an income in excess of £45m. Raj has also won BusinessWeek’s Europe’s Young Entrepreneur (2007) and has been named one of Revolution Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Digital (2009). He has spoken at various venues including the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, British Library, and several universities. Raj and his entrepreneurial ventures have had coverage in The Telegraph, Guardian, BusinessWeek, and Observer.

In our discussion, Raj talked to me about: The keys to building a strong culture in teams - basically CARE about the people! The importance of systems and processes The core role and expertise of the business owner is to train the team in culture

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/rajgoodman (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Marina Girgis of Livin Vivaciously, a brand expert helping freedom-obsessed entrepreneurs build pivot-proof and true-to-self personal brands to make more money online and live vivaciously! Her ultimate goal is to empower women to overcome their limiting beliefs, face their fears, tell their stories, and live more freely despite gender and cultural norms. Marina is living a freedom-filled life on her terms, traveling the world solo for the past 5 years, whilst running her business. In our discussion, Marina talked to me about: Marina is living a freedom-filled life on her terms, traveling the world solo for the past 5 years, whilst running her business. Being really clear about your ideal day, so your business can deliver that The job of every business is to start meaningful, value-filled conversations

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/marinagirgis (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Laura Rike, a Pinterest Strategist who helps high-performing business owners implement content growth plans, outsource their visibility and steadily grow their monthly revenue through her signature growth to greatness framework with done for you services and course packages. Laura has helped clients and students bring in over 50k+ in monthly revenue. Her clients have become industry leaders with 6-figure businesses and are growing sustainably by ranking on the first page of Google and getting targeted email leads daily. She has been featured on Social Media Examiner, Tailwind, MeetEdgar, and The Ultimate Marketer. In our discussion, Laura talked to me about: Pinterest is less social media than a search engine, think of it more like Youtube Why it's important to focus on the conversations The importance of consistency - in Pinterest posting as well as in general content creation

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/laurarike (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Terry Jones, a Digital Disruptor, an author, and a venture capitalist. He has founded five startups, with two billion dollar IPOs - Kayak and Travelocity. He has served on 17 corporate boards. His success has established him as a thought leader on innovation and disruption. As a speaker, author, venture capitalist and board member, Terry has been helping companies use the tools and techniques he has developed to keep succeeding in our fast-changing world. In our discussion, Terry talked to me about: Why the most important things for innovation, are taking risks, embracing failure and learning from failure, then iterating quickly What looking at other industries and their practices can teach us about our own How to "own the edge" of your customers' journeys.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/terryjones (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Stephen Genco, a marketing innovator, entrepreneur, management consultant, and educator. He co-founded one of the first research firms devoted to applying neuroscience, social psychology, and behavioral economics to the study of marketing and consumer choice. Today, he is an active educator and speaker, conducting seminars and workshops around the world (and virtually). Dr. Genco holds a doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree from the University of British Columbia. He has written two books: Neuromarketing for Dummies (co-author, 2013) and Intuitive Marketing (2019). In our discussion, Steve talked to me about: Why marketers must ask new questions and conduct marketing in new ways Marketing through the entire customer journey, for long term relationships Why understanding our dream customers and their behaviours is vital to good marketing

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stevegenco (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Michelle Seiler Tucker, the Founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated. She holds the M&AMI (Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary) title, as well as Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP) and Certified Senior Business Analyst (CSBA). She also owns many other businesses in several different industries. As a 20-year veteran in the M&A industry, Michelle is regarded as the leading authority on buying, selling, fixing, and growing businesses. She and her firm have sold over a thousand businesses in almost every vertical and have a remarkable track record of success. In our discussion, Michelle talked to me about:

Why it is important to plan your exit strategy from day one of your business using her "GPS Model"

Her 6 Ps - People, Product, Process, Proprietary assets, Patrons, and Profit

Three magic questions, based on what business are we in.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/michelleseilertucker (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

I’m really excited to have on the InnovaBuzz podcast as my guest, Johnson Emmanuel, the founder of one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies, Havanzer, who have clients located all around the world. http://africa.com/ (Africa.com) refers to him as the "#1 marketing magician", and his clients refer to him as the ‘marketing genius’. Johnson is considered the #1 authority when it comes to engineering wildly profitable campaigns, strategies, and systems that attract affluent clients consistently. His marketing strategies, systems & campaigns generate well over 100 million dollars in revenue, yearly for his clients. He is the author of the best-selling book, "Deep Pocket Clients", and has been featured on countless top-ranked, business & marketing shows, around the world. In our discussion, Johnson talked to me about Identifying and working with high-value clients the mindset of Marketing as an investment The magic offer sequence to give 10x value

Listen to the podcast to learn more. Show Notes and Blog The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Catherine Cantey, a tenacious connector and recovering banker. She is a leadership coach helping high potential managers turn into senior leaders. Her sales program, for business-to-business selling, is creating exceptional results. 18 months ago, Catherine retired from corporate banking. She was traveling 60% of the time, spending time with the C-suite and helping others grow their business. She took calculated risks that led her to transition from corporate to self-employment. Today, she provides leadership coaching, training around messaging and use of LinkedIn and strategic planning. In our discussion, Catherine talked to me about: Using reflection to know when you are ready for change Creating small wins that form the foundation of sustainable change How to add value to others by "teaching them to breathe"

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/catherinecantey (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ramon Ray, an in-demand global keynote speaker, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and event producer and host. He's the founder of Smart Hustle Media, which inspires and educates small business owners. Ramon started four small companies and sold two of them. "Celebrity CEO", Ramon's fourth book, is about building a community and personal brand. He's been invited to testify at the United States Congress, and invited to speak at the White House. Over his extensive career, Ramon has written thousands of articles, spoken to thousands of business owners and impacted hundreds of thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs to help their businesses thrive. In our discussion, Ramon talked to me about: The Celebrity CEO Concept - beginning with a smile The power of Human Connections How to be magnetic and earn attention

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/ramonray (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Cydelle Stewart, a Business Operations Architect, Virtual Assistant Mentor, Founder of VA Agency Onit! Communications, and a self-titled PosAbility Ambassador. She makes it posAble for Online Coaches, Consultants and Experts to get Slick, Sexy & Systemised™ so they can delight clients, increase their impact and make more money focusing on the work that lights them up. Process-driven and passionate about excellence, Cydelle simplifies and transforms the back-office and online customer journey for her clients, elevating their businesses from successful to exceptional. Clients describe her work as “efficient, essential, transformational, innovative and futuristic.” citing her as “revolutionising the way” that they do business. Having begun her career in the corporate world of Executive Office Support and Operations some 27 years ago, ahead of spending the last 11 running her VA business, Cydelle has a small team, an end-to-end overview of what makes a virtual office run to optimum efficiency, and a wealth of experience that gives her the insight required to set her clients up for success in ways that enable them to enjoy balance over burn-out. In our discussion, Cydelle talked to me about: Why your first hire shouldn't be a Virtual Assistant (VA) and who you should hire instead The VA mindset and heartset Creating client delight

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/cydellestewart (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

Daphne Gray-Grant. Daphne grew up in the newspaper business. Her parents owned a struggling weekly where she worked from the age of 16, even while completing an honours degree in political science at the University of B.C. Eventually, she left the family business to become a senior editor at a major metropolitan daily — The Vancouver Sun — where she worked for 10 years. After the birth of her triplet children in 1994, Daphne became a communications consultant, and writing and editing coach. She is the author of 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Faster, Better and Your Happy First Draft. She has been blogging since 2006 and hosting a YouTube channel since 2017. She strongly believes that the main reason many people can’t write and can’t write quickly is that the school system hasn’t given them the simple tools to do it. Her popular and free weekly newsletter, Power Writing, goes to thousands of readers around the world every Tuesday morning. In our discussion, Daphne talked to me about: How to build a happier and healthier writing habit by starting small Why it's important to separate the writing from the editing and also take a break in between these activities The value of asking questions

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/daphnegraygrant (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

Bruce Craven, a writer, public speaker, and educator, with over thirty years of experience in executive education. He is a Partner at Craven Leadership and an Associate Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School where he teaches his popular MBA/EMBA elective "Leadership Through Fiction". His leadership book - Win or Die: Leadership Secrets from Game of Thrones -- was published in 2019. He has also written a poetry collection – Buena Suerte in Red Glitter and his new novel, Sweet Ride, will be published in 2021. In our discussion, Bruce talked to me about: What lessons there are in fictional stories for leadership The importance of empathy in leadership How our values affect our leadership and how to elicit our values

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/brucecraven (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

Brian Burkhart. Brian believes in Elevating People and he does that by making waves. He’s the founder and Chief Word Guy at SquarePlanet Presentations & Strategy, a corporate communications company that was recently named to Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies list. Brian is also the author of the Amazon best-selling book, “Stand for Something: the Power of Building a Brand People Authentically Love.” He is also the host of the SquareStories podcast, a bi-monthly exposé of the most fascinating people in business today. In addition to his extensive corporate client base, Brian reserves time for academic work. He enjoyed six years as an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University’s prestigious Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Today, he is a coach to Arizona State University teams competing for investment capital from Schmidt Ventures, offered by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and a member of the Forbes Business Council. A former Disney cast member as well as the host of The Hot Hamburger, a corporate game show produced by McDonald’s famous training entity ‘Hamburger University, Brian has traveled to 48 countries and counting studied the human condition, and believes deeply in the power of love over hate. In our discussion, Brian talked to me about: Why it's important to be clear about what you stand for - your core beliefs How to discover your core beliefs and use them in your marketing, hiring and job-seeking How your core beliefs help you connect deeply with your dream clients

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/brianburkhart (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Eman Zabi, a launch copywriter and founder of the Scribesmith as well as founder of Terrain. Eman started her career writing about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which then led to work as an outdoor copywriter before her love of research led her to work primarily in the launch space, as a copywriter. Eman spent a lot of money on online courses to advance her skills and found that the most popular courses aren’t necessarily the ones that provide the best content. They’re just the ones with the best marketing team. This means course creators with great content aren’t able to get in front of the right audiences, and course takers get duped by misleading marketing. So, she started Terrain, a couse platform with curated courses for Entrepreneurs. In our discussion, Eman talked to me about: The problems with most online courses and why less than 10% of people complete courses they buy - What makes Terrain different as a course platform - making it frictionless to take courses, complete courses and take action as a result How to get engagement on courses, through challenges, collaborative spaces, goals and reminders and notes areas with the course

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/emanzabi2 (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Rusty Gaillard, a speaker, career coach, and life coach, who helps others achieve more freedom and balance in life. A Stanford MBA and successful leader at Apple for over 13 years, Rusty is a certified as a Life Mastery Consultant. Having navigated many of his own life transitions - promotion, demotion, starting a business, divorce, parenthood, Rusty has learned that how we react to life’s events matters more than the event itself. He believes that each of us is far more powerful than any circumstance we are in. By connecting with our unique strengths, we can grow in any experience and find the freedom to live our best life. In our discussion, Rusty talked to me about: Having courage to embrace our vision and that courage is taking action in the space of fear How we can use the 15% more challenge Trusting our unique strengths and connecting them to our vision and values

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/rustygaillard (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Oleg Lougheed, founder of Overcoming Odds. Oleg’s start in life was inauspicious. At 9 years old, he relinquished his parents' rights and entered a Russian orphanage at his choosing. At 12 years old, he decided to be adopted into a new family, in a new country, halfway across the world, to start a new life. At 24 years old, he began his journey of helping others live the life they have always dreamed of, despite their hardships and misfortunes by allowing them to recognize the uniqueness and worth within their own story. In our discussion, Oleg talked to me about: The power of recognising and acknowledging problems as a first step to solving them The courage to ask for help - people need people and people help people! Leading from within.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/oleglougheed (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Alyea Sandovar, a gamification and play consultant at Tint Hue. She helps established business owners create deeper engagement for their online programs and turn clients into raving fans through gamification. She is also the co-founder of the Playful Creative Summit. A free summit dedicated to adding more play and creativity to the world which launches every year in April. In our discussion, Alyea talked to me about:

How gamification is more than just leaderboards, points and badges

Gamification brings together behavioural science, art, and design

Proper way to do leaderboards

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/alyeasandovar (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Veronica Shannon, a lawyer, entrepreneur, published author and sustainability leader. She founded retub, the premium reusable takeaway food container that has a built-in container exchange program and other businesses that have purpose and innovation at their heart. In our discussion, Veronica talked to me about:

what drove her to start retub and how she tested and refined the idea

how she engaged all stakeholders, not just customers, in the development of the product

the importance of feedback and learning from that feedback

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/veronicashannon (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Eric Rogell, a speaker and storyteller, the host of the “Warriors, Lovers, Kings, and Heroes” podcast, producer of The Complete Man Summit, a bestselling author, and a mentor creating bold, inspirational leaders who want to ignite motivation, vision, and purpose in their teams and their lives. Eric has interviewed hundreds of men - from celebrities, to athletes, to entrepreneurs, to military vets, diving deep into their stories of what made them the men and leaders they are today. He has made it his mission to get you the tools, tips, strategies, and intel you need to be the best leader you can be, to step into your greatness as a leader, partner, and parent. And to teach you how to create other strong leaders.

In our discussion, Jamie talked to me about:

The 4 Archetypes we all live during our Hero’s Journey (Warrior, Lover, King/Queen, Hero), and how to embody each of these deliberately to be more effective, respected, and successful as a leader

The formula for wording directives and instructions so your team is inspired and motivated, and gets the job done

What we learn about people, knowing their favourite super-hero

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/ericrogell (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jonathan Callinan of Online Business Accelerator, an Auckland-based marketing company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners rapidly grow their businesses through the power of online marketing. He is also founder of Course Commander, an all-inclusive website, landing page, and course builder to save coaches, consultants, authors, and infopreneurs time and remove the typical tech-aches from creating and delivering courses, programs, and memberships. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur, marketer, and big subscription advocate; having generated over 7 figures for both himself and his clients from membership models across various niches, including the natural health and digital marketing spaces.

In our discussion, Jonathan talked to me about:

Intent-based marketing that is heart-centered and focused on customer lifetime value

The subscription economy and how to provide value with a subscription model

The power of community

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/jonathancallinan (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jamie Watson, the Founding Director of the Common Mission Project Australia. Prior to joining the Common Mission Project, Jamie spent more than 30 years working with the Defence Department in Australia. As an operator and a researcher, Jamie has gained unique insights into the application of novel solutions to complex problems. Having held strategic Defence science liaison roles within Australia and the United States, he has extensive experience in translating problem statements into research and development activities. Jamie is an experienced innovation instructor, coach, and mentor. He is driven by an insatiable appetite to deliver meaningful outcomes to beneficiaries. He holds tertiary qualifications in Maritime Engineering, Technology, and Urban Planning.

In our discussion, Jamie talked to me about:

Bringing together university students, government sponsors and lean methodology to solve big problems

The importance of getting cross-disciplinary inputs to solving problems

Drilling down to the real problem - beyond the presenting symptoms

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/jamiewatson (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Roxanne Kaufman-Elliott, Founder and President of ProLaureate. She helps individuals, teams, organizations, and companies, to inspire, ignite, and impact effective, authentic, genuine leadership. This builds cultures of leadership that drive excellence, meet and exceed goals, and drive innovation, creativity, and success. Roxanne is a highly respected and sought-after keynote speaker and published author and an award-winning business/marketing strategist. She brings over 30 years of national and international corporate experience to her clients that range from privately held businesses to corporations in a wide range of industries.

In our discussion, Roxanne talked to me about:

Discovering the best parts of yourself, expressing yourself clearly, and connecting genuinely

The core traits of leadership

Paying attention to the 3 critical aspects of being human - mind, heart, and body

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/roxanneke (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Nia Lee, a public relations, content marketing, and video strategist with over 10,000+ video views on social media. She assists women entrepreneurs in creating consistent, unique & on-brand content for their brand’s social media. Nia is the CEO and Founder of Socialee Media Agency. As a Public Relations Major with an Honours BA in Media Studies and a diploma in Media Communications, she began Socialee Media Agency to merge her love and experience working for outstanding brands along with her education of communications and relationship building, especially when it comes to her community within the Socialee Savvy Membership.

In our discussion, Nia talked to me about:

How to be engaging and fully present on camera/video

Why consistency is so important in content creation and particularly in video

The benefits of building a membership community

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/nialee (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, resilience expert Dr. Deborah Gilboa, aka “Dr. G”, who works with families, organizations, and businesses to identify the mindset and strategies to turn stress to an advantage. Renowned for her contagious humor, Dr. G works with groups across multiple generations, to rewire their attitudes and beliefs, and create resilience through personal accountability and a completely different approach to adversity. She is a leading media personality seen regularly on TODAY, Good Morning America and The Doctors. She is also featured frequently in the Washington Post, The New York Times, Authority Magazine, and countless other digital and print outlets. She is a board-certified attending family physician and is fluent in American Sign Language. She lives in Pittsburgh with her four boys.

In our discussion, Deborah talked to me about:

The 8 skills and 8 attributes to develop and enhance, to improve resilience

How to reframe "stress" in a way that it can serve us, just like exercise

Why empathy is critical for resilience

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/askdrg (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lynnaire Johnston, the author of Link∙Ability, 4 Powerful Strategies to Maximise Your LinkedIn Success. She is an internationally recognised LinkedIn expert who helps business professionals use LinkedIn to achieve their business goals. Lynnaire is ranked among the Top 20 LinkedIn Experts Asia Pacific by the Social Media Marketing Institute (Australia). She is a LinkedIn trainer, coach and writer, and runs the LinkedIn marketing program, Connect Me.

Based in New Zealand, Lynnaire has run her communications company Word Wizard for nearly two decades.

In our discussion, Lynnaire talked to me about:

Starting with your purpose - why are you on LinkedIn?

The importance of engagement - conversations on posts

Some features of LinkedIn to use, in order to stand out

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/lynnairejohnston (Show Notes and Blogs)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Aden Nepom, a TEDx speaker, a Senior Facilitator at On Your Feet Improvisation for Business, President at the Art of Change Skills for Life, and host of The Changed Podcast. This is a milestone episode - number 400. I'm so privileged to speak with so many wonderful people on this show and share the conversations with you. This episode is another fantastically valuable conversation. In addition to her work as a facilitator, keynote speaker and coach, Aden is also an award-winning stage performer! These are also skills which she's shared through teaching and performing around the world, with her exceedingly talented husband.

At the Art of Change, Aden is passionate about helping people build a better future instead of a bitter future. Change is inevitable, but progress is not. She serves passionate leaders who want to positively impact their work, teams, and organizations. She helps them develop powerful, flexible, and sometimes fun, communication skills that build massive trust, increase motivation, and increase influence up, down, and sideways.

In our discussion, Aden talked to me about:

How to have a reasonable conversation with someone (even when you disagree!)

Building the muscles of competence and confidence by focusing on your audience and serving them

The power of the "tell me more..." question

Listen to the podcast to get the full scoop.

https://innovabiz.co/adennepom (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Will Leach, the world's leading expert on subconscious mindstates and the best-selling author of Marketing to Mindstates: a practical guide to applying behavioral design to research and marketing, and a Behavioral Design instructor at SMU's Cox School of Business BLC and the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab. Will consults with today's most innovative brands and advertising agencies to increase the effectiveness of their marketing creative through behavioral science. He is also the founder & CEO of TriggerPoint, a behavioral science-based research firm, and The Mindstate Group which helps marketing professionals apply behavioral psychology through subconscious mindstates to design marketing that gets customers to listen, care and act.

In our discussion, Will talked to me about:

Why an understanding of your ideal customers' emotions and behaviours is critical for good marketing

How time and context play a role in buying decisions

How to find your one thing, that makes you stand out

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/willleach (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Tim Storey, an acclaimed speaker, author, and life coach, that is well known for inspiring and motivating people of all walks of life, from entertainment executives, celebrities, and athletes to adults and children in the most deprived neighborhoods in the country. Tim has traveled to seventy-five countries and spoken to millions of people. He often meets privately to counsel high-profile leaders in various industries. He also hosts the World Shakers video podcast. In his new book the Miracle Mentality, Tim provides a road map to transcend negative thinking and renew your mind, leading to a transformed life with bigger adventures, more opportunities, and deeper meaning.

In our discussion, Tim talked to me about:

The importance of education, observation, and meaningful conversation in combination with one another

We already have all we need inside us, to live the Miracle Mentality

How to reframe our thinking when there are "life interruptions"

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/timstorey (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Paul Chapman, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Australian Turntable Company, which is a 30-year-old specialist world-leading engineering company designing and manufacturing mechanical rotational movement systems. The company's core business is delivering traffic management solutions through space optimization in the residential, commercial mining, and construction industries internationally. Paul has fostered a strong global, quality, and innovative mindset to allow ATC to now export its products to over 20 countries worldwide and be recognised as a leading Australian Advanced Manufacturer. His current roles include strengthening the reputation of the multi-award-winning company as a world-class specialist solutions provider, promoting regional-based advanced manufacturing, and public speaking on innovation.

In our discussion, Paul talked to me about:

Talking to customers, listening, and taking on board feedback and complaints as a source of potential innovation

Bringing people together to facilitate innovation

The importance of being process driven

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/paulchapman (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mathew Sweezey, the Director of Market Strategy at Salesforce, where he works on the Future of Marketing and delivers that vision to some of the biggest brands in the world like Harley Davidson, Boeing, Shell, and Home Depot. Mat is considered a pioneer of the marketing automation space and regarded as one of the top minds on the future of Marketing. He is the author of The Context Marketing Revolution and Marketing Automation for Dummies. He also hosted the award-winning mini-series, The Electronic Propaganda Society.

In our discussion, Mat talked to me about:

Marketing is a game based on rules and the rules are changing - we are now in an infinite media environment

How the environment we operate in dictates our behaviour

The new rule book for context-based marketing: Engage your audience with a Vision, then Market-Sell-Build-Market

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/mathewsweezey (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Elizabeth Pampalone, an International Speaker, Successful Entrepreneur, and Expert Marketer with over 20 years of experience. Her innovative approach helps overwhelmed business owners and burnt-out nonprofit directors to achieve success and freedom through the power of Absolute Marketing™. In our discussion, Elizabeth talked to me about:

The importance of getting your systems and processes documented on "paper"

The power of focus

Her system for developing a year's worth of marketing in a day

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/elizabethpampalone (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Alan Stevens, an International Profiling and Communications Specialist who’s regularly featured on National TV, Radio and in the World’s Press, profiling the likes of our leading politicians, TV and sports stars as well as Britain’s Royalty. He’s been referred to by the UK Guardian as the leading authority on reading people, and the mentalist meets Dr Phil by the Herald. Alan has worked with international clients, the likes of Disney Films and Gillette, and high-profile organisations like the Australian Federal Police to help them to understand how people tick. He works with business owners and executives, helping them to understand and engage their clients and prospects, enhancing their presentations and negotiation skills, and with parents and teachers to help them enhance the ability of their children to reach their full potential while improving the experience of parents, teacher, and student.

His latest community initiative is The Campfire Project. The Campfire Project is a safe place for men and women to give themselves permission to tell their stories. To share their experiences and wisdom from around the world. This is his #WeTogether initiative.

In our discussion, Alan talked to me about:

Face profiling, how and why it works

Communicating with others to build relationships - the foundation of business

Adjusting your communication to better understand others.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/alanstevens (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr. Michelle Mazur, who works with brilliant business owners who are shaking things up but having trouble talking about it. She combines the tools of successful social movements with the qualitative research skills she earned in her Communication Ph.D. to help them craft their powerful, captivating message. As the author of the 3 Word Rebellion and featured in Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Inc., Michelle knows that speaking about what you do in a clear and captivating way is the key to reaching the people you could help the most and making more money in your business.

In our discussion, Michelle talked to me about:

Client journeys and the conversations that we need to have

An intense focus on your audience to guide your communication

How words really do matter!

https://innovabiz.co/michellemazur (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Stefano Mastrogiacomo, a team tools designer, a project management consultant, and professor. He has a passion for human coordination and he's the designer of the Team Alignment Map, the Team Contract, the Fact Finder, and the other tools presented in the book, High-Impact Tools for Teams. Stefano has been leading digital projects and advising project teams in international organizations for more than 20 years while teaching and doing research at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. His interdisciplinary work is anchored in project management, change management, psycholinguistics, evolutionary anthropology, and design thinking.

In our discussion, Stefano talked to me about:

How to use his Team Alignment Map for vision alignment, planning, project management, distributed team coordination, and effective team meetings

The psycho-linguistics and human behaviour reasons why these tools work and how to best use them

“We emerge from the small" - the cell metaphor

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/stefanom (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jon Christian Jervert, a human performance improvement (HPI) strategist and president of Black Point Standard Consulting Group, a performance improvement consulting firm based out of New Jersey. Jon has more than 20 years of consulting experience encompassing work with thousands of individuals and companies in countries around the world. He is also the author of The Five Challenges, a podcast host, and a keynote speaker.

As a lead facilitator for Black Point Standard Consulting Group's “ZERKERS” division and founder of The Challenge Academy, Jon has a passion for helping individuals overcome fear and gain the clarity and confidence to pursue their dreams. His 5 Challenges™ Program teaches adventurous individuals and business leaders how to relentlessly focus on creating a life they love.

In our discussion, Jon talked to me about:

Embracing fear and being more visible by doing just 4% more each time

Accepting rejection as a process to learn from by removing the outcome from your identity

Balancing life through the 7 levels of consciousness and the 5 pillars of conscious human performance

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/jonjervert (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

Luisa Zhou, who is the creator of the Employee to Entrepreneur system, which teaches people how to leave their day job and start their own six-figure plus business working for themselves. Luisa has helped thousands of students, including health and business coaches, designers, copywriters, and consultants to launch their own businesses that generate anywhere from 30K to 100K in less than a year. Her advice has been featured in numerous online and print publications including Forbes, Inc, Entrepreneur, Success magazine, and more. In our discussion, Luis talked to me about: Being more visible to your customers and dream audience, by focusing on their needs and less on your fears Keeping things simple by focusing on small wins and the next steps - then repeat Relationships as the core of business

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/luisazhou (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Brian Jones, who is the Founder and CEO of VA Platinum, a team of Virtual Staff Experts. Brian's expertise is in helping business owners spend less time IN their business and more time ON their business using the one thing that really works: virtual assistants. VA Platinum is a virtual staffing company based in the Philippines. The thing that really sets them apart is systems. They have over 200 systems to ensure business owners get the best out of their virtual assistants. In our discussion, Brian talked to me about: What makes a good system and who should document them How to create and sustain a good, healthy, supportive culture in a remote team Connecting projects and tasks to business and personal values and your Why.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/brianjones (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Anna Addoms of Wicked Marvelous. Anna has fifteen years of start-up operations, technology, and marketing experience in mobile, luxury, and advertising sectors. She has served as the Director of Marketing and Partner Relations and managed a client portfolio with an average $20M per year budget. Anna was most recently the Vice President, Marketing & Operations for eMind Science Corp, a health-tech platform focused on the intersection of mobile technology and mental health. She founded Wicked Marvelous in 2012 to help small companies, start-ups, and entrepreneurs get their brand, platforms, and messaging out to their audiences and jumpstart growth. In our discussion, Anna talked to me about: Why it's critical to have a good onboarding process for your team Reducing overwhelm to focus on your genius zone The importance of being your authentic self and enjoying the process of working towards your goals

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/annaaddoms (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

Sheldon Shaw, a playwright, screenwriter, and actor. Sheldon has performed on stage and screen for over 20 years. For the last nine years, his primary passion has been writing. Sheldon's plays include CNTL+ALT(RIGHT)DEL, "Jailbird", "Baby Starbucks", "Billy. Shelly. Ally.", and "Glen." He is a multiple award winner for his plays and was recently listed in Time Out magazine as a Black playwright you need to know. He has studied theater, acting, and playwriting, and also has a BA from Temple University, majoring In Human Resource Administration and Risk Management and Insurance. In our discussion, Sheldon talked to me about: How observation and an interest in people is key to his creative process Understanding and accepting your conditioning and realising that your ideas are important Being confident in your ideas and knowledge, while at the same time open to feedback

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/sheldonshaw (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Gillian Bellinger, who has been a corporate improv trainer for 15 years. She helps companies provide support to their employees through interpersonal communication skills, public speaking, and leadership development. She has taught workshops for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Amgen, Kaiser Permenente, Westfield Corporate, Cartoon Network, TBS, Luther College, Mt. Aloysius College, Macy's, State Farm, AT Kearney, National Business Travelers’ Association, Edmonds.com, and Gilda’s Club to name a few Gillian has presented as a speaker at the National Association of Campus Activities and the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. She currently trains for five different companies Westside Corporate Creativity, Business Improvisations®, and Mind Gym, Hemsley Fraser, and H2F Bookings, and is in the process of becoming a board-certified Professional Certified Coach. In our discussion, Gillian talked to me about: Why we should create space to be open to possibilities which is critical to innovation The power of self-reflection to adapt to and lead change Lessons from Improv to business and life

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/gillianbellinger (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mai-kee Tsang, who is a Podcast Guesting Strategist & THE Sustainable Visibility™ Mentor. Mai-Kee helps introverted and purpose-driven rising leaders who want to become sustainably visible in order to expand their reach, grow their business on their terms, and make a deeper impact in the world. She helps her clients be seen for who they truly are, discover their unique offers - all by never forcing them to show up in a way that feels off and out of integrity. In our discussion, Mai-Kee talked to me about: How to create a safe space for people to share ideas and be visible Being seen for who you really are A highly effective way to pitch as a guest to a podcast host

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/maikeetsang (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Nir Bashan, a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, improve customer service and ultimately create more meaning in their work. Nir has spent the last two decades working on a formula to codify creativity. His book, The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability, was released in 2020. In our discussion, Nir talked to me about: The How of Creativity and that everyone is born with unique creativity Why we should talk more about our failures The relationship between empathy and creativity and how they work together to build deep relationships and communication

https://innovabiz.co/nirbashan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mark Divine. Mark is the founder and leader of several highly successful enterprises including SEALFIT (Physical and mental training), Unbeatable Mind, LLC (Executive Mastery Development), NavySEALs.com, and USCrossFit. He also co-founded the Coronado Brewing Company in Coronado, CA. Mark is an expert in human performance as it is displayed in mental toughness, leadership, and physical readiness. His work is based on an integral warrior-leader model that he developed and tested on over a thousand special operations candidates worldwide. The integrated training, which involves physical, mental, emotional, intuitional, and spiritual training, has resulted in over a 90% success rate for the Spec Ops candidates. It is now taught to executives and corporate teams, tops sports teams, top athletes, professionals, first responders, and warriors from all walks of life.

Mark's other professional experience includes 20 years as a Navy SEAL officer, retiring as a Commander in 2011. Also 4 years as a CPA with PriceWaterhouseCoopers prior to his joining the Navy. He served as Adjunct Professor of Leadership at the University of San Diego and has authored four books: "The Way of the SEAL”, "8 Weeks to SEALFIT", "Kokoro Yoga", "Unbeatable Mind" and the "SEALFIT Training Guide."

In our discussion, Mark talked to me about: How we can call up peak performance as an "on-demand" state Being radically service and mission-focused Building relationships with transformation rather than transaction

Listen to the podcasts to get the full scoop.

https://innovabiz.co/markdivine (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Janine Kelbach. Janine is a wife, mom of two boys (and two Great Danes!), and author of the book, Entreprenurse: 30+ Nurses Turn into Business Owners and Share Their Secrets to Success. Janine has been a freelance health content writer since 2013 and is the CEO of Write RN. She also hosts The Savvy Scribe Podcast – a podcast for healthcare professionals who want to build a profitable writing business. Lastly, her team of RN (registered nurse) writers help healthcare companies with their content and social media needs.

In our discussion, Janine talked to me about: The importance of niching down to a narrow area How she scaled her business by incorporating training Building an agency through partnerships and community

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/janinekelbach (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Scott Mason, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, motivational keynote speaker, and business owner. Scott is a man on a mission to do three things for his business clients - grow, scale and sustain. As a keynote and motivational speaker, Scott focuses on resilience, personal transformation, and social ethics, as well as leadership and the entrepreneurial mindset. He also provides consulting services regarding operations, strategy, business development, and scaling, to small businesses, as well as leadership mentoring. In our discussion, Scott talked to me about: Connecting to your deeper purpose as the goal of your journey Being compelled to service as the vehicle of that purpose Why entrepreneurial and sales/marketing motivation is more than a personal or business issue: it is an existential, moral imperative.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/scottmason (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Steve Weinstein. With a background that spans technology, product development, and entertainment, Steve Weinstein is an innovation expert, entrepreneur, and educator who enjoys building products or teaching others how to build companies using Lean Startup techniques.

Steve is Senior VP of Strategy at BMNT Inc, helping to create pipelines of innovation that companies, government agencies, and other large organizations can use to stay competitive. A former C-level executive at a number of startups, he teaches entrepreneurship classes, including Steve Blank’s Lean LaunchPad course, as well as Hacking for Defense and its sister courses, Hacking for Social Impact and Hacking for Oceans, at multiple major universities including U.C. Berkeley and Stanford.

Before joining BMNT, Steve was founder and CEO of Motion Picture Laboratories, the Silicon Valley-based R&D center funded directly by the six Hollywood major studios. He was CTO of Deluxe Entertainment; guided the transition from physical technologies to e-commerce at Rovi Corporation; and at Vicinity, a mapping company acquired by Microsoft in 2002. He was also a founding executive and Chief Strategist and Technologist at Liberate Technologies, an interactive television software company.

In our discussion, Steve talked to me about:

Creating value beyond the dollars in profit

The impact of consumer perception on brands

What a mission-driven organisation is and how they behave

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/steveweinstein (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts) See https://omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jason Bradshaw. With experience in everything from telecommunications to government, media and automotive Jason has the depth and breadth of experience to inspire, engage and deliver business growth results as a global thought leader on Customer & Employee Experience. At 14 years old, Jason Bradshaw started his own telecommunications and hardware distribution business. It was there he began a lifelong passion for customer experience – even if he didn’t exactly know what it was called at the time. It didn’t matter, because this first foray into entrepreneurship gave him a taste of how to offer customers an experience, not just a product. In 2018, Jason released his first book, “It's All About CEX! The Essential Guide to Customer & Employee Experience”, and it became an Amazon Best Selling Book in 5 Categories and 2 countries. Since that humble start, Jason has transformed the way people interact with organisations across a litany of sectors. He is currently Director of Customer Experience at Volkswagen Group Australia. In our discussion, Jason talked to me about: The 3 lenses of human connection The importance of active listening and listening across industries The experience promises of Volkswagen Australia - Make It Simple; Make It Happen; Make It Personal.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jasonbradshaw (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, David Kidder, who is an entrepreneur and an angel investor in over 40 companies. He is currently the co-founder and CEO of Bionic, a company that unlocks new growth for the world's most competitive enterprises by leveraging the mindsets and methodologies of venture capital and entrepreneurship. Previously, he served as the co-founder and CEO of Clickable and co-founded SmartRay Network. A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, David received Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2008. He is the creator and co-author of the New York Times bestselling series The Intellectual Devotional and The Startup Playbook. His latest book, New To Big, was published in April 2019. In our discussion, David talked to me about: Knowing your proprietary gifts and the need you care most about Moving from a focus on Total Addressable Market Place to Total Addressable Problem An obsessive focus on caring for your customers and the solution to their problems

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/davidkidder (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, David Chislett, a creative at large. Parallel to a career as a journalist and publicist, he has played bass in a long line of bands, published short stories and non-fiction and poetry, and made documentary films. As a result, he has appeared on stage over the years as a bass player, an actor, radio and TV journalist, keynote speaker, MC, interview host, workshop facilitator, and trainer. He offers keynotes, training, and coaching to professionals and entrepreneurs needing to find staying power and angles in a fast-changing world. David believes that everyone is inherently creative but that not everyone has honed the right tools to make it useful to themselves. “Creativity is more like breathing than people think and at this point in our history as a race, we need it more than ever to survive the place we’re in.” In our discussion, David talked to me about: How to be always consciously present and observing without judgement Creativity being a capacity, not a talent! Exercising the capacity is what's important. His Bend - Blend - Break mantra of creativity

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/davidchislett (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Danny May. Danny is a global AI tech entrepreneur and industry speaker who founded Lingmo, a digital AI-Powered translation software provider with no IT or AI background. His idea to develop a real-time language translation solution, to break down the global language barrier, came about after an embarrassing situation in China when his passport was stolen and he had no way of communicating with the local people. With no formal training in the technology space, Danny has a deep understanding of AI and Speech Recognition technology in the translation sector and the benefits it brings not only to products but also to the people using the technology. This has led him to develop relationships with many corporate multinationals and take the lead in mentoring them on how they can improve their business communications as well as guide them into incorporating AI into their internal systems. With an impressive portfolio presenting keynotes, sitting on panels and giving talks around the world, Danny’s easy-going and approachable manner gives him the natural ability to share his expertise. His intuitive mindset seeks to make the impossible possible and inspires many young people to follow their dreams. His engaging presentations make it easy for people to relate to him as he demonstrates how to push the boundaries in the startup world. In our discussion, Danny talked to me about: How he overcame the challenges faced when changing industries His passion for improving business communications across language and geography barriers Why you should be comfortable being uncomfortable

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/dannymay (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Brooke Sellas, the CEO & Founder of B Squared Media, an award-winning done-for-you social media management, advertising, and customer care agency. She’s also the co-host of the top-rated Marketing Companion podcast with marketing legend Mark Schaefer. Brooke’s marketing mantra is “Think Conversation, Not Campaign”, so be sure to give her a shout on social media! Her company B Squared Media is a boutique digital marketing agency specializing in “done-for-you” social media, advertising, and social-first customer care management with a focus on results. Her clients range from small to enterprise-sized brands. In our discussion, Brooke talked to me about: Tapping into customer conversations already happening with social listening Shifting your focus from vanity metrics to return on conversation Her philosophy of "think conversation, not campaign" and how that will drive results

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/brookesellas (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Tendayi Viki, who is an author and corporate innovation expert. He's also an associate Partner at Strategyzer, helping companies innovate for the future while managing their core business. In our discussion, Tendayi talked to me about: Why innovation project portfolio success is a better measure than individual success The three types of innovation projects to include in a balanced portfolio That there is no innovation without relationships

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/tendayiviki (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Brenden Kumarasamy, the founder of MasterTalk, a YouTube channel he started to help the world master the art of public speaking and communication. He coaches purpose-driven entrepreneurs on how to master their message and share their ideas with the world. In our discussion, Brenden talked to me about: Why you need to have one specific presentation topic and rehearse/practice that at least 300 times Why a good presentation is like a jigsaw puzzle How asking powerful questions can give you deep insights about others, and most importantly, about yourself

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/brendenk (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mike Moll of Market Me Consulting. He is a strategy and marketing consultant who helps executives and entrepreneurs turn their skillset into a sustainable consulting business. Mike is also the host of the Market Me podcast, a strategy podcast that covers marketing, content strategy, and business development. In our discussion, Mike talked to me about: Solving problems that people have right now The importance of good systems and processes The use of videos to build a personal connection and differentiate yourself

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/mikemoll (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jackson Millan, also known as The Wealth Mentor, who is an award-winning entrepreneur and wealth coach. He is the author of the international best-selling book "Enjoy The Journey: Creating Wealth & Living The Life You Desire", which has been featured on bestseller lists in 8 countries across 15 categories. Jackson has spent the last 12 years dominating the wealth and business strategy space having worked with over 1,000 clients to help them build over $1.2b in combined wealth. He has personally scaled multiple 7-figure businesses and has helped many of his clients do the same. In our discussion, Jackson talked to me about: Why it is important to focus on the outcomes you achieve rather than what you do How to productize your services Meeting your customers where they are now

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/jacksonmillan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lee Uehara, a former teacher and reporter, turned podcaster. Lee is the co-founder of Podthon, a virtual conference for podcasters, and the co-founder of the Asian American Podcasters Association. She also runs four podcasts herself and produces others for clients. In our discussion, Lee talked to me about: The keys to staging a successful online event Keeping your vision in focus and taking action towards that vision An interesting anecdote about a fly (think Mike Pence) and the lesson from that anecdote

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/leeuehara (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, John DeMato who is a branded lifestyle portrait and virtual photographer who collaborates with speakers, trainers, and other expert-based business owners to create an emotional connection with their audiences through persuasive visual storytelling. More than a photographer, John sets his clients up for success beyond the photo sessions by coaching them on how to best leverage their image content for every touchpoint across their online presence. A former television producer, John has over 20 years of production experience and has been featured as a portrait photographer expert on several NBC Universal daytime shows. In our discussion, John talked to me about: What makes a good visual story The strategy behind successful photographs that build an emotional connection with your dream clients Lighting tips for online meetings

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/johndemato (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dustin Miller, an aspiring polymath, someone who is an expert in many different areas. He created PolyInnovator as a foundational means to build out the various careers he wants out of life. He is on a mission to create a Modular Education Platform.

In our discussion, Dustin talked to me about:

His system of self-education, self-improvement and self-development

Creating content in multiple formats and adapting to the evolving nature of content creation

The power of Notion as a knowledge management system

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/dustinmiller (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts) See https://omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, J. Nichole Smith, Nic as she likes to be known, Marketing specialist, artist, and author. Her purpose and passion are to help petpreneurs find freedom and fulfillment by building brands instead of just businesses. She is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs avoid poverty and burnout by finding their unique and sustainable competitive advantage and using it to stand out in an incredibly saturated marketplace. She believes your business is not your baby, it’s an experiment, and it exists to support you, not the other way around. In our discussion, Nic talked to me about: Finding and articulating your Why through Why Mapping Building an audience around your Why The psychology of colour and how it applies to your business

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/nicsmith (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Bob Kulhan, Adjunct Professor of Business Administration for The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Business for Columbia Business School, Columbia University. He also is the Founder & CEO of Business Improv®, a 21-year-old consultancy that links improv to business through behavioral sciences and real-world application. Business Improv is a world-class leader in developing experiential On-Site, Virtual (synchronous), Online (asynchronous) programs, as well as Hybrid and Open Enrollment courses for businesses and leaders. Improvisational Communication is designed to take you from constantly struggling with your blocks and barriers to communication, to a place where you can thrive as a confident and competent communicator. Bob has very generously offered an exclusive code for listeners of this podcast to Business Improv’s Improvisational Communication, a first-of-its-kind online course designed using research backed by science and more than 20 years of experience. This course is regularly priced at $249 and by using the code YESAND you will be able to purchase for just $99. In our discussion, Bob talked to me about: How we can use Improv for collaboration, communication, and adapting to change How to break down organisational silos using Improv principles How to adjust your communication and facilitation style when transitioning from live to online events

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/bobkulhan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Brian Mac Mahon of Expert DOJO, the largest International startup accelerator in Southern California. In 2018 & 2019 Expert DOJO brought 400 companies through their startup programs and made 42 investments. They are planning to bring 2,000 companies through their program this year and make 50 more investments. In our discussion, Brian talked to me about: Building a growth strategy with a vision that has clear milestones Going from laboratory to "Dojo" Setting expectations of and for yourself, including learning from failure and being adaptable

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/brianmacmahon (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lisa Johnson, who is a 7-figure business coach, specialising in helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses using passive income from memberships and courses. After a tough childhood spent in social housing, Lisa went on to have successful careers in law, banking, and the entertainment industry. Her background in overcoming obstacles has helped mould her into a bold, straight-talking coach, who is never afraid to be an authentic and outspoken truth-teller. She has spoken on the BBC’s Women’s Hour and is a Thrive Global Contributor. She has been featured in national newspapers and magazines including Psychologies, The Guardian, and Forbes. Lisa lives in the UK and coaches and travels all around the globe. In our discussion, Lisa talked to me about: How getting really clear about her dream customer totally transformed her business How Lisa transitioned her business to be focused on leveraged income The difference between courses, memberships, and group programs

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/lisajohnson (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Steve Brown of ROI Online, a HubSpot platinum agency partner and the first StoryBrand certified agency. Steve and his team at ROI Online have worked with hundreds of clients, from solo entrepreneurs to Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies, to grow their business by implementing a holistic business growth system. Steve is also the author of the book "The Golden Toilet: Stop Flushing Your Marketing Budget into Your Website and Build a System That Grows Your Business" as well as the host of the ROI Online Podcast. In our discussion, Steve talked to me about: Looking at your website (or indeed any online asset) as a business process Simple tactics to earn your audience’s attention - it's about focus The four fundamental pillars of a successful business

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/stevebrown (Show Notes and Blog) Thttps://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (he Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Yaro Starak an online entrepreneur earning a full-time income from the internet since 2004. Yaro is the co-founder of Blog Mastermind and InboxDone. He is a serial-entrepreneur, angel investor and travels the world while running his businesses. Yaro is also the host of the Yaro Podcast. In our discussion, Yaro talked to me about: Building content around your big idea with both personality and an emotional connection to your audience How we can use our experiences to share stories and help others Seeing email as a way to just talk to people and building relationships

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/yarostarak (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, David Goldsmith, who is the President and Co-Founder of the Goldsmith Organization, a consulting firm solving big challenges while servicing executive clients globally. David is a serial entrepreneur and investor and is the recipient of the Hollywood Producers’ first Global Visionary Disruptor Award for his work with the Project Moon Hut Foundation. Together, David and Lorrie Goldsmith earned a Literary Achievement Award for their book, "Paid to Think: A Leader’s Toolkit for Redefining Your Future". David also earned New York University’s Excellence in Teaching Award during his 12 years as a professor. He has received accolades and recognition for his business achievements and was named by Meetings Magazine as one of its 26 Hottest Speakers. In our discussion, David talked to me about: Taking a truly global perspective in all that we do How to anticipate the future better How we can all impact the world with our voice

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/davidgoldsmith (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, writer, director, and Improv teacher, Jay Sukow. Jay has taught and performed all around the world, from Chicago to Los Angeles, to Copenhagen where he was an Artistic Director at ICC Theater in Copenhagen. Jay teaches people to build confidence and communicate effectively by learning Improvisation techniques. In our discussion, Jay talked to me about: Building our Improv muscle to be better communicators How Improv helps us be more adaptable to change What can be achieved by combining empathy and Improv

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jaysukow (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Lacy Boggs of The Content Direction Agency. She is the author of the Kindle ebook "Make a Killing with Your Content". Her vision is to replace the NOISE in the online marketing space with thoughtful, valuable, and essential content. She helps visionaries, thought leaders, and CEOs change the world through excellent content. In our discussion, Lacy talked to me about: Writing content to attract your dream customer The key questions for each piece of content How to use reviews to inform your customer research

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/lacyboggs (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Patricia Lohan, the creator of Feng Shui Mastery and Author of The Happy Home: A Guide to Creating A Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Life. Patricia is a feng shui expert, a healer, and a passionate female entrepreneur who has shaped her dream life living in Bali with her husband. Patricia has a gift at making feng shui simple and easy to understand and implement. She has helped thousands of people across the globe embrace feng shui and create lasting changes in their homes, lives, and businesses. She has seen firsthand the power of the mind, surroundings, and inner healing, clearing and aligning everything so it works holistically. She also hosts the Live Your Dream Awake Podcast. In our discussion, Patricia talked to me about Finding your passion through a journey of self-awareness Creating a positive environment in business Turning live training programs to online programs

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/patricialohan (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Michael Diettrich-Chastain, the CEO of Arc Integrated, an organizational consulting and professional coaching practice. Michael is a best-selling author, leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker. He and his team are passionate about helping organizations, leaders, and teams achieve and maintain peak performance. Through a focus on employee engagement, change management, communication, and emotional intelligence Michael ensures that the leaders and teams he serves improve culture, impact, and profit. His writing has been featured on Time, Money, Entrepreneur, and The Washington Post. His new book, CHANGES – The Busy Professional’s Guide to Reducing Stress, Accomplishing Goals and Mastering Adaptability was released in 2019. In our discussion, Michael talked to me about: The predictors of our ability to create change Finding the balance between learning new things and implementation Why it's important to continually improve our ability to adapt

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Maxwell Nee of High Performing Coach who helps passionate coaches become purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Their programs are personal, deep and designed from their experience of mastering tried and tested strategies. In our discussion, Maxwell talked to me about: The time zone model vs the location model The importance of content production to building trust Pivoting live-event businesses to online businesses

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/maxwellnee (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ed Kressy, who says he's almost certainly the only person ever to have been arrested by the FBI, then turned his life around to receive a community service award from the FBI director! As a person addicted to methamphetamine for 11 years, Ed threw away a career with Genentech, later named Fortune magazine’s “Best Company in America to Work For”. He threw away his home, life savings, relationships, his beloved dog, and much more. He spent months in jail, nights in homeless shelters, years in destitution, and drug-induced psychosis. Yet through being of service to others, he rebuilt his life and inspires others to do the same. As a socially conscious entrepreneur, he's worked with clients including Cisco, Google, LinkedIn, and Slack. He has delivered a guest lecture for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He volunteers inside maximum-security prisons and jails, coaching entrepreneurism and employment. In our discussion, Ed talked to me about: Finding new meaning in your work and your life through second chances Confronting your fears and getting out of your comfort zone Finding your purpose in service to others

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/edkressy (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jason Case of Points Peak Marketing and The Pulse Spot. Jason has a passion for helping businesses streamline their operations by implementing technology that is easy to use. He helps people implement the right processes and systems to support business growth and the power to scale efficiently. In our discussion, Jason talked to me about: Why you should spend more time building out your backend systems and processes to support the leads that come in from the frontend Why it's so important to know your numbers and have a process in place that makes it easy to view them Focus on Progress and Not Perfection, particularly with creating new products to fill market needs

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jasoncase (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr Rick Kirschner, who is a best-selling author and co-author of numerous books and multimedia programs, including the international bestseller, "Dealing with People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst", "Love Thy Customer", "Life by Design", "Insider’s Guide to the Art of Persuasion", and "How to Click with People: The Secret to Better Relationships in Business and in Life". Rick is a naturopathic physician and the President of the Naturopathic Medicine Institute. He's a long-time faculty member with the Institute for Management Studies and a thought leader with Athena Interactive. He has worked with some of the world’s best-known organizations, including Argonne National Laboratory, Heineken, NASA, Progressive Insurance, the U.S. Army, and National Guard. In our discussion, Rick talked to me about: Being of service to people with healthy communication How art is the creative application of skill What we can learn from the punctuated equilibrium of nature

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/rickkirschner (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Todd Cherches, the CEO and Co-founder of BigBlueGumball, a consulting firm specializing in leadership development, public speaking, and executive coaching. Todd is also a three-time award-winning Adjunct Professor of leadership in the Human Capital Management master's program at NYU, and a Lecturer on leadership at Columbia University as well as a TEDx speaker and the author of "VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life". In our discussion, Todd talked to me about: Why visual thinking and language is so important in communication and making ourselves understood Components of a good story What we can learn from Pictionary

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/toddcherches (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Simon Severino, CEO of Strategy Sprints, Europe’s leading remote Growth Advisory Business. His Certified Strategy Sprint coaches deliver one thing: Double the revenue of service-based businesses in 90 days. Simon has been a strategic advisor for F500 boards from New York to Beijing. He’s the host of the Strategy Show Podcast and he teaches growth strategy in select business schools. In our discussion, Simon talked to me about: Our shared dislike of the word "Funnels" as it's about people and the impact we have on people How the value ladder is a better model and that we need to earn the next rung The power of focus

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/simonseverino (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Tamara Glick, who describes herself as an evil genius & mastermind at two very specific things: developing personal brands and a unique style for highly visible leaders that raises their profiles, represents their values and promotes their perspective with confidence. And, helping lifestyle brands build cult-like followings so they can take their signature offering from “sampled” to “staple” with the sales to match. Tamara works with founders, executives, and highly visible thought leaders as well as growth-stage brands around the globe to craft distinctive, authentic personal brand strategies with clarity, relevance, and sophistication. In our discussion, Tamara talked to me about: Showing up as a personal brand in a human way How to show up authentically in the virtual space Building personal leadership

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/tamaraglick (Show Notes and Blog) Thttps://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (he Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Marcel McCarthy, who is the Creative Director of the digital, brand and marketing agency, OneToo. Marcel believes in a digital minimalist approach, with a focus on results that genuinely make an impact on people's lives. He says he is driven by helping people, riding bikes and drinking coffee - my kind of person! In our discussion, Marcel talked to me about: Having a mindset of always improving How retail is moving more to become omnichannel Moving from appreciation to curiosity

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/marcelmccarthy (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Neil Butler, the Director of Untypical and a self-described Untypical Thinker. Starting his professional life as a secondary school teacher in regional Victoria, he left teaching for six months in 1988 to see what was going in the outside world and how that could be applied to his teaching. Now, over 30 years later and the six months break from teaching continues. He has gained experience in a wide variety of local, regional, and global roles including education and training, business and technical support, credit management, business process improvement, business analysis, change management, and most recently, transformation leadership. In 2011, he started Untypical, serving the needs of small business owners. Neil is very active in community radio, service for the Victorian state Aussie Rules football league and hosts 4 podcasts - WOWpod, Untypical Thoughts, Home Buyers Q & A, and 2 Blokes Chatting. In our discussion, Neil talked to me about: Moving from necessity-driven thinking to possibility-driven thinking How to combine imagination and transformation Forget outside the box - let's burn the box

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/neilbutler (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Janice Tomich, a communication specialist, speechwriting, and speaking skills development coach. She is the founder and principal of Calculated Presentations. Janice works with clients to hone their public speaking skills and provides communication coaching to help leaders navigate difficult conversations and support their teams. She works with executives and professionals to help them have their voices heard to drive change. Her perspective is driven by a deep belief that each of us - our individual thoughts, ideas, and vision can make a difference. In our discussion, Janice talked to me about: Developing presentation skills as an introvert Her framework for compelling, persuasive presentations Always making it about your audience

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/janicetomich (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Simon Leslie, CEO and Founder of Ink Global and the author of the book "There is no F in Sales". Ink is the global leader in connecting with travelers. They write, design and produce print and video content for over three dozen airlines, in 17 languages, and sell advertising in over 100 countries. Their clients include American Airlines, Air France-KLM, EasyJet, Etihad, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, plus many more. In our discussion, Simon talked to me about: Providing a special experience to their readers, with information that isn't easily found in other places His "never stop learning" philosophy combined with the willingness to ask for help The failures of the "copy and paste" society.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/simonleslie (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Peter Newell, who is a nationally recognized innovation expert whose work is transforming how the government and other large organizations compete and drive growth. A retired Army Colonel, Pete is the CEO of BMNT, a Palo Alto-based innovation consultancy and early-stage technology incubator that helps solve some of the hardest real-world problems in national security, state and local governments, and beyond. Pete is also co-author, with Lean Startup founder Steve Blank, of Hacking for Defense (H4D)®, an academic program taught at 40+ universities that teaches students how to quickly solve critical national security problems while performing national service. In our discussion, Pete talked to me about: The idea of practicing risk-taking in a safe environment, to learn about the value of "failure" Moving from a product-centric to a problem-centric mindset The art of discovery - the best way to get over your fears and to test your ideas

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/petenewell (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guests, Sonia Zeiback and Dan Ahchow the co-founders of Pappyon. Pappyon is a social networking platform that exists primarily to serve businesses wanting an easier way to build and maintain a strong professional online presence; to serve businesses that are seeking to support and adopt sustainable solutions as well as a base for connection that is filled with substance; a base they can use and depend on to thrive amongst the connections that matter most. The power of the Pappyon platform lies in improving the quality of networks established online (real over random connection) and enabling businesses to create a hub for contact details and links to online channels. In our discussion, Sonia and Dan talked to me about Building real connections that lead to better business How COVID has changed online networking and how we can benefit from that That great things are achieved when technology is combined with human connection and purpose.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/pappyon (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Neil Sahota, an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) artificial intelligence (AI) Advisor, keynote speaker, author of the book, Own the A.I. Revolution, and Professor at UC Irvine. Over his 20+ year career, Neil has worked with enterprises on the business and marketing strategies to create next generation products/solutions powered by emerging technology as well as helping organizations create the culture, community, and ecosystem needed to achieve success such as the U.N.’s AI for Good initiative. Neil also actively pursues social good and volunteers with nonprofits. He is currently helping the Zero Abuse Project prevent child sexual abuse as well as Planet Home to engage youth culture in sustainability initiatives. In our discussion, Neil talked to me about: How the AI revolution is opening up new job opportunities Applications that are already using AI for good and helping people The "age of relationships" and human connection.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/neilsahota (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Chris Barez-Brown, a master of transformation. He is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. By teaching folk how to think differently, he makes their lives and businesses more technicolour in hue. The author of 4 books, Chris is an internationally acclaimed speaker and expert in the world of wellbeing and creative thinking. Chris’s latest book, “Wake Up! Escaping a Life on Autopilot”, has brought positive mental wellbeing to people around the globe. Chris is the founder of Upping Your Elvis, a consultancy that embeds a human, energetic, and creative working culture to create healthy, happy businesses. He is also the founder of the charity Talk it Out. In our discussion, Chris talked to me about: Celebrating our uniqueness and unique stories Talking to yourself as a creativity and innovation tool The self-awareness that comes from truly engaging with your feelings

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/chrisbarezbrown (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Johann Nogueira of Business Authorities. Johann has spent his entire career solving problems and fixing businesses. He discovered the power of systemization and leverage in his early 20’s, where he built his first e-commerce business. This knowledge allowed him to grow not only his business but his clients as well. One of his latest businesses has reached a valuation of 8 figures in 2.5 years. Johann has significantly increased the bottom lines of over 1,000 clients in more than 40 industries worldwide. He does this with a focus on technology and utilizing the systems he has built over the last two decades. In our discussion, Johann talked to me about: The importance of selecting the right people to work with Building an "empire" by asking "What else can I acquire that serves my dream clients?" How you can win by sharing your ideas

https://innovabiz.co/johannnogueira (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Rita McGrath a best-selling author, a sought-after speaker, and a longtime professor at Columbia Business School. She is widely recognized as a premier expert on leading innovation and growth during times of uncertainty.

Rita has received the #1 achievement award for strategy from the prestigious Thinkers50 and has been consistently named one of the world’s Top 10 management thinkers. As a consultant to CEOs, her work has had a lasting impact on the strategy and growth programs of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Rita is the author of the best-selling books, “The End of Competitive Advantage” and “Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen”, as well as three other books.

In our discussion, Rita talked to me about:

How to use indicators to "see around corners" - lagging vs current vs leading indicators

The disruption happening right now and how we can create our desired future

That snow melts at the edges and what we can learn from that.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

https://innovabiz.co/ritamcgrath (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

See https://omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Kitty Parker of the Kitty & Miles Buyers Agency. Kitty is a trained psychologist that bought property in her spare time and when people asked her to help them buy property, because she was good at it, she started her Buyers Agency. Within her first 12 months of operation she has achieved a multiple 6 figure revenue and was a finalist in the real estate industry awards. She puts these achievements down to providing her clients with exceptional customer service and being highly skilled at property market data analysis and extracting insights from that data. In our discussion, Kitty talked to me about: Her process of serving her clients which begins with listening to their story with empathy Why being data-driven is important in any business and how to adapt to rapidly changing data Her principle of finding pain points of her clients and filling their needs

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/kittyparker (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Rebeca Arbona of BrandTrue, a firm dedicated to brand strategy with a focus on new brand creation and naming. Rebeca lives to help brands communicate the truths at their core so they can leap from tall buildings and crush their villains. She’s always been a word geek and, as a kid, read the dictionary for fun, but she somehow ended up with a career in Brand Strategy. So, when she realized that naming combines her love of words with her talent for brand strategy, it was like a radioactive spider bite that unleashed her superpower. She’s now a Strategic Namer and New Brand Creator, crafting breakthrough names and distinctive brands that help her client’s businesses fly. In our discussion, Rebeca talked to me about: The 3 levels of truth - surface truth, social truth, and self-truth The importance of niching down your service and your client Alignment of the brand with strategy and the entire customer journey

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/rebecaarbona (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr. Richard Orbé-Austin, who is an executive coach and a licensed psychologist, with a focus on leadership development, career advancement, and diversity, equity, & inclusion issues. He is a co-founder and partner of Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting, a career and executive coaching consultancy, which is located in NYC. Dr. Orbé-Austin has been a keynote speaker and an invited presenter at various conferences and meetings and consults to academic institutions, corporations, and nonprofit organizations on issues related to leadership, career development & transitions, and diversity, equity & inclusion. He is the co-author of the recently published book, “Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life”, which he co-authored with his partner, Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin. The goal of the book is to provide a systematic formula to eliminate impostor syndrome and to assist readers to own their talents and power, in order to fully realize their goals, & to lead a more balanced life. In our discussion, Richard talked to me about:

How many of our negative thoughts are automatic and how we can interrupt the patterns How we can give ourselves positive feedback The 3-Cs framework of Clarify (imposter origin story), Choose (alternative scenario), and Create (new opportunities)

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/richardorbeaustin (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jonathan Green from Serve No Master. After being fired from his dream job at 29, Jonathan vowed he would never be in a position that vulnerable again. Now, he’s a multi-bestselling author, celebrity ghostwriter and lives on a tropical island with his loving family. His mission is to help others achieve financial freedom, become their own boss and ultimately, Serve No Master. In our discussion, Jonathan talked to me about: Turning your knowledge into a business Listening to your audience and the gift of feedback The philosophy of extreme giving and exceptional customer experience

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jonathangreen (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Jaime Jay who is the managing director and founder of Bottleneck Virtual Assistants. The organization offers professional growth opportunities for ambitious leaders by creating an efficient and systematic approach to identify, hire, and cultivate team members who focus on specific roles and responsibilities. Jaime also hosts the Culture Eats Strategy Podcast, and he is a prolific Live Videocaster, with several episodes of his videocasts each week. In our discussion, Jaime talked to me about: Building a culture of empowerment in your organization How to learn the biggest pain in your own market place The importance of documenting your processes.

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/jamiejay (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, John Howe, who is Professor of Finance and Missouri Bankers Chair at the University of Missouri, Columbia (MU). He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) as well as a past Governance Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors. He has been a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge (U.K.) and Queensland University of Technology (Australia) and has taught courses for the banking group UBS (Switzerland). John’s research interests including behavioral economics, corporate governance, and banking. He has published extensively in the major journals in finance and accounting, and his book The Foolish Corner: Avoiding Mind Traps in Personal Financial Decisions, deals with behavioral economics which can have applications in all areas of our professional and personal lives. In our discussion, John talked to me about: Survivorship bias and confirmation bias and how biases can get in the way of objective assessments in marketing The idea of a pre-mortem assessment of ideas, to increase the likelihood of success How to re-frame situations and the way we look at them to make better decisions despite our biases

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/johnhowe (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Karan Nijhawan of Jube. He runs "dinners" to bring teams and entrepreneurs closer together by diving into meaningful and vulnerable conversations. Karan believes that relationships are the best investment you can make and he has found a way to create psychological safety, an environment of vulnerability and to unlock conversations that lead to transformational moments for his participants. In our discussion, Karan talked to me about: Why traditional networking events are "broken" because they focus so much on transactions How he creates a safe environment and enables participants of his events to share meaningful onversations and deep connection The important but often neglected parts of pre-event preparation and post-event follow up.

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/jube (Show Notes and Blog)

https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sean Sheppard, founding partner of GrowthX. In addition to helping dozens of startups find product-market fit and predictable revenue models, Sean helps global multinationals to identify new applications for their existing technology portfolio, bring new products to market with profitable business models, and organize and train self-managing early product-stage sales and marketing teams. Sean was named as One of the Top Sales Influencers You Should Be Following on Social Media. Sean is an active mentor, advisor and guest lecturer at global startup accelerators, innovation conferences, and colleges and universities. He’s now committed to working with countries, companies, entrepreneurs and those who want to work with them on building startup ecosystems and developing the next generation of leaders for the innovation economy. In our discussion, Sean talked to me about: The biggest problem innovative products have and that's product-market fit How to embed a learning framework in your organization The skills necessary to thrive in the knowledge economy

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/seansheppard (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dave McKeown who helps individuals, teams, and organizations achieve excellence by doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. He is the CEO of Outfield Leadership and author of The Self-Evolved Leader. He has a wealth of experience in connecting individual and team performance to improved business results with a particular focus on fast-growing, complex organizations. As Founder and CEO of Outfield Leadership, Dave now speaks, coaches and trains on moving from execution to excellence. His goal is to help organizations build a culture of real, authentic but ultimately results-driven leadership. Dave is also host of the "Lead Like You Give a Damn" podcast. In our discussion, Dave talked to me about: Increased complexity requires true leadership and true leadership requires vulnerability and curiosity How relationships and humanity are core to true leadership That innovation has an underlying process, which can be learned and replicated

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/davemckeown (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr. Bruno Roque Cignacco (PhD), an international business consultant, international speaker and business coach. For over 20 years, he has advised and trained hundreds of companies on international trade activities and international marketing. He is a university lecturer, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA – UK). He is also the author of business and personal development books published in different languages. His new book is “The Art of Compassionate Business: Main Principles for the Human-Oriented Enterprise” (2019, Routledge). His business is Human Oriented Enterprise. In our discussion, Bruno talked to me about: What is compassion and love in a business context and how to build long-term win-win relationships through caring A service focus as opposed to a selling focus Providing outstanding experiences that trigger positive emotions, at every customer touchpoint

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/brunocignacco (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Ross Simmonds, a digital strategist and entrepreneur with a passion for technology, communications and good coffee. He has spent the last ten years working in communications and digital marketing. He's launched and built multiple companies, invested in startups, speaks internationally, published a book on entrepreneurship and blogs regularly at RossSimmonds.com. Ross is the founder of Foundation Marketing, a content marketing agency that combines data and creativity to develop & serve ambitious brands. His customers are all across the world and include some of the fastest-growing startups & consumer products to global Fortune 500 brands. Ross and the team at Foundation have launched marketing initiatives that reach millions of people on channels like Instagram, Slideshare Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more. In our discussion, Ross talked to me about: How to produce engaging, stand-out content, and how to then distribute that content How to repurpose your content in multiple ways to both extend its reach and effectiveness Why the concept of customer journeys is better than funnels

Listen to the podcast to find out more. https://innovabiz.co/rosssimmonds (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Michael Roderick who is the CEO of Small Pond Enterprises which helps thoughtful givers become thought leaders by making their brands referable, their messaging memorable, and their ideas unforgettable. Michael began his career in education teaching High School English before breaking into the world of Broadway producing. He made this transition in less than two years prompting colleagues to ask him how he did it. This led to him creating a series of experiential workshops to study the dynamics behind relationship building and messaging. Now, Michael speaks and consults on how individuals and companies can create Referable Brands for themselves so they can be top of mind for partnership, media opportunities, and more. His frameworks have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and popular podcasts like The Art of Charm and Unmistakable Creative. He is also the host of the podcast Access to Anyone which shows how you can get to know anyone you want in business and in life using the latest technology and time tested principles. In our discussion, Michael talked to me about: The three things every business needs to focus on to have their message resonate (S.A.D.) How to get your very best copy, which is actually your client's language The rise of the maven - content curators that provide insights and experience

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/michaelroderick (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Janine Garner, the best-selling author of It’s Who You Know, From Me to We, and her latest book Be Brilliant – How to Lead a Life of Influence. Over the past two decades, Janine has worked with thousands of high-profile leaders and helped countless of Australia’s top 50 ASX companies and multinationals. Janine is a global thought leader on powerful networking, collaboration, and leadership. She is passionate about building high performing leaders and teams and bringing brilliant people together to achieve remarkable results. In our discussion, Janine talked to me about: How we all already have everything within us to be brilliant - we just need to be brave enough to unleash it Reframing by asking what problem do I solve Curiosity outside of our comfort zone and connecting the dots

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/janinegarner (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Entrepreneur-turned-educator Steve Blank, the Father of Modern Entrepreneurship. Credited with launching the Lean Startup movement, he’s changed how startups are built; how entrepreneurship is taught; how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate. Steve is the author of The Four Steps to the Epiphany, The Startup Owner’s Manual, and his May 2013 Harvard Business Review cover story defined the Lean Startup movement. He teaches at Stanford and at Columbia University, where he is a Senior Fellow for Entrepreneurship, and created the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps, which is now the standard for science commercialization in the U.S. His Hacking for Defense class at Stanford is revolutionizing how the U.S. defense and intelligence community can deploy innovation with speed and urgency, and its sister classes, including Hacking for Diplomacy, Hacking for Oceans, Hacking for Local, are doing the same for other real-world challenges. In our discussion, Steve talked to me about: Being a fact-based rather than faith-based business. Why customer discovery and Lean Methodology are more important than ever in these radically changed times What businesses can do to reinvent and reimagine themselves for the post-COVID world

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/steveblank (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Rob Thomas, the Founder and President of Rob Thomas USA, and the creator of the Rob Thomas Method (RTM) of Networking and Networking in Diners. Rob is an entrepreneur, the author of "Who Do You Need to Meet?", and is a dynamic public speaker. He works with business professionals to help them develop their networking skills to help them achieve business and personal success. In our discussion, Rob talked to me about: How to identify the right people to meet Converting connections into meaningful conversations Preparation for those conversations and asking good questions

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/robthomas (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mark Schaefer a globally-recognized blogger, speaker, educator, consultant, and author of multiple books, including one of my favourite marketing books "Marketing Rebellion". As Executive Director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions, Mark specializes in marketing strategy and social media workshops. Clients include both start-ups and global brands such as Adidas, J&J, Dell, AT&T, U.S. Air Force, and the UK government. Mark is the co-host of The Marketing Companion, one of the top 10 marketing podcasts on Apple Podcasts. Mark has also lectured at Oxford University, Princeton, and many other prestigious institutions. In our discussion, Mark talked to me about: Why the job of any business and marketer is to cut through the noise and BE trusted The complex maze of customer journeys and why it's critical to connect with people where they are Why providing insights and connecting the dots, rather than just sharing information, will be critical to success in the fourth marketing rebellion

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/markschaefer (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts) See https://omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Adrian Cester, the Founder and CEO of Australian Organic Food Company and FlavourMakers, a leading food manufacturing company in Australia. Alongside hundreds of brands they bring to the market for clients including Coles and Woolworths, Adrian is pioneering the organic food movement through his commercial enterprises and networks. In addition to Flavourmakers, which has over 200 employees, Adrian also has an Italian vineyard, cider brand and a number of other businesses. In our discussion, Adrian talked to me about: The opportunities available to organically farmed produce The education process required when establishing a new market or approach to market Understanding the patterns and building blocks in your industry

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/adriancester (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Linda M Perry, a Master Mindset Coach & Business Strategist. Linda's background is as a criminal defense attorney, life coach and copywriter. She believes that the key to a successful business is adopting a Mindset First attitude. Linda works with growth stage clients to show them how to strengthen and use their mindset to get ahead and find greater success. In our discussion, Linda talked to me about: How the stories we tell ourselves are driving our decisions today and how that might not be working for us How to change our mindset with regard to sales and price setting, by focusing on being present in the moment and on service That in order to create transformation you must take action

Listen to the podcast to learn more. https://innovabiz.co/lindamperry (Show Notes and Blog) https://innovabiz.com.au/innovabuzz/ (The Podcasts)

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, B. Jeffrey Madoff, the founder of Madoff Productions. His company collaborates with ad agencies, public relations firms, and directly with clients to produce commercials, corporate branding films, live streaming events, social media, and web content.

Jeffrey's clients include Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, Tiffany, Radio City, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard University, and Weill Cornell Medical College. He is also an adjunct professor at Parsons School for Design, teaching a course called "Creativity: Making a Living with your ideas" and is the author of the book with the same name.

In our discussion, Jeff talked to me about:

Why editing is the most important part of the creative process in any endeavour.
Creating your own unique systems and processes, that will lead to creating unique creations
Ensuring that your product or service ideas are actually providing a solution to a real problem

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Neal Schaffer, a leading authority on helping businesses through their digital transformation of sales and marketing through consulting, training, and helping companies develop and execute on social media marketing strategy, influencer marketing, and social selling initiatives.

As the President of the social media agency PDCA Social, Neal also teaches digital media to executives at Rutgers University, the Irish Management Institute (Ireland), and the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland). He is a popular keynote speaker and has been invited to speak about digital media on four continents in more than a dozen countries. He is also the author of 4 books on social media, including Maximize Your Social and the recently published The Age of Influence, on educating the market on the why and how every business should leverage the potential of influencer marketing.

In our discussion, Neal talked to me about:

Marketing by partnering with niche influencers
Growing your social media presence by building relationships
Why content assets are so important for your marketing

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Meghan Lynch from Six-Point Creative, a brand development agency with a special focus on working with second-stage entrepreneurs. Six-Point Creative is a brand-development agency with a special focus on helping growth-minded business owners build their businesses to scale. That process starts with deep listening and strategy and leads to great design that authentically reflects your company’s values, personality, and aspirations.

In our discussion, Meghan talked to me about:

Building a deep understanding of your customers and how they are feeling
Building a brand and brand values that are the foundation for clarity and consistency of message and every touchpoint with your customers
Why conversations with your customers are vital

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Chad E Cooper, who is a high-performance coach whose clients include world record holders, Olympians, internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, MVPs from every major sport and Fortune 500 CEOs.

A published, peer-reviewed author and recognized speaker on optimal human performance; Chad E Cooper has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, CBS Radio, Huffington Post, McKesson, and Sirius XM Network. The host Legendary Lifestyles radio show. Chad is the founder of Legendary Life® assisting people to break through to the life they have always wanted. Chad E Cooper is also the proud founder of Factive Nautics Coaching.

In our discussion, Chad talked to me about:

Being a master of your time and a master of your identity
Why outcome focused behaviour is more effective than task focused behaviour
Choosing to see what's right which is always as available as what's wrong

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Camera Confidence Coach Lisa Monette, who teaches, speaks, and consults on how to level up your camera confidence, your speaking voice, and your best look on camera in business and in your life!

After many years owning a successful business and working with top entrepreneurs, Lisa has developed a system to help you gain more charisma, more dynamic energy when you go live on video. And she certainly displayed all that in today's show. The Badass Live Video Method is one of her signature programs.

In our discussion, Lisa talked to me about:

Being authentic and congruent in your videos and ditching the notes
Knowing your audience by asking questions
Why you need a Wilson (hint.... as in Castaway)

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, David Jenyns, author of the new book SYSTEMology. David’s entrepreneurial journey began in his early twenties when he sold Australia’s most beloved sporting venue, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Since then, his business experience has spanned from franchising retail clothing stores to founding one of Australia’s most trusted digital agencies, Melbourne SEO Services.

In 2016, David successfully systemised himself out of that business, hired a CEO, and stepped back from the daily operations. Through this process, he became a systems devotee, founding SYSTEMology. Today, his mission is to free all business owners worldwide from the daily operations of running their business. He spends most of his time supporting the growing community of certified SYSTEMologists as they help business owners implement SYSTEMology. He also hosts his own popular podcast – Business Processes Simplified.

In our discussion, David talked to me about:

Systems as a framework for your business, to free up time and free up bandwidth to add value to your business in more productive ways
How creatives and innovators can build systems that benefit their creativity
Extracting yourself from the day to day operations of your business, to allow working on new projects, new opportunities or extended vacations

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Gideon Shalwick, who loves helping entrepreneurs get their message out to large, global audiences using the power of video to effectively build their audience and dramatically improve engagement. His company, Splasheo.com, makes it easy to create super engaging videos, ready for social media domination! Splasheo is a 100% Done-For-You video captioning and framing service.

In our discussion, Gideon talked to me about:

Building a connection with your marketing, otherwise it's just noise
Really understanding your viewer and what are their pain points - be your customer
Listening to problems people have and be really helpful, to generate new opportunities

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Kerry Heaps, the Publisher of Pageant Platform Magazine and the host of Pageant Platform Podcast. Kerry is a sought-after Speaker, the Founder of Pitch like a Bitch Media, an online resource to gain more media exposure and the Author of the Create your own Media series for Podcasting, Publishing and Publicity. She also owns Book.Speak.Repeat, a speaker submission service.

In our discussion, Kerry talked to me about:

How to market yourself as a speaker
The top 5 things speakers need before they start marketing
Why a speaker reel might not be a good thing

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Roger Salam, the founder and chairman of The Winner’s Circle (TWC), the largest, most respected Mastermind Forum for top Speakers and Information & Internet Marketers. Roger is also an award-winning inspirational speaker, best-selling author of several books & courses on Personal Development, Sales & Marketing, and Real Estate Investing.

For most of the 90s, Roger served as a Professional Speaker and Trainer with the world-renowned motivational speaker and peak performance coach Tony Robbins. Roger believes that if you want to achieve more success from your business and personal goals, then the key is to surround yourself with other top achievers.

In our discussion, Roger talked to me about:

How to run a mastermind using structure, processes and boundaries to enable breakthroughs to happen
The importance of focusing first on relationship capital
Inevitability thinking as a means to get what you want.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Alice Aspen March, who is the author of the Attention Factor and radio show host of "Why Our Attention Matters". Alice has a long and distinguished career as a researcher, speaker and coach on all things to do with attention and her message is clear - the kind of attention we get and give to others is vital and impacts our behavior and our feelings.

In our discussion, Alice talked to me about:

How to give attention to yourself first and know what attention you require
How to give attention to others in a way that's supportive of their need
Why attention in the workplace will increase productivity, morale, engagement and output of your team

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Natasha Vorompiova of Systems Rock. She works with owners/founders and their teams to help them take control of their businesses through detailed systems and processes. This allows them to take on more clients and increase capacity without hiring new team members and scale, all while reducing stress and making smarter decisions.

In our discussion, Natasha talked to me about:

The benefits of documented systems and processes and which ones to start with
Building dashboards that follow your customers' journey
How to add value to data by providing insights in an engaging manner

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sarah McIntyre of Bright Inbound Marketing. Sarah creates marketing campaigns that work for her clients with her philosophy of "always on" and "always helping". She has a unique blend of marketing strategy and campaign execution skills and 20 years’ experience with both big corporate marketing teams and start-ups. She's also a Chief Marketing Officer for hire, a new model she is testing now.

In our discussion, Sarah talked to me about:

Why you should always be listening to and learning from your customers
How to systemise your customer insights gathering
Productising your service offerings

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Peter Margaritis, Author of Taking the Numb Out of Numbers & Improv Is No Joke. During his time as a corporate CPA, Peter took improv classes and today, he shows how to use the tools he learned in improv – like listening, flexibility and trust, to change how a team interacts with each other and their clients. As a result, your team will learn new methods to improve their communication and build stronger relationships with your clients, customers, stakeholders and associates.

In our discussion, Peter talked to me about:

Listening fully and being fully present
Making your presentation about your audience and hearing things in their voice
How to improvise the scene you are in, not the one you'd like to be in

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Fabien Pataud, who helps coaches, consultants, business leaders who aren't converting enough ideal clients to implement profitable sales and marketing systems which enables them to attract and convert 2 to 3 new opportunities per month.

Fabien has developed the Sales Disruption 2.0 program to model his success in business & sales over the past decade. He now works with businesses and individuals globally to educate and inspire them into action. Fabien’s passion is to turn you into a high performing sales expert, revolutionising the way you approach life & business, achieving goals you never thought possible.

In our discussion, Fabien talked to me about:

Seeing objections as reflections - what did you do to bring about the objection?
Viewing sales as a partnership activity with your client, coming from a servant’s heart
How to amplify yourself and your creative genius even in sales!

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Christina Torres, copywriter and content creator, Chief Creative Officer at Run & Tell That and co-host of the Bagels & Plantains Podcast. Christina believes that every entrepreneur and small business has a unique and fascinating story to tell. She helps turn out the messages and turn up the conversions you've always wanted to, but haven't had the time to.

In our discussion, Christina talked to me about:

Talking to people who you want to serve and providing what they want (not what you want for them)
Some tips for writing how you speak - your authentic, unique voice
The importance of having empathy with your audience

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Maxine Cunningham, who is the founder and CEO of Pick My Brain, an online platform that helps you package offers and sell your time, knowledge, and experience in new and creative ways.

Pick My Brain was born out of Maxine's vision to make the world's brains and their knowledge more creatively available, accessible, and useful to all. The platform and the philosophy of Pick My Brain is based on the saying by Ikujiro Nonaka that "Without real exchange, you can't create knowledge.” Maxine has transitioned from a finance and economics career to exchanging value in the new knowledge economy and providing the means of generating and creating pathways of abundance for many.

In our discussion, Maxine talked to me about:

The risk of losing knowledge and information in society as people retire and how the new information economy provides both opportunities to plug that knowledge back into society as well as the knowledge holders benefiting from sharing their wisdom
The core philosophy of and business model of Pick My Brain
The power of conversations to change lives.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Dr Mark Goulston, author of the books, Get Out of Your Own Way, Just Listen, Talking to Crazy among others, and host of the My Wakeup Call podcast.

Mark was a UCLA professor of Psychiatry for over 25 years and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He's been a change facilitator to Fortune 500 leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators. He's an influencer who helps other influencers become more influential. Mark has contributed to Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Working Nation and Thrive Global and appears widely in the media including CNN, Wall St. Journal, NY Times, Fortune, and Forbes.

In our discussion, Mark talked to me about:

Being a first-class "noticer" to really understand your audience and your clients
Focusing your attention on what the other person is listening for and
How to become compelling

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have on as my guest, Ken Wentworth, who is an expert in cash flow and revenue growth, best-selling author of "How to Be a Cash Flow Pro" & "Pathway to Profits," and host of "Mr. Biz Radio" podcast. Ken is a strategic business partner who works with business owners to help them operate more profitably and more efficiently. He is often quoted and appears as an expert on small business topics in a variety of written & online publications as well as radio programs - including Forbes, American Express, Fast Company, NBC, ABC, Fox, Business News Daily.

In our discussion, Ken talked to me about:

How to keep track of your business cash flow in real-time and tips to improve it
Keeping your key goal visible in prominent places and how that helps you focus
Why you should "Think Like a 3-year-old"

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Show Notes and Blog

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have on as my guest, John Foley, a former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, a Sloan Fellow at Stanford School of Business, a top-rated leadership keynote speaker, gratitude guru and expert in the how of high-performance teams. His Fearless Success System has transformed 1000’s of organizations around the globe and he's author of the book Fearless Success: Beyond High Performance.

In our discussion, John talked to me about:

The five things to do to create a culture of personal responsibility in your team
How to get into your high-performance zone, with clarity of vision and a purpose higher than self
The best debrief ever

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have on as my guest, Referral Coach Bill Cates, who is also author of Radical Relevance and Get Referrals Now. Bill works with organizations and individuals who want to acquire more customers through word of mouth, referrals, and personal introductions. All of his systems and programs have one overall goal in mind – to increase revenue without increasing marketing expenses.

In our discussion, Bill talked to me about:

Having Empathy with clients, through conversations with them and listening to them,
Solving the right problems with the right service for the right people
Sending the right message through the right medium at the right time to those people

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have on as my guest, Noah Labhart, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Veryable and host of the Code Story Podcast.

Veryable is the on-demand labor marketplace for manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing that allows businesses and workers to connect directly. Businesses can gain flexible capacity and quality workers, while Operators get daily pay, flexible work arrangements and diverse work opportunities. It's a radically different business model, that is particularly valuable in this time of the COVID pandemic.

In our discussion Noah talked to me about:

How to have your team OWN and run your projects,
Getting in touch with who you are, then owning it and rocking it
How to get new ideas and solve problems by walking away from them for a while

View Details

It’s episode 300 of the InnovaBuzz podcast and we wanted to celebrate with something special. A huge thank you to all the amazing guests that have been on previous podcast episodes. You make this such an amazing show and it's a very special privilege to be able to speak with you, learn from you, laugh with you and then to share your insights and wisdom with all our listeners.

George Bryant of GB Masterminds and The Lighthouse Marketing Method first appeared on the InnovaBuzz Podcast in Episode 226. You can find out more about George there and his philosophy of human-centered marketing.

George is committed to help you ethically scale your business by showing you that relationships beat algorithms. In this milestone episode, George honors us by sharing so much more about his expertise and marketing know-how.

In our discussion, George and I talked about:

Really understanding each customer's own journey
The role of empathy in human-centered marketing
Working on yourself first

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Sam Keck, who is an entrepreneur and founder of Commonfolk Coffee, located in the town of Mornington, on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne.

Sam has spun a successful roaster/retailer into a series of social enterprise efforts, including Zukuka Bora, a farmers initiative benefitting coffee growers in Uganda; and Home Ground, which is focused on providing training and job options in hospitality to unemployed youth on the Mornington Peninsula. By fusing the high demand for quality coffee with organized social enterprise, Sam’s work shows us how coffee can do more than just taste good—it can also do very serious good for communities at home and around the world. Indeed, it's a model for how business in general, can be a force for good in the world.

In our discussion, Sam and I talked about:

The importance of a pioneering mindset and innovation;
How to leverage technology in your business in a way that frees your time for relationship building;
Being flexible and pivoting your business in difficult times.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Haley Greene, a former retail expert turned copywriter. Haley works with online retailers to help them get sales with Facebook ads and email marketing strategies that forge genuine relationships with customers and keep them engaged and coming back for more. Her focus is on turning casual fans into loyal shoppers that you know on a first-name basis.

In our discussion, Haley and I talked about:

Understanding your customer's behaviour through the lens of your customer's experience
Marketing is involved in the entire customer journey, even post sale
The importance of talking to your customers and helping them achieve their goals (vs focus on selling products)

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Charlie Whyman, who is a B2B, marketing strategist, LinkedIn Networking specialist, Consultant and Trainer, Speaker and host of The Curiosity Key Podcast. Charlie describes herself as a curious thinking advocate, she believes that curiosity is our biggest asset in making our marketing more effective.

In our discussion, Charlie and I talked about:

using curiosity as a key marketing tool,
why market behaviour is an important thing to consider before you do any marketing and
why empathy and compassion are required now more than ever

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, William Reed who is a Japanologist with over four decades of experience in Japan, and in-depth knowledge of the Japanese language and culture. He is dedicated to bridging the language and cultural gap to make accessible the Ways of practical wisdom in Japanese Budo and traditional arts. He is Professor of Japan Studies at the International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) at Yamanashi Gakuin University, where he teaches Japanese and International Students from over 30 Countries. His focus is coaching and training in the application of Aikido and Renaissance Samurai principles to idea generation, speaking, and personal branding in a business environment.

Will is the author of several books in English on Aikido and Shodo, and has written a number of books in Japanese; including two which became number one bestsellers on Amazon in Japan, one on the Art of World Class Presentations, and the other on Mind Mapping and Creativity. He is a weekly commentator on Japanese television. He has also appeared in several documentaries as a navigator on Samurai Code and Culture, including the Aizu Samurai.

In our discussion, Will and I talked about:

His passion process to help get clarity, focus on the right activities, serve and profit from your passion,
Lessons from the martial art Aikido to business and life - particularly the alignment of head - heart and body, and
Why “Always Be Learning” is such a powerful mantra.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

View Details

In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Mariana Norton, a marketing strategist & business consultant who helps business owners and entrepreneurs leave overwhelm in the dust with marketing strategies that attract the best clients, increases sales, and keep customers coming back for more. Her superpower is distilling a high-level view of the opportunities into tangible actions. Using humor and analogy bombs, she makes even the most complex digital concepts digestible and actionable.

In our discussion, Mariana and I talked about:

Success being a journey, not a destination - you can BE successful, you don't arrive at success;
That marketing is having a conversation with people along different parts of the customer journey and building relationships;
How we all have Minimum System Requirements to function.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Show Notes and Blog

The Podcasts

InnovaBuzz: Recent Episodes

Dr Jürgen Strauss