Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank: Get Daily Insights from the Top Internet Marketers & Entrepreneurs Around the World

Most experts don’t struggle to grow their business because they lack talent or results, they struggle because their message isn’t landing, their online presence is weak, and their podcast guesting feels random instead of strategic. Today’s guest, Josh Elledge, fractional Chief Revenue Officer and founder of Pod Verified, has launched over 300 podcasts, hosted more than 3,000 episodes, made 3,000+ traditional media appearances, and helped clients generate over $40 million using relationship‑driven podcast guesting strategies. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Josh breaks down how to become the kind of podcast guest hosts want back again and again, and how to turn those appearances into real business results instead of “nice exposure” that goes nowhere. He explains why being “the marketing guy” or “leadership consultant” is killing your chances of getting booked, and how to define a clear, unique media brand that instantly stands out to podcast hosts and producers. Josh dives into the real rules of engagement for ethical podcast guests from positioning and messaging to websites, press kits, and LinkedIn profiles that actually impress decision makers. Josh shares why most common calls to action (“buy my book,” “join my newsletter,” “book a call”) fail for 95% of listeners, and what to offer instead so that cold listeners are willing to take the next micro‑commitment with you. He also explains why your website must be built to “concierge” podcast listeners, deepen the relationship, and keep them with you for another 15–20 minutes where conversion really happens. You’ll learn how to appeal to both audiences and gatekeepers: what podcasters look for when they’re getting 200–300 pitches a month, why many good experts never break into the top 10% who get booked, and how to signal that you’re media‑savvy, prepared, and ready for prime time. Josh talks about authority signals, influence, and guest activity, and why your speaker kit, social presence, and on‑air performance either open doors or quietly disqualify you. This conversation also goes deep into mindset and skill development. Josh shares how he went from a shy, insecure “husky‑pants” kid to a Navy journalist and high‑volume media personality, and why “do the thing, have the power” applies perfectly to podcasting: you get good by doing reps, but only if you stop making the same mistakes and get the right feedback. He compares podcast guesting to stand‑up comedy and swimming: you can learn it, but only if you respect it as a skill, stop “spray and pray” pitching, and commit to intentional improvement. https://youtu.be/JueJAzWCHbU?si=XCGHcDZnrQffg4A- If you’re an expert, coach, consultant, founder, or thought leader who’s tired of cold outreach, ads, and pushy sales, and you’d rather grow organically by serving audiences, this episode will give you a practical roadmap. You’ll discover how to assess where you really are today, what caliber of shows you should be targeting, and how to start showing up as a high‑value, ethical, and memorable podcast guest who builds trust, authority, and revenue, without feeling salesy. Tune in and learn how Josh’s Pod Verified approach can help you stop guessing, stop spamming, and start getting real results from podcast guesting. Quotes: “If you’re a speaker and you have no speaker kit on your website, there’s a reason you’re not getting paid very well. You just don’t look ready for prime time.” “Podcast guesting works. If you’re smart but still broke from your PR efforts, it’s not the medium; it’s the strategy. You’ve been doing it wrong, and no one’s been honest enough to tell you.”  “You can build an enormous business by serving audiences in the media. I’ve built multiple seven-figure companies without spending a dime on ads, simply by showing up and being generous.” Contact Details: Join PodVerified And Turn Your Expertise Into Podcast Opportunities Start Growing Your Influence Today: Check UpMyInfluence...

When small manufacturers hit a growth ceiling, the problem usually isn’t the product, it’s the constant firefighting, isolation, and lack of structured strategy. Strategic thinking, leadership development, and smart capacity planning often get pushed aside in favor of “just getting through the week.” Today’s guest, Brian Becker of Becker Growth Strategy and program director of the Manufacturing Accelerator Program (MAP), helps small manufacturers escape that reactive mode and build organizations that are designed to scale on purpose, not by accident. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Brian shares how MAP, a tuition-free, national, virtual executive education program gives small U.S.-based manufacturers the tools, peer community, and strategic frameworks they need to grow. He explains why founders often feel alone on an “island,” and how curated cohorts, breakout rooms, and cross-industry conversations (including everything from biotech to feral pig trapping to chocolatiers) create mastermind-style support that changes how owners think and lead. Brian dives into focus and execution as the real differentiators between businesses that plateau and those that expand. He walks through his “future casting” exercise, where owners imagine their ideal business five years from now with smooth operations, predictable revenue, strong team, and then reverse engineer the concrete steps to get there. From figuring out whether you truly have a sales problem or a capacity problem, to deciding whether to chase that dream big-box retail contract, Brian shows how clarity leads to better decisions.He also breaks down a practical task triage system what only you can do, what you can delegate, and what you should only touch on your worst day along with a powerful sports analogy of running a business like a soccer team: you can’t play offense (big growth goals) if your defense (operations, fulfillment, and retention) isn’t solid. For manufacturers eyeing larger enterprise customers, Brian shares the risks of overreaching too soon and how to ramp capacity intelligently so big opportunities don’t become “career killers.” Beyond operations, Brian tackles workforce development and the talent gap in U.S. manufacturing, especially among younger workers. He explains how reframing roles around STEM, robotics, complex problem solving, and hands-on challenges can make manufacturing careers more attractive to the next generation, and how MAP is bringing in workforce experts to help owners rethink how they present and structure these jobs.Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes that no one is coming to save your business, but the right questions, the right community, and a willingness to invest time in your own growth can completely shift your trajectory. He shares hard-won lessons from his background in education, nonprofit fundraising, and as COO of Well Found Foods during COVID, plus life advice from his football days: “You said you wanted to be one. This is what being one means.” https://youtu.be/moRBOQXR_ck?si=TNRP9_l6sWXZnqpJ If you’re a small manufacturer (or any small business owner) who feels stuck in the weeds, struggling to scale, or unsure whether to double down on sales or build capacity first, this episode will give you concrete mental models, frameworks, and next steps. Tune in to learn how to think more strategically, delegate more effectively, build your peer network, and grow a manufacturing business that doesn’t depend on you doing everything yourself. Quotes: “Business owners oftentimes can fall into the trap of worrying about everything else except for the strategic growth of the business.” “Every single business is different, and most importantly, it’s because of you and the other people in the business; there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.” “For most business owners, they need to invest in themselves, and the sooner they can understand that no one is coming to save them,

Many smart, capable experts sit on powerful book ideas for years, not because they can’t write, but because they feel overwhelmed about finishing the manuscript and getting it in front of the right readers. Today’s guest, Carma Spence, multi-time best-selling, award-winning author and book marketing strategist, helps coaches, consultants, and nonfiction experts turn their books into engines for authority and client attraction by using AI ethically and intelligently across the entire author journey. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Carma shares insights from her upcoming book “Author Ignition,” which gives authors the confidence, clarity, and strategy to treat AI as a creative ally rather than a threat. She and Robert break down what ethical AI use really looks like for authors, why AI detectors are unreliable and often wrong, and how to avoid publishing bland, generic “AI slop” while still taking full advantage of the technology. Carma explains how she weaves AI into her “Road Trip to Authority” signature program, using it at every stage of the book journey to help writers move past the friction points that usually derail projects. From brainstorming and outlining to overcoming writer’s block and speeding up marketing tasks, she positions AI as a fast-learning intern: helpful, efficient, but always needing your direction and final human review. They zoom out to the bigger landscape too, looking at the backlash against AI, the mob mentality around calling everything “AI slop,” and the parallels to the early days of self-publishing when quality was questioned but the market eventually matured. Carma shares how she uses AI for images and even music (like transforming old poetry into songs), and why, in many cases, AI is enabling creativity rather than taking money out of artists’ pockets. Beyond tools and tactics, Carma challenges authors to wrestle with a deeper strategic question: “What do you want to be known for?” In an age of answer engines and algorithmic recommendations, you can’t be known for everything. She talks about narrowing your focus, choosing a niche where you can stand out, and defining your unique “pink gorilla” angle so that your book and brand become memorable and referable instead of blending into the noise. Carma dug into how AI is reshaping education and online courses. Static, teacherless courses are losing their appeal; hybrid models that mix evergreen training with live interaction, Q&A, and community are becoming the new standard. Carma shows how AI can handle the repetitive, time-consuming pieces of content and marketing while you double down on the human side of teaching, coaching, and leading your audience. https://youtu.be/Mpl7JakOCYw?si=GJUF3JKRgP--7LDQ If you’re intrigued by AI but worried about losing your voice, or simply overwhelmed by where to start, this episode will help you see how to use AI to amplify your message, finish your book, and market it more effectively without compromising your ethics or authenticity. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of how AI fits into your writing process, your business strategy, and the author brand you want to be known for. To dive deeper into Carma’s world, her books, podcasts, and services, or to schedule a short call to talk about your book and marketing systems, visit carmaspence.com. Quotes: “You can use AI if it starts with you and it ends with you, and it's not mass produced. It's unique for each piece.” “Courses without a teacher are no longer very useful. The hybrid model, lessons plus live interaction; is where real transformation happens.”  “If everything is slop, then the word means nothing. Being lazy with language says more about you than it does about AI.” Contact Details: Ready to Turn Your Expertise Into a Book That Builds Authority? Visit the Official Website of Carma Spence Want to Turn Your Book Into Profit? Book a Book Profit Strategy Call with Carma Spence

Many companies obsess over sales reports, churn metrics, and dashboards, but the real story is hiding in what people say long before the numbers move. Today’s guest, Dan Bruder, co-founder of Blendification, helps organizations tap into that hidden layer by turning everyday conversations into decision-ready intelligence that leaders can use to predict and prevent problems before they show up in the P&L. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Dan shares how Blendification uses conversational AI and linguistic analytics to run psychologically adaptive, goal-focused interviews at scale, thousands in a week if needed. Instead of just answering questions like traditional AI tools, their system asks smarter questions, reads engagement and emotional readiness, and uses a panel of specialized AI “agents” to understand what employees and customers really think and feel. The result: organizations can detect cultural hotspots, disengagement, and customer risk months before it shows up as lost revenue or turnover. Dan explains how Blendification fuses this deep qualitative data with existing operational data from CRM, HR, and financial systems to create traceable dashboards, emotional intelligence patterns, and research-grade insights, without the months-long effort of a traditional consulting engagement. He also shares a bold vision: replacing static PowerPoint decks with dynamic, fully traceable presentations generated directly from source data and conversational insights, giving leaders both speed and confidence in their decisions. If you’re a consultant, advisor, market researcher, or small to mid-sized firm trying to compete with giants like Accenture, this episode is especially powerful. Dan shows how nimble firms that adopt conversational data analytics early can actually leapfrog larger, slower competitors, delivering deeper insights, faster, with far less manual labor. You’ll hear how conversational AI, when used as a true language tool (not just a fancier spreadsheet), opens up a blue ocean of understanding human behavior at scale. https://youtu.be/DGST8uwJxIw?si=oOb9DiB5XKvbFUg8 Dan also shares a thought-provoking perspective on planning and uncertainty, why “it’s none of your business where you’ll be in five years” and how that mindset aligns with leading through rapid AI-driven change. If you’ve been stuck in the world of transactional metrics and static dashboards, and you suspect the real gold is hidden in the conversations your people and customers are already having, this episode will give you a clear, exciting look at what’s now possible with conversational AI and Blendification. Quotes: "With AI, we're not just leveling the playing field; we're giving a competitive advantage to the people who are nimble and move quickly." "Most of what I've seen out there is really taking the same data we've always used and using AI to report the same dashboards we've always had, just a little bit quicker and with more data." "We’ve created an AI platform that holds psychologically aware conversations just as a human would, adapting the next question to bring someone back in when they start to disengage." Contact Details: Transform Your Brand with Blendification: Start Today Discover Better Leadership with Dan Bruder Connect with Dan Bruder on LinkedIn for Leadership Insights Subscribe to Dan Bruder's YouTube Channel for Leadership That Inspires Action

A great copy isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore, it’s the difference between traffic that prints money and traffic that quietly bleeds your ad budget dry. In a world where attention is short, feeds are noisy, and AI-generated fluff is everywhere, only truly persuasive words cut through and convert. Today’s guest, Jon Benson of BNSN.AI, is the copywriter credited with inventing the Video Sales Letter (VSL), a format that has generated billions of dollars in digital sales and reshaped online direct response marketing.In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Jon breaks down the evolution of the “ugly” VSL, from plain text on a black screen with voiceover, to hypnotic slide patterns, NLP command phrases, and innovations like magic buy buttons, no-pause video players, and timed call-to-action reveals. He explains why words on the screen plus spoken words outperform talking-head videos, how dual modalities (reading + listening) supercharge retention, and why removing distractions can multiply conversions even in today’s muted, mobile-first world. Jon then pulls back the curtain on Benson (BNSN.AI), his AI-driven copy platform built specifically for high-converting VSLs and funnels. Instead of generic prompts and AI “stink,” Benson uses promptless AI, pre-prompting, frameworks, and RAG to train multiple LLMs on proven copy patterns. You’ll hear how his system breaks a VSL into specialized sections, uses different models for different copy tasks, and rewrites behind the scenes so what you see sounds like a top-tier human copywriter, not a template-spitting chatbot. A big theme of this conversation is mindset: you are not your avatar. Jon explains why writing “how you talk” usually kills conversions, why your copy shouldn’t sound exactly like you, and how to instead sound like the best version of you that your market will respond to. He shares lessons from decades as a hired gun copywriter and ghostwriter, the importance of writing for cold traffic, and why the words are still 80% of the funnel, even if you use ClickFunnels, GoHighLevel, or any other page builder. https://youtu.be/deBPX78TpHQ?si=wuWrOAUu9AaXn9b- If you’ve ever been frustrated by weak AI copy, low-converting VSLs, or the feeling that your offer “should” be selling better than it is, this episode will recalibrate how you think about persuasion, funnels, and AI-powered copywriting. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of what truly moves cold prospects to buy, and how tools like BNSN.AI can help you scale high-quality copy across your entire funnel without sacrificing human-level persuasion. Quotes: “It’s not enough to just give AI a good VSL and say ‘you figure it out.’ You have to break it into components and get very specific.” “What people call ‘AI stink’ is really just AI pulling from the wrong training. If you don’t feed it the right patterns, you’ll never get what you’re wanting.” “The words are the most important things that you have to sell anything… if you get the words that sell, you are 80% there.” Contact Details: Turn AI Into Your Best Copywriter: Start with BNSN Today Master the Words That Sell: Learn from Jon Benson Connect with Jon Benson on LinkedIn and Master Copy That Sells Subscribe to Jon Benson's YouTube Channel for Sales Copy Secrets Follow Jon Benson on Instagram for Daily Copywriting Tips Follow Jon Benson for AI & Copywriting Strategies Master Copywriting: Follow Jon Benson on Facebook

Most B2B event strategies don’t fail because of budgets or venues, they fail because they’re built around pitches, decks, and headcount instead of real conversations with the right people. Today’s guest, Joseph Fontana, Chief Revenue Officer at Amzai and Chief Growth Officer at Buyer Foresight, has spent over 30 years building sales organizations and leading thousands of sales conversations. He’s turned a simple but powerful idea into a scalable model: conversations move pipeline, not pitches. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Joe breaks down why we’re living in a “golden era” for events, even as AI floods the market with low-quality content and buyers become more skeptical than ever. Instead of chasing massive conferences and overproduced webinars, Joe helps B2B brands design one-to-few executive dinners and small-format events where prospects talk honestly about their biggest pain points. No slides. No case study walk-throughs. No “quick demos.” Just carefully curated conversations that build trust, insight, and long-term pipeline. Joe explains where most companies get events totally wrong: talking at prospects instead of with them, making the night about their agenda instead of the buyer’s, and pushing decks, collateral, and follow-up sequences that instantly kill trust. He shows how to flip that model by starting with one critical question: “What makes this person sweat the bed at 4 a.m.?” From there, Joe and his team craft tight messaging, smart outreach, and 6–7 sharp questions that get high-value prospects to happily show up, engage with peers, and open up about the real problems they’re trying to solve. You’ll also hear Joe’s philosophy on simple systems that scale, the crucial difference between motivation and accountability, and why even the best event will fail without disciplined, thoughtful follow-up from the actual people in the room (not a random SDR three days later). He shares how his own chocolate-tasting events for marketers and sales leaders double as both a memorable experience and a live demonstration of his methodology in action, no hard pitch required. https://youtu.be/LvNl-OfwKsM?si=v8QDCY_6YZW4b5_d If you’re tired of events that “look good” on a slide but don’t turn into revenue, this episode will show you a different path. You’ll learn how to design small, high-trust experiences that your buyers actually want to attend, how to listen more and talk less, and how to turn authentic executive conversations into predictable, high-quality pipelines. Quotes: “Sales has always been and always shall be a series of conversations that moves you from awareness to consideration, from life as it is today to life as it can be.” “There’s nothing easy about a simple process, people see simple and assume they can ‘make it better,’ and that’s exactly how they break it.” “Your prospect doesn’t care about you; they care about themselves, and the only time you enter the equation is if they think you might cost them their job.” Contact Details: Ready to Make Every Event Deliver More? Discover How Amzai Helps Organizations Connect with Joe on LinkedIn to Unlock Your Next Business Opportunity Love a Good Laugh? Subscribe to Joe Fontana's YouTube Channel! Fred Flintstone Selling in a George Jetson World on Amazon Turn Buyer Conversations Into Qualified Pipeline: Connect with BuyerForesight Today

The biggest challenges in podcasting today aren’t about microphones, software, or even ideas, they’re about trying to succeed with strategies built for a completely different era. In this episode, podcasting pioneer Rob Greenlee joins Robert Plank to unpack how the industry has evolved from early downloadable audio to today’s world of streaming video, AI, and creator-driven communities, and how relying on outdated models can quietly sabotage growth. Rob has been at the forefront of podcasting for over two decades, working with platforms like Spreaker and Libsyn, tools like StreamYard, and now leading initiatives such as Trust Factor Lab and the Podcast Hall of Fame. Rob dives deep into the shift from downloads to streaming-first distribution, and what that means for podcasters who want better metrics, deeper audience understanding, and more discoverability. Rob explains why big players like Apple backing streaming video changes the game, how dynamic and injectable ads went from “innovation” to standard, and why creators must think beyond “hosting and RSS” to a more holistic media strategy. They also explore the uncomfortable truth about content permanence, why platforms like Facebook are deleting videos after 60 days, why nothing online is truly permanent, and how that impacts how you plan, store, and repurpose your show. A major theme of the conversation is the role of AI and trust in modern media. Rob breaks down the tension between creators publicly distrusting AI while privately experimenting with it, and the risks of going “all in” on one extreme or another. He shares a forward-looking view of how AI might interact with media archives, from simply storing transcripts to potentially powering AI agents modeled on real people, and why the real differentiator for podcasters will be human connection, authenticity, and trust, not just technology. They talk about the future of creators as facilitators of community conversations, where the audience’s interaction may ultimately become more valuable than the host’s monologue. https://youtu.be/JGtTSwvgyPU?si=z6Z78DU8A5xGZ4Vi Rob also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his work with the Podcast Hall of Fame at PodcastHall.com, how inductees are chosen, why it’s not about raw download numbers, and how true impact in podcasting is measured in vision, leadership, and the ability to help others succeed. From his early days podcasting in 2004 (after starting on radio in 1999) to today’s global ecosystem, Rob shares hard‑earned lessons on staying relevant, reinventing yourself, and focusing on serving people, not algorithms. If you care about the future of podcasting, want to understand where AI, streaming, and community are really taking the medium, and need a grounded perspective on building long-term trust with your listeners, this episode with Rob Greenlee is a must-listen. Quotes: "A lot of people are fearful that what they create online will define them forever, but the trend lines are actually pointing to a lack of permanency and sustainability of content."  "We’re shifting into an era where streaming capability doesn’t just deliver content; it gives creators deeper metrics and understanding of audiences so they can actually make better content."  "The distinction between impacting a hundred people and impacting a million isn’t what matters. It’s more about attitude, vision, and how other people perceive the impact you’ve had on them." Contact Details: Level Up Your Podcast; Visit New Media Show Discover Podcast Legends at Podcast Hall Build Trust. Grow Your Podcast. Explore Rob Greenlee's Official Website Learn From a Podcast Pioneer; Follow Rob Greenlee on Facebook Master the Future of Podcasting; Connect With Rob Greenlee on LinkedIn Follow Rob Greenlee on X for Podcast Insights Subscribe to Rob Greenlee's YouTube Channel for Podcast Success

Many people never launch the projects or businesses they dream about, not because they lack ideas, but because burnout, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm stop them in their tracks. In this episode, Yvonne Franklin shares how, at age 61, a workplace injury and emotional breakdown ended her 30-year healthcare career, but also became the catalyst for building an online wellness ecosystem from scratch, without tech skills, marketing experience, or an ad budget. Her story is a powerful example of turning adversity into action and using lived experience to help others reset their lives. Yvonne explains how she discovered AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and especially the Buildyai platform to create a complete digital presence in just a few months. Without writing a line of code, she built The Mindful Reset at themindfulrezset.com, along with quizzes, email sequences, workbooks, guides, a course, and even marketing assets for social media. She also became an affiliate for Buildyai and created a guide specifically for non-technical people who want to get online without the overwhelm of domains, hosting, and web design. At the heart of Yvonne’s work is a simple but powerful promise: you don’t need 60-minute routines or complex meditation practices to feel better. Her “Mindful Rezset” approach centers on 2–5 minute micro-resets, printable pocket cards, reflections, affirmations, breathing prompts, and short exercises designed for overstressed workers, professionals, parents, and caregivers in a fast-paced world. She breaks down different types of resets (emotional, rational, inspirational, mindset, and more) that help people pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves so they can return to their day calmer and clearer. https://youtu.be/jy6gT0hvXdw?si=Z-VBl4BUDYohctA_ Yvonne also shares the business-building side of her journey: using free and low-cost tools, posting organic content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest, applying for grants as a women entrepreneur in Canada, and thinking strategically about partnerships and future webinars. She talks about writing her 107-page book “Your Reset Begins Here”, creating a reflection blog series called “When Thoughts Become Things”, and launching her Etsy store at rezsetyourmoments.etsy.com. Throughout, she returns to her core mantra: “You are allowed to come back. This is built for that.” If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or “too late” to start something new, Yvonne’s story and framework offer both practical tools and deep encouragement. Quotes: "I’m not a wellness guru; I’m just a simple person with lived experience, packaging what I’ve learned so everyday people can actually use it." "If you feel lost, overwhelmed, or like you don’t recognize yourself anymore, this work is about helping you reconnect with you so you can move forward again." "People don’t just need another routine; they need a moment to breathe, to come back to themselves, and remember who they are in the middle of a fast-paced world." Contact Details: Ready To Rezset Your Mind? Start Your Journey Today Ready To Transform Your Life? Follow Yvonne Franklin Facebook Page Start Your Mindful Reset; Follow Mindful Rezset on Instagram Follow Yvonne Franklin on X for Daily Inspiration Shop Meaningful Moments; Rezset Your Moments on Etsy

Hidden tax leaks and underutilized strategies quietly drain the profits of otherwise healthy companies. Today’s guest, Ralph B. Watkins went from losing a $10 million real estate empire to helping mid-sized businesses uncover “money hiding in plain sight” using a powerful, tax-advantaged benefits structure called the FICA Flip. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Ralph breaks down how companies with at least 10 full-time W-2 employees can implement a self-insured medical expense reimbursement plan (SIMERP) that effectively lets them get paid to offer world-class health benefits. Instead of sending all those FICA dollars straight to the IRS, businesses can legally redirect a portion back into their own bottom line, typically around $640 per employee per year in employer savings, while also putting roughly $100 more per month into employees’ take-home pay. Ralph explains how this SIMERP structure layers on top of existing health benefits without replacing them, giving employees access to a robust suite of virtual primary care, urgent care, mental health counseling, financial counseling, and a zero-deductible pharmacy with 1,000+ medications at no cost, covering the employee plus up to five family members, 24/7. He shares why enrollment and retention rates are so high, and why the most common objection he hears is simply that it “sounds too good to be true.” Beyond the financial strategy, Ralph walks through how he’s using AI daily to find opportunities, design outreach, and scale his impact, leveraging tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Lemlist, webinars, and local business/service groups (Rotary, chambers, etc.) to get this message in front of decision makers. He shows how AI-powered prospecting, smart drip campaigns, and speaking to rooms instead of just individuals can rapidly compound recurring, per-employee revenue for marketers and advisors who partner on this model. https://youtu.be/4rfHdoBTC6Q?si=5veFPiYu61-4ehmR Underneath the tactics is Ralph’s deeper philosophy: authenticity, resilience, and service first. Drawing from his heart attack scare, major financial losses, and the lessons that led to his book “10 Habits of Shit Creek Survivors,” he encourages entrepreneurs to see life and business as a series of experiments, to be kinder to themselves, and to focus on genuinely helping others win. If you’re a business owner, advisor, or marketer looking for a real, compliant way to boost cash flow, improve benefits, and build residual income, while using AI as a force multiplier, this episode with Ralph Watkins is packed with ideas you can put to work right away. Quotes: “The future belongs not to the people whose jobs are displaced by AI, but to the ones who grab onto it and learn how to use it to get more done.” “There is no success, there is no failure; we live in a lab. Every day we’re running experiments and simply getting results.” “When your biggest objection is ‘this sounds too good to be true,’ that’s an objection I like dealing with.” Contact Details: Start Your FICA Flip Journey Today Ready to Earn Dual Commissions? Apply Today and Start Keeping More of Every Deal Get the Book That’s Changing Lives; Visit NASCS.Org today Connect with Ralph Watkins on LinkedIn for Practical Financial Wisdom 10 Habits of Shit Creek Survivors: Lessons from Hell to Hope on Amazon

Service businesses usually don’t struggle because they lack leads, they struggle because those leads aren’t being captured, nurtured, or turned into consistent, predictable revenue. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, AI growth architect Francis Rodino, author of Leads Machine and founder of Lead Hero AI, explains why simply signing up for a CRM like Go High Level or installing the latest AI tool is never enough. The real leverage comes from doing the deep strategic work most business owners skip: understanding your ideal clients, their pain points, desires, and fears, and then building a revenue engine that turns that insight into sales. Francis breaks down why so many home service, trades, and local businesses feel burned by agencies, Facebook ads, and half-built funnels. They confuse software with strategy, thinking a shiny new CRM or AI agent will fix everything. Instead, Francis walks us through the nine-step Leads Machine system that underpins his book, a framework that connects the entire customer journey: from market research and messaging, to follow-up, sales processes, and retention. He shares how AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can accelerate the “deep work” of customer understanding, but stresses that AI is the drill, not the painting, the tech is only as good as the strategy behind it. You’ll hear a powerful case study from a SaaS company called Book Magic, which helps authors write books using AI. They were sitting on a goldmine of 8,000+ dormant leads stuck in ActiveCampaign with no real customer journey. Francis’ team migrated them to High Level, cleaned and segmented the data, and launched an AI-powered database reactivation campaign via SMS and WhatsApp. The result? They doubled their MRR in just two months without spending a cent on ads, by simply re-engaging and nurturing leads they already had. Throughout the conversation, Francis returns to a central theme: make marketing human again. Even as AI agents, automation, and complex tech stacks become more advanced, the fundamentals of human psychology haven’t changed. People still buy from people. The businesses that win won’t be the ones who spam prospects with robotic AI slop, but those who use AI to enhance empathy, relevance, and timing, crafting campaigns and follow-ups that feel like genuine conversations, not canned scripts. Francis explains how to align AI, CRM, and automation with real human behavior so that teams actually use the tools, leads are followed up with, and sales pipelines don’t quietly leak money. https://youtu.be/DvjBVHQPwis?si=7x0lVwTuRb3vY7eL If you’re a service or home services business owner staring at a barely-used Go High Level account, frustrated with inconsistent sales, or overwhelmed by all the AI “hype,” this episode will show you what’s really possible. You’ll learn how to turn your existing lead list into a reliable revenue engine, how to think about your tech stack as part of a bigger strategy, and how Francis’ nine-step Leads Machine framework can help you scale from early-stage chaos to multi-seven figures. Tune in to discover how to build AI-first revenue systems that are deeply human, highly profitable, and built to last. Quotes: "The biggest myth is that these systems are easy and they are fully automated, and you just sit back, do a lot of nothing, and the sales and the leads roll in."  "Automation, AI, and tech are never a replacement for fundamental human psychology. At the end of the day, we're selling to people and marketing to people." "Let's make marketing human again. The more empathetic and less robotic we can craft our AI to be, the more of a leg up those businesses will have in the short term." Contact Details: Turn More Leads Into Customers with Lead Hero AI Scale Smarter with AI; Connect with Francis Today Connect with Francis on LinkedIn for AI-Powered Growth Insights Subscribe to Francis Rodino's YouTube Channel for Practical AI Marketing Insights

Many entrepreneurs are smart, experienced, and ambitious, but still feel stuck, scattered, and frustrated that their results don’t match their potential. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Dr. Donna Blevins, a 6'5" former professional poker player, high-scoring basketball standout, stroke survivor, and performance coach, shows how changing your self-talk, daily habits, and relationship with AI can create real breakthroughs in your business and life. She draws on concepts from her book MindShift, where she teaches how to reframe setbacks, focus on wins, and harness the power of intentional language. Donna shares the pivotal story of being told by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that her high school basketball stats made her not just “good,” but a star, even though she’d spent years telling herself she was terrible. That moment shattered her habit of focusing on misses instead of scores, and it mirrors how many entrepreneurs obsess over what’s not working instead of the results they are getting. Donna explains how this kind of negative self-talk quietly sabotages success, and why shifting your internal language is the first step to changing your external results. From there, Donna gets practical. She reveals her simple productivity framework: finish three small things a day, and plan your business in 90‑day quarters instead of chasing vague, far-off “big goals” you never complete. She talks about her mind shifting process, so powerful she credits it with helping her regain speech three days after a massive stroke, and her exercise to “evict your perfection witch,” freeing you from the perfectionism that keeps offers, content, and ideas stuck in draft mode. You’ll learn why doing things live, iterating in public, and embracing “beta” versions is often the fastest path to a profitable, repeatable offer. https://youtu.be/7O3QKP52x0g?si=3CsjDdtyNwHJKBF1 Donna also dives into how she’s using AI as a true virtual assistant, not a distraction. She explains how she trained ChatGPT’s new work feature to understand her voice (“donatize” her content), organize her Google Drive, build course templates, and act as a pocket performance coach for clients, while maintaining strict boundaries so the tech stays safe, useful, and under her control. For entrepreneurs, especially those over 50, who feel overwhelmed by tech, uncertain about their “next page,” or tired of spinning their wheels, this conversation offers a blend of mindset, systems, and AI strategy rooted in real-world experience. If you’re ready to stop overthinking, start finishing, and finally turn your brilliance into bankable results, you’ll want to hear what Donna shares. Quotes: "Find three little things that you can finish now. What happens? It changes the frequency, the energy within you, and the frequency around you, because we create the energy around us." "When you make a goal, sure, look at the big hairy-ass goals, that's fine, but look at something that's three months away. If you plan in quarters, you're far more productive." "I created a mind shift exercise called 'Evict Your Perfection Witch' because she has taken residence on my shoulders from time to time, and I want to evict her, evict the bitch, that's what I say." Contact Details: Ready for Your Breakthrough? Visit the Official Website of Donna Blevins Today Your Next Chapter Begins with YES Connect with Donna on LinkedIn for Daily Mindset Breakthroughs Follow Donna on X for Daily Mindset Wins Transform Your Mindset; Follow Donna Blevins on Instagram Join the Journey; Subscribe to Big Girl Poker Subscribe to Donna's Substack for Weekly Mindset Breakthroughs MindShift On Demand: QUICK Life-Changing Tools on Amazon

Too many business owners think their next sale is hiding behind a bigger ad budget or more leads, when in reality the real money is in the leads they’ve already generated, but never properly followed up with. Prospects say they’re interested, timing gets in the way, and then fear, procrastination, and disorganization quietly choke off potential revenue. Today’s guest, Wanda Allen of Follow Up Sales Strategies, has helped business owners, sales professionals, and especially realtors transform “I meant to call them” into a simple, systematic follow-up habit that consistently converts more existing leads into paying clients. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Wanda breaks down why follow-up is the real leverage point in your sales process, and why the most powerful, underused tool is still the phone. She explains how a five-minute conversation can replace days of emails and DMs, uncover real objections, and build genuine prospect loyalty long before someone becomes a paying customer. Rather than chasing more leads or bigger ad budgets, Wanda shows you how to focus on the opportunities already in your pipeline. Wanda shares the three fundamentals of effective follow-up: adopting the right mindset, consistently using a CRM, and making follow-up a true priority instead of something you “get to later.” She unpacks the hidden fears that keep people stuck, fear of rejection, of being pushy, of not knowing what to say, and reframes follow-up as a professional obligation, not a nuisance. With research showing that 80% of sales happen between the 5th and 12th contact while 90% of sellers quit after two, she explains why simply staying in the game longer can make you the “last one standing” who wins the business. https://youtu.be/TJrC609Yz4E?si=Ap97ggtawja_Amet You’ll hear how Wanda’s systems-based approach has helped clients triple their sales just by getting serious about follow-up routines, tightening their processes, and reframing “I have so much follow-up to do” from a burden into a sign of opportunity. She also shares a powerful mindset rule you can apply to both sales and life: when you feel like you can’t do one more call or push-up, do two. If you’re ready to get over your discomfort, stop apologizing for doing your job, and turn your existing leads into real revenue, Wanda’s strategies will give you the structure and confidence to follow through. Quotes: “The salesperson that follows up and continues to follow up is the one that’s going to get the business, because when that prospect is ready, the one who followed up is the one who’s going to get the call.” “When you have a lot of follow-up work to do, that shouldn’t stress you out; it should put a spring in your step. It means you’ve got opportunities in front of you.” “If your job is to bring in more business, you have to follow up. When you’re following up, you’re doing your job; that’s called professionalism.” Contact Details: Visit Follow-Up Sales Strategies to Turn More Conversations Into Closed Deals Connect with Wanda Allen on LinkedIn for Practical Follow-up Strategies and Sales Tips Ready to Close More Deals with Smarter Follow-up? Schedule a Call with Wanda Allen Follow Follow Up Sales on X and Discover Simple Strategies to Improve Follow-up Grow your Sales One Follow-up at a Time; Follow Follow Up Sales Strategies on Instagram

Funding, not deals, is often the real bottleneck in real estate investing. If you’ve been relying on banks or hard money lenders, you already know how slow, expensive, and restrictive they can be. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Jay Conner, who has flipped and rehabbed over 500 single-family properties in eastern North Carolina and automated his seven‑figure business down to less than 10 hours a week, shows you a different path: private money. Since 2009, Jay hasn’t missed out on a single deal due to lack of funding. He breaks down exactly what private money is (and what it’s not), how it differs from hard money and bank financing, and why working directly with individual private lenders can transform your speed, flexibility, and profit margins. You’ll discover how everyday people, often using self-directed IRAs, can become your lenders, earning solid, secured returns while you gain fast, reliable funding for your flips, rehabs, and single-family projects. Jay walks through his relationship-first approach to finding and educating private lenders, including how he “diagnoses” whether someone has an investment problem before ever offering a solution. You’ll hear why the old saying “get the deal and the money will show up” is dangerous, and how Jay instead lines up capital first, then uses his signature “good news phone call” to place his lenders’ money, without ever “asking for money.” He also shares his preferred strategies for single-family deals, from flipping and MLS resales to lease options, rent-to-own, and work-for-equity exits. You’ll learn his simple formula for not overpaying for properties, how he protects his lenders with conservative loan-to-value (LTV) limits, proper collateralization, and why he often gets paid to buy houses by borrowing up to 75% of the after-repaired value (ARV). Jay explains how strong relationships with attorneys, title companies, and lenders allow him to confidently offer seven-day closings that sellers love. https://youtu.be/LttbnLZFK8M?si=Sbsqi0MAtm0LPx45 Jay also highlights his national best-selling book, Where To Get The Money Now: How and Where to Get Money for Your Real Estate Deals Without Relying on Traditional (or Hard Money) Lenders, which lays out his full system for raising and structuring private money. Combined with his scripts, frameworks, and real-world examples, this episode shows that raising private capital doesn’t have to be complicated or salesy; it can be a straightforward, repeatable system that fuels your deals and builds real wealth for both you and your lenders. Quotes: “One of the biggest lies in real estate is ‘get the deal under contract, and the money will show up.’ That’s the most stupid thing I ever heard in my life.” “I want my private lenders to think of themselves as the bank. They’re secured by a note, a deed of trust, insurance, and title; just like the bank would be.” “Private money is a simple business once you understand the moving parts; most new investors fail because they overcomplicate it.” Contact Details: Visit Jay Conner's website and Discover Proven Private Money Strategies Secure your Seat at the Private Money Conference Connect with Jay Conner on LinkedIn for Expert Insights on Private Money Lending Follow Jay Conner on Facebook for Expert Tips on Private Money Apple Podcasts: Raising Private Money with Jay Conner Subscribe to Jay Conner's YouTube Channel to Start Learning Private Money Funding Tips Follow Jay Conner on Instagram for Insights on Private Money Grab your Copy of Jay Conner's Book Unlock Jay Conner's Proven Private Money Scripts by Downloading them for Free Today! Where To Get The Money Now on Amazon

In most workplaces, safety conversations jump straight to the scariest headlines, active shooters, and worst-case scenarios, while overlooking the everyday situations that are far more likely to cause harm. Yet the people who consistently stay safe aren’t superheroes; they’re ordinary individuals who’ve learned to notice early warning signs, trust their instincts, and take simple, proactive steps before trouble starts. Today’s guest, Jerry McCormick, Marine Corps veteran, retired police captain, workplace safety expert, and author of Why Some People Don’t Become Victims: What 10,000 Police Officers Reveal About Workplace Violence and Practical Prevention, is here to change how we think about personal and workplace safety.  In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Jerry shares what he learned from interviewing more than 10,000 police officers worldwide about why they rarely become victims of crime off duty, despite constantly being around danger. Instead of teaching fantasy heroics or fear-based “what if” scenarios, Jerry focuses on plain-language, practical safety habits that anyone can use at work, at home, and in public. He explains why most companies don’t actually need “active shooter training” (which is designed for first responders), and why a holistic, everyday safety approach is far more effective and relevant. Jerry breaks down simple, high-impact actions, like knowing how to lock doors, use the office PA system, run basic lockdown and evacuation drills, and recognize when a situation is starting to turn bad so you can quietly leave before trouble starts. He also talks about the psychology of fear, how it hijacks your body in a crisis, and why rehearsed, step-by-step procedures help you act calmly when it matters most. Through real-world examples from offices, schools, industrial parks, and medical practices, he shows how small changes in preparation, communication, and team drills can massively increase safety without creating panic or disrupting operations. https://youtu.be/sJBTM-Yib1s?si=rnZDcrMW6l9Epnlf If you’ve ever wondered whether your organization is focusing on the wrong threats, or you want your family and team to be safer without living in constant anxiety, this conversation delivers a grounded, empowering perspective. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of actual risks, simple ways to reduce them, and how to turn “safety” from a scary, technical topic into an everyday skill that everyone can understand and use. Quotes: "You don't need active shooter training; you need training that looks holistically at where you work, where you play, where you live, and how you can live safer without living in fear." "My suggestion is see danger, recognize it, and avoid it in the first place; you don’t have to be the hero in every story to keep your family safe." "When you give employees safety, you give them value, and excellent security is actually excellent customer service." Contact Details: Visit Personal Safety at Work Today and Discover Expert Training to Help you Stay Prepared, Not Scared Follow Jerry McCormick on LinkedIn for Expert Insights on Workplace Safety Follow Jerry McCormick on Facebook for Practical Personal Safety Tips Why Some People Don't Become Victims on Amazon

Retail success isn’t about chasing the latest tools; it’s about building operations that actually deliver on your promises. Today’s guest, Mani Subramaniam, Head of Retail and Consumer Goods at Experion Technologies, has spent over 30 years helping global retailers modernize their stores, supply chains, and customer experiences, all while keeping AI and technology tightly aligned with real business outcomes instead of hype. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Mani explains why growth doesn’t solve weaknesses; it exposes them. Using vivid examples from major retailers (including what happens when shelves are literally empty for months), he breaks down retail operations like an umbrella: if every “spoke” (supply chain, merchandising, store ops, people, systems) isn’t working in harmony, the whole thing fails.  Mani shares how smart retailers stress-test their operations before they scale, asking, “What will break if we grow faster?” and then fixing those weak links in advance. Mani dives into the mindset and measurement behind reliable execution: learning from mistakes instead of hiding them, building true teamwork instead of lone heroes, and measuring not just leads and sales, but on-time delivery and promise-keeping. Mani emphasizes that marketing and websites can say anything, but the customer only experiences one thing: whether you kept your promise. Fail at that, and you don’t just lose a sale; you lose the customer and their entire cohort.  https://youtu.be/O6OZj527NqE?si=A6IspG8lmN--oTNX The conversation then shifts to AI in retail and business operations. Mani argues you should never start with “What can AI do for me?” but instead ask, “Where is my work breaking down, and can AI help there?” He shares how he uses AI to compress weeks of financial and business analysis into days, while still validating every insight, and how retailers are using AI for proactive communication around shipment delays, pricing changes, and faster, more consistent follow-up. If you’re interested in using AI as a practical assistant to strengthen existing processes, improve execution, and grow without breaking your business, this episode is packed with grounded, real-world insights you can apply right away. Quotes: “Marketing makes promises, but only your execution can keep them. The customer doesn’t care which part of your business failed; they only know that you failed.” "Make sure that if you have made a promise, every small bit of your business is geared up to meet that promise." “There are no single heroes in a retail operation. Everybody contributes to the success, and it’s the coordination of many small things that keeps your promises to the customer.” Contact Details: Transform your Business with AI-powered Software Solutions: Explore Experion Global Today Join Mani Subramaniam on LinkedIn for Thought Leadership on AI, Retail, and Digital Transformation

Many entrepreneurs don’t lose their businesses because their ideas were bad, they lose them because of preventable legal mistakes they never saw coming. Missing contracts, the wrong business structure, weak documentation, or no insurance can turn one dispute or lawsuit into a business-ending disaster. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, business attorney Matthew Fornaro shares practical, real-world legal guidance for small business owners, startups, and entrepreneurs who want to protect what they’re building. With over 20 years of experience in business law and complex commercial litigation, Matthew has seen firsthand how simple steps taken early can prevent massive headaches and costs later. Matthew walks us through a clear startup legal checklist, including choosing the right entity (LLC, S corp, etc.), putting governing documents in place (operating agreements, bylaws, partnership agreements), registering properly with the state, getting your EIN and tax setup handled, and making sure every important relationship is backed by a written contract, even if it’s just clear, well-structured emails or website terms of service. He also dives into the trade-offs of business ownership: the freedom versus the responsibility. Unlike a 9–5 job where payroll, benefits, compliance, and taxes are handled for you, as a business owner you are the infrastructure. Matthew explains how to think about risk management, personal liability, insurance, and compliance so you’re not walking a tightrope without a safety net. Worried about getting sued? Matthew explains why “anyone can sue anyone for anything” is technically true, but also why that doesn’t mean you should panic or do nothing. Instead, he breaks down how good systems, consistent procedures, solid contracts, and robust insurance can dramatically reduce your risk and help you succeed (or defend yourself) on the merits instead of losing on technicalities. Cost is one of the biggest objections founders have to hiring an attorney, and Matthew tackles that head-on. He explains why legal help is far more accessible and democratized today than it used to be, how many foundational business services can be handled on flat fees in the low thousands, and why budgeting for a business-focused attorney, accountant, and insurance agent is simply part of the real cost of doing business, not a luxury. The conversation also explores the role of AI in modern business and law. Matthew shares how he uses AI as a “force multiplier” in his own practice, but stresses the importance of owning the output, fact-checking, reviewing for legal accuracy, and making sure you’re not violating intellectual property or terms of service. For business owners using AI for content, documents, or operations, his advice is clear: AI is powerful, but you’re still responsible. https://youtu.be/VmjI28kprEw?si=6Tjfk5nCWKPhmDjI Matthew illustrates these principles with a success story of a client who came to him before launching a founder with an app idea who needed help with business formation, intellectual property protection, and trademarks. By setting things up correctly from day one, that client now runs a thriving app with six-figure user numbers, protected IP, and a solid legal foundation. If you’re a founder, freelancer, or small business owner who’s been “winging it” with your legal setup, or hoping boilerplate templates and good luck will be enough this episode will show you what you’ve been missing. You’ll walk away with a practical mental checklist for business formation, contracts, risk reduction, and smart use of AI, plus the confidence to start building your professional advisory team the right way. Quotes: "Most of the business issues that I deal with in retrospect are all things that could have been addressed and dealt with before they became major problems later on down the road." "Having an attorney today is much more democratized than it has been in the past… it’s not cost-prohibitiv...

In a world of copy-paste pop hooks and AI-generated playlists, most independent musicians don’t struggle with ideas, they struggle with being heard and standing out. Today’s guest, Igor Keller, the songwriter and mastermind behind the band Longboat, has released 35+ albums and written 96 songs in a single year, all while refusing to write love songs or chase trends. Instead, he turns themes like revenge, technology, wealth inequality, and modern absurdity into highly narrative “revenge ballads” that sound like nothing else in your feed. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Igor dive deep into Revenge Ballads, his Eastern European‑flavored concept album built around mythological betrayals, World War II stories, Slavic legends, and real-life payback. Igor breaks down how he structures albums around a single powerful idea, like the life of a musician, the dark side of technology, or revenge, and then crafts songs such as “Medea” and “The Last Voyage of the Gray Gull” to tell fully realized stories instead of generic “vibe” tracks. You’ll hear how he keeps 15 songs moving through the same stages at once, so he can release more music without compromising on depth or quality. Rather than waiting for inspiration, Igor treats songwriting as a disciplined, repeatable process. He shares his 70% rule for quality control, why he genuinely likes every song that makes it onto an album, and how he balances volume with standards so nothing feels like filler. If you’ve ever wondered how a truly prolific artist thinks about arrangements, lyrics, and themes, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Igor turns complex ideas, like concentration camps, self-driving cars, and billionaire culture, into songs that are actually coherent, meaningful, and emotionally resonant. Igor also takes a strong stand on AI music and what it means for real artists. While he’s not afraid to use tools for basic tasks like spell-checking, he draws a hard line at letting AI “create” his work. To him, art is communication, and an AI band can’t sit in the room with an audience, tell a true story, or convey lived emotion. In response, he’s doubling down on human performance, converting his catalog into solo piano and voice arrangements, practicing for hours a day, and creating new music with a vibe reminiscent of Erik Satie. https://youtu.be/Cy-elDY-0EE?si=dorrD9xrgxyr10R- If you’re a musician, creator, or storyteller who feels suffocated by formulaic content and algorithm-driven sameness, this conversation will show you another way: build a body of work around bold themes, set your own quality bar, and remember that art’s real job is to communicate something that matters. Igor’s motto, “Ultio et Pax” vengeance and peace, perfectly sums up his approach: intense, thoughtful, and unapologetically human. Quotes: “Art, music, visual art, film; is essentially communication, and you have to try to communicate something to your audience.” “Once you start singing them, you feel like you own them, they feel like they belong to you, and you’re setting them free in the world.” “I have things to say, and it’s important for me to say them to people; this is the best way I can think of at the moment to relate to an audience.” Contact Details: Visit Igor Keller's Facebook Page Listen, Watch, and Join the Longboat Journey Join the Longboat Crew on Instagram Follow The Great Longboat Podcast on Spotify Subscribe to Longboat on YouTube Tune In to The Great Longboat Podcast

Are you outwardly “successful” but inwardly exhausted, conflicted, or unsure what your life is really about? Do you find yourself stuck between fear and possibility, wanting deeper purpose, better relationships, and more peace of mind, but not knowing how to get there? In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Bryan Blakeny explores the deeper drivers behind our behavior, particularly the two fundamental emotional currents Bryan sees at the root of nearly everything: love and fear. Bryan explains how negative emotions like anger, greed, and resentment are almost always fear-based, while qualities like generosity, humility, and joy emerge from love. Instead of treating emotions as random or chaotic, he lays out a more structured way of understanding them, like a “map” that helps you locate where you are and consciously move toward something healthier and more empowering.  Bryan shares how purpose operates on two levels: a personal, unique calling you design for your own life, and a larger, collective purpose that allows you to contribute to something greater than yourself. He and Robert talk about how clarity of vision, “outward-looking” contribution, and a horizon bigger than your own comfort can liberate your energy and pull you through difficult, long-term, and often thankless tasks, especially as an entrepreneur or leader. They also discuss the “seasons of life,” why many of us get stuck in survival mode, and how raising our awareness can help us shift from self-centered patterns into more connected, meaningful ways of living and working. Bryan also dives into entrepreneurship, asking hard questions about what we truly value: money, status, or the limited time and life we have to spend. Through thought experiments and reflection, he challenges listeners to realign their priorities so that business success doesn’t come at the cost of fulfillment, relationships, or inner peace. He emphasizes the power of good questions, from yourself or from a coach, to expand consciousness, reset your perspective, and open up new possibilities when you feel stuck, uncertain, or burned out. https://youtu.be/aU0BGGacYcg?si=K2nrUHAPTW7yWZOs If you’re navigating emotional pain, relationship conflict, identity questions, or a major life or business transition, Bryan outlines what working with him looks like, from a low-pressure, short introductory call or text-based consult to deeper coaching rooted in the principles from his book “Top Secret: Declassifying the Meaning of Life, the Nine Keys, and Top Secret: Declassifying the Meaning of Life 2nd Edition: Empowering wisdom and true happiness in this life and beyond.” Along the way, he offers a powerful metaphor of life as a giant quilt: messy and tangled on the back side, but potentially beautiful and coherent when viewed from the other side of the journey. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, professionals, and growth-minded listeners who feel a gap between their external success and their internal state. If you’ve ever felt driven yet emotionally exhausted, purposeful yet confused, or stuck in patterns you can’t fully explain, Bryan’s blend of emotional intelligence, spiritual insight, and practical counseling may help you reframe your struggles, rediscover your purpose, and move from fear to love, both in business and in life. Quotes: “Purpose looks like clarity of vision; it’s a liberating, uplifting energy and a contribution greater than ourselves that turns us outward rather than confined to our own selves.” “Healing is a lot harder outside of relationship. We’re social creatures, and our deepest healing often happens when we stay connected enough to work through the pain together.” “At the core for human beings is how things occur to us; when we can share that and truly listen, we can deconstruct our old meanings and reconstruct new ones that unite and heal us both.” Contact Details: Explore Bryan Blakeny's Official Website

Too many entrepreneurs feel like they’re “doing LinkedIn” and “dabbling in AI,” yet still end up stuck in perfectionism, overwhelm, or random tactics that never turn into real revenue. Today’s guest, Joe Apfelbaum, LinkedIn strategist, author of High Energy Networking, and founder of EvyAI, shares how he went from running a multimillion-dollar marketing agency to building an AI-powered LinkedIn platform used in over 40 countries, all by validating his ideas before building the product and focusing relentlessly on relationships over transactions. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Joe explains how he used ChatGPT as a thinking partner, literally taking it “on vacation” to Mexico, to clarify his vision, design a new software offer, and pre-sell it to 100 paying customers before a single line of code was written. He breaks down his philosophy of getting real-world validation with Stripe links, polls, and offers first, then building the tool around what the market actually wants. Joe also talks about what it takes to lead with a growth mindset in the age of AI, dropping the obsession with perfection, embracing “good enough,” and using AI to save time instead of using it as another excuse to procrastinate. Joe introduces the core pillars behind EvyAI: organizing and researching your network, creating consistent content (including posts, comments, messages, emails, and media), and building a real community around meaningful conversations. He shares his “five conversations a day” rule and explains why those short 15–20 minute calls, over Zoom, phone, or Teams, are the real engine of referral-driven revenue. Rather than spamming DMs or relying on automation alone, Joe shows how AI can do the heavy lifting (researching 14,000+ LinkedIn connections, building dossiers, surfacing ideal contacts) so you can focus on the human, soul-to-soul conversations that actually close deals. You’ll also hear how Joe’s clients use his nine-step methodology to turn LinkedIn into a reliable profit center, like one business owner who invested a few thousand dollars and closed $100,000 in new business within 90 days simply by following the process and sticking to five quality conversations per day. Joe dives into mindset tactics for staying energized, filtering who you “vibe” with quickly, shortening or ending the wrong meetings, and going deep with the right 100 people in your network so you never worry about where your next clients are coming from. https://youtu.be/6VW8yegbS1g?si=DZaIaDXkr1iCg2T0 Finally, Joe addresses one of today’s biggest fears: “Do I need to burn down my current business and become an AI company?” His answer: no, but you do need to integrate AI into what you’re already doing. From having bots hold him accountable for drinking water to building public, AI-readable review pages that rank in Google within days, Joe reveals practical, creative ways to let AI enhance your systems, visibility, and credibility without losing your humanity. If you’re ready to turn LinkedIn and AI from a confusing chore into a clear, relationship-driven revenue strategy, this episode with Joe Apfelbaum will show you the strategy that, as he says, “can save you a decade.” Quotes: “AI is not going to be perfect, but it is magical if you use it.” “Instead of complaining about AI, ask yourself: How can I make it better? How can I improve it? How can I leverage it?” “I don’t want things to complain about. Instead of complaining, I want to be able to bless other people, make a difference, grow my business, and focus on giving.” Contact Details: See evyAI in Action Explore Joe Apfelbaum's Official Website AI and Sales Strategy: Add Joe Apfelbaum on Facebook Connect with Joe Apfelbaum on LinkedIn Subscribe to the Joe Apfelbaum YouTube Channel for Fresh B2B Strategies Follow Joe Apfelbaum on X for Daily AI Sales Insights Grab a Copy of High Energy Networking on Amazon

Do you ever feel like you want a bigger life, but your actions, routines, and mindset don’t match the size of your goals? Maybe you’ve hit a big milestone and then felt lost, or you’re staring at your own “Everest” and quietly wondering if you have what it takes. How do you stay driven after success, push through fear, and keep going when motivation disappears? In this episode, Mark Pattison shares a blueprint for doing hard things on repeat. Mark is a former NFL wide receiver, the first NFL player to complete the Seven Summits, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller, and a media leader who helped take Sports Illustrated from #17 to #1. He’s also the author of Finding Your Summit: How to Build Resilience and Faith to Rise Above Life’s Challenges, host of the Finding Your Summit podcast, and the subject of the NFL Films documentary Searching for the Summit. Mark reveals the system that has allowed him to excel across wildly different arenas, pro football, extreme mountaineering, media, and speaking. He explains how he uses Big Hairy Audacious Goals (B-HAGs), a relentless daily routine, and a “pyramid of success” built on consistency and discomfort to keep progressing, even when fear, doubt, or fatigue hit hard. Mark Pattison’s story isn’t just about climbing the world’s highest peaks or winning trophies, it’s about proving that discipline, consistency, and effort can turn ordinary beginnings into extraordinary outcomes. From the NFL to Everest to Emmy-winning storytelling, Mark has built a life around big goals, relentless preparation, and an unshakable mindset that treats failure as a teacher, not a verdict. https://youtu.be/k_3mu0a0eEA?si=rGRSNv3tjN_7LuQJ If you’ve felt stuck, under-challenged, or unsure what’s next after a big win or a painful loss, this episode offers a clear challenge: decide what your Everest is, build the routine to support it, and commit to giving “a little more” than you have before. The views from your next summit may be closer than you think, if you’re willing to climb. Quotes: “I’ve kind of coined my life ‘making the impossible possible,’ because I think so many times we put limitations on what we can do or we don’t think big enough.” “Success started to come when I stopped chasing the reward and started chasing the challenge. I wasn’t going after the trophy; I was going after growth.” “Everybody in life has the choice to be bad, average, good, great, or exceptional. I choose to be exceptional, and that means it takes a little more to make a champion.” Contact Details: Visit Mark Pattison's Facebook Page Connect with Mark Pattison on LinkedIn Explore Mark Pattison's Official Website Follow Mark Pattison on Instagram Dive into the YouTube Channel of Mark Pattison Follow Mark Pattison and Find Your Summit on TikTok Follow Mark Pattison on X and Find Your Summit Get a copy of Finding Your Summit: How to Build Resilience and Faith to Rise Above Life’s Challenges on Amazon

Most people learn American history through famous battles, the founding fathers, and well-known landmarks, but some of the most powerful stories come from small, forgotten places that never make it into textbooks. In this episode, Fort Plank historian Ken D. Johnson reveals the hidden Revolutionary War history of Fort Plank and New York’s Mohawk Valley, and how one obscure frontier fort shaped the lives of families, soldiers, and communities for generations. Ken shares how a simple genealogical curiosity about his own ancestors turned into a decades-long mission: preserving the stories of the ordinary men, women, and children who defended and rebuilt the Mohawk Valley. What began as researching family roots led him deep into merchant ledgers, military orders, land claims, church records, and personal journals, evidence that allowed him to reconstruct the true story of Fort Plank and its people with remarkable precision. Rather than rewriting history with modern opinions, Ken focuses on documented facts and first-person accounts, which he compiles in works like “In Defense of the Facts: An Ongoing Search for Fort Plank” and “The Bloodied Mohawk.” You’ll hear why Fort Plank was far more than just a military outpost. Built on the remnants of a French and Indian War site, it became a critical commissary fort, supplying food, candles, and essentials to Revolutionary troops based on complex ration systems. After the war, when local families returned to burned-out farms and ruined homes, they didn’t leave the fort to rot, they repurposed its materials to rebuild barns, houses, and livelihoods, turning a symbol of war into the foundation of a renewed community. Ken also explains how financial records and account books can unlock family and local history in ways birth and death records never could. By tracking payments, debts, and land transfers, he has uncovered relationships and corrected long-standing genealogical assumptions, like tracing a supposed “Bowman” connection back to the more accurate “Bauer” family through a single, telling transaction. His work shows how genealogy and local history are inseparable, and how understanding one brings the other into focus. https://youtu.be/WXxHZQGAEM4?si=XWLGjiuo8Qn6I_53 If you’re interested in genealogy, Revolutionary War history, the Mohawk Valley, or simply understanding where you come from, this episode will change how you think about the past. Ken shares practical starting points for tracing your own roots, why talking to grandparents and elders matters, and how knowing your family’s story can give you deeper identity, pride, and perspective. To explore further, visit FortPlank.org, where you’ll find research links, contact information, and details on Ken’s books and ongoing discoveries about Fort Plank and the Mohawk Valley. Quotes: “In my mind it’s not really genealogy, and in my mind it’s not really history; it’s just this is the way it was, and this is how it happened.”  “You will never, not ever, ever understand your family until you understand the history;  and you’ll never understand the history until you understand the families.”  “No one else studies this place, no one else wants to maintain it, nobody else wants to preserve the memories, and so it’s kind of a self‑imposed duty.”  Contact Details: Explore Ken D. Johnson's Official Website Visit Ken D. Johnson's Facebook Page Get a Copy of The Bloodied Mohawk on Amazon Get a Copy of In Defense of the Facts: An Ongoing Search for Fort Plank on Amazon

Modern advertising is louder, faster, and more crowded than ever, yet so much of it feels forgettable. In an AI-saturated landscape where campaigns blur together and creativity is often watered down by committees, truly distinctive work is rare. Today’s guest, Kyle Duford, associate partner at Optimism (a five-time Ad Age Small Agency of the Year), is on a mission to bring back magic, momentum, and meaning to marketing for brands like Airbnb, DoorDash, Bachan’s Barbecue Sauce, and Habit Burger. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Kyle Duford reframes what optimism really is, and what it isn’t. It’s not blind positivity or fake happiness. Instead, Kyle defines optimism as the belief that tomorrow can be better with intentional change and hard work. He shares how Optimism uses this mindset as a strategic engine to design ideas people choose, ideas that build belief, earn attention, and turn cultural energy into growth. Rather than chasing vanity metrics, his team focuses on real business drivers: deeper customer connection, brand differentiation, and momentum that actually moves the needle. https://youtu.be/mWYj_EErXrw?si=HVlWVjQgrxBvQYWV You’ll hear specific stories from campaigns for Bachan’s and Habit Burger, where Optimism took “ordinary” food products and transformed them into irresistible, talk-worthy brands. Kyle explains how his team starts with a rigorous brand and competitive strategy, then chooses the right mix of executions, TV spots, YouTube shorts, outdoor, social, stunts, events, or print based on the problem they’re solving, not the latest marketing fad. He also unpacks why independent agencies are critical to saving great advertising in a world dominated by holding companies and safe, committee-approved ideas.Kyle dives into the role of AI in advertising, outlining why Optimism uses AI to iterate, not ideate. Humans set the strategy and originate the ideas; AI helps rapidly explore variations, visualize directions, and speed up production, without replacing the creative leap that only people can make. He ties this into a bigger conversation about the generational divide in media consumption, from Gen X’s analog-to-streaming evolution to how Gen Z and Gen Alpha navigate a fragmented, choice-rich world where there is no longer a single “monoculture.” If you’re a marketer, founder, or brand leader wondering how to stand out when audiences are overwhelmed, distracted, and skeptical, this conversation will give you a powerful new lens. Kyle introduces “Optimism: A Case for the Only Idea That Has Ever Actually Worked,” a research-backed, story-driven book that shows how optimism has consistently driven breakthroughs in business, science, art, and life. If you’ve been feeling like your brand is stuck in the “mushy middle” of lookalike messaging and safe campaigns, Kyle’s perspective on optimism, creativity, and momentum may be exactly what you need to break through. Quotes: “If you look at what makes a human, a company, a brand, anything different than all the other things like it, you start finding these little idiosyncrasies of people that are just so fucking gorgeous.” “The independent agency is still very important in advertising, and it’s the independent agency who has the ability to; really form an opinion of a brand that's going to move the needle.” “Our definition, my definition is that optimism is the belief that tomorrow could be better with some change, that we can work hard together or solo, whatever the task is at hand to achieve better.” Contact Details: Explore Kyle Duford's Official Website Connect with Kyle Duford on LinkedIn Check out the Optimism Website Follow Kyle Duford on Instagram Get a Copy of Optimism: A Case for the Only Idea That Has Ever Actually Worked on Amazon

Born in a farmhouse with no electricity, losing his mother at birth, and growing up in a one-room schoolhouse with torn dictionaries, Colonel Charles Cone had every reason to believe life would keep him small. Instead, he spent 30 years in the U.S. military, became a Navy and then Air Force pilot, flew in three wars, earned the first computer science degree ever awarded at Texas A&M, and is still flying and working out with a trainer at 100 years old. In this episode, Charles shares the remarkable journey behind his autobiography, A Burning Desire to Fly, and how a “dumb farm kid” with hay fever, no role models, and almost no resources built a life of service, courage, and quiet excellence. We explore the defining moments that shaped him: the psychologist who wrote “a burning desire to fly” on his file and unintentionally gave him a lifelong mantra; being assigned to a plane he didn’t want, deciding to excel anyway, and becoming the youngest patrol plane commander in the Pacific; surviving a harrowing typhoon flight with almost no fuel and no navigation; and the day his crew including his roommate died in a crash on the very day he was to leave the Navy, a tragedy that led, through another twist of fate, to meeting his future wife. Charles reflects on living through World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the entire arc of aviation and computing from punch cards and 1K memory to smartwatches and self-flying aircraft while holding onto simple, old-school values of duty, faith, and persistence. https://youtu.be/8djRJrN-p00?si=D-oDT1g35hKdBEFT Charles also shares the “unflashy” secrets behind his longevity and impact: decades of disciplined physical fitness, continuing to learn and contribute long after retirement, saying yes to service (from Lions Club projects to flying mercy missions), and treating every assignment even the ones he didn’t want as worth doing to the best of his ability. If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or tempted to coast into later life, this conversation is a living rebuttal: a 100-year case study in why you don’t quit, why you keep your body and mind engaged, and why, as Charles sums it up in his favorite quote and life lesson, you “never give up.” Quotes: "I’m just an ordinary old jerk, and it’s kind of surprising to me when I wake up now and then and say, ‘Well, you’re what they call an author,’ and you’re not really an author, you’re just a plain old guy."  "I guess I realized that my persistence had gotten me a long way; there was that sort of thing of not giving up. Don’t give up, and I still say that today." "All of us get discouraged at one time or another in some circumstance, and if you can just sit back and get rid of that discouragement and say, ‘Well, let’s get on with it, let’s do what needs to be done,’ if it means quitting and changing, change, but don’t just fret about it." Contact Details: Get a Copy of A Burning Desire to Fly on Amazon Explore Charles Cone's Official Website

Many people don’t lose their love for reading and deep thinking; they just get buried under responsibilities, distractions, and endless screens until their imagination quietly slips into the background. Today’s guest, Barry J. “BJ” Spaulding, a former federal law enforcement officer and military veteran turned science fiction author, shows how stories can pull us back into wonder, responsibility, and faith. After 32 years of service, a divorce, retirement, and the pandemic, Barry finally returned to his teenage dream of writing, and the result is a growing catalog of books, including Dark Star, The Fight for Survival, and Who’s to Blame. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Barry shares how his background in the Army, law enforcement, and Dungeons & Dragons helped him build believable universes, flawed heroes, and grounded military sci‑fi. He explains why Dark Star took 15 years to fully come together, how he weaves real-world tactics, emotional trauma, and survival decisions into epic space battles, and why he refuses to write “perfect” heroes. His stories blend science fact, combat experience, and speculative fiction in a way that still feels human and uncomfortably honest about what people do when the stakes are life and death. Barry also dives into the deeply personal inspiration behind Who’s to Blame, a story about a man named George who spends his life blaming God for every tragedy, until God finally brings him to heaven for a direct, no-excuses conversation. Through that lens, Barry explores blame, loss, faith, and personal responsibility, asking hard questions like: What part did I play in what happened? and Do we create our own heaven and hell? If you’ve ever wondered how modern faith, free will, and suffering could be explored through a compelling story instead of a dry debate, this episode lays out a powerful blueprint. https://youtu.be/bYx9q-h23Yc?si=WRRRmtnLCYW5z5Ck Along the way, Barry and Robert talk about why reading and writing are more important than ever in a tech-saturated world, how books slow your mind down, force you to visualize, and create a private dialogue between the words and your soul in a way movies and social media can’t match. Barry shares practical insights into his writing process, why he often writes without an outline, how reader feedback sharpened his character development, and what’s coming next (including a twist-filled vampire novel, a heartfelt story for his daughter, and a Dark Star prequel and sequel). If you love science fiction, military thrillers, faith-driven stories, or need a nudge to pick up a book, and maybe a pen. Again, this conversation will rekindle your imagination and remind you why stories matter. Quotes: "I wanted to create a believable universe. I didn't want it to be just things appear, things are there, and there's no real explanation behind it." "I will tell people over and over again: don't stop reading. Technology is wonderful, but it can't replace a good book on a quiet evening." "When you're reading, it's between the words on the page and your soul. You envision what's on the pages. You can't do that in a movie theater." Contact Details: Visit Barry J. Spaulding's Official Website Discover The Fight for Survival available now on Amazon Read Who’s to Blame today available now on Amazon Explore the thrilling world of Dark Star available now on Amazon

Are you scaling your e-commerce brand in revenue, but not in profit? Are you flying blind on CAC, LTV, fulfillment costs, and ad performance, hoping the numbers work out later? Many founders grow to low 7-figures on hustle and luck, only to hit a painful ceiling of chaos, cash-flow problems, and agency fatigue.  In this episode of Marketer of the Day, growth partner Cem Atik of Harucon Ventures shows you what it really takes to move from low 7-figures of chaotic growth to predictable, profitable scale. With 13+ years in e-commerce and a track record of stepping into DTC brands “stuck between traction and chaos,” Cem doesn’t just run ads, he and his team take equity and full control of marketing, perform deep finance and marketing due diligence, and rebuild growth systems from the inside out. Cem reveals the three bottlenecks he sees in almost every 7- and 8-figure brand: founders who don’t know their true CAC and LTV, broken or non-existent third-party tracking and attribution, and a lack of real control over fulfillment, taxes, and operational costs. He explains how, by building a single source of truth for numbers and cohorts, brands can finally make confident decisions about where to cut spend, where to double down, and how aggressively they can acquire new customers. Instead of guessing, you start steering your business with clarity. https://youtu.be/3fHMwV8W1tE?si=WS6EZKQnCQ77GEYj You’ll also hear a powerful case study of a brand doing $10M/month that boosted revenue while cutting marketing spend by 20–25% just by fixing structure and supply chain inefficiencies, saving 9% on fulfillment alone. Cem calls his model “marketing for adults”: performance-based, numbers-first, and designed so both sides win only when the business truly grows profitably. Along the way, he shares why humility beats ego when hiring marketers and operators, and why, if you truly control your numbers, you can afford to move fast and even be a little chaotic everywhere else. If you’re tired of agency fatigue, unclear profitability, and growth that feels like a gamble instead of a strategy, this conversation will give you a concrete blueprint. You’ll discover how to get a grip on your metrics, clean up your ad accounts, and build a team and system that take you from “winging it” at $1–5M to scaling like a pro toward $50M and beyond, without losing your sanity or your margins. Quotes: “Brands that grow from five to fifty million don’t do it because they run better marketing; they do it because they did the groundwork that allows them to grow safely.” “If you have control over your numbers, you can be chaotic in everything else, and as long as your execution speed is great, you will still succeed.” “You could be the best email, WhatsApp, Google Ads, or Meta guy, but the only thing that will always win is a good team that’s working proactively together.” Contact Details: Connect with Cem Atik on LinkedIn Explore Harucon Ventures Official Website

Most creators don’t struggle because they lack expertise. They struggle because tech overwhelm, scattered tools, and indecision keep them from turning their knowledge into a scalable business. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Bryan McAnulty, founder of Heights Platform, shares how solopreneurs can use AI-powered tools to build profitable online courses and communities, without sacrificing authenticity or getting buried in tech headaches. Brian pulls back the curtain on Heights Platform, an all‑in‑one course creation and community platform used by creators in over 100 countries. Instead of using AI to churn out low-quality “slop content,” Heights uses AI to act like a virtual assistant and coach, helping you set up your programs, structure offers, handle technical details, and even plan your marketing, while you stay focused on the one thing only you can do: teaching from your real-world experience. You’ll hear how features like live lessons, built‑in video calls, and gamified communities make it easy to deliver a premium, high‑touch learning experience. Bryan explains how you can run live cohorts directly inside your platform, automatically turn those sessions into course content, and use community features both to increase student results and to attract new leads with public community posts that rank in search, essentially turning your community into a living, SEO-friendly knowledge base under your own brand and domain. A big part of the conversation dives into pricing psychology and offer design. Bryan challenges the common trap of selling $10–$20 mini products and hoping volume makes up the difference. Instead, he walks through why most experts underprice themselves, why transformation and outcomes should drive your pricing (not video length or course size), and how adding community and live coaching can justify premium price points while delivering far better results for your students. https://youtu.be/_Vi-niuEZYs?si=EWdDlQeT8A_efrS5 Finally, Bryan shares a powerful perspective on thinking bigger with AI. As AI tools get faster and more capable, the real differentiator won’t be who has access to AI; it will be how you work, how you think, and how clearly you communicate your vision to these tools. From internal dev tools that used to cost tens of thousands to build, to weekend projects now powered by AI, Bryan shows how creators and entrepreneurs can ride this wave instead of getting left behind. If you’ve ever felt stuck between too many platforms, too many decisions, and not enough momentum, this episode will give you a concrete path to launching (or relaunching) your online course and community with confidence. Quotes: "I don't see AI replacing the humans for this kind of expertise. Our goal is to assist you, because most people don't wake up every day excited to use software, they're excited about the outcome the software helps them achieve."  "If every business has this magical AI agent that can do anything, then what makes the difference between you and any other business? If everyone can generate unlimited content and unlimited software, the difference comes down to how you do things."  "There weren't really many platforms that were actually focused on helping your customers get results. Marketing is kind of a solved problem, but learning is not a solved problem." Contact Details: Visit Bryan McAnulty's Facebook Page Connect with Bryan McAnulty on LinkedIn Learn More About Heights Platform Start & Grow Your Creative Business with Creator Climb Brayan McAnulty Official Website Explore the YouTube Channel of Bryan McAnulty

Business owners rarely fail because they’re short on tools or tactics, they fail because they blend in. In a world where everyone has access to AI, automation, and endless data, the real danger is that your message, brand, and leadership lose their human edge. Output becomes polished but generic. Teams get buried in analytics while intuition, originality, and genuine connection get pushed aside. Today’s guest, Nir Bashan, keynote speaker, creativity consultant, and author of The Solution Mindset: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving, has helped brands like Rolex and Porsche turn creativity into measurable profit by treating it as a practical business tool, not something fluffy or optional.  In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Nir shows us why creativity is now the last true competitive advantage in the age of AI. He explains how AI has become the great equalizer: everyone can generate emails, posts, and scripts at scale, but very few know how to separate the “AI fire hose” of output into what’s truly valuable, authentic, and on-brand. Nir reveals how to use AI as a starting point while applying a creativity rubric to refine, reshape, and humanize your content so it sounds like you and actually resonates with your audience. https://youtu.be/juP8aaBUPaI?si=b9yJ3lZXJT0Q3s2T This conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, and leaders who feel overwhelmed by data, distracted by constant digital noise, or frustrated that their AI-assisted content still falls flat. If you’ve been wondering how to stand out when everyone else has the same tools, Nir’s Solution Mindset will show you how to reclaim creativity as a skill, integrate it with your analytics, and turn everyday problems into opportunities for differentiation and growth. Quotes: “Creativity is an actionable tool that we can use to grow businesses, get into new markets, change product, and change how customers relate to what we offer. The problem is that most people don't use it."  "AI is now the great equalizer. Everyone has access to it, so the question becomes: what do we do to get to the next level? That shortage, that gap there, is creativity."  "Reality doesn't lie strictly in the numbers; it lies in a balancing of the analytics and the creative. That's what I help people do, connect those two things to optimize their business." Contact Details: Visit Nir Bashan's Facebook Page Connect with Nir Bashan on LinkedIn Explore Nir Bashan's Official Website Follow Nir Bashan on Instagram Get a copy of The Solution Mindset: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving on Amazon Dive into the YouTube Channel of Nir Bashan

What if the worst season of your life became the catalyst for your greatest creative work? Are you stuck in grief, burnout, or retirement drift, wondering if your story is “too ordinary” to ever matter to anyone else? Have you poured your savings and your soul into a book, only to discover that writing it was just the beginning, and now you’re drowning in marketing advice you can’t afford to follow? In this episode, retired West Virginia teacher turned romantic thriller author Robin Beamer Dalton shares how the loss of her husband, the shock of suddenly living alone after 27 years together, and the looming dread of dark winter evenings pushed her to finally write the book she’d always dreamed of. In just five intense months, she turned ten-hour writing days into Threads of Obsession, an action-packed, twist-filled romantic thriller that keeps the predator in the heroine’s life from the first chapter almost to the very end. https://youtu.be/A42sEnjJ6VY?si=DeC0bSugA417DJ71 Robin is uniquely qualified to talk about transforming pain into purpose. She spent 33 years teaching everything from physical education to reading, served as a reading specialist and adjunct instructor at Marshall University, and has been a voracious reader since childhood. She’s channeled that lifelong love of story, plus her own experiences with grief, caregiving, and small-town life, into a compelling novel and a tireless grassroots marketing campaign. If you’re an aspiring or struggling author, or someone wondering whether it’s “too late” to reinvent yourself, Robin’s journey will show you exactly how to turn your life experience into a powerful, marketable story without a massive budget. Quotes: “I got my computer out, I prayed over it, and just started writing, and I worked about 10 hours a day on it for about five months.”  “I didn't know what I was going to write till I was writing. I didn’t have an outline on paper or in my head, and when I’d get to a point I’d think, this is the perfect place to throw a kink in the story.”  “I decided I would turn the tables and write where she actually would have been the first one never to leave the coal camp in the story. She was single, she didn’t have a husband and children, so I could send her out into the world in a way real life never allowed.” Contact Details: Connect with Robin Beamer Dalton on Facebook Visit Robin Beamer Dalton's Official Website Follow Robin Beamer Dalton on Instagram Threads of Obsession on Amazon

From broke musician and scrappy ad-agency owner to in-demand video producer and podcast studio leader, Dan Portik has ridden every wave of media disruption, not just surviving each shift, but turning it into his next level of growth. In this episode, Dan shares how he evolved from a 90s advertising entrepreneur into the founder of BVS Media Group and Premier Podcast Productions, running a 12,000-square-foot studio in Cleveland that serves coaches, experts, and companies with high-end podcasts, documentaries, and AI-powered video content. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by cameras, editing, and AI tools, or worried that AI might make your skills obsolete, Dan’s story is a masterclass in turning disruption into opportunity. Dan also shares a powerful mindset shift for creatives and professionals facing AI and other “disruptors”: you can either declare your career over, or you can look for licensing, new revenue streams, and scalable digital assets built on the skills you already have. Through examples like turning a home-services client into an on-screen superhero, hosting Joe Rogan, style three-camera podcast sessions for Bitcoin experts, and drawing on wisdom from mentors like Tom Hopkins and Zig Ziglar, Dan shows how service, adaptation, and consistency beat fear every time. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or business owner who knows you should be doing more with video and podcasts, or a creative person worried about AI, this conversation offers a grounded, practical roadmap for building a resilient, opportunity-rich media presence. https://youtu.be/kTbhC8BwFys?si=VL58vKjh0sdHZkXM You’ll learn how to think about goals, budget, and ROI before you hit record, why human conversation and storytelling still beat fake AI content, and how to use AI as a streamlining tool (not a replacement) in your production workflow. If you’ve been wanting to launch a podcast, upgrade your video presence, or finally use AI the right way in your marketing, this episode will give you a clear path forward and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s possible with a pro studio like BVS. Quotes: “What I’m finding about AI is, yeah, it’s a shiny tool in the corner, but all it really does is streamline everything that you’re doing. “I can’t even tell you how many times I could have easily just folded it up, but you have to find the opportunities and have that mindset to find the opportunities.” “We don’t use voiceovers; we use AI voiceovers. They’re perfect. Why would I hire someone when I can use a perfect voice that can be done in five seconds?” Resources: Dan Portik on LinkedIn Connect Dan Portik on Facebook Visit the Official Website of Dan Portik Premier Podcast Productions Official Website BVS Film Productions Official Website Follow Dan Portik on Instagram

After spending more than three decades researching her pioneer ancestors, faith-based author Susan Billings Mitchell refused to let their stories stay dry and distant. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Robert Plank talks with Susan about how she turned generations of family history into Forever Stalwart, a gripping, novel-style series that feels more like an epic saga than a genealogy report The series follows three real Mormon pioneer families: Titus Billings, Isaac Morley, and Edward Tuttle, as they navigate persecution, the Missouri extermination order, disease, starvation, harsh weather, and repeated forced migrations in their quest for religious freedom. Susan explains how a single request from her father to “write Grandpa’s story” led her into years of pre-Internet research in small museums and libraries, reconstructing the life of her great-great-grandfather after his original journal was lost, refining. https://youtu.be/eu983UhCWwE?si=ZVYXVe_6gdHeIii1 What began as an 800-page historical “brick” has become a multi-volume saga organized by both location (Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, across the plains, and Salt Lake) and spiritual theme (discovery, testing, sacrifice, enduring, refining). Susan shares how she balances strict historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, carefully weaving in fictionalized letters and scenes, but always documenting her sources and clearly labeling what’s imagined. You’ll hear why her motto is “Hearts Turn When History Talks,” how understanding pioneer hardships can give us fresh perspective on modern “problems,” and how she’s using tools like FamilySearch and Amazon print-on-demand to make these stories available to current and future generations. If you’ve ever wanted to make your own family history readable, inspiring, and impossible to put down, this conversation will show you what’s possible. Quotes: "They didn't set out to be heroes; they just wanted religious freedom. They just wanted to live the new gospel." "My website motto is ‘Hearts Turn When History Talks,’ and I think history is so important. I really think it's the stories that turn hearts." "If we don't learn from the past, we're going to repeat the same mistakes, and there's an effort out there to destroy history. A lot of our history is just being wiped out—that's not right." Resources: Visit the Official Website of Susan Billings Mitchell Forever Stalwart on Amazon

Most organizations still rely on outdated employee surveys and filtered feedback to understand engagement, culture, and reputation. The problem? Those tools rarely reveal what people really think. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Robert Plank talks with Dean Browell, co-founder of Discover Feedback, and returning guest Rich Salon about how digital ethnography and deep social listening uncover the unprompted conversations that matter most. Dean explains how anthropologists analyze public online behavior on platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and niche forums, to capture real employee and consumer sentiment at scale. Instead of just checking a survey box, organizations can finally see both the what and the why behind engagement, recruitment, retention, and brand perception. Rich brings the HR and operations perspective, contrasting opinion surveys and “pencil‑whipped” responses with the raw, candid insights employees share when their boss isn’t watching. Together, they reveal how this approach helps spot emerging risks, surface hidden strengths, and turn lived experiences into tactical changes. If you want to move beyond generic engagement scores and truly understand how your workforce and audiences talk about you online, this episode is your playbook. https://youtu.be/zh4UA1A6TZY?si=W2CHZfw2NKTEFRLM If you’re serious about recruitment, retention, and employer brand in a world where every role has its own subreddit or niche community, this conversation will challenge how you think about listening. You’ll learn how to move beyond outdated survey culture, mirror your employees’ own language back to them, and use real-world behavior as your most valuable data source. If your organization is ready to go beyond “pretty good” engagement scores and build decisions on what employees are actually saying in the wild, Dean and Rich’s approach may be the competitive advantage you’ve been missing. Quotes: "When employees don’t trust the anonymity of surveys and fear retaliation for honest feedback, every number leadership sees is filtered—and filtered data leads to flawed decisions."  – Rich Salon "Digital ethnography is the next big gift HR can give to business, because for the first time we can reliably understand not just what employees feel, but why they feel that way."  – Rich Salon "Digital ethnography can make you look like you’re predicting the future, but all you’re really doing is finally listening to conversations that have been happening in plain sight the whole time."  – Dean Browell  "Like Jane Goodall, we don’t touch the monkeys; this isn’t about prompting anyone; it’s about quietly watching what people already say when they think no one from corporate is listening."  – Dean Browell Resources: Dean Browell on LinkedIn Rich Salon on LinkedIn Visit the Official Website of Rich Salon Explore More at Discover Feedback Discover Feedback on Facebook

What if the only thing standing between you and your next breakthrough is fear? What if AI isn’t replacing creativity, but unlocking it? And what if your life story, business experience, or personal struggle could become the foundation for a thriving brand, multiple income streams, and a deeper connection with your audience? In this inspiring and wildly creative episode, Audrey Bell-Kearney returns to the show to share how she reinvented herself yet again; this time by blending AI, storytelling, publishing, community building, and entrepreneurship into an exciting new fiction book franchise called The Housewives of Gwinnett. Audrey opens up about her journey from publishing nonfiction how-to books for over two decades to discovering how AI could help her unlock an entirely new level of creative expression. https://youtu.be/Nl0sQ0VS9H8?si=XorIcy4DEqsUL_1O Audrey explains why so many entrepreneurs stay stuck despite having talent and resources, how fear silently sabotages business owners, and why authenticity and personal branding matter more now than ever in the age of AI avatars and automation. She also reveals her unique strategy for turning a single book into five or more streams of income using audiobooks, puzzles, games, collectibles, and live community experiences. With decades of experience in publishing, podcasting, branding, and entrepreneurship, Audrey brings a rare mix of practical wisdom, creativity, and visionary thinking. Whether you want to write a nonfiction authority book, launch a fiction series, grow your business, or finally bring your ideas to life, this episode will leave you energized and full of possibilities. Quotes: “Fear holds a lot of people back because once everything is in place, now you can no longer say, ‘I don’t know what business to start.’” “AI is my happy partner, and we sit here and create stuff that makes me happy and hopefully makes other people happy too.” “If you create it and think people will just come, that’s not true. You have to create visibility and put yourself out there.” Contact Details: Connect with Audrey Bell-Kearney on Facebook Follow Audrey Bell-Kearney on Instagram Connect with Audrey Bell-Kearney on LinkedIn The Message in the Mural: Secrets are painted in plain sight on Amazon Audrey Bell-Kearney Official Website

In this inspiring episode, Tracey Lyons-Tozier joins host Robert Plank to discuss her mission of helping families navigate the world of special education, neurodiversity, and self-advocacy through her powerful children’s book series, Mama Bulldog Books. Drawing from her experience as a master’s-level clinical social worker, professional education advocate, and parent of children with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities, Tracey shares how personal struggles, including a devastating legal battle with a school district, inspired her to empower other families facing similar challenges. https://youtu.be/mVcPLgoPCBs?si=0FIy3JNFI57NVS3h Whether you’re a parent, teacher, advocate, or simply someone passionate about inclusion and education, this episode delivers practical insights, emotional encouragement, and hope for families navigating special education and neurodiversity. Throughout the conversation, Tracey explains how books like Benny Speaks Up, Fiona Finds What’s Fair, and Mikey Can’t Help It help children better understand autism, ADHD, dyslexia, IEPs, 504 plans, bullying, fairness, and emotional regulation. She reveals why teaching children to advocate for themselves is one of the most important life skills parents can nurture and why compassion and understanding are critical for both neurodivergent and neurotypical kids alike. Tracey also opens up about the emotional realities of parenting children with special needs, the challenges families face in the education system, and the importance of having advocates during IEP meetings. She shares details about her upcoming ADHD-focused book, Abby and Jack Aren’t Bad Dogs: Mama Bulldog Tackles ADHD, which explores hyperactive, inattentive, and combined ADHD presentations through relatable family storytelling. Quotes: “Fair isn’t everybody getting exactly the same thing. It’s everybody getting what they need to learn.” “Not being timid and silent, not being angry or aggressive, but being calm and assertive—even when you’re scared—that’s how children learn to advocate for themselves.” “I promised myself at that moment that if I could keep anybody from hearing ‘Google it,’ I would.” Contact Details: Connect with Tracey Lyons-Tozier on Facebook Follow Tracey Lyons-Tozier on Instagram Connect with Tracey Lyons-Tozier on LinkedIn Fiona Finds What's Fair (Mama Bulldog Book) on Amazon Tracey Lyons-Tozier Official Website

From surviving Type 1 diabetes, cancer, amputation, medical malpractice, and near-death experiences to rebuilding her happiness and marriage, Paula Aldis shares a deeply personal story of resilience, faith, and emotional healing. In this episode, Paula opens up about living with chronic illness from childhood, enduring more than 30 surgeries, and navigating years of physical and mental hardship while refusing to lose her identity or hope. https://youtu.be/W9GEKvAdFvw She discusses the emotional toll of constant medical crises, the strain it placed on her family and marriage, and the turning point that inspired her to write her memoir, The Woman Who Wouldn't Quit: Unbreakable Spirit. Paula explains how writing the book became a cathartic process that helped her reclaim her voice, process trauma, and finally move beyond simply surviving. The conversation also explores topics like adoption, parenting children with mental health challenges, PTSD in military families, finding happiness after trauma, and learning to appreciate life’s small moments again. Paula’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t about pretending to be strong—it’s about continuing to move forward, even after unimaginable pain. If you’ve ever struggled with chronic illness, emotional burnout, family hardship, or finding joy after adversity, this episode will leave you inspired by Paula’s honesty, courage, and refusal to quit. Quotes: “Find something that you can do versus what you can’t do, and I’ve had to make that my mental thought. You can still do things.”  “There is getting past the most horrific things that you go through. You can get past it. You have to just get right with yourself first to move on.” “The scars will always be there, but I now see them as reminders of what I have been through. I wear them with pride.”  Contact Details: Follow Paula Aldis on Facebook Subscribe to Author Paula Aldis on YouTube Shop Paula Aldis’ Books on Amazon Visit Paula Aldis’ Official Website

From zoonotic infectious diseases to Kabbalistic metaphysics, Dr. Michael Kosoy argues that modern biology is missing something critical: the invisible dimensions of life that our instruments can’t measure, but that still shape health, disease, and ecosystems. A retired but still-active CDC infectious disease researcher with over 200 scientific publications, Dr. Kosoy joins us to unpack his book “The 10 Dimensions of Kabbalistic Biology (Abridged Edition)” and explain why more data doesn’t always mean more knowledge sometimes, it actually increases uncertainty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLIiLf3Swo We explore how his decades at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, his work on zoonotic diseases, and his long-term study of Kabbalah came together into a new framework he calls Kabbalistic biology. Dr. Kosoy explains why traditional, dualistic thinking in science breaks down when we confront real-world complexity (like the pandemic), how invisible structures, hierarchies, and “unknowns” still follow patterns, and why we need better tools for orienting ourselves in a fast-changing, paradox-filled world. If you’re curious about holistic science, invisible biology, microbiomes, pandemics, and the intersection of spirituality and rigorous research, this conversation offers a practical, and surprisingly grounded toolbox for thinking differently about life itself. Quotes: “The more data and more information we collect, the more uncertainty we create.”  “Instead of useless debates between reductionists and holists, I propose a system for orientation between those two extremes.” “First dimension is what I call segmentation to unification—it’s your choice as an investigator to select how complex you want to see the system.”  Contact Details: Connect with Dr. Michael Kosoy on FacebookDr. Michael Kosoy on AmazonDr. Michael Kosoy Official Website

From small chiropractic clinics to multi-location hotels, my guest Ephraim Epstein of Fit Solutions (fitsolutions.biz) reveals how modern cybercriminals operate like full-time sales teams prospecting, nurturing, and “closing” attacks on businesses that mistakenly think they’re too small to be a target. We dig into real-world ransomware stories, why Office 365 and Google Workspace email accounts are the #1 breach vector, and why SMS-based two-factor authentication is no longer enough to keep your company safe. Ephraim explains how 24/7 security monitoring, penetration testing, and smarter authentication can prevent the kind of total business shutdowns he sees far too often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNwdnTf_hw We also explore how AI is changing the game not just for attackers, but for defense and operations. Ephraim shares how his team uses AI to reduce labor costs, automate SMS conversations that feel human, and deliver concierge-level experiences at scale, like hotel texting systems that book spa appointments, schedule room cleanings, and answer questions with a 74% engagement rate. Finally, he opens up about the entrepreneurial lessons learned from a failed CrossFit gym, why “side hustles” often backfire, and how complementary revenue streams (IT → cybersecurity → AI) helped Fit Solutions grow while staying focused on what they do best. If you’re a business owner wondering whether your systems are really safe and how AI can actually improve your bottom line, not just sound cool, this conversation will give you a practical, story-driven roadmap. Quotes: “Opportunities are wrapped in problems. Whenever I find a problem, I ask where the opportunity is and how I can turn it into an advantage.” “Side hustles are not really great if you chase a second revenue stream that doesn’t complement your main business; both the side hustle and your core business will suffer.” “Focus on the main thing, become amazing at it, and crush it, then add complementary revenue streams that feed and strengthen your core, instead of chasing random ideas that pull you in ten directions.” Contact Details: Connect with Ephraim Epstein on LinkedInEphraim Epstein Official Website

College admission doesn’t have to be terrifying, unaffordable, or a giant mystery. In this episode, global educational consultant Shellee Howard of College Ready joins Robert Plank to break down how families can navigate college admissions strategically instead of emotionally. Shellee explains why “no one gets into college anymore” and “there’s no scholarship money” are myths, how her Class of 2026 students earned $10.3M+ in scholarships with 100% college acceptance, and why there is a “perfect-fit college” for every student (including tuition‑free options). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnwsMD-hagQ You’ll hear a candid discussion on the truth about college vs. trade school, why “influencer” is not a career plan without real skills, and how AI is reshaping which majors and careers will still exist in four years. Most importantly, Shellee shares her process for helping students answer the hardest question, “Who are you?” So they can package themselves, stand out beyond GPA and test scores, and use college as a stepping stone to a meaningful future instead of an expensive dead end. Quotes: “Teach your child to love reading and to think for themselves, and they will be able to learn anything they ever want to learn for the rest of their life.” “College is a stepping stone to their future, not the end game. When students know who they are and what they’re good at, the path actually gets easier.” “Do what you love and the money will come. I’m not talking about a hobby—I’m talking about a career you deeply enjoy. People ask me when I’m going to retire; why would I ever retire when I love inspiring teenagers?”  Contact Details: Connect with Shellee Howard on FacebookConnect with Shellee Howard on LinkedInShellee Howard Official Website

Visionary author and conscious leadership guide Bo Lockwood joins Robert Plank to share how a series of near-death experiences, a dark divorce, and a massive brain bleed awakened him to his true purpose: helping people “always be bold” and step into their power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd53Loq8o1c Bo explains what New Earth Civilization really is (a state of consciousness, not a movement), how he’s gathering 1,000 change makers through PrincetonGreen.org, and the story behind his book Essence: A Gateway to Expansive Living, co-created with his 93‑year‑old spiritual mentor, Anne Emerson. You’ll learn about self-awareness, fear vs. fearlessness, letting go of attachment, and how spiritual entrepreneurs and business leaders can drive real, systemic change. Quotes: “Everything happening outside is a reflection of what’s going on inside of us. Life is a mirror.”  “Unfortunately, we as humans tend to grow through struggle. It’s like a dandelion trying to break through asphalt—once it does, it begins to really bloom, and that’s how we grow too.”  “It’s not fear no or fear none—it’s fear less. We always experience fear; it’s part of the human experience. The difference is that I feel the fear and do it anyway.”  Contact Details: Connect with Bo Lockwood on Facebook Connect with Bo Lockwood on FacebookBo Lockwood on AmazonBo Lockwood Official Website

From living off the grid to helping businesses get recommended by AI, Mike Caldwell (The Marketing Medic) explains how to win in an AI-first search world without obsessing over traditional SEO. He shares how his small Mad Trapper trail race series outranks huge competitors inside AI, thanks to clear, empathic messaging that speaks to people’s difficulties, desires, dreads, and dreams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNjZZe-gmsQ We break down Mike’s AI Visibility Stack Message, Mechanics, Mentions, Match and why clarity beats cleverness in copywriting for both humans and AI. You’ll hear how things like schema, consistent branding, and question-based headings help AI truly “get” what you do, plus a wild story of how one popular business was basically invisible to AI because of a single WordPress performance plugin. If you want AI to recommend you (not just your bigger competitors), this episode gives you a practical roadmap that blends empathic marketing, simple technical fixes, and a human-first approach summarized in Mike’s rule: “Sell unto others as you would have them sell unto you.” Quotes: “Clarity beats cleverness. You don't need flowery copywriting—you need direct, clear copywriting. That's what your audience is going to respond to, and that is also what AI is going to understand as well.”  “SEO is about tweaking the algorithm. AI visibility is about the personal side—how clearly you speak to real people’s problems and desires.”  “You can have tons of five-star reviews and great content, and still be invisible to AI if the mechanics are wrong. One plugin can literally erase 95% of your site from AI’s view.”  Contact Details: Connect with Mike Caldwell on Facebook Follow Mike Caldwell on Instagram Connect with Mike Caldwell on LinkedIn Empathic Marketing™ on Amazon Mike Caldwell's Official Website

From redefining “abundance” for CEOs to reframing how AI changes thought leadership, my guest Dr. Mitchell Levy, PhD, shares a bold and practical framework for building a legacy that goes far beyond quarterly results. We talk about how most leaders mistakenly equate abundance with money and resources alone and why true executive abundance means bringing happiness and success to five stakeholder groups: family, employees, customers, investors, and community. Mitchell explains how over-focusing on investor returns and short-term metrics creates “short-termism,” and how shifting what you measure can completely change how you lead, hire, and make decisions. He also opens up about the intense grind of finishing his PhD dissertation, the difficulty of unwinding after months of 12–16 hour days, and what it looks like to actually live the principles he teaches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV_JQ50_978 Mitchell walks us through his Executive Abundance Engine clarity, credibility, consistency, and commitment and why his research shows that 98% of thought leaders lack the clarity to state their purpose in three to nine words. We explore how AI has made thought leadership ubiquitous, why trying to hoard ideas behind NDAs is obsolete, and how showing up consistently across LinkedIn, your website, podcasts, and AI search results is now essential to being seen as a credible authority. Along the way, Mitchell shares vivid stories from publishing 750+ books, sitting on a public company board, and coaching fast-growing CEOs who want their current success not to undercut their long-term impact. If you’ve ever worried about AI “stealing” your ideas, felt tension between serving investors vs. everyone else, or wondered how to align your message, brand, and behavior into a coherent legacy, this conversation will give you a clear, visual, and deeply human roadmap for leading with abundance in every part of your ecosystem. Quotes: “Executive abundance is bringing happiness and success to five different stakeholder groups. If you’re running a company, your job is to make more than just the investors happy.” “A leader’s legacy is felt in the success of their stakeholders. Legacy is not something that comes tomorrow. Legacy is something that is felt today.” “If we take care of the employees, they’ll take care of the customers. If we take care of the customers, they’ll take care of the investors. In Executive Abundance, investors are fourth, not first.” Contact Details: Follow Mitchell Levy on Instagram Connect with Mitchell Levy on LinkedIn Executive Abundance on Amazon Visit Mitchell Levy's Official Website

From losing a 27-year career in a 90‑second conversation to becoming a “Dream Realization Partner,” Edwin Soler knows exactly what it feels like to have your identity, income, and future vanish overnight. If you’re stuck in a job you’ve outgrown, weighed down by debt and responsibilities, endlessly overthinking your next move, and quietly asking yourself, “Why am I still here when I know I’m meant for more?” this episode is your wake-up call. Edwin calls this tension the 18-inch gap between your head and your heart: the painful distance between the life your mind thinks is “safe” and the life your heart is begging you to live. In this conversation, Edwin Soler shares how being fired just three months after publishing his book forced him into a complete reinvention, and how community, a podcast, and a business coach helped him rebuild his confidence, clarify his message, and step into his role as a life coach and guide for stuck dreamers. We unpack the critical difference between therapy and life coaching (healing the past vs. building the future), how overthinking, comparison, and fear quietly kill your dreams, and why Edwin Soler rejects the idea of “getting out of your comfort zone.” Instead, he explains how to expand your comfort zone so that courage, growth, and new opportunities become your new baseline instead of rare exceptions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mep2fa8t8cM You’ll also hear specific tools from Edwin’s Soler “Closing the 18 Inch Gap” framework and his work as a coach: powerful questions like “What are you most afraid of?” that expose hidden fears, how to notice when you’ve handed authority for your life to other people, and how to reframe painful experiences as bricks on the path to your eventual success including the college chemistry exam where he scored a 4 and thought everything was ruined. We explore when you should see a therapist vs. hire a life coach, how to rebuild after a major career loss, and why you can’t simply “think” your way into your dreams; you have to live from the heart that imagined them. If you’re ready to stop playing small, close the gap between knowing and doing, and finally move toward the life you’re called to live, this episode will give you both the mindset and the first moves to get started. Quotes: "You can’t think your way into your dreams. You have to live from the heart that imagined them." “Coaching is about awareness. The answers may already be in you—you just need the right questions to draw them out.”  "We do a lot of comparisons. We compare our backstage to someone’s front stage. People say, ‘I’m an overnight success’—but it took 15 years to get there." Contact Details: Connect with Edwin Soler on Facebook Connect with Edwin Soler on LinkedIn Closing the 18-Inch Gap on Amazon Edwin Soler Official Website

From childhood trauma and feeling invisible to becoming the self-described “Queen of Courage,” Sharon Rolph has lived what psychologists call post-traumatic growth and now helps retirees do the same. In this episode, Sharon shares how she transformed early abuse, lifelong invisibility, and a late-in-life career shift into a mission: helping retirees and baby boomers rediscover their spark, step into their essence, and realize that retirement is not the beginning of the end, but the start of a new, deeply meaningful chapter. We dig into the ideas behind her book “Fresh Courage in Retirement: Finding Purpose, Essence and Fulfillment,” and why she believes your “invisible assets” your personality, values, and what makes your heart sing matter more than your bank account. Sharon explains how unhealed trauma can still be driving today’s leaders and managers, why leading from love instead of fear changes everything, and how simple practices like listing 20 things you love to do, clarifying your core values, and noticing what frustrates you can point directly to your purpose. https://youtu.be/lGL9PGBIG5A Sharon also shares practical tools and real-life stories: using art blocks and quotes to anchor new beliefs, designing a retirement that feels like an adventure instead of a slow decline, and approaching your later years with curiosity, experimentation, and service. Whether you’re newly retired, thinking ahead to retirement, or trying to heal from your own past while building a better future, this conversation offers a gentle but powerful roadmap for finding meaning, courage, and joy after 60. Quotes: “What makes me stand out is I've learned a new term… there's post-traumatic growth. I'm the model of post-traumatic growth.” “Your vocation is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” “Never underestimate the power of a planted seed. A seed has to have a harvest, and I'm on tippy-toe expecting a marvelous harvest.” Contact Details: Connect with Sharon Rolph on Facebook Follow Sharon Rolph on Instagram Connect with Sharon Rolph on LinkedIn Fresh Courage In Retirement on Amazon Sharon Rolph Official Website

From dusty gift bottles on a home bar to a three-year journey tasting 365 whiskeys, co‑author Patrick Sanaghan turned casual curiosity into a structured, joyful experiment in flavor, learning, and humility. In this episode, we talk about his new book “A Year of Drinking Whiskey: Two Old Geezers and a Great Bartender Sailing Down Whiskey River,” co‑written with Tom Nicoletto and bartender Julius Facenda, and how three non‑experts approached whiskey like a long-term learning project instead of a snobby insiders’ club. Patrick explains why this book is intentionally written from a beginner’s perspective, what he learned about the real relationship between price and quality, and why “trust your taste buds” became the core lesson of the whole adventure. We dive into how they structured their tasting process (including grading and always tasting neat), why environment matters so much (smells, glasses, ice, and timing), and how simple habits like slowing down, letting a pour breathe, and sipping instead of gulping can completely change how you experience whiskey. https://youtu.be/wN6wl6nqIwU We also explore the human side of the project: how long-term experiments build curiosity and discipline, why different people can experience the same whiskey in totally different ways, and what it means to enjoy life’s “electives” without getting lost in pretension or overindulgence. Whether you’re whiskey-curious, a casual drinker, or someone staring at a shelf of bottles wondering where to start, this conversation gives you a friendly, practical starting point and permission to ignore the hype and follow your own palate. Quotes: “Trust your taste buds. You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy great whiskey.” “Don’t be intimidated by the labels or the price tags—the best whiskey is the one you actually like.” “It’s meant to be sipped and enjoyed, not gulped. Slow down and let the experience unfold.” Contact Details: Connect with Pat Sanaghan on LinkedInPat Sanaghan on AmazonPat Sanaghan Official Website

From mastering body language to reprogramming your subconscious for confidence, influence, and rapid change, my guest, Dr. David Snyder, shares practical NLP tools to take control of your internal state and external results. We talk about why everything humans do is driven by feelings, how posture and breathing are the fastest ways to shift your emotional state, and how power posing and playfulness can dramatically speed up learning and habit change especially in a post-COVID, highly digital world where connection, validation, and trust are the real competitive edge. https://youtu.be/FbyLFowougk?si=_6axaQApzeAW5HScA David explains how NLP maps the “code” of your subjective experience so you can model top performers, uncover the hidden beliefs driving your behavior, and install more useful internal programs. You’ll learn how to communicate more effectively, make people feel deeply understood (without manipulation), and upgrade your confidence and productivity in minutes before a sales call, Zoom meeting, presentation, or tough conversation. If you’ve ever known what to do but struggled to do it, this episode gives you practical, fast-acting tools you can use right away. Quotes: “Everything you do is driven by a feeling—change the feeling, and you change the behavior.” “The fastest way to change your mind is to first change your posture and your breathing.” “People don’t just want information; they want to feel seen, understood, and validated.” Resources: David Snyder on Facebook David Snyder NLP on Linkedin NLP Power Site

Kelsey Bradley founded her nonprofit Design Cause Inc. 9 months after graduating from university. Within a year she raised $35,000, enough to build a series of classrooms she had designed while in school. With the money secured she moved to rural Cameroon for a few months to oversee construction, manage the finances, and document the successful completion of the project. With this first project completed Kelsey is working to grow her organization that recently took on a new project in Malawi. Kelsey is passionate about business and helping others, which she feels are intrinsically connected. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owhQc3xa_U0 Quotes:                                                                                                                                    “When you're so far out of your culture that you don't even know how to eat anymore, it is very challenging.” – Kelsey Bradley “A lot of people don't realize that when you make a donation to charity, it goes a long way and can do a lot of good.” – Kelsey Bradley “Get involved in an existing charity. There's so much you can gain from even just a couple of hours a week of volunteering.” – Kelsey Bradley Takeaways: 04:04 Successful projects often take years of organic growth and patient development. 11:20 Your energy and attitude during fundraising meetings directly impact your success. 18:05 Personal growth and fulfillment come from pushing beyond your comfort zone, not from easy achievements. 20:19 Small donations to existing charities can create meaningful impact without starting an entire organization. 22:34 Not all large charities are inefficient; many require infrastructure to create broader change. Resources Design Cause Inc. (Official Site) Design Cause Inc. (Facebook) Kelsey Bradley (LinkedIn)

Josh Elledge is a serial entrepreneur who builds the companies he needs most in the world. In 2014, He launched UpMyInfluence (previously upendPR) to help entrepreneurs like himself attract the perfect audiences and grow their brands without the crazy costs and contracts associated with traditional PR companies. Since then, UpMyInfluence (UMI) has evolved into a purpose-driven platform bent on totally DEMOCRATIZING access to influence. Josh wholeheartedly believes UMI has a moral imperative to help entrepreneurs own their expertise, share their wisdom, and serve the world with their collective messages. And help our members grow revenue too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVURDh262yw Quotes:                                                                                                                                    “When you're so far out of your culture that you don't even know how to eat anymore, it is very challenging.” – Josh Elledge “A lot of people don't realize that when you make a donation to charity, it goes a long way and can do a lot of good.” – Josh Elledge “Get involved in an existing charity. There's so much you can gain from even just a couple of hours a week of volunteering.” – Josh Elledge Takeaways: 08:21 Build authority by creating a professional online presence that showcases your expertise and credibility. 11:48 Focus on serving audiences and creating value through unique, passionate messaging. 18:38 Develop a clear purpose and core values that guide your business decisions and communication strategy. 25:37 Invest in building a strong team to scale your business and free yourself to do what you do best. 33:55 Use media appearances and PR as a strategic tool to grow your business and increase visibility. Resources Up My Influence (Official Site) Savings Angel (Website) Josh Elledge (LinkedIn) Josh Elledge (Twitter)

Glen Shelton is the founder of Lead Heroes. Lead Heroes began in early 2015 when Glen realized there had to be a better way to get a telemarketed lead. He's tried all types of lead sources: live telemarketer, avatar, voicemail, direct mail, internet, just to name a few. The leads with highest return on investment, as well as staying consistently high in quality were live telemarketer leads. He's here to tell us about the possibilities open to you and your business with telephone marketing, from appointment setting, inbound calls, follow-ups, real estate, and insurance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jkb1nF3iLE Quotes:                                                                                                                                    “Look at marketing not as ‘Oh, damn it, I have to spend money on marketing,’ but as the lifeblood of your business.” – Glen Shelton “The phone has been around for over 150 years. It's not going anywhere anytime soon. It will continue to change and evolve, but we'll still need to talk.” – Glen Shelton “That's the power of a call center, being able to reach out to that many people quickly. It's a human interaction. It's not mail, a robot, another website, or email. It's a human talking to a human. It's what we've been doing for hundreds, thousands of years.” – Glen Shelton Takeaways: 09:33 Small and medium businesses can benefit from outsourced call center services with the right budget and approach. 14:40 Phone calls remain a critical sales tool, even in an increasingly digital world. 22:46 Secondary markets often provide better marketing opportunities compared to saturated primary markets. 25:04 Human interaction through phone calls can be more effective than automated digital communication. 27:13 Successful marketing requires patience, consistent follow-up, and a willingness to experiment. Visit Lead Heroes to Find Out About Call Centers and Telemarketing

After creating, losing and rebuilding her own businesses, Leslie Hassler of Your Biz Rules now guides women business owners to bounce back from burn out, reignite growth in their businesses, and rekindle their passion for their business. With Leslie’s ability to simplify the complex process of building a business, you’ll make more progress working with Leslie than you ever did on your own. The strategies and techniques that her clients implement creates 30% to 200% growth – not just this year, but year after year. Leslie is the host of Coaching From The Carpool and appears on the Top 100 Business Coaching Blogs on the Web debuting at #41. She recently launched her first book First This, Then That: The Rules To Getting Growth Right In Your Service Based Business and is here to talk about delegating on Upwork, Fiverr, and locally -- so that you can get messy early, avoid reactive decision making, and think ahead in your business. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7P2M_oMFvA Quotes:                                                                                                                                    “The job of an entrepreneur is not to do the work but to ensure the work gets done.” – Leslie Hassler “We have to be wise owls in our business. We must ensure we're paying attention to what's happening so we can make strategic decisions about our future.” – Leslie Hassler “You have to get to a point where you know how to delegate, but you don't abdicate.” – Leslie Hassler Takeaways: 04:40 Getting messy early is crucial for finding your business's unique approach and secret sauce. 12:30 Delegating tasks isn't about sitting back, but about creating space to grow and focus on high-impact business activities. 19:20 Not all outsourcing platforms are the same: Fiverr works for simple tasks, Upwork for more complex projects, and local partners for strategic initiatives. 22:10 The entrepreneur's job is to ensure work gets done, not to do all the work personally. 27:50 Business growth involves cyclical processes of trying things, tracking results, and making strategic adjustments. Resources Your Biz Rules (Official Site) Leslie Hassler (LinkedIn) First This, Then That (Book) Your Biz Rules (Youtube)

Adam Hommey, Founder and Creator of The Business Creators' Institute™, helps you Emancipate the POWER of INFORMATION™ and WIN at the Game of Business and Marketing™ so you spend less time editing and maintaining - and more time educating your audience and monetizing your business. He is the host of the wildly popular Business Creators' Radio Show and have spoken around the country at events including the Dream Business Academy and Advanced Marketing Minds. For years, Adam has been the "secret weapon" in the arsenal of dozens of internet marketers, executive marketing solution providers, and professional service providers such as attorneys, accountants, medical professionals, and the like. In November 2016, Adam was a featured contributor in the international Amazon best-seller, Journeys to Success, The Millennial Edition. His much-anticipated new book, Groundhog Day is an Event, Not a Business Strategy, unearths the issues burrowed beneath the surface of your business in six areas - success mindset, converting prospects, team building, customer acquisition, persuasive language, and streamlining your operations, so you, as an entrepreneur and business creator, can grow your business and thrive at the intersection of your brilliance and passion! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8pszf8dh2U Quotes:                                                                                                                                    “We are the product of our education, background, experiences, and what we've gone through in life. Nobody has had the same combination of those things as we have.” – Adam Hommey “People don't buy a drill because they want to drill a hole. They buy a drill because they want to build something.” – Adam Hommey “What's most important is not what people say they want or need; it's what gets them to respond in the way we want them to respond.” – Adam Hommey Takeaways: 04:40 Small imperfections in business can actually grab customer attention and lead to unexpected success. 20:49 Breaking free from internal fears and conformity helps entrepreneurs stand out and create unique marketing strategies. 33:39 Understanding your customer's deeper motivations matters more than what they say they want. 41:22 Taking action and making direct contact with prospects is crucial for business growth. 46:36 Your unique personality and quirks can be powerful marketing tools when embraced authentically. Claim Your Copy of: Groundhog Day is An Event, Not a Business Strategy

One of the world’s first independent LinkedIn consultants and a leading pioneer in LinkedIn education, JD Gershbein serves ambitious professionals and culture-driven companies striving to make their mark in the Digital Age. Since 2006, he has drawn upon his diverse academic background—a fusion of psychology, neuroscience, and the humanities—and the improvisation skills he honed at Chicago’s famed Second City to bridge the knowledge gap between businesspeople and the online world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUKCdbRpFk Known as The LinkedIn Style Guide, JD is widely regarded as a leader in personal branding, social networking, and social entrepreneurship, and is blazing a trail as one of the most original personalities in the leadership development arena. Quotes:                                                                                                                                    “Self-confidence is our most precious commodity when it comes to ourselves, our persona, and who we are and want to be in the real world.” – JD Gershbein “If you believe it will work, then it will. If you believe that the people sending you invitations to connect are legitimate and conscientious, they turn out to be good.” – JD Gershbein Resources JD Gershbein (Official Site) Owlish Communications(Website) JD Gershbein (LinkedIn) JD Gershbein (Twitter)