Answering The Call

What does a theater major who stumbled into design, launched a production company, ran one of the world's most iconic design firms, and then built a thriving academic program have to teach us? Everything.In this episode, I sit down with Doreen Lorenzo — former President of frog design and Assistant Dean of the School of Design and Creative Technologies at UT Austin — for a candid conversation about career reinvention, fearless decision-making, and leading with empathy.Doreen shares how she built a remarkable career not by following a plan, but by walking through every open door she encountered — even when (especially when) people told her she'd fail.From cold-calling a tech startup from a newspaper ad to transforming a struggling fine arts college into a thriving design school of 650+ students, Doreen's story is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, betting on people, and taking action.Key takeaways:Why "what's the worst that can happen?" is the most liberating question in your careerHow transferable skills are more powerful than specialized credentialsThe difference between design thinking and being a true design "ninja"Why culture and mentorship are the real engines of entrepreneurial successHow impact — not accolades — becomes the ultimate career compassHow To Contact David ZWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact DoreenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/Email: [email protected]#Leadership #CareerAdvice #Entrepreneurship #DesignThinking #Coaching #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #WomenInBusiness #CareerPivot #BusinessAcumen #CreativeLeadership #DesignLeadership #MentorshipMatters #FrogDesign #TakeAction #OvercomingFear #CareerReinvention #HigherEducation #ImpactDriven #PodcastRecommendation

Ruth Yomtoubian is an original corporate innovator who has successfully navigated the three major waves of corporate innovation. Acting as a translator, orchestrator, and practitioner, Ruth bridges the gap between the startup ecosystem, venture capitalists, and enterprise organizations.As an Independent consultant, Ruth's work focuses on helping companies—particularly within "construct industries" like healthcare—move from mere curiosity to strategic coordination in their AI and innovation efforts.Known for her pragmatic approach, Ruth champions grounded leadership and clear architecture over "performance theater" to combat mediocrity and drive real business value.How To Contact David ZWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact RuthWebsite: ruthyomtoubian.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthyomtoubian/Email: [email protected]#TheHumanAdvantage #LeadershipIntuition #CreativeLeadership #AuthenticSuccess #HumanityInTech #SerialEntrepreneur #AIEvolution #ProductMarketFit #AgileLearning #TheArchitectMindset #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeIntegration #BuilderMindset

What does it actually take to win the "championship" of your life? In this episode, David Zemanek sits down with serial entrepreneur Paul Pluschkell to deconstruct a career built on intense energy, radical unlearning, and a refusal to sacrifice the things that matter most.Paul isn't your typical tech executive. He’s a builder who admits that if he weren't in software, he’d be a carpenter—someone who finds soul-level satisfaction in looking back at the end of the day to see exactly what he created. From the "back nine" of his career, Paul shares the hard-won wisdom of a life lived at the intersection of high-stakes execution and deep humanity.Inside the Episode:The Family Time Boundary: How Paul structured a decade of his career to pause work every afternoon from 3-6pm to coach his four children, proving that professional success doesn't have to come at the cost of being a present father.The Courage to Unlearn: Why the "playbooks" of yesterday are becoming obsolete in the age of AI, and why leaders must be willing to "forget 80% of what they know" to avoid getting "Checked" by the future.The Anatomy of a Loss: Why Paul remembers every pitch of a lost World Series game with perfect clarity, and how he uses the pain of failure to fuel a "quick-learning" nature that identifies the truth before it gets expensive.Culture is Earned, Not Installed: A raw look at why company culture is simply a reflection of how you act every day, and why there are no shortcuts to building a team that holds up under pressure.The Athlete’s DNA: How growing up in team sports taught a self-proclaimed "average athlete" that over-preparation and durability are the ultimate equalizers in any arena.How To Contact David ZWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact PaulWebsite: epicdx.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpluschkellEmail: [email protected]#TheHumanAdvantage #LeadershipIntuition #CreativeLeadership #AuthenticSuccess #HumanityInTech #SerialEntrepreneur #AIEvolution #ProductMarketFit #AgileLearning #TheArchitectMindset #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeIntegration #BuilderMindset

In this powerful and deeply transparent episode, I sit down with Al Adamsen, a trailblazer in People Analytics and the leader of Adaptive Futures. Al shares his remarkable journey from an introverted "lone wolf" to a global voice on employee experience, leadership, and the rapidly evolving future of work.We dive straight into the pressing realities of the AI revolution, exploring how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the nature of work and the impending "societal shock" that professionals and business leaders must prepare for over the next decade.But this conversation goes far beyond corporate strategy. Al opens up about overcoming profound personal trauma, the life-changing impact of deep self-awareness, and how he transformed his pain into a purpose-driven mission: creating safe spaces for people to show up as their best, authentic selves.Whether you are Fortune 500 exec all the way to solopreneur, Al's practical frameworks on treating emotions as data, mastering your daily energy, and cultivating a bulletproof sleep routine will leave you inspired and ready to take action.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Surviving the AI Societal Shock: Why the workforce needs to brace for massive shifts in employment and how leaders can responsibly integrate AI without spreading fear.Energy as Your North Star: Practical ways to build elasticity into your day, ruthlessly cut out energy drains like commuting, and find your optimal flow state in nature.Modern Stoicism: Why the popular advice to "trust your gut" is flawed, and how to use your emotions as valuable data rather than the ultimate decision-maker.Healing Through Serving: Al’s incredibly vulnerable story of transforming severe trauma into a career dedicated to compassion, empathy, and elevating the human experience at work.Mastering the Bookends of Your Day: The exact morning and evening habits—including a strict, technology-free sleep sanctuary—that fuel sustainable high performance.How To Contact David ZWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact AlWebsite: aladamsen.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aladamsen/Email: [email protected]:#FutureOfWork #PeopleAnalytics #ArtificialIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #EnergyManagement #EmployeeExperience #HRTech #Stoicism #MindfulLeadership #MentalHealthAtWork #CareerGrowth

In this episode, we dive deep into the career of David Sherwin, a renowned graphic designer, UX design leader, and author of the best-selling book Creative Workshop. David shares his transition from editorial publishing to user experience (UX) design at leading innovation firms like frog, and major companies like LinkedIn, offering a masterclass in how to stay curious and committed to your craft over decades.Key Topics Covered:The Pull vs. Push Career Path: Why being "yanked" into leadership roles often requires a radical shift in skill sets—moving from delivering design to operating a company.The Art of Feedback & Critique: Why building an "etiquette" for receiving client feedback is critical for ensuring the quality of your work.Building High-Performing Teams: Insights into David’s work with his partner, Mary Sherwin, on design collaboration, culture work, and their toolkit, Team Words, designed to turn groups into cohesive teams.Future of Design & AI: David discusses the human "edge" in artificial intelligence, specifically how humans excel at pre-visualization and intentionality while AI handles lower-order tasks.Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: A candid look at David’s journey through long COVID, relearning cognitive skills, and finding a sustainable balance between consulting, mentorship, and art.Whether you are a senior designer looking to move into management, an entrepreneur planning your first startup runway, or a creative professional interested in sustainability and mission-critical health systems, this episode provides the roadmap for a meaningful, impact-driven career.How To Contact David ZWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact David SWebsite: https://askthesherwins.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsherwin/Email: [email protected]

Successful careers are built on successful systems, successful mindsets, and the ability for us to take care of the first and most important relationship - the one we have with ourselves.Andrew Hartman, Founder and CEO of Time Boss doesn't just deliver success for his clients, his helps them find the peace of mind to excel at their best.This episode is a must for anyone trapped in the cycle of believing they have to do and deliver everything to the point of burnout. Andrew's story is a hero's journey of taking back ownership of time and also our own peace of mind.How To Contact DavidWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact AndrewWebsite: https://timeboss.usLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhartman/Email: [email protected]

A look into the mindset of an Ironman triathlete and entrepreneur, and why Bruce views failure as a "natural part of life" and a prerequisite for success.Bruce Sinclair specializes in helping private equity firms and companies increase their value through the strategic application of AI. Bruce recently finished a new book focused on AI for executives and investment professionals, and is the author of IoT Inc.How To Contact DavidWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact BruceWebsite: https://aioperatingpartners.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-a-sinclair/Email: [email protected]

In a landscape crowded with theorists, Jeff Roberts brings a track record of real impact. Jeff founded the firm after five tenures as a mid-market CIO.  In total across three decades of IT leadership, he has led dozens of M&A transactions and digital transformations, turning IT organizations into profit centers. Named an Exceptional Leader to Follow in Innovation, he has mentored over 20 future C-level executives.Jeff and I discuss his path from corporate to forming his own venture.How To Contact DavidWebsite: https://zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] To Contact JeffWebsite: https://innovationvista.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsjeff/Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Budzinski, founder of Sales Nimbus, to trace his fascinating journey from a classically trained musician to a tech entrepreneur building his own SaaS platform.Joe shares how the discipline of the viola and the grit of door-to-door sales shaped his unique approach to business leadership and innovation.Joe discusses his early life in music, specifically how learning the viola—a "slow learning curve instrument"—taught him that getting 1% better each week compounds over time. He draws a parallel between the iterative process of rehearsing music and the Agile methodology used in software development.Grit and The School of Hard Knocks: After pivoting away from a pre-med path, Joe cut his teeth doing commission-only, door-to-door sales in tough Philadelphia neighborhoods. He explains how facing rejection, "eating what you kill," and navigating dangerous areas taught him resilience and how to build a team.Corporate Lessons & Agile Transformation: Joe details his transition to the corporate world at IBM, where he moved from being a "rule follower" to embracing Agile methodology. He compares his traditional "classical" mindset to discovering the "jazz" of Agile working styles, which transformed how he approaches productivity and leadership.The Entrepreneurial Trap: Now the founder of Sales Nimbus, a digital marketing agency for tech startups, Joe opens up about the common trap of founders trying to do everything themselves. He shares how he is currently pivoting from a service-based agency to building Nimbus OS, an automated "CMO in a box" SaaS product designed to solve scalable marketing challengesHow To Contact JoeWebsite: https://salesnimbus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephbudzinski/Email: [email protected] To Contact DavidWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected]

Today, I’m sitting down with Mark Fithian and Jeff Rosenberg, the founders of Wide Open, a consultancy built to solve the hardest problems in customer experience.Their story is a masterclass in what I call the 'Inside Game'. Mark and Jeff made the decision to leave the corporate track under circumstances that would make most people freeze: Mark was in his early 40s, had just bought a house, and had a new child at home.But they realized that staying safe meant misaligning with who they were. In our conversation, Mark mentions that if his kids sat in on a business meeting today, they would actually recognize him. Their values aren't just 'stage props'—they are the engine of their business.And that integrity has a massive ROI. Because they focused on maximizing client success rather than just dollars , they’ve reached a point where they spend almost no time looking for the next project—their clients simply keep bringing them new problems to solve.We also discuss how their differences as partners gave them the confidence to strike out on their own, and their principles for integrating AI into customer-facing solutions.It’s time to answer the callHow To Contact Mark and JeffWebsite: https://www.thisiswideopen.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfithian/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosenbergatl/Email: [email protected] [email protected] To Contact DavidWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected]

In today's episode, we dive into the creative journey of Aric Cheston, a designer and artist from Austin, Texas. What is most amazing about Aric, and I’ve known him for over a decade, is that Aric is so committed to his internal scorecard in making career decisions that continuously favor excitement and enjoyment over money. There’s always a lot we can learn about ourselves from what excites us during our formative years, and Aric shares his childhood passion for world-building with action figures, which laid the foundation for his career in design. We'll explore his pivotal moments, from working with BMW to embracing the convergence of art and technology. Like some other designers I know, Aric has jumped into AI coding with both feet. In this episode, he gives us his insights on the future of education with AI, and shares how AI closes the gaps to allow those with creativity to move faster from idea to implementation to bring their visions and ideas to life. Connect with Aric:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariccheston/How To Contact DavidWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected]

Show Notes: Answering the Call with Dave ScottIn this episode, we sit down with Dave Scott, a veteran product leader and "adrenaline junkie" who walked away from a comfortable corporate executive career to reclaim his professional agency. Dave shares how he broke out of the "execution trap" to pursue fractional consulting, mountain bike racing, and authoring his upcoming book, Product at a Distance.Key TakeawaysEscaping the Execution Trap: Dave explains how senior roles often shift from high-level problem solving to mere execution and politics, prompting his need for a "mental shake-up".The "Multiple Lives" Philosophy: Embracing the idea that life is too short to stay on one path; Dave advocates for "scaring yourself" by pivoting into new industries and challenges.Product at a Distance: Insight into Dave’s upcoming book, which provides frameworks for making distributed product teams operate as if they are co-located.The Power of Agency: Why having the courage to "pick the fork in the road" leads to deeper professional satisfaction and even "unexpected happiness" in daily life.AI as a Thought Partner: How Dave uses a suite of AI tools to research, build his business, and even design his website at 10x speed.The Three-Legged Stool of BalanceDave discusses his framework for a centered life, which requires three critical anchors:Mental Challenge: Solving problems where you don't yet know the path from A to B.Physical Challenge: Pushing boundaries through endurance sports like mountain bike racing and skiing.Spiritual Balance: Finding a centering practice—whether through meditation or community—to anchor your decisions.About Our GuestDave Scott is a product executive with over 20 years of experience at companies ranging from Intuit to seed-funded startups. He is a former leader at the global innovation firm Frog Design and currently serves as a fractional consultant and author.Connect with Dave: [email protected]: Dave Scott - Bay Area Software ExecutiveHow To Contact DavidWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] music is Flowers Shower by Devakant. You can hear this and more music by Devakant on Spotity.

Today’s guest is Karena Bell, Founder and CEO of Profitlinz, a boutique, specialized, global advisory firm that helps mid-sized and large enterprises unlock hidden profits, boost efficiency, and leverage AI for measurable results. In this conversation, Karena shares her transformative journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, creativity, and resilience.Karena discusses the role of mentorship, the impact of AI on business, and the necessity of fostering a culture of feedback and collaboration. Karena highlights the significance of intuition in decision-making and the value of building a community of fellow business owners. Karena also shares advice for navigating a successful journey.How To Contact KarenaWebsite: Https://ProfitLinz.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenambell/Email: Karena@ ProfitLinz.comHow To Contact DavidWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] intro song is Flowers Shower by Devakant and is available to listen in full on Spotify

Todays guest is Doug Fritz, Founder and Executive Chairman of F2 Strategy. In this conversation, Doug shares his life journey from a challenging childhood labeled as learning disabled to becoming a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of F2 Strategy. He discusses how he relied on his own resilience, adaptability, and the support of his parents in shaping his confidence to create his own journey to success.Doug reflects on his experiences in Russia, the challenges he faced in New York, and how a move to San Francisco transformed his outlook. He elaborates on the journey of finding the sweet spot for F2, the importance of building a team of experts, and the values that underpin his success. You’ll also hear about the magic of table 15 at Ozumo restaurant in San Francisco. Doug concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in pursuing their passions and the value in embracing the journey of self-discovery.How To Contact DougWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfritz/Email: [email protected] To Contact DavidWebsite: www.zenten.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/Email: [email protected] opening song, Flowers Shower, is by Devakant whose music you can find on Spotify.