Podcasts about COO

Kyle Sockwell has long branded himself as the “CEO of Fun,” but anyone who has worked with him behind the scenes knows that label only tells half the story. Sockwell, now the COO of the newly announced College Swimming League (CSL), has built a reputation in aquatic sports for something that's surprisingly rare in this industry: clarity. Behind the scenes, he's direct about what he knows and what he doesn't. Clear about what's possible and what isn't. And refreshingly uninterested in spin or “gotcha” communication. That matters when the topic is a massive structural shifts in college swimming. The CSL announcement dropped December 9th and immediately became one of the most discussed developments in our sport. The league named former International Swimming League (ISL) Toronto Titans GM Rob Kent as CEO, with Sockwell operating alongside him as COO. In this GMM podcast, we briefly cover Kyle's start and evolution in sports media, and then we dig into the details surrounding CSL

Ever feel like you're stuck fixing fires instead of building teams that actually thrive? Imagine stepping into a legacy brand, mobilizing hundreds of operators, and transforming your culture from confused to unbeatable, all while modernizing for the future.In this episode, Cameron Herold gets real with Jackie Secor, COO of Taco John's. She's a 25-year franchise and operations veteran who reveals how trust, creativity, and emotional intelligence drive relentless brand loyalty and profit. They dive deep into promoting insiders, learning from the front line, fighting standardization chaos, and using AI to cut real problems, not just hype.If you're tired of leadership fluff and want the actual proven moves great COOs use to build legendary teams, this episode is your advantage. Press play right now if you want to stop the pain of high turnover, poor culture, or outdated systems and get the inside story you'll never hear anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why problem-dropping is forbidden in Jackie's office[03:01] – The unexpected challenges facing any new COO in a legacy brand[04:06] – Why the right network beats experience every time[07:42] – Jaw-dropping fix: How she clawed back operational standardization[09:21] – The hidden dangers of outsourced audits (and how Jackie reversed them)[13:30] – How stretch assignments reveal real leaders, not just performers[15:04] – Emotional intelligence: The operator's secret weapon[17:42] – How Jackie coaches Gen Z talent when they want the corner office—now[20:03] – The shocking empathy learned on the franchisee side[25:41] – Standardizing the most controversial taco technique: meat on bottom or side?![29:13] – Multi-generation success—how Taco John's beats the odds other brands can't[32:03] – Are robots and AI the real next move, or total overkill?[36:03] – Why “get back to basics” wins versus flashy ideas every time[37:46] – The one job in the restaurant nobody envies (and why it matters for culture)[43:31] – Redefining quality and value, even as giants like Chipotle pivot fast[44:04] – Why every franchisor MUST run their own locations for credibility[45:56] – The advice Jackie wishes she got at 21 (and warns every young COO today)About the GuestJackie Secor is the Chief Operating Officer at Taco John's, a fast-growing, family-owned restaurant brand with a passionate multi-generation franchise base. With over 25 years' experience across both franchisee and franchisor sides, including at Auntie Anne's, she's renowned for building high-performance teams, driving operational turnarounds, and modernizing legacy operations through creativity and emotional intelligence.

The following article of the Talent industry is: “Top 4 Signs of Change That Are Defining the Future of Work” by Joseph Zumaeta, COO, Pandapé.

In this episode, Darin Roark, President and COO of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, shares how his team doubled down on quality to achieve major improvements in patient outcomes, length of stay, and safety. He also discusses leadership lessons, sustaining momentum, and key priorities for growth and care delivery in 2026.

Merry Christmas and welcome back to Stories from the River. We hope you are having a lovely day filled with love, joy, peace, family, and support.  Today we wanted to bring you a special holiday episode. Manny Rodrigues, Broad River's President and COO, welcomes his in-laws, Jimmy Kallam and Suzi Kallam, for a heartfelt holiday conversation. Jimmy and Suzi are founders of Tandem Spirituality, a ministry which focuses on supporting pastors, Christian leaders, and anyone seeking connection and guidance. Jimmy shares the origins and purpose of his latest book, Struggling Well with Life, designed to support anyone in a time of crisis.  Jimmy and Suzi discuss how to show up for others and how seeing people during this Christmas season can impact others' day profoundly.  They share their favorite memories and traditions during Christmas as well as the promise that we have in Christ. We hope you all have a joyful and Merry Christmas holiday! Additional resources:  Struggling Well with Life: https://www.amazon.com/Struggling-Well-Life-Jimmy-Kallam/dp/B0F2CC6RSV   Tandem Spirituality: https://www.tandemspirituality.com/     This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sgMg1_d9_70  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.   Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com  Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail   

In 2025, AI is reshaping the COO's mandate across Asia, shifting focus from process efficiency to strategic orchestration. According to McKinsey (2024), 68% of APAC operations leaders report AI-driven automation freeing up 20–30% of planning capacity, enabling greater emphasis on resilience and innovation. Accenture highlights that AI-powered predictive operations are now table stakes in manufacturing and logistics hubs like Vietnam and Singapore. However, Gartner cautions that only 35% of Asian firms have mature data governance to support enterprise AI at scale. For COOs, the imperative is clear: integrate AI into core operational workflows while navigating talent gaps and ethical AI frameworks unique to Asia's fragmented regulatory landscape.Questions1.       Define AI as viewed from the perspective of the COO.2.       How is AI redefining the strategic scope of the COO beyond traditional operational efficiency in Asian organisations? 3.       In organisations where CEOs increasingly own AI strategy in Asia Pacific, how can COOs ensure day-to-day operations, processes, and KPIs stay tightly aligned with that strategy, including their role in cross-functional AI governance and enterprise-wide AI scaling? 4.       Which high-value operational domains (e.g. supply chain, customer operations, risk and compliance, manufacturing, warehousing, etc) in Asia offer the greatest near-term returns from generative and agentic AI, and how should COOs prioritise them, including which industries are leading in AI-driven operational transformation? 5.       What new operating models are emerging as AI blurs the lines between planning, execution, and decision-making, and how should the COO mandate evolve when AI and automation become core to the business model in Asian markets? 6.       How can COOs redesign operating models to integrate “digital labour” and AI agents alongside human teams, including how leading Asian firms are reskilling operations talent to work effectively alongside AI systems while addressing employee job-fear and skills gaps? 7.       What new leadership, data, and AI literacy capabilities must operations leaders and middle management in Asia develop to manage AI-augmented teams effectively? 8.       What governance frameworks are needed for responsible and ethical AI use in operations, ensuring alignment with Asia's diverse regulatory and ethical standards on data privacy, security, model risk, transparency, fairness, and brand trust? 9.       What metrics beyond cost savings should COOs adopt to measure AI's impact on resilience, service quality, growth, and overall business value in Asia's volatile markets? 10.   How should COOs structure partnerships with consulting firms and technology providers to accelerate AI-enabled operations without creating long-term vendor lock-in? 11.   Given constrained budgets and competing priorities for 2026, what capital allocation and business case criteria should COOs apply to scale AI in operations while avoiding hype-driven investments, addressing pressing data governance and infrastructure gaps?12.   What is Teceze?13.   What i

Çetin Ünsalan'ın hazırlayıp sunduğu Reel Piyasalar programına Craftgate Kurucu Ortağı ve COO'su Murathan Özcan konuk oldu.

Çetin Ünsalan'ın hazırlayıp sunduğu Reel Piyasalar programına Craftgate Kurucu Ortağı ve COO'su Murathan Özcan konuk oldu.

In this episode of The Business of Alignment, AJ records live—driving, thinking, and telling the truth that most leaders avoid.Organizations are moving faster than ever. AI, constant output pressure, endless meetings, board demands, and nonstop execution have created a dangerous gap: almost no one is actually thinking strategically anymore.Not the middle managers.Not individual contributors.And, surprisingly, not always the C-suite either.AJ breaks down why modern companies are operationally busy but strategically fragile—and why relying on the CEO, CFO, or COO alone to “own strategy” is no longer enough. When everyone is reacting, firefighting, and chasing velocity, alignment quietly collapses.His answer? A bold one:By 2026, every serious organization should have a dedicated Strategy Office—a cross-functional team embedded across product, sales, HR, marketing, and partnerships. Not to create decks. Not to chase buzzwords. But to think, unblock, pressure-test, bridge gaps, and ensure the business is actually moving in the right direction—not just moving fast.This episode is part reflection, part call to action, and part warning: Execution without strategy is just motion.If you're a leader feeling the speed, the fatigue, and the misalignment—this one's for you.

It's that time of year again, when Banka Claus and his Bankadelic Elves come round to share holiday presents and cheer ... and four special guests offer their best banking insights: the highs, lows and hopes for the year ahead. They also dish about the holiday gifts that didn't quite work as we present the second annual Preetha Pulusani Leather Purse for Vegans Award, named in honor of DeepTarget's CEO and her story of what not to give a dedicated animal uber-lover. Our guests: Alex Demyanets, Chief Economist, Delfi Wendy Wilson, Director of Product Management,  ARGO Matthew Wood, Sr. Director, Product Management, Tavant Samantha Ziesemer, COO, Digital Storefront

How Did H2O Innovation Build a Water Empire Through 18+ Acquisitions (M&A) and What Happens Now Under Private Equity?More #water insights? Get my free mapping of 267 water investors here: https://investors.dww.show

Ever wondered why so many remote teams fall apart while others scale to $100M and beyond… without burning out? This episode is a raw, practical look at exactly what it takes to build and lead a remote-first organization that actually works, not just in theory, but in the trenches.Cameron Herold sits down with Ryan Montgomery, COO of ClickFunnels, to expose the real playbook behind thriving distributed teams, rapid-fire decision making, relentless innovation, and building systems that keep a visionary CEO's wildest ideas on track. You'll hear the battle-tested culture moves, hiring decisions, and frameworks that eliminated chaos as ClickFunnels vaulted from scrappy startup to industry king.Don't let unpredictable growth, relentless tech changes, or a “too many ideas” CEO destroy your progress! Listen now for exclusive, battle-proven insights you won't get on any other COO podcast. Miss this conversation and risk getting left behind chasing hacks instead of building something legendary.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – How a rejected idea turned into a $100M phenomenon[02:35] – The radical decision that forever changed ClickFunnels' growth[04:28] – Why most teams struggle with remote culture—and the proven fix[09:55] – The secret to keeping a visionary CEO happy without burning out your team[13:39] – What to throw away from your last company if you want to survive hypergrowth[18:44] – How ClickFunnels keeps employee turnover shockingly low[25:31] – The Go Meeting: an addiction for solving obstacles at lightning speed[32:06] – When and why “killing sacred cows” saved the company[41:03] – What Ryan wishes he'd known before leading thousands through explosive changeAbout the GuestRyan Montgomery is the Former Chief Operating Officer at ClickFunnels, where he's been instrumental in scaling the company from a small startup to a global, remote-first powerhouse serving nearly 100,000 customers. A seasoned software engineer and relentless problem solver, Ryan is celebrated for building high-performance teams, architecting resilient systems, and distilling visionary energy into repeatable growth engines.

If you're a visionary CEO who feels stuck in the day-to-day, overwhelmed by your team, or unsure how to scale, this episode will hit home.Aaron Velky sits down with Erica Seagrave, a seasoned Fractional COO and systems expert, to unpack the biggest mistakes founders make when trying to grow. From accountability to vision alignment to building real operational support, this conversation is packed with tactical insight.What You'll Learn:✔️ Why most visionaries accidentally become bottlenecks✔️ How to turn "fluffy" vision into a tactical roadmap✔️ The 6-step structure Erica uses with scaling CEOs✔️ How to build systems that don't kill creativity✔️ When to hire a COO, and what they really do✔️ How to develop leaders inside your teamAbout Erica SeagraveErica is the founder of Seagrave Consultants and a go-to fractional COO for growing businesses. She helps founders get out of the weeds, build better systems, and step fully into their CEO role.Learn more at: https://seagraveconsultants.com

Are you chasing AI because it sounds good, or because it actually solves a real problem in your freight brokerage? And are you protecting your data, your margins, and your relationships while you do it?  Let's hear the real cost of AI in transportation and why proprietary AI and workflow automation can be a smarter long-term play in this episode with Herbert Orellana of Avanza BPO & Nearshoring and Sterling Engelhard of Data Gurus Group.  We discuss AI adoption in freight brokerage, data security, private AI models, why optimizing your internal processes has to come before automation if you want real ROI, nearshore AI development, how logistics-focused teams can help control costs and protect data ownership, and why 90% of brokerage work can be automated—but the human touch is still the competitive edge that builds trust with shippers and carriers!   Herbert Orellana Co‑Founder and COO of Avanza began his career at GlobalTranz in Scottsdale, AZ, where he thrived in a fast‑paced, tech‑driven freight brokerage environment. At Avanza, Herbert has been pivotal in scaling operations in Honduras, replicating the high‑pressure, SLA‑driven culture of American 3PLs within a nearshore model. His focus is on strategy and client success, partnering with 3PLs and FreightTech companies to design and build high‑performing nearshore teams that drive growth and efficiency.   Sterling Engelhard Seasoned technology leader with 15+ years of experience building and scaling engineering, data, and product teams across North America and LATAM. He is an expert in nearshore software delivery models, helping companies accelerate roadmaps, reduce costs, and improve quality through high-performing LATAM talent. Sterling has successfully scaled multiple software startups, shaping technical strategy, optimizing delivery operations, and leading digital transformation for enterprise clients.   Connect with Herbert and Sterling Website: https://avanzabpo.com/ / https://datagurus.tech/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbert-orellana-099a1abb/ / https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlingengelhard/  

In this solo episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts, Christian business & HR consultant and founder of Salt & Light Advisors, opens up about a deeper tension many high-achieving Christians carry but rarely say out loud: when ambition, excellence, and drive cross the line from worship to idolatry. Drawing from her own story as a COO in the insurance industry, Kerri shares how private jets, big titles, and record-breaking performance still left her 50 pounds heavier, exhausted, bitter, and spiritually depleted.Kerri walks listeners through the difference between godly excellence and achievement-as-an-idol for anyone in leadership: employees, executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners. She unpacks the cultural pull toward workaholism and toxic productivity, where identity becomes fused to output and status, and pairs it with the biblical call to worship God alone, honor our limits, and receive Sabbath as a gift instead of a rule. Scriptures like Exodus 20:3 and Colossians 3:23 frame the conversation and help listeners recognize when work, money, or achievement has taken the functional place of God.Finally, Kerri offers six practical guardrails for faith-driven professionals who want to keep excellence but lose the bondage: redefining success beyond output, building real rhythms of rest, creating boundaries and delegation (including automations), seeking accountability and community, regularly checking motives and heart posture, and leading people instead of worshiping productivity. With honest stories about motherhood, job loss, identity, money guilt, and rebuilding her life and business with healthier rhythms, Kerri invites Christian leaders to pause, reflect, and choose one concrete step toward grace, balance, and true godly success.Key TakeawaysExcellence is biblical—but it's not your identity. Workaholism is a warning sign, not a virtue. Idolatry is often subtle and internal. Healthy excellence honors human limits. You can rewrite your relationship with work.  Sponsors & Ways to Work with Kerri1. HR in a BoxIf you're a small business owner or faith-driven entrepreneur who knows you need HR, culture, and people systems—but you're not ready to hire a full-time HR leader—HR in a Box is for you. Over 6 or 12 months, Kerri walks you through building a strong HR and people-operations foundation that supports sustainable, godly success instead of burnout.Learn more at www.saltandlightadvisors.com/hrinabox2. Weekly Leadership & Identity Email ListStay grounded each week with Kerri's email on leadership and faith-driven work. It's designed for Christians in business and leadership who want to grow in spiritual confidence and lead from a place of wholeness—not hustle.Join the list at www.saltandlightadvisors.com/contact3. Magic MindThis episode is brought to you by Magic Mind, my go-to support for focused, calm productivity—especially on those long consulting days, heavy leadership weeks, or marathon podcast batching sessions. If you've ever felt overstimulated from too much caffeine or struggled with focus because you're mentally overloaded, Magic Mind is an adaptogenic blend designed to steady your energy rather than spike it. It's been a meaningful tool in my own journey toward healthier, more sustainable excellence—not the burnout-driven version I talk about in today's episode.You can try Magic Mind and get a discount using my link: https://magicmind.superfiliate.com/KERRIROBERTSSupport the show

If you've ever wondered why some child care businesses keep strong teams, even in a tough hiring market, while others feel like they're constantly starting over, this episode is for you. Tune in as Sindye Alexander, COO of Child Care Genius, fills in for Brian and Carol and sits down with Robin Harris, owner of Exceptional Scholars Leadership Academy and a longtime Child Care Genius University member who has officially joined the Child Care Genius team as a coach.   Listen in as Robin shares her journey from public school education into opening her own center in 2018, and why she believes early childhood is the true foundation of everything that comes next for children. She gets real about what she wishes she knew sooner, including the value of having a mentor or coach to help bridge the gap between being an excellent educator and running a thriving business.   Join us for a practical, culture focused conversation about supporting and retaining teachers: training with clarity (down to the smallest SOPs), giving specific recognition that builds morale, and creating an environment where staff feel seen, safe, and empowered. Robin also shares hiring strategies that include being transparent in interviews, showing your school culture online to attract applicants, and building an onboarding process that truly sets people up for success.   You'll also hear a helpful discussion on balancing heart and business, including why understanding finances and the "numbers" matters if you want your mission to last. If you're ready to strengthen your team, improve retention, and lead with purpose and strategy, you'll walk away with clear takeaways you can implement right away.     Mentioned in this episode: GET TICKETS to the Child Care Genius LEGACY Conference:  https://childcaregenius.com/legacyconference/   Need help with your child care marketing? Reach out! At Child Care Genius Marketing we offer website development, hosting, and security, Google Ads creation and management, done for you social media content and ads management. If you'd rather do it yourself, we also have the Genius Box, which is a monthly subscription chock full of social media & blog content, as well as a new monthly lead magnet every month! Learn more at Child Care Genius Marketing. https://childcaregenius.com/marketing-solutions/  Schedule a no obligation call to learn more about how we can partner together to ignite your marketing efforts.   If you need help in your child care business, consider joining our coaching programs at Child Care Genius University. Learn More Here. https://childcaregenius.com/university Connect with us:  Child Care Genius Website Like us on Facebook Join our Owners Only Private Mastermind Group on Facebook    Join our Child Care Mindset Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Buy our Books Check out our Free Resources

Trust is the currency of leadership - especially during disruption.In this episode of A Modern Nonprofit Podcast, host Tosha Anderson sits down with Kim Bohr, President & COO of SparkEffect, to unpack how nonprofit leaders can navigate uncertainty without losing the trust, morale, and engagement of their people.Kim draws from SparkEffect's new research study, Trust in Turbulence: The 2025 State of Organizational Trust, revealing what employees say builds trust (and destroys it) during disruption. They discuss:✔️ Why disruption hits trust before anything else✔️ The “Trust Dividend” - and how trust can grow during change✔️ Why middle managers are the most powerful (and fragile) culture carriers✔️ How nonprofits can protect belonging and psychological safety✔️ How to measure trust like a strategic asset - not a soft skillWhether you're navigating shifting funding, leadership turnover, or organizational restructuring, this episode gives nonprofit CEOs and leaders the playbook for leading with clarity, consistency, and purpose.

Show Notes: 00:00 The Journey of Self-Reflection02:41 Understanding Failure and Fear05:25 Defining Success and Failure07:56 The Role of Trust in the Industry10:13 Navigating the Crypto Landscape13:03 The Evolution of Crypto Ventures15:33 Lessons from Early Experiences17:55 The Importance of User Value20:44 The Impact of Market Dynamics23:14 Reflections on Airdrops and User Engagement26:01 Navigating Challenges in the Crypto Space29:09 The Future of Crypto and Personal Growth38:34 The Call for Decentralization41:18 Building Jupnet: A New Era in Finance43:59 Innovations in Authentication and Sequencing48:49 The Multi-Chain Future: Embracing New Opportunities51:06 The Role of Empathy in Leadership59:54 Personal Growth and the Importance of Vision01:04:06 Studio and the Challenges of Launching Projects01:15:17 Focus on Building Strong Brands01:17:44 Navigating Support Frameworks and Expectations01:20:05 Leadership and Community Engagement01:23:00 The Importance of Sustainable Project Support01:26:18 Reflections on the JOO Token and Community Dynamics01:36:26 Rebuilding the Token Narrative and Community Trust If you like this episode, you're welcome to tip with Ethereum / Solana / Bitcoin:如果喜欢本作品，欢迎打赏ETH/SOL/BTC：ETH: 0x83Fe9765a57C9bA36700b983Af33FD3c9920Ef20SOL: AaCeeEX5xBH6QchuRaUj3CEHED8vv5bUizxUpMsr1KytBTC: 3ACPRhHVbh3cu8zqtqSPpzNnNULbZwaNqG Important Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by Mable Jiang, or other podcast guests, are solely their opinion. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Mable Jiang may hold positions in some of the projects discussed on this show. 重要声明：Mable Jiang或嘉宾在播客中的观点仅代表他们的个人看法。此播客仅用于提供信息，不作为投资参考。Mable Jiang有时可能会在此节目中讨论的某项目中持有头寸。

Leadership, culture, and the future of restoration.

Leadership, culture, and the future of restoration.

In this practical episode episode, Jody K. Thelander, CEO of J. Thelander Consulting and Morgan Thelander, COO of J. Thelander Consulting, shares how how to fix messy compensation structures using market data. If you struggle with inconsistent pay and retention risks, you won't want to miss it.You will discover:- How to use surveys for free, tailored market comp insights- Why balancing cash and equity prevents talent flight- What data-driven plans avoid emotional comp pitfalls
This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz
Jody and Morgan Thelander are a powerful mother/daughter duo. The team behind J. Thelander Consulting (recently featured in Forbes) brings unmatched expertise in executive compensation, founder strategy, and leadership alignment at growth-stage companies. They've built a reputation for translating complex compensation data into actionable strategies that help founders attract and retain top talent while navigating the scaling journey. Their perspective is especially valuable for your listeners because it bridges the human and financial sides of growth: how leaders get compensated, how to shape culture, and how alignment at the top sets the tone for long-term success.Want to learn more about Jody K. Thelander and Morgan Thelander's work at J. Thelander Consulting? Check out his website at https://jthelander.com/Check out this survey at https://survey.jthelander.com/Connect with Jody K. Thelander at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-thelander/Connect with Morgan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-thelander/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you're a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you're doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

What happens when AI becomes your most influential referrer?As consumers turn to ChatGPT for answers, James Cadwallader and his team at Profound help brands like Eight Sleep and MongoDB gain visibility and leverage inside AI models.On this episode of Grit, he explains why brand narrative has shifted away from content, and why Profound is scaling globally ahead of traditional SaaS timelines.Guest: James Cadwallader, co-founder and CEO of Profound and Ilya Fushman, partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with James CadwalladerX: https://x.com/thejamescad?lang=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsca/​Connect with Ilya FushmanX: https://x.com/ilyafLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyafushman/Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/kpgritFollow on X:https://x.com/KPGrit​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins: https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

What if the most game-changing shift in your life is a three-letter word you've been afraid to use?In this episode of Men Talking Mindfulness, hosts Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill sit down with Jim Alling—former President of Starbucks, COO of T-Mobile USA, and CEO of TOMS—to explore how the simple word yes, paired with gritty gratitude and servant leadership, can transform the way men lead, live, and relate.Jim shares how saying yes to the right things—family, values, service, and curiosity—helped him navigate massive responsibility: tens of thousands of employees, billions in revenue, and the pressure of leading globally recognized brands. He also gets honest about the real cost of hustle culture, what burnout feels like at the top, and why the most effective leaders are often the most human.In this conversation, you'll hear:• How one mentor at Starbucks taught Jim the “power of yes”• Why he chose family and his child's health over a secure corporate path• What gritty gratitude looks like when life is hard—not polished• The difference between performative leadership and servant leadership• Why men who “have it all together” often feel empty inside• How to say yes without becoming a doormat (values, boundaries, clarity)• How humility, humor, and service kept Jim grounded across Nestlé, Starbucks, T-Mobile, and TOMSIf you're a man caught between success and burnout—or you lead people and want to make a real difference without losing your soul—this episode is for you.You'll walk away with:✅ A new understanding of yes as a doorway to purpose✅ A servant-leadership blueprint that still delivers results✅ Tools to integrate gratitude into pressure and responsibility✅ Encouragement to lead as your whole self—not just your titleSponsorPeptides for Health by Mark L. Gordon, M.D. is a new two-volume series exploring the science and clinical application of therapeutic peptides.Release Dates• Medical Edition Vol. 1: December 22, 2025• Consumer Edition Vol. 1: January 20, 2026Discount Code: PFH25Offer Windows• Medical Edition: Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026• Consumer Edition: Jan 20 – Feb 20, 2026Proceeds support the development of the Children of Veterans Program.Preview both editions:https://tbihelpnow.org/biohack-yourselfLinks & Resources

22 Dec 2025. Demand for short-term rentals in Dubai is surging ahead of New Year’s Eve, especially apartments with a Burj Khalifa fireworks view. We ask Vinayak Mahtani, CEO of bnbme Holiday Homes, what it’ll cost you this year. Plus, what the next single-use plastic ban means for businesses in 2026 with Francois De Bie, COO, Emirates Bioplastic. And why tax, AI and governance are now front and centre for Gulf companies with Jade Wong of Sovereign PPG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bank On It, financial insights you can count on with Jason Shields, the COO of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust

* It's the start of bowl week for LSU! How do the Tigers match up with the Houston Cougars? Which players have hit the portal? * Bank On It, financial insights you can count on with Jason Shields, the COO of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust

Ebbie Edmonston, from New Mexico's Brewers Guild, COO and Founder Rich Headley and Head Bartender and Quality Control Sara Headley from Beer Creek Brewing Company, south of Santa Fe on HWY 14, all join TJ to talk about beer on this last Beer Friday of 2025. All here on News Radio KKOB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, host Nick Day sits down with John Canapel, President and COO of Cypher Learning, to explore how AI is reshaping learning and development and what this means for the future of HR.The conversation covers why traditional LMS models are no longer fit for purpose, how AI native learning platforms are collapsing months of work into minutes, and why personalization, engagement, and learning in the flow of work are now critical. John shares how AI agents, microlearning, and conversational learning can help organizations close skill gaps faster while protecting IP and maintaining strong governance.You will hear practical insights on AI driven course creation, learning agents, gamification, and skills based career pathways, alongside real world examples showing improved engagement, faster onboarding, stronger compliance, and higher retention. The discussion also looks at how the role of the L&D professional is evolving from content creation to designing scalable learning systems and managing behavior change.Whether you are an HR leader, L&D professional, or business executive, this episode will help you understand how to move from slow, compliance driven training to high impact, human centered learning powered by AI. Expect clear guidance on where to start, how to assess AI readiness, and how to build a workforce that can upskill faster and perform at a higher level in a rapidly changing world.John's Kannapell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kannapell/ Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/ Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7

Today's show features: 

 - Lawrence Breaud, Dealer Principal at Autos of Forney/VinFast - Jiovan Melendez, Sr. Director, Product at Podium 

 - Liam Golightley, VP, Customer Success at Podium - Kate Downing, COO of Williams Auto Group This episode is brought to you by: Overfuel – Dealers: You're torching $30 of every $100 in marketing spend when your site flunks Google's basic performance test. Why keep using outdated website technology that's killing your profits? Overfuel is the new technical standard in automotive websites, proven to grow sales by 30%+. Whether you need more revenue or better support, they've got you covered. Go to https://overfuel.com/ and use code CDG500 in the comment box for $500 OFF. Podium – Podium is redefining how dealerships engage and convert customers by acting as a fully trained, fully coachable AI team member available 24/7. Dealers can customize Jerry to follow their exact playbooks, speak in their brand voice, and drive more appointments and revenue. Learn more at https://www.podium.com/car-dealership-guy CDG Circles – A modern peer group for auto dealers. Private dealer chats. Real insights — confidential, compliant, no travel required. Visit https://cdgcircles.com/ to learn more. Car Dealership Guy is back with our second annual NADA Party—happening in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 5th. It's the hottest ticket at NADA 2026. Spots are limited and unfortunately we can't invite everyone —so RSVP today at https://carguymedia.com/cdglive and we hope to see you in Vegas! -- Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: CDG News ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://news.dealershipguy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CDG Jobs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CDG Recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris breaks down the biggest stories shaping freight as we head toward the end of 2025. Malcolm covers major industry headlines including the pending Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger, long-term investment at the Port of New York and New Jersey, consolidation in auto transport logistics, and a high-profile cargo theft case that underscores ongoing risk across the supply chain. The show features an in-depth conversation with Valentina Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Nauta, and Rafa Santiago, COO and co-founder, as they unveil Nauta's AI-powered inventory optimization engine. They explain how SKU-level visibility, harmonized data, and agentic AI workflows are helping shippers reduce stockouts, improve fill rates, and create more predictable freight flows that benefit truckers, 3PLs, and brokers alike. The discussion explores real-world customer wins, faster time to value, and how better inventory planning leads to smoother routes, consistent loads, and stronger revenue across the network. Later in the episode, Malcolm is joined in studio by Virind Gujral, CEO and founder of EV Bots. Virind shares his journey from fleet operations to building autonomous robotic solutions for EV fleet charging. He explains how EV Bots is tackling one of the biggest barriers to electric fleet adoption by eliminating driver downtime, optimizing charging costs, and automating vehicle inspections and maintenance checks. The conversation dives into Chattanooga's growing innovation ecosystem, pilot deployments, and what the future holds for electric fleets and logistics automation. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore a powerful and practical truth: everyone needs a counselor, a coach, and a consultant. Whether you're leading in ministry, business, or family life, no one thrives in isolation—and wisdom multiplies when we invite the right voices into our lives.Our guest is Pastor Jeremy Godwin, COO of Builders International, who brings a unique blend of pastoral insight, executive leadership, and global ministry experience. Jeremy helps unpack the distinct roles of counseling, coaching, and consulting—why each matters, how they differ, and when you might need one more than the others.Together, we discuss healthy leadership, emotional and spiritual care, decision-making, and how seeking help is not a weakness but a sign of maturity and stewardship. This conversation is especially relevant for leaders who carry heavy responsibility and want to lead well, finish strong, and live whole.If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this episode will help you identify the support you need—and permit you to pursue it.GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to use their individual power of generosity to support their communities. This global day of generosity, celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, unites people to support causes that matter most. It's a powerful reminder of the impact we can create when we come together to give back. https://emerge.org/givingtuesday/ Mental Health Therapists... Apply today at emerge.org/careers and join us in the battle to help people find freedom and rest... Emerge.org - "You Don't Have to Walk Alone" Support the showContact Us: Email the show: experience@emerge.org Emerge.org facebook.com/EmergeCounselingMinistries Thank you for listening, sharing, and praying for our podcast!Support the ExEm podcast by clicking here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/882700/support

On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris breaks down the biggest stories shaping freight as we head toward the end of 2025. Malcolm covers major industry headlines including the pending Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger, long-term investment at the Port of New York and New Jersey, consolidation in auto transport logistics, and a high-profile cargo theft case that underscores ongoing risk across the supply chain. The show features an in-depth conversation with Valentina Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Nauta, and Rafa Santiago, COO and co-founder, as they unveil Nauta's AI-powered inventory optimization engine. They explain how SKU-level visibility, harmonized data, and agentic AI workflows are helping shippers reduce stockouts, improve fill rates, and create more predictable freight flows that benefit truckers, 3PLs, and brokers alike. The discussion explores real-world customer wins, faster time to value, and how better inventory planning leads to smoother routes, consistent loads, and stronger revenue across the network. Later in the episode, Malcolm is joined in studio by Virind Gujral, CEO and founder of EV Bots. Virind shares his journey from fleet operations to building autonomous robotic solutions for EV fleet charging. He explains how EV Bots is tackling one of the biggest barriers to electric fleet adoption by eliminating driver downtime, optimizing charging costs, and automating vehicle inspections and maintenance checks. The conversation dives into Chattanooga's growing innovation ecosystem, pilot deployments, and what the future holds for electric fleets and logistics automation. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Wallerstein, and Matt Tower for Week in Edtech, exploring OpenAI's teacher certifications, kids' online safety legislation, early literacy declines, college admissions pressures, and what remains irreplaceable in education as AI advances.✨ Episode Highlights[00:03:00] OpenAI launches teacher certifications, expanding into K–12 [00:05:00] Big Tech credentials raise control and gatekeeping concerns [00:07:55] Doubts emerge around certifying AI pedagogy [00:12:40] Google and OpenAI intensify competition for schools [00:14:15] Congress advances online safety bills affecting edtech [00:19:15] COPPA changes threaten AI personalization [00:24:05] Parent reading declines deepen literacy gaps [00:26:45] Early childhood remains underfunded despite high impact [00:31:15] College admissions lean further into yield management [00:33:10] AI reshapes admissions essay review [00:36:20] Trust in higher education continues to fall [00:40:40] Education systems face pressure to adapt Plus, special guests: [00:45:30] Maya Bialik, Founder of QuestionWell, and Peter Nilsson, Founder of Athena Lab, on their book Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning [01:11:16] Emily Gill, Co-Founder & COO of LEVRA, on AI simulations for human skills development

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!Most grocery retailers are chasing a $1.6 trillion market but Sprouts Farmers Market is deliberately ignoring $1.3 trillion of it. Join Shelley and Nick Konat, President and COO of Sprouts, as they reveal why the retailer has a laser focus on the $300 billion health enthusiast segment. Marching to a different drummer, Sprouts is driving 8 to 10 percent annual store growth while competitors struggle with more conventional strategies. That alone makes Sprouts a 2025 Crave Retail Radical! Learn how the retailer is expanding from 23 states to coast-to-coast while maintaining a smaller, more intimate format that runs countertrend to the superstore orthodoxy dominating the industry. The company's counterintuitive approach celebrates the fact that customers will shop elsewhere. Sprouts is banking on solving the friction points that plague being a healthy eater: limited access to product, high costs, confusing claims, and mediocre taste. Sprouts is a model in retaining talent with a 30 percent internal promotion rate, and its purpose-driven ethos translates into solid bottom-line results. Nick explains why Sprouts is perfectly aligned with the explosive growth in the health food category among Gen Z and millennials. This strategy isn't about trends but rather about supporting longevity-focused consumption behavior that will reshape grocery. Special Guest: Nick Konat President, and Chief Operating Officer of Sprouts Farmers Market For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Are you caught in the chaos of growth, struggling to build a team that actually wins together—not just on paper? In this unflinching episode, Sivana Brewer sits down with Christopher Wein, COO of Equiton Developments and a heavy-hitter in North American real estate, to crack open the mechanics of true team performance.Discover why chemistry, not just talent, is the heart of unstoppable teams, how to identify toxic “A-players” before they destroy your culture, and the essential systems that cut out waste and ramp up productivity. Plus, get an inside look at how a real estate powerhouse harnesses AI, brand, and leadership psychology to fuel constant growth.If you crave a more empowered team and want to sidestep the burnout and drama most operators face, you need to hear this conversation—right now. Wait, and you risk falling (further) behind leaders who are already applying these exclusive insights.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – How chemistry—not talent—makes or breaks a winning team [05:00] – The “invisible” signals leaders use to spot misalignment early [11:25] – Wein's ruthless approach to first-90-day change… and why waiting kills progress [16:48] – The surprising danger of superstar hires (and how to prevent toxicity) [26:38] – Crafting vision: where execs must dictate and where teams must own it [33:02] – What real productivity looks like—inside a COO's hyper-productive day [40:17] – The tool myth: how misused systems actually crush company growth [53:46] – Revolutionary leadership: From “making” to “causing” results without the dramaMentioned ResourcesQuickBooks Microsoft Teams Slack ChatGPTVivid Vision by Cameron Herold King Charles III Coronation Medal Calgary Top 40 under 40About the GuestChristopher Wein is the Chief Operating Officer of Equiton Developments, a private equity real estate firm with 18,000 investors and a national development portfolio. Known for over 25 years of operational leadership across Canada and the United States, Wein is an industry innovator in sustainable building and high-performing leadership teams. He's received top honors, including Calgary's Top 40 Under 40 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal for philanthropy. Connect with Christopher for proven wisdom on team scale, chemistry, and vision-driven operations.

Today, we have a special episode recorded in Southern California just after Veterans Day.We gathered the day before the unforgettable 4th Annual Torchbearer Ball, hosted by VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions), which raised $960,000 for veterans and families with its continued mission to end veteran suicide and support psychedelic-assisted therapy.My four guests discuss this critical time, and we dial in on the progress and the specific need to expand this care and research. You'll hear from Marcus Capone, Retired Navy SEAL and co-founder of VETS; Amber Capone, co-founder of VETS, Home Base PAT clinician, and actor Eliza Dushku Palandjian; and COO of Home Base, Michael Allard.We also talk about the impact of PAT for veteran health, from suicide prevention to brain health, in the new documentary, In Waves and War, just released on Netflix, brought to the screen by award-winning directors Jon Schenk and Bonni Cohen. The Washington Post just released its Top 10 movies of 2025, listing this film at #7.  So, if you are tuning into this podcast, you will want to see this movie!Home Base is also excited and honored to become the newest member of the VALOR Coalition (Veterans Alliance for Leadership, Outreach, and Recovery), alongside VETS, the Navy SEAL Foundation, the Green Beret Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Home Base Nation is the official podcast for the Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families. Our team sees veterans, service members, and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation. To learn more about how to help, visit us at www.homebase.org. If you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron HirschbergAssistant Producer, Editor: Chuck CloughChairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests on the Home Base Nation podcast are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation, or any of its officials.

In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Lakila Bowden to explore the transformative practice of self-celebration and the role it plays in helping Black women reclaim agency, joy, and permission to lead from a place of fullness. Drawing from key concepts in her book, The Sho'Nuff Principle, Lakila lays out a liberatory framework for centering ourselves without guilt, raising our expectations, and giving ourselves the recognition we often withhold. Laura and Lakila unpack the guilt, shame, and cultural conditioning that often arise when Black women center themselves, and what it looks like to begin shifting that mindset with compassion. Additionally, Lakila explains why self-celebration is not "extra," but essential. She explores the emotional and psychological roots of celebration, encouraging Black women to "brag more," and teaching how celebration functions as a mirror, an amplifier, and a motivator. Whether you've avoided attention, minimized your accomplishments, or struggled with self-recognition, Lakila offers accessible starting points to begin turning up your self- celebration.   About Dr. Lakila Dr. Lakila Bowden is the charismatic voice high-achieving women didn't know they were missing. A visionary speaker, company founder, and unapologetic rest advocate, she's the COO of iSee Technologies and author of The Sho' Nuff Principle: A High Achieving Woman's Guide to Self-Care, Self-Promotion, & Self-Celebration. After a thriving executive career in Fortune 500 companies like GE and DaVita—and retiring from corporate America at just 37—Dr. Bowden's charted a bold path that's led to her becoming a trusted voice on stage for powerhouse organizations like The Walt Disney Company, Kraft Heinz, Verizon, and JP Morgan.   Lakila embraces a multi-hyphenate lifestyle which aligns with her personal ethos to operate in flow vs force in wealth creation and living life in celebratory fashion. As a proud North Carolina A&T Aggie Alum, her academic credentials, including an MBA from Emory University and an honorary doctorate in Humanitarianism, bolster her practical strategies for balancing demanding careers with personal well-being. She resides in the Atlanta area, enjoying the adventures of life with her remarkable husband, Eric, and their brilliant and kind son, Zaire Aasir.  Connect with Lakila Instagram: @lakilaj LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lakila-bowden-mba-0463272/ Website: www.iseetechnologies.com Purchase her book: https://shonuffprinciple.com/ Take the Guilt Detox Assessment: https://lakilabowden.com/guilt-detox/   BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube.  Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/   Credits: Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading  Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Dara Adams Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

Fred Bell, COO of Elemental Royalty, discusses the transformative year for the company, highlighting significant developments such as a merger with EMX Royalty, new shareholder Tether, and strategic acquisitions. He emphasizes the company's strong market position, exploration strategies, and future growth potential, while addressing valuation insights and the competitive landscape in the royalty sector.

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love speaks with executive coach and author Luci Gabel about optimal performance for high achievers—and Luci's definition is simple and practical: optimal performance equals energy. She explains that rainmakers and senior professionals aren't just managing tasks; they are managing the internal capacity to think clearly, communicate well, make high-stakes decisions, and stay steady under pressure. Luci introduces a framework of six “pillars” of energy that combine the physical and mental sides of performance: nutrition, movement, rest/sleep, mindset, communication, and vision. Her point is that you cannot separate physiology from leadership—small shifts in hydration, rest, movement, or self-talk can immediately improve focus, mood, decision quality, and resilience. Luci also emphasizes that most professionals don't pay attention to energy until they're already depleted; the first step is simply noticing what drains you and what elevates you throughout the day. Rather than overwhelming people with a complete lifestyle overhaul, she advocates high-leverage, minimal viable changes—one small adjustment practiced consistently for a week or two (like increasing water intake, taking a 10-minute walk, or turning screens off an hour earlier). She recommends turning the six pillars into a simple monthly self-audit: draw a “wheel,” rate yourself from 1–10 on each pillar, identify the lowest score, and focus on one small improvement there. Over time, this creates compounding gains in energy and clarity. Luci closes by pointing listeners to her coaching and group programs built on these pillars, along with her podcast, Leadership Life, Health and Happiness, for continued strategies on sustainable performance. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/t10UiZsieEU ----------------------------------------

Chris Hall, COO of Remote Area Medical, joins to tell us how broken our health care system is, and why Remote Area Medical shouldn't have to exist.

Barrett Brooks is an executive coach and former COO helping seven-figure creators grow their businesses and lead with integrity - blending strategy, psychology, and leadership to fuel sustainable success. In this episode, Barrett unpacks for the Fire Nation how mastering the inner game of leadership drives clarity, performance, and growth. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Most entrepreneurs don't lack knowledge; they resist the emotional cost of action. Success depends on mastering your inner world, not collecting more tactics. 2. Burnout isn't about overwork; it's about underusing your agency. Taking back control of your choices restores energy and clarity. 3. Notice, pause, and choose differently. Awareness of your internal reactions is the foundation for sustainable leadership and growth. Subscribe to Barrett Brooks Newsletter for practical, 5-minute weekly insights on leadership and psychology in entrepreneurship - Barrett Brooks' Website Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Freedom Circle - A powerful community of entrepreneurs led by JLD. Are you ready to go from idea to income in 90-days? Visit Freedom-Circle.com to learn more. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business. Check out QuickBooks Money Tools today. Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

From chief marketing officer at the first internet bank to building the leading annuity platform for RIAs, David Lau shares proven strategies for raising capital, navigating public company challenges, and why converting commission-based revenue to fee-based can multiply your exit value by five times. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with David Lau, founder and CEO of DPL Financial Partners, who has raised over $500 million across multiple ventures and built DPL into a platform serving more than 10,000 advisors at over 3,500 RIA firms. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover why organic growth matters far more than market growth when acquirers evaluate your business, how converting commission-based annuity business to fee-based can multiply both your revenue and your exit multiple, the real tradeoffs of taking institutional capital and signing up for aggressive growth, the critical difference between venture capitalist optimism and private equity scrutiny, and how recognizing when your business has "run its course" can open the door to building something bigger. DAVID'S JOURNEY: David's career began as chief marketing officer of Telebank, the first internet bank, where he helped raise over $500 million. When preparing to go public, the stock jumped from $17 to $150 in weeks before Goldman Sachs stabilized pricing at $105. He later built Jefferson National, an insurance carrier he sold to Nationwide. That experience taught him the valuable part was distribution, not the capital-intensive balance sheet, leading directly to founding DPL in 2018. KEY INSIGHTS: A billionaire David met admitted he "mistook a bull market for brilliance." Acquirers only pay premium multiples for organic growth. If you did nothing different over the last decade as an RIA, you're making twice as much just from market performance. Buyers know this. Converting from commission to fee-based transforms exit potential with three times the revenue and five times the multiple, while expanding your buyer pool. DPL's technology reviews 2,500 policies per hour, and a significant portion of DPL's $4 billion in annuity sales were M&A related. When launching DPL, David planned to bootstrap until meeting Todd Boehly. Taking institutional capital means signing up for aggressive growth where some team members won't make it to the next stage. Venture capitalists are optimists who see your vision. Private equity investors see everything that can go wrong. Perfect for RIA owners considering M&A, hybrid advisors evaluating fee-based transitions, and entrepreneurs weighing capital raising decisions. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/davidlau FOR MORE ON DAVID LAU: https://www.dplfp.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lau-b6449b7/ https://x.com/dpl_fp FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: David Lau's journey to building DPL Financial Partners [04:00] - Capital raising at Telebank: $500 million raised, stock jumping from $17 to $150 [08:00] - The tradeoffs of taking institutional capital and signing up for aggressive growth [12:00] - Venture capitalists as optimists versus private equity investors who see downside [16:00] - Why choosing the right capital partners matters more than just getting funded [20:00] - How DPL solved the RIA insurance problem with commission-free products [24:00] - Converting to fee-based: Three times the revenue and five times the multiple [28:00] - Why organic growth matters more than market growth in valuations [33:00] - The future of RIA consolidation and when to sell a business [40:00] - Freedom: Working with Russian defectors and gaining perspective Guest Bio David Lau is founder and CEO of DPL Financial Partners, the leading annuity platform for RIAs. Since 2018, DPL has worked with 20 insurance carriers and built an advisor base of more than 10,000 advisors from over 3,500 RIA firms. Before founding DPL, David was COO of Jefferson National, which he helped build and sell to Nationwide. Earlier, he served as chief marketing officer at Telebank, the first internet bank, where he helped raise over $500 million. His work has been covered in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Barron's, and CNBC. DPL is backed by Todd Boehly's Eldridge and Bob Diamond's Atlas Merchant Capital. Host Bio Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes Episode 350 - When NOT to Take Venture Capital with Tom Dillon: Explore alternative funding sources when traditional VC doesn't fit your exit strategy. Episode 339 - Next-Gen Leadership and M&A: Why G2 Matters: Understand why developing Generation 2 leadership commands premium valuations. Episode 209 - M&A Talk with Leading RIA Aggregators and Integrators: Bob Oros of Hightower Advisors: Explore what aggregators look for in acquisition targets. Social Media Follow DealQuest Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Follow David Lau: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lau-b6449b7/ Company: https://www.dplfp.com Twitter/X: https://x.com/dpl_fp Keywords/Tags s RIA M&A, capital raising, fee-based revenue, commission-free annuities, DPL Financial Partners, organic growth, enterprise value, hybrid advisor transition, RIA consolidation, private equity, venture capital, going public, IPO, exit strategy, insurance for RIAs, annuity platform, wealth management M&A, financial services, startup funding, institutional capital, valuation multiples, deal structures, business growth strategies, dealmaking

In this special episode, host Cindi Howson pulls together the most useful, and hard-won, lessons from a year of conversations with Data Chiefs leading the GenAI charge. With generative and agentic AI no longer a side experiment, this episode spotlights five practices early adopters can rely on to move from pilots to profit. Expect straight talk on what to prioritize, how to bring people with you, and how to scale AI with the trust, literacy, and guardrails that make impact stick.Key Moments:Tying AI to Real Dollars with Anand Iyer, Ecolab (02:10): Anand cuts through the GenAI FOMO and brings everything back to a simple survival test: if you can't draw a straight line from an AI initiative to top-line growth or bottom-line savings, it won't last. His lesson is a sharp reminder that “cool” doesn't scale, value does. Leading Through Ambiguity with Karen Stroup, WEX (06:01): Karen names what everyone's feeling: ambiguity is paralyzing. She explains how leaders earn trust by shrinking the unknown into learnable, bite-sized experiments and creating the psychological safety people need to engage instead of resist.Building Practical AI Literacy at Scale with Josh Cunningham, Lloyds Banking Group (12:42):  Josh shares how Lloyds Banking Group makes literacy impactful by meeting people where they are. Rather than one-size-fits-all training, they pair broad fundamentals with role-specific learning so every business unit can build confidence in ways that match their actual work. Scaling Responsible Agentic AI with Noelle Russell, AI Leadership Institute (25:09): Noelle steps in with a practical framework for building agentic systems that don't go rogue. She walks through the POET framework and stresses that responsible AI isn't a final checkpoint. It's something you embed from the first idea to production, with guardrails that protect people and outcomes.Embedding AI Where Work Happens with Ilan Twig, Navan (32:35): Ilan tells a classic early-adopter story: start with a business problem, move fast, and be ruthless about what needs building versus buying. His lesson is that AI wins when it's inside the workflow, supporting decisions at the point of impact rather than living in a separate tool. Don't Let Perfection Stall Progress with Ketan Karkhanis, ThoughtSpot (40:59): Ketan shares a culture gut-check: waiting for perfect metrics, perfect KPIs, or perfect clarity is how progress dies. He argues for visible, trust-building iteration, because in AI, speed to learning beats speed to certainty. Key Quotes:“One thing that people sometimes forget is that at the end of the day, it's all about are we either saving money or making money? And are you able to show that in the bottom line or the top line in a measurable way?” - Anand Iyer“I don't think there's any chief anything officer that should not be considering AI today. I think if you're not considering AI, you are at the risk of being disrupted because you're not going to be learning at the pace with the rest of the industry, and there's someone out there looking for a better way.” - Karen Stroup“It's trying your best to meet people where they are… Finding a way to anchor the [AI] learning to something that's relevant to their day-to-day role is always going to make it land better.” - Josh Cunningham“ When people lose 70% of their trust in you, they just don't buy from you, they don't work for you, they don't talk about you… and your business starts to die. I think that trust component is a human component… and it is underpinning all the other philosophies that I have.” - Noelle Russell“When you asked me about how to educate yourself on AI, I think that companies must make a decision, and quickly, this or that.” - Ilan Twig“ Don't let perfection be the enemy of progress.” - Ketan KarkhanisGuest Bios Anand IyerAnand Iyer is the SVP, Chief Data Officer at Ecolab, where he leads the company's global data and analytics strategy. Based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, he oversees enterprise data governance, business intelligence, engineering, and advanced analytics to accelerate Ecolab's digital transformation. Since joining in 2018, Anand has held several senior roles, including VP of Enterprise Architecture and VP of Architecture for Commercial Digital Solutions, helping to scale IoT and data-driven platforms across the organization.Karen StroupKaren joined WEX in 2022 as Chief Digital Officer, a newly created role. She brings more than 15 years of experience leading product management, digital, and innovation organizations focused on software as a service offerings, primarily in financial services.Josh CunninghamJosh Cunningham is the Group Head of Data and AI Culture at Lloyds Banking Group, where he leads the Data Culture Pillar—one of five strategic pillars in the Group's data strategy. He is focused on embedding data-driven mindsets across the organization and empowering teams to unlock the full value of data.Noelle RussellNoelle Russell is a multi-award-winning speaker, author, and AI Executive who specializes in transforming businesses through strategic AI adoption. She is a revenue growth + cost optimization expert, 4x Microsoft Responsible AI MVP, and named the #1 Agentic AI Leader in 2025. She has led teams at NPR, Microsoft, IBM, AWS and Amazon Alexa, and is a consistent champion for Data and AI literacy and is the founder of the "I ❤️ AI" Community teaching responsible AI for everyone.Ilan TwigIlan Twig is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Navan, the leading modern travel and expense management platform, globally. As CTO, Ilan drives Navan's product development and engineering efforts, leveraging cutting-edge technologies — including AI — to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Ketan KarkhanisKetan Karkhanis is the CEO of ThoughtSpot, the Agentic Analytics Platform company. Prior to joining the company in September 2024, Ketan was the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sales Cloud at Salesforce. He returned to Salesforce in March 2022 after his time as the COO of Turvo, an emerging supply-chain collaboration platform.  Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

In the latest episode of The Jewelry District, JCK news director Rob Bates and JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky talk to a husband and wife team: Olivia Landau (co-founder and CEO) and Kyle Simon (co-founder and COO) of The Clear Cut—a New York City-based brand that creates custom engagement rings and other jewelry with the option to do so completely virtually. They talk about the origin story of their company, from Instagram DMs to a full-time tech-enabled operation; how they fill the niche between an in-store experience and an overwhelming online marketplace; their unapologetic focus on natural diamonds; trends in the engagement ring space; and their ideas about the importance of storytelling around diamonds. Title sponsor: Nivoda (nivoda.com) Sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

In this episode of The Women On Top, Valerie Lynn sits down with Victoria Pelletier—a force of nature who became a COO before most people feel confident in their first leadership role. Today, she's a sought-after keynote speaker, corporate executive, and author known for her unapologetic no excuses philosophy.What unfolds is a raw and powerful conversation about what it really takes to rise inside the corporate world—and why resilience, ownership, and courage matter more than any job title.Valerie and Victoria dive deep into:

On this episode of The Cybersecurity Defenders Podcast we speak with Rebekah Skeete, Executive Director and CEO of BlackGirlsHack Foundation. Rebekah dives into how BGH is helping to increase diversity in cybersecurity by bridging the gap between what is taught in educational institutions and what is necessary for careers in cybersecurity.For more information visit: https://www.blackgirlshack.org/HomeRebekah Skeete is a Security Engineer with Schellman based in Dallas, Texas. As a member of the Infrastructure and Security team, Rebekah is part of a collaborative group of technology professionals serving as the primary technical resource to safeguard the organization's computer networks and systems. In her role, she is responsible for planning and carrying out security measures to monitor and protect sensitive data and systems from infiltration and cyber-attacks. Prior to joining Schellman in 2022, Rebekah worked for the Texas Rangers in a myriad of roles, including Cybersecurity Analyst and Manager of IT Applications and Operations. During the construction of the Rangers new state-of-the-art ballpark, Globe Life Field, Rebekah assisted the Rangers IT department's efforts to transition over 200 front office employees to their new workspaces. Outside baseball and IT, Rebekah is also interested in politics and started volunteering for campaigns in 2008. From 2013-2016, she served as a Campaign Manager in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In 2015, she attended the Women's Campaign School at Yale. Rebekah is the COO of BlackGirlsHack, a nonprofit organization providing black women with resources, training, mentoring, and access to increase representation and diversity in the cybersecurity field. Committed to inclusion and belonging, she holds the firm belief that representation enhances the culture and community of an organization and seeks to amplify underserved voices at any table she has a seat.Support our show by sharing your favorite episodes with a friend, subscribe, give us a rating or leave a comment on your podcast platform. This podcast is brought to you by LimaCharlie, maker of the SecOps Cloud Platform, infrastructure for SecOps where everything is built API first. Scale with confidence as your business grows. Start today for free at limacharlie.io.

Succession planning is rarely easy, but when life circumstances accelerate the timeline, it requires courage, clarity, and deep trust in your team. This episode explores how to manage an ownership and client transition with empathy, structure, and transparency. KayDee Cole is the founder of Clarity Wealth Development, an RIA based in Corvallis, Oregon, that manages $200 million in AUM for 220 client households. Listen in as KayDee shares how she navigated an expedited succession plan after a cancer recurrence, selling equity to her COO through a seller-financed loan and preparing other team members for ownership. We also talk about the structured four-meeting process she created to transition clients to new advisors, how she coached her team through readiness conversations, and how transparent communication helped retain nearly all clients through the change. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/468

Aleks Gampel is COO and Co-founder at Cuby, a company rethinking how homes are built in the middle of a nationwide housing crisis. The cost of housing has soared while construction productivity has barely budged in decades, and today's homes are still built through slow, wasteful, and carbon-intensive processes that aren't designed for escalating climate risks. Instead of shipping prefab boxes across the country, Cuby asks what it would look like if housing finally had its assembly line moment—and the factory moved to where homes are needed. Their mobile microfactories are inflatable, rapidly deployable facilities that manufacture standardized home components on or near the job site using mostly unskilled labor, then assemble houses in a predictable, repeatable way. In this conversation, Aleks unpacks the roots of the housing shortage, why past modular attempts fell short, and how Cuby's model could change what's possible for housing affordability, waste reduction, and resilience.Episode recorded on Nov 20, 2025 (Published on Dec 16, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [4:40] Causes for the housing crisis today  [8:17] Emissions associated with housing and how Cuby differs[12:54] An overview of  industrialized construction [16:43] Main challenges with industrialized construction[19:25] Cuby's antithesis to centralized gigafactories in construction[27:08] How Cuby's inflatable mobile microfactory works[30:17] Cuby's European headquarters and China facility [31:57] Cuby's single-family home design [33:30] The company's business model[37:52] Why Cuby isn't displacing jobs [38:55] The company's funding to date [40:15] What's next for Cuby Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Stewart Heath founded the Harvard Grace Corporation in 2010, which has since expanded into Harvard Grace Capital. HG Corporation still provides fractional C-level executive services to clients as well as general business consulting. Heath also sits on several boards, including HGC, Winsome Truth, The Shepherd's Call, and Second Chance Sober Living. In 2016, Heath was recognized as a finalist for the Nashville Business Journal's CFO Awards. Currently, Heath holds several fractional CFO positions.Heath previously held positions as COO and CFO for companies in retail, real estate, manufacturing, corporate services, entertainment, and digital media. He earned his CPA license in 1987 and has since held several senior financial and operating positions. Heath also holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Auburn University. He now runs Harvard Grace Capital, an idea that has been close to his heart for a long time, in an effort to provide stability for investors and to engage with his community. Connect with Stewart Heath: Website: https://harvardgracecapital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartoheath/ , https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvard-grace-corporation/ TurnKey Podcast Productions Important Links:Guest to Gold Video Series: www.TurnkeyPodcast.com/gold The Ultimate Podcast Launch Formula- www.TurnkeyPodcast.com/UPLFplusFREE workshop on how to "Be A Great Guest."Free E-Book 5 Ways to Make Money Podcasting at www.Turnkeypodcast.com/gift Ready to earn 6-figures with your podcast? See if you've got what it takes at TurnkeyPodcast.com/quizSales Training for Podcasters: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sales-training-for-podcasters/id1540644376Nice Guys on Business: http://www.niceguysonbusiness.com/subscribe/The Turnkey Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turnkey-podcast/id1485077152

Turning down a $3B offer from Facebook is a bold move for any young CEO.Evan Spiegel shares how Snap's early dream was to stay independent and give its community an authentic voice, a bet that proved right.He also explains why they are now doubling down on AR glasses and why the anxiety around AI deserves far more attention from tech leaders.Guest: Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc. and Bing Gordon, Advisor at Kleiner Perkins​Connect with Evan SpiegelX:https://x.com/evanspiegel?lang=enLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-spiegel/​Connect with Bing GordonX: https://x.com/bingfish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/binggordon/Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/