Voice of Growth - Mastering the Mind and Market

What separates leaders who continue growing from those who become trapped by their own success?  Michael Guymon joins the Voice of Growth for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, ego, complacency, economic development, and the future of Tucson. Michael shares lessons from his career in politics, business, and civic leadership—including why trust and ego can make or break major organizations, what he learned from becoming complacent, and why great leaders never stop asking, “What’s next?”  We also explore Stoicism, failure, legacy, Tucson's untapped potential, and why meaningful economic growth requires leaders willing to move beyond the past and build the next chapter.  Voice of Growth — Mastering the Mind and Market.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What separates leaders who continue growing from those who become trapped by their own success?  Michael Guymon joins the Voice of Growth for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, ego, complacency, economic development, and the future of Tucson. Michael shares lessons from his career in politics, business, and civic leadership—including why trust and ego can make or break major organizations, what he learned from becoming complacent, and why great leaders never stop asking, “What’s next?”  We also explore Stoicism, failure, legacy, Tucson's untapped potential, and why meaningful economic growth requires leaders willing to move beyond the past and build the next chapter.  Voice of Growth — Mastering the Mind and Market.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

War. Politics. Crime. Social media. AI. Economic uncertainty. Human suffering.  How do you remain ambitious, compassionate and optimistic without allowing everything happening around you to consume you?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth, I explain why the chaos of the modern world is exactly why I practice Stoicism. We explore the difference between reacting and responding, the power of identity and intent, how algorithms amplify our biases, and why accepting what we cannot control doesn't make us passive—it gives us more energy to act on what we can control.  For entrepreneurs especially, Stoicism can become a kind of mental armor: stay true to your identity, control your response, and keep moving forward.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What does it take to build a business that survives 34 years of technological disruption—and keeps growing?  In this episode of Voice of Growth, I sit down with Greg Durnan of AcaciaIT to discuss entrepreneurship, reinvention, failure, cybersecurity, AI, and leadership. Greg shares how the 2008 financial crisis forced him to rethink his company—and ultimately build a stronger, more scalable business.  We also explore why AI won't necessarily replace you—but someone who knows how to use it might, why human relationships still matter in an increasingly automated world, and why successful leaders must continually adapt.  Ultimately, this isn't an episode about IT. It's about building a business capable of surviving whatever comes next.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

100 episodes.  And this time, the interviewer became the interviewed.  For the 100th episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast—and, coincidentally, my birthday—Executive Producer Reganne Fornstrom turned the microphone around and asked me about the ideas, failures, experiences and philosophies behind Voice of Growth.  We talk about the entrepreneurial ventures that worked, the ones that didn't, writing personal checks to make payroll, discovering Stoicism during one of the most difficult chapters of my career, innovation, curiosity, mentorship, flow state, the future of VOG—and why I believe the hard path is often exactly the path we're supposed to take.  But if there's one message underneath the entire conversation, it's this:  Get out there and do it.  Life is short. Business is difficult. Failure is inevitable. In 100 or 200 years, virtually none of us will be remembered.  That isn't depressing.  It's liberating.  Memento mori isn't about death. It's a reminder that we're alive right now.  Take the risk. Make the call. Build the company. Have the conversation. Try the thing.  Life is a full-contact sport.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What if the biggest threat to your dream isn't failure?  What if it's allowing other people's fear to become your own?  Charlie Gilder is a young musician building his career in one of the most disrupted industries on earth. Music is being reshaped by Spotify, social media, algorithms, AI-generated songs and an endless competition for attention.  And yet Charlie believes something fundamentally human will survive all of it.  Connection.  In this episode of Voice of Growth, Charlie and Manny Teran explore creativity, flow state, criticism, courage, Stoicism, artificial intelligence, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Prince, luck, discipline and what it means to create something that actually comes from a real place. Charlie argues that AI may eventually reproduce extraordinary music—but it cannot reproduce the chemistry between musicians, the energy of a live performance or the human connection audiences ultimately crave.  But perhaps the most important part of the conversation comes at the end.  Charlie asks anyone sitting on an idea to stop listening to the people telling them to play it safe—and instead listen to the 80-year-old version of themselves who never tried.  This one's about music.  But it's really about having the courage to create.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What happens when a country decides that its greatest achievement will no longer define its future?  For more than a century, Panama has been synonymous with one of the most consequential pieces of infrastructure ever built: the Panama Canal. But on a recent trip to Panama, I witnessed something much more interesting—a country deliberately asking what comes next.  Panama has launched a $105 million National Agenda for Advanced Technologies focused on artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The strategy isn't to become another Taiwan or compete directly with TSMC, Intel or Samsung. Instead, Panama is looking toward semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging, AI infrastructure and governance, and its existing position as a logistics and financial hub connecting continents, oceans and markets.  But this episode isn't really about semiconductors.  It's about reinvention.  It's about what happens when vision, resources, culture, partnerships and hunger become aligned around a future that doesn't exist yet.  And it raises a question every entrepreneur and leader eventually has to confront:  Is what made you successful yesterday positioning you for tomorrow—or preventing you from changing?  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What happens when the thing that made you exceptional is no longer who you are?  Tanya Hughes knows something about performance. She was a 20-year-old Olympic high jumper who wasn't expected to make the U.S. team—then won the Olympic Trials and became a finalist at the 1992 Barcelona Games. But this conversation goes far beyond athletics. Tanya talks about identity, leadership, burnout, purpose, NIL, parenting, money and the dangerous consequences of allowing achievement to determine self-worth.  Today, young athletes aren't simply student-athletes. NIL has effectively turned many of them into entrepreneurs—sometimes before they're old enough to understand taxes, contracts, branding or the long-term consequences of their decisions. Tanya calls them "student athlete and CEO" and believes NIL should be treated as seed capital for a larger life, not simply money to spend today.  But perhaps Tanya's most important lesson applies to all of us: eventually the applause stops. Titles change. Careers end. Businesses get sold. Children grow up. Bodies change. If your identity is built entirely around performance, what remains?  This is a conversation about learning to be rather than constantly perform.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

And every week...  they blame AI.  But is AI really replacing people—or is it exposing something much deeper?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran argues that artificial intelligence isn't the root cause of many corporate layoffs. Instead, it's exposing weak leadership, poor strategy, outdated business models, overstaffing, and organizations that failed to adapt before AI ever arrived.  Drawing from Stoicism, business history, trend analysis, and decades of leadership experience, Manny explains why every major technological revolution initially created fear, how today's AI wave differs because it augments intelligence itself, and why the companies that thrive won't simply have better AI—they'll have better leaders. He also shares five practical leadership actions every organization should take to build resilience, protect institutional knowledge, empower employees, and compete in an AI-native world.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

Most entrepreneurs don't fail because they lack opportunity.  They fail because they surrender their agency.  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Leah Mandal, founder of Gem Stays, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, ethics, creativity, manifestation, survival, and why choosing responsibility over victimhood can completely transform your life.  Leah shares how she went from property management to building a premium vacation rental company, why burning the boats forced her to succeed, how personal development unlocked her creativity, and why ethical leadership—not shortcuts—is the ultimate competitive advantage. It's a conversation about far more than business; it's about becoming the kind of person capable of building something extraordinary.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

"The world doesn't need another copy. It needs the original that only you can become."  Have you ever noticed how exhausting it is to pretend?  Pretend you're more confident than you are. Pretend you know all the answers. Pretend you're tougher... Smarter... More successful... More polished.  Eventually you begin performing your life instead of living it.  And here's the irony...  The version of yourself you manufacture to impress people usually ends up being less interesting than the real person underneath.  Today I want to convince you that authenticity isn't just good for your soul...  It's one of the greatest competitive advantages you'll ever possess.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What if your biggest leadership weakness isn't intelligence...  It's the way you make decisions?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran welcomes back Dr. Ricardo Valerdi—University of Arizona professor, engineer, author of The Five Tool Team, and founder of Science of Sport—for a masterclass on decision-making in leadership, business, sports, and life.  The conversation explores why great decisions begin with better questions, how bias quietly shapes our thinking, why outcomes are a terrible way to judge decision quality, and how Stoicism provides one of the most practical frameworks for navigating uncertainty. They also discuss AI, trust, Brooks' Law, intuition, Jeff Bezos' approach to decision fatigue, leadership lessons from Major League Baseball, and why tomorrow's workforce will need judgment more than memorization.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What if your biggest leadership weakness isn't intelligence...  It's the way you make decisions?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran welcomes back Dr. Ricardo Valerdi—University of Arizona professor, engineer, author of The Five Tool Team, and founder of Science of Sport—for a masterclass on decision-making in leadership, business, sports, and life.  The conversation explores why great decisions begin with better questions, how bias quietly shapes our thinking, why outcomes are a terrible way to judge decision quality, and how Stoicism provides one of the most practical frameworks for navigating uncertainty. They also discuss AI, trust, Brooks' Law, intuition, Jeff Bezos' approach to decision fatigue, leadership lessons from Major League Baseball, and why tomorrow's workforce will need judgment more than memorization.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

Discipline gets all the attention.  Habits get all the books.  Consistency gets all the credit.  But what if there's something that comes before all of them?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran explores one of the most overlooked drivers of personal growth and achievement: inspiration. Drawing from recent conversations with friends, business leaders, and mentors, he argues that inspiration isn't a fleeting emotion—it's the fuel that ignites desire, sharpens vision, and sustains long-term action.  You'll learn why inspiration fades if you don't capture it, how the right conversation can completely redirect your future, why surrounding yourself with inspiring people matters more than consuming endless content, and how to intentionally create a life where inspiration compounds instead of disappears.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What happens when your greatest professional calling collides with your greatest personal tragedy?  In this deeply moving episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with licensed professional counselor Amy Morris-Ehlo to discuss trauma, grief, addiction, mental health, resilience, and the extraordinary power of forgiveness.  Amy shares the heartbreaking story of receiving the phone call every parent fears—just three days after her son proudly called to say he had finally gotten sober. She explains how that unimaginable loss reshaped her purpose, strengthened her commitment to helping others, and ultimately led her to forgive the young man responsible for her son's death.  The conversation explores Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed care, executive mental health, addiction, boundaries, compassion, and why healing is not about forgetting—it's about choosing how you move forward.

Discipline gets all the attention.  Habits get all the books.  Consistency gets all the credit.  But what if there's something that comes before all of them?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran explores one of the most overlooked drivers of personal growth and achievement: inspiration. Drawing from recent conversations with friends, business leaders, and mentors, he argues that inspiration isn't a fleeting emotion—it's the fuel that ignites desire, sharpens vision, and sustains long-term action.  You'll learn why inspiration fades if you don't capture it, how the right conversation can completely redirect your future, why surrounding yourself with inspiring people matters more than consuming endless content, and how to intentionally create a life where inspiration compounds instead of disappears.

Conflict isn't the problem.  Avoiding it is.  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran explores one of the most overlooked leadership skills: navigating conflict before it becomes destructive.  Drawing on ideas from Amanda Ripley, Chris Voss, W. Edwards Deming, Stoicism, and decades of leadership experience, Manny introduces the CALM Framework—a practical system for handling conflict with confidence, empathy, and clarity.  You'll learn why silence is often more dangerous than disagreement, how to identify the hidden "understory" driving conflict, why assumptions destroy trust, and how great leaders build systems where healthy conflict strengthens teams instead of dividing them.  Whether you're leading a business, raising a family, or improving your relationships, this episode provides practical tools for turning difficult conversations into opportunities for growth.

What does it really take to build a company from two brothers working out of a barn into one of Southern Arizona's largest landscaping businesses?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Brian Ham, former co-owner of Santa Rita Landscaping, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, surviving the 2008 financial crisis, building systems, selling a company, and the unexpected identity crisis that follows a successful exit.  Brian shares how he and his brother grew Santa Rita Landscaping from a pickup truck and long days in the field into a business with more than 200 employees and over $20 million in annual revenue. Along the way, they survived the collapse of the housing market, rebuilt after shrinking from 187 employees to just 37, and ultimately sold the company after nearly a year-long acquisition process—just one week before COVID changed the world.  The conversation explores leadership, referrals, operational excellence, EOS, hiring great people, conservation, hunting, Teddy Roosevelt, and why every entrepreneur should "do something hard every day."

The news never stops.  AI is coming.  Politics feels broken.  Social media is addictive.  We're more connected than ever—and lonelier than ever.  In this solo episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran explores what it means to live in the modern world and why so many people feel overwhelmed, anxious, distracted, and stuck.  Drawing from Stoicism, personal experience, and timeless wisdom from Marcus Aurelius, Manny argues that the problem isn't information—it's what happens when information replaces action.  Through four practical principles, you'll learn how to quiet the noise, regain focus, build resilience, and find peace in a world that seems determined to steal your attention.  The world has always been chaotic.  The question is whether you can create order within it.

What separates people who stay trapped by their circumstances from those who completely reinvent their future?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with entrepreneur, real estate advisor, and business builder Elora Tran to explore the mindset, discipline, and identity behind success.  Born in Vietnam and raised in poverty, Elora shares how she always felt she was destined for something bigger—even when her family lived in a hut with wooden walls and straw ceilings. That belief ultimately fueled a journey through real estate, marketing, medical device distribution, entrepreneurship, and business leadership.  The conversation explores identity, risk-taking, integrity, AI, scaling companies, building teams, learning from failure, and what it really takes to transform ambition into reality.  From losing hundreds of thousands of dollars on a failed business venture to helping scale a medical device company and building a luxury real estate career, Elora shares lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Argentina is a country that has endured inflation, political upheaval, economic uncertainty, military coups, and endless change.  And yet people continue to live.     They build businesses Raise families.   Share meals.    Drink mate.    Celebrate community And find joy despite uncertainty.  In this solo episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran shares the most powerful lessons he brought home from a recent trip to Argentina—from Stoicism and resilience to leadership, business, relationships, and the importance of slowing down enough to see clearly.  This isn't a travel episode.  It's a lesson in how to live.  Based on experiences from Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Bariloche, Recoleta Cemetery, and countless conversations with everyday Argentinians, Manny explores why adversity often produces wisdom, why community creates resilience, and why life is happening now—not someday.

What happens when the unpopular girl sitting alone at lunch grows up to build a powerful personal brand followed by hundreds of thousands online?  In this deeply honest episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Scottsdale influencer and entrepreneur Julie Xander (Lifestyle Jules) to discuss authenticity, beauty culture, reinvention, aging, social media, AI, entrepreneurship, and the emotional reality behind influence.  Julie shares the story of how she accidentally entered the influencer world before influencing was even a real career, the pressures of staying relevant in an AI-driven culture, and why authenticity is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage.  From Broadway dreams and personal insecurity to reinvention at 50 and helping other women rediscover confidence and purpose, this episode explores the psychology of identity and the business of being real.

What if the biggest threat to your business isn’t the economy, competition, or AI…  …but the people you attract—and the culture you tolerate?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Jonathan Whistman, founder of WhoHire and author of The Sales Boss and Unrecruitable, for one of the deepest conversations yet on leadership, identity, human behavior, culture, and the future of work.  Jonathan shares what growing up inside a cult taught him about belief systems, persuasion, and group psychology—and how those same forces shape companies, teams, and leadership today.  From elite hiring and AI disruption to personal responsibility, identity, and building “unrecruitable” teams, this episode is a masterclass on the psychology of growth.  Use CODE: MANNY100 to gain access to Jonathan's Live Events:  https://www.thesalesboss.com/#LiveEvent  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation

What if the hardest moments in your life were never meant to destroy you… but transform you?  In this deeply personal episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran explores the idea of “the swamp”—the emotional place of sadness, nostalgia, heartbreak, depression, and identity loss that every person eventually encounters.  Drawing from Stoicism, personal experience, and the philosophy of growth through adversity, Manny breaks down the difference between reflection and reliving, why pain can become addictive, and how discipline, awareness, and perspective allow us to leave the swamp stronger than before.  This episode is about memory, identity, rebirth, and learning how to move forward without denying where you came from.

What do you do when the dream you built your identity around disappears?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Sarah Chisholm, founder of Wild Rye Baking Co., to explore reinvention, resilience, creativity, and the courage required to build something meaningful.  From a devastating ballet injury to scaling a nationally distributed food brand carried by Crate & Barrel, Sarah shares the real story behind entrepreneurship—the fear, the scrappiness, the self-doubt, and the beauty of continuing anyway.  This is not just a conversation about business.  It’s about identity.-- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  She has the recipe for resilience.  --  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What if everything you do online… is powered by something you don’t even see?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Calline Sanchez of IBM to break down the real story behind artificial intelligence, data, and the infrastructure that powers the modern world.  From self-healing systems and cybersecurity to the future of work and human purpose, this conversation challenges the fear-driven narrative around AI and replaces it with something more powerful: clarity.  If you want to understand where technology is actually going—and what it means for your future—this episode is essential.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

Why do most brands fail—even when the product is great? In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Christina Mahar, founder of Craft Beauty Lab, to break down the real mechanics of building and scaling a business in one of the most competitive industries in the world.  From manufacturing and distribution to the hidden costs of growth and the realities of volatility, this conversation strips away the illusion that great products are enough.  If you’re building a business—or thinking about it—this episode will challenge everything you think you know.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

Why do some people grow… and others stay stuck?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran breaks down a powerful analogy: the tree.  Just like a tree must grow deep roots before it can reach upward, we must develop ourselves internally before expecting external success.  This episode explores identity, vision, emotional strength, and the hidden work that drives real growth—alongside the visible execution that the world rewards.  If you’ve been chasing results without building the foundation, this conversation will shift your perspective.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What does it really take to build wealth—and what happens after you do?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Humberto Lopez, one of the most successful real estate investors in the Southwest, to unpack a journey that started with just $1,000—and turned into a multi-million-dollar empire.  From early adversity and relentless ambition to building one of the largest property portfolios in the region, Humberto shares the mindset, discipline, and decision-making frameworks that drove his success.  But more importantly, he reveals why his true legacy isn’t wealth—it’s impact.  This episode explores the transition from making money to giving it away, and why humility may be the most important trait of all.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What if the biggest thing holding you back… is the truth you’re avoiding?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran breaks down the concept of truth—not as an abstract idea, but as a practical tool for growth in business and life.  Drawing from Stoic philosophy and real-world experience, this episode explores the difference between external truth (what’s happening in the world) and internal truth (what’s happening within you), and why most people fail not because they lack intelligence or opportunity—but because they avoid confronting reality.  If you’re ready to see clearly, act decisively, and align with what actually is—this episode will challenge you.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What happens when truth becomes hard to find?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with longtime news anchor Dan Marries to explore the evolution of media—from typewriters and small-market journalism to today’s AI-driven, hyper-connected world.  They discuss the growing challenge of misinformation, the role of traditional journalism in a digital age, and why integrity and trust are more important than ever.  Dan shares powerful personal stories from his career, insights into staying grounded under pressure, and a clear message: we cannot lose the human element in a world increasingly driven by technology.  If you want to understand the future of media, trust, and truth—this conversation is essential.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

Sales is often called the lifeblood of business—but that definition doesn’t go far enough.  In this episode of the Voice of Growth: Mastering the Mind and Market, Manny Teran breaks down the true structure of sales using a powerful business anatomy analogy—where leadership is the brain, value is the heart, operations are the nervous system, and sales is the lifeblood that keeps everything alive.  Drawing from two decades of experience in high-value technical sales, Manny reveals the three core elements that drive all successful selling:   Deep customer understanding (truth discovery)  Creating and communicating real value  Asking for the decision with clarity and confidence  He also explores why sales has developed a negative reputation, how trends shape demand, and why the best salespeople don’t “sell”—they solve real problems.  Whether you're in sales, leadership, or building something of your own, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about growth.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

What's the secret to build a great company?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Sarah Wyant, finance executive and former leader at Carvana and Nxu, to break down the real role of finance in high-growth companies.  From scaling Carvana during its explosive growth phase to navigating the realities of AI, workforce dynamics, and leadership, Sarah shares a powerful perspective: the best companies are built where vision meets disciplined execution.  This conversation explores trust in leadership, the evolving role of the CFO, and why human connection will matter more—not less—in an AI-driven world.  If you want to understand how great companies actually scale—and what most people miss—this episode is essential.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

Technology is advancing faster than ever—but are we leaving people behind?  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Anne Dougherty, founder of ILLUME and expert in the human dimensions of energy and innovation.  From building a niche consulting firm from 2 to 50 people and successfully exiting, to tackling the intersection of AI, energy, and human behavior, Anne shares a powerful perspective: technology alone doesn’t solve problems—people do.  This conversation dives deep into leadership, scaling challenges, workforce disruption, and why the future of business depends on aligning human systems with technological progress.  If you want to build something meaningful—and sustainable—this episode is essential.  -- Follow and Subscribe to sharpen your edge in business and give you peace of mind in life.  #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #stoicsm #megatrends #innovation ©2026 Profectory, LLC  - All Rights Reserved.

AI is transforming everything—but it’s not your edge anymore.  In this episode, Manny Teran breaks down what truly separates those who win in the age of AI from those who get left behind. The answer isn’t more tools, more automation, or more speed—it’s alignment.  Through a powerful framework of 10 human qualities, this episode explores how integrity, discipline, courage, and presence create a competitive advantage that no machine can replicate.  If you want to stand out, build meaningful success, and create real momentum in your life and business—this is where it starts.

Arizona is no longer a hidden tech hub—it’s becoming a global force in semiconductors, AI, energy, and space.  In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Steve Zylstra, CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, to break down what’s really driving Arizona’s rise—and what could stop it.  From the arrival of TSMC and the expansion of companies like Intel and Nvidia, to the deeper infrastructure challenges around energy, water, workforce, and housing, this conversation reveals the truth behind exponential regional growth.  Steve shares why Arizona’s success is the result of decades of intentional policy and leadership, why the next wave of opportunity will belong to entrepreneurs who solve constraint-driven problems, and what it will take for Arizona to compete with Silicon Valley, Austin, and beyond.  If you want to understand where the next major opportunities are forming—and how to position yourself ahead of them—this episode is essential.

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran explores the powerful Stoic concept of Amor Fati — love your fate.  Rather than resisting adversity or wishing life had unfolded differently, the Stoics believed that every event — success, failure, hardship, or loss — is part of the path that shapes who we become.  Through personal stories of business challenges, personal loss, and life’s unexpected twists, Manny explains how adopting this mindset can transform the way we make decisions, build businesses, and navigate uncertainty.  If you want to develop resilience, clarity, and strength in both life and leadership, this episode offers a powerful framework.

Most entrepreneurs spend years talking about starting a business.  Carley didn’t.  She saved her money from waitressing and babysitting, sourced manufacturers herself, organized her first photoshoot in her sorority house, and launched a swimwear brand before most people her age were even thinking about business.  Today her brand, BootinBikinis, is growing rapidly — and her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best way to start a business is simply to start. Dream Big. Start NOW!

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran explores the Goal Declaration Effect — a psychological phenomenon where publicly announcing goals can actually reduce the motivation needed to accomplish them.  Drawing from personal experience, Stoic philosophy, and insights from Atomic Habits, this episode explains why lasting success comes not from goals alone, but from systems, habits, and identity transformation.  If you want to understand how to build real momentum in your personal and professional life, this episode is for you.

Success rarely begins with a perfect plan.  When Terry Lundgren was a student at the University of Arizona, becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company was the farthest thing from his mind. But one pivotal moment — a tough phone call from his father — forced him to take responsibility for his future. That moment changed everything.  From working full time while finishing school to rising through the ranks of retail, Lundgren built a career defined by discipline, curiosity, and a relentless commitment to doing every job better than anyone else.  Eventually, that mindset carried him all the way to the top — leading Macy’s as Chairman and CEO and overseeing more than 140,000 employees during one of the most transformative periods in retail history.  In this episode of Voice of Growth, we explore leadership, responsibility, innovation, and the mindset required to navigate massive change. From launching macys.com before the internet boom to managing culture across thousands of stores, Lundgren shares lessons that apply far beyond retail.  At the heart of his philosophy is one simple idea:  Bloom where you are planted.  Master the opportunity in front of you. Do it better than anyone else. And over time, the path forward will reveal itself.

Connecting the Dots Backwards | The Butterfly Effect of Success  Why do our lives only make sense looking backward?  In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran explores one of the most misunderstood realities of success, entrepreneurship, and life itself:    You cannot connect the dots forward.  You can only connect them backward.  We are taught to plan our futures with precision — careers, businesses, relationships, outcomes. But real success rarely follows a straight line. Instead, it behaves more like the butterfly effect, where small decisions, chance encounters, and seemingly insignificant moments create massive downstream consequences.  From unexpected opportunities to career-defining pivots, this episode explores why high performers don’t predict the future — they position themselves to adapt to it.  You’ll learn:  Why long-term planning often fails entrepreneurs  How tiny decisions reshape entire life trajectories  The hidden danger of waiting for certainty  Why action creates clarity  How to operate strategically in an unpredictable world  The Stoic mindset behind resilience and adaptability  Success is not about controlling outcomes. It’s about creating possibilities.

What happens when a Fortune 500 digital marketing leader decides to leave the corporate track and build something deeply personal?  In this episode of The Voice of Growth, Manny Teran sits down with Jess Jensen, founder of Copilot Communications and former marketing leader at companies like Microsoft, Adidas, Nestlé, and Qualcomm.  Jess shares how working closely with C-suite executives revealed a powerful insight: leaders reach audiences more effectively than brands. From that realization, she built a practice helping executives and founders find their authentic voice online — especially on LinkedIn.  The conversation explores:  Why executives struggle with visibility The tension between vulnerability and professionalism Why trust is the true currency of influence  How AI is both a gift and a risk in content creation  And why being “wildly capable” starts with self-belief  This episode is about human leadership in a digital world — and why mastering your voice is now a strategic advantage.

For 101 years, the Tucson Rodeo has endured wars, recessions, cultural shifts, and technological revolutions — and every February, it rides again.In this episode of The Voice of Growth, Manny Teran breaks down what this century-old tradition can teach us about business, Stoicism, and life. From the chaos of the arena to the discipline of preparation, from falling off the bull to getting back on the horse, the rodeo becomes a powerful metaphor for leadership in volatile times.Using core Stoic principles like the dichotomy of control, memento mori, and amor fati, Manny explores: Why volatility is the default Why failure is part of the ride Why culture must evolve to survive Why courage without wisdom is recklessness And why the crowd’s applause (or criticism) is just noiseThis episode is about grit, adaptability, identity, and celebrating the ride — even when you get thrown.If you’re building something that matters, this one is for you.

Devin Butler’s entrepreneurial journey began with failure—dropshipping experiments, unsuccessful businesses, and uncertainty about his path. But those early setbacks planted the seeds for something much larger.  After moving from Michigan to Arizona, Devin recognized a gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: there was no centralized, high-quality community for founders to build meaningful relationships. Instead of waiting for someone else to create it, he built Arizona Entrepreneurs from scratch—growing it to thousands of attendees and hundreds of members.  In this conversation, Devin shares:   Why failure is a necessary part of entrepreneurial development The importance of relationships and proximity to ambitious people How timing and opportunity shaped his success Why AI is lowering barriers—but raising the importance of brand and differentiation The future of entrepreneurship in an AI-driven world  At its core, this episode reinforces a powerful truth: entrepreneurship is not about perfection—it’s about starting, adapting, and building relationships that unlock opportunity.

Over the past 36 months, we’ve witnessed the quiet emergence of something profound: the rise of the AI-augmented leader. What began as simple tools like ChatGPT and Claude is rapidly evolving into a digital workforce—AI agents capable of executing tasks, supporting decisions, and fundamentally reshaping how organizations operate.   This episode explores the leadership, identity, and strategic implications of this shift. Companies are deploying AI agents alongside employees. Entire workflows—from finance to legal to marketing—are becoming augmented or automated. Leaders are no longer simply managing people; they are orchestrating intelligence.  But this is not a message of fear. It is a call to preparation.  The leaders who embrace AI today will multiply their effectiveness, expand their influence, and remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world. Those who ignore it risk obsolescence—not because AI replaces them, but because others will use AI to move faster, think deeper, and execute better.  This episode is about mindset, strategy, and leadership in the age of exponential intelligence.  This is the rise of the AI-augmented leader.

Forgiveness is often misunderstood as weakness. The Stoics saw it differently.  In this episode, Manny unpacks the Stoic framework for forgiveness — grounded not in sentiment, but in reason. Marcus Aurelius reminds us that people act from mistaken judgments. Seneca calls anger “a brief madness.” Epictetus teaches that we control our response, not the offense.  This episode explores:   Why resentment is self-inflicted damage  How to separate accountability from anger  Why forgiveness does not require reconciliation  How leaders maintain strength while releasing bitterness  The core principle: you are not harmed by what happens — you are harmed by your judgment about it.  Forgiveness restores sovereignty.

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny sits down with Bob Griffin — entrepreneur, investor, technologist, and Executive Director of the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona. Bob reflects on a career that includes founding and selling multiple companies, navigating the corporate worlds of IBM and Digital, and writing prescient analysis on the AI arms race years before it reached mainstream attention.  The conversation explores why survival is the first rule of entrepreneurship, how founders misunderstand timing, and why trends matter more than tactics. Bob and Manny also examine the psychological burden entrepreneurs carry in an increasingly politicized, technologically volatile world — and how Stoic principles help leaders focus on what they can control while staying grounded and ethical.  This episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, pattern recognition, and resilient leadership.

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran challenges the modern myth of immediacy and reframes leadership through a more enduring lens: business as agriculture.  Some seeds grow in months. Others take years. Some cycles reward action. Others reward restraint.  Drawing from Stoic philosophy, real operating experience, and hard-earned lessons from building companies through downturns, Manny explores:  Why timing is inseparable from strategy How strong leaders prepare during good times for inevitable downturns The difference between strategic patience and tactical urgency Why dry powder, war chests, and optionality separate survivors from winners  How to build a culture where dissent, safety, and long-term thinking coexist  This is not advice—it’s perspective. A reminder that great leaders don’t confuse favorable conditions with permanent reality, and that luck is rarely accidental—it’s preparation meeting opportunity.

Mark Beres is the definition of a renaissance entrepreneur. With a background spanning military aviation, engineering, wine production, distilling, and restaurant ownership, he brings a rare perspective on what it actually takes to build a durable business.  In this episode, Mark dismantles the romantic myths around entrepreneurship — especially in the wine industry — and replaces them with hard truths about capital risk, operational discipline, and long-term commitment.  He explains why survival is not a vision, why mindset determines outcomes, and why most businesses fail not from lack of effort, but from lack of clarity. From going cashless in restaurants to implementing data-driven operating metrics, Mark shares the exact leadership decisions that allowed his company to pivot during a declining alcohol market and thrive.  This conversation is about grit, vision, and building systems that outlast adversity. If you’re an entrepreneur facing uncertainty, this episode is both a reality check and a blueprint.

The modern world is loud, reactive, and deeply polarized. In this powerful monologue, Manny Teran breaks down how Stoic philosophy offers a stabilizing framework for navigating tragedy, division, and emotional overload.  Using the killing of a protester as a catalyst—not a verdict—this episode avoids tribal blame and instead asks a deeper question:  How should we respond as human beings, leaders, and citizens when emotions run high and truth is unclear?  Key themes include:   The Stoic distinction between reaction and response   Why Stoicism is often misunderstood as cold or detached—and why that’s wrong   The Triple Filter Test: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it useful?   Truth-seeking versus tribal truth-building  Social media outrage cycles and their real-world consequences  Leadership, stillness, and moral clarity in moments of chaos  This is an episode about restraint, responsibility, and reclaiming dialogue—not withdrawing from the world, but engaging it with wisdom.