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Want to start, grow, and monetize your own podcast? Watch Podcast Success Secrets Welcome to the optYOUmize Podcast where we help entrepreneurs build the business AND life of their dreams. Get tips, tactics, stories, and inspiration from interviews with business and personal development experts and lessons from my own successes and failures so you can make more, work less, and live better. You don't have to go it alone--we're here to support and motivate you, and encourage you to keep going until you reach your goals. Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Website Summary Brett Ingram interviews Roy Ossing, a seasoned entrepreneur who shares his journey from a systems analyst to leading a billion-dollar internet company. The conversation delves into the importance of differentiation in business, the challenges of accidental success, and the significance of customer retention. Roy emphasizes that being unique and understanding customer cravings are essential for success. He also discusses audacious business practices, hiring for passion, and the need for a strategic approach to entrepreneurship. Visit https://bedifferentorbedead.com to learn more about his work and to join him in the BE DiFFERENT or be dead conversation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Roy Ossing and His Journey 02:53 The Importance of Differentiation in Business 05:52 Understanding Customer Cravings 08:44 The Role of Strategy in Entrepreneurship 11:24 The Challenge of Copycat Entrepreneurs 14:11 Scaling Your Business Effectively 17:04 Audacious Approaches to Business Success 19:50 Hiring for Passion and Customer Connection 22:58 Final Thoughts on Differentiation and Success #differentiation #businessstrategy #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if we could train AI to understand how stem cells become any cell type in the human body? In this episode of the In Vivo Podcast, host David Wild sits down with Micha Breakstone (CEO & Co-founder) and Samantha Dale Strasser (VP of Strategy) from Somite.AI to explore how their company is using foundation models to revolutionize cell therapy development. Somite has pioneered a breakthrough approach that generates cell differentiation data at 1000x the efficiency of traditional methods using proprietary hydrogel capsule technology. By capturing millions of trajectories showing how cells respond to signals over time, they're building DeltaStem—a foundation model that could do for developmental biology what AlphaFold did for protein structure prediction. Topics covered: - How bringing cells to signals (rather than signals to cells) unlocks exponential scale - Why wet lab innovation is just as critical as AI models - Manufacturing optimization: improving purity, reducing variability, and cutting costs - From beta cells for diabetes to brown fat for metabolic disease—the therapeutic pipeline - Why even AI experts underestimate what's coming in the next decade - Lessons from building biotech companies from academic concepts to commercial ventures Whether you're in pharma, biotech, AI or just fascinated by the intersection of technology and human biology, this conversation offers a grounded look at how foundation models are moving from hype to real therapeutic impact.
Retail leader and analyst Jeffrey McNulty breaks down a simple, usable framework for PowerSports dealers who want faster turns and better margins. We cover the traps of legacy thinking and insulated management, why a 40–45 hour target for leaders boosts performance, and how to apply the CAPED model: Customization, Adaptability, Personalization, Engagement, and Differentiation. We also dig into private-label services and guarantees, the SAG rule for authentic customer messaging, and the DAKA filter for faster decisions. If you're holding aged units, guessing on trade values, or struggling to stand out against same-brand competitors, this episode gives you a clear plan to fix it.Subscribe for more dealer-focused tactics and interviews that help you run smoother, sell smarter, and adapt faster.Follow Jeffrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypmcnulty/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/32L4getcOmBCYL3fRxDlyH?si=2c816556bab94519Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealership-fixit-podcast/id1449367603YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RWgq6pFKN8dHurvKa858ATikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dealershipfixitX (Twitter): https://x.com/DealershipFixitLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealershipfixit/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealership_fixit/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dealershipfixitSponsor: dealers.motohunt.com
Some RIAs slap ESG labels on products and call it impact investing. Chat Reynders has been doing it for real, since before it was cool.In this episode, Chat sits down with Stacy Havener to unpack the story behind Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, the $4B firm he co-founded after starting his career… raising money for a whale documentary.Yes, really.In this episode, you'll hear about:The wild backstory of how raising $4.5M for an IMAX film on whales sparked Chat's lifelong mission to fuse capital with purposeWhy Chat walked away from traditional finance (and how that shaped his view on sustainable investing)The truth about ESG, what Wall Street got wrong, and how Reynders McVeigh is doing it differentlyThe power of curiosity, clarity, and staying true to your story (especially in a world full of productized sameness)How declaring your firm's identity can fuel growth both externally and within your teamWhether you're a founder, an investor, or someone trying to align your money with your mission, this conversation will get you thinking.More About Chat: Chat Reynders is the Chairman and CEO of Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, a $4B RIA he co-founded in 2005. With over 25 years of experience in investment management and social venture investing, Chat is known for blending fundamentals with forward-thinking strategies—and for being a true pioneer in values-driven investing.Beyond finance, he's raised over $150 million through public/private partnerships to support cultural and environmental initiatives worldwide. A longtime producer of socially conscious IMAX films (including the Oscar-nominated Dolphins), Chat's passion for impact extends to his work on the board of the MacGillivray Freeman Educational Foundation and other nonprofits.His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Barron's, and Business Week.Want More Help With Storytelling? + Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn't be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap
Welcome to another episode of HALO Talks! Today, host Pete Moore sits down with Luke Hartelust--a dynamic entrepreneur and now the founder of MNLY--who made the leap from the oil and gas rigs off the coast of Australia to California's innovative health tech scene. Luke shares his journey from the grueling world of offshore drilling to launching and scaling fitness businesses, including his instrumental role in bringing F45 Training to Southern California. The conversation dives deep into his latest venture, a groundbreaking men's health platform that uses AI, cutting-edge blood analysis, and custom supplementation to help men take true ownership of their health. Tune in to hear his insights on building community, the power of personalization in wellness, and what it takes to stand out in the rapidly evolving health optimization space. When it comes to the personalized health revolution he states, "Based on your blood work, our model will prescribe specific doses of specific micronutrients, aminos, herbs, extracts and minerals into that custom supplement formula that comes in morning, noon and night packs." Key themes discussed Career transition from oil and gas to health tech. Entrepreneurship journey and lessons learned from failures. F45 Training franchise growth and operational strategies. Brand protection and building strong community engagement. Men's health issues and the need for accountability. Personalized, AI-driven health optimization and supplement plans. Differentiation of in the men's health market. A Few Key Takeaways: 1. From Oil Rigs to Health Tech: Luke shared his path from working shifts on oil rigs to building fitness businesses and eventually moving into health tech. His drive was sparked by a personal epiphany—wanting to create a better life and help others, which led him to become an entrepreneur. 2. Lessons Learned from F45 and Brand Protection: Luke's experience scaling F45 franchises in Southern California gave him a "six-year apprenticeship" in what to do—and what not to do—when building and protecting a brand. A key takeaway: Focus on the emotions your brand evokes and prioritize building a strong community before chasing customer acquisition at scale. 3. Identifying a Gap in Men's Health-Accountability Over Access: After experiencing low energy despite living a healthy lifestyle, Luke discovered his own testosterone was severely low and saw first-hand the ineffectiveness and friction in telehealth for men. He believes the real crisis isn't just health, but accountability and ownership—people need tools and systems that make it easier for them to take proactive control of their well-being. 4. MNLY's Personalized Health Platform-Seamless, AI-Driven, and Fast: MNLY stands apart by integrating AI-powered testing and personalized recommendations to deliver tailored health plans and custom supplement packs. Customers use an at-home blood kit and environmental health assessment, then receive actionable insights and products within days—removing friction points common in traditional telehealth models. 5. Proven Results and a Focus on Efficiency: MNLY's approach delivers results about 50% faster than most competitors, according to Luke, and their pilot data showed significant improvements in markers like testosterone (on average, a 30% increase in 90 days among test users). Their evolving concierge model combines AI-driven support with human coaching, aiming to streamline the path to better health for busy men. Resources: Luke Hartelust: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-hartelust-597332253 MNLY: https://www.getmnly.com Integrity Square: https://www.integritysq.com Prospect Wizard: https://www.theprospectwizard.com Promotion Vault: http://www.promotionvault.com HigherDose: http://www.higherdose.com
On Episode #187 of the PricePlow Podcast, we welcome Richard Foster (founder of Strom Sports UK) and Dean Harris (president of Strom Sports US) for an in-depth discussion filmed at PLT Health Solutions headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey. Joined by PLT's Steve Fink (who first joined us in Episode #146), this marks the podcast's first deep dive into the UK supplement market and the transatlantic differences in formulation philosophy, regulatory frameworks, and consumer expectations. Richard brings 19 years of industry experience building Strom from a UK supplement shop into a global brand focused on performance athletes, while Dean shares insights from bringing the brand to American consumers. The conversation explores why UK health products often exceed US standards despite America's more permissive approach to stimulants, how branded ingredients like ApresFlex and CellFlo6 deliver superior results compared to generic alternatives, and why the supplement industry is entering its "golden age" of science-backed innovation. Whether you're interested in international market dynamics, ingredient science, or the future of supplement formulation, this episode delivers valuable insights from both sides of the Atlantic. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/strom-sports-plt-health-187 Video: Strom Sports UK/US at PLT Health Solutions - International Supplement Market Insights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVkhvOkyiVc Detailed Show Notes (0:00) – Welcome to PLT Health Solutions (2:15) – UK vs US: Quality Standards and Distribution Models (6:40) – Beast Farm: Eddie Hall's Supplement Brand (8:30) – The Dinner That Started Everything (10:00) – ApresFlex: The Joint Health Game-Changer (15:00) – The Evolution of Informed Consumers (17:00) – UK Novel Food Regulations: The 1997 Rule (19:30) – The Ashwagandha Controversy (28:00) – Anti-Inflammatories and Clinical Dosing (31:30) – CellFlo6: From Acquisition to Integration (33:45) – Differentiation in a Sea of Branded Ingredients (38:00) – CreaPure and the Branded Ingredient Spectrum (40:00) – The Rise of the Informed Consumer (43:45) – Third-Party Testing and the Informed Sport Trap (46:15) – Beverage Formulation Challenges (47:50) – CellFlo6 in Peak Max: Bodybuilding Applications (52:15) – CellFlo6 for Libido and Cardiovascular Health (55:00) – Mega Natural and the Sustainability Question (57:15) – Flavor: The Hardcore vs Mainstream Divide (1:03:45) – Nostalgia for the Wild West Era and Current Glory Days (1:08:30) – The Collagen Controversy (1:11:15) – The EU Caffeine Regulation Dilemma (1:14:45) – Extended Release Caffeine and zümXR (1:20:00) – zümXR Caffeine and PLT's Nootropics (1:23:30) – The Cognitive Health Revolution in the UK (1:36:15) – The Death of Present-Moment Experience (1:38:45) – Where to Find Strom Sports Where to Follow Strom Sports and PLT Health Solutions Strom Sports UK: str... Read more on the PricePlow Blog
Yo Aunteas are joined once again by Brian Sims — activist, former Pennsylvania State Representative, and CEO of Agenda PAC. Brian breaks down how Agenda PAC is using AI to identify and defeat the most dangerous bigots in America, why local elections matter more than ever, and how queer communities can reignite political hope amid burnout and misinformation. The group gets real about why the Democratic party refuses to "play dirty", and Brian delivers a sharp call to action for allies—especially white gay men—who have been conspicuously silent while our rights are under attack. Of course, the Aunteas also serve the cultural tea, breaking down the drama behind Brandy walking off stage during the long-awaited Brandy & Monica tour. Finally, Brian returns for "Curiositea Part Two" , sharing his hobbies, his Drag Race Mount Rushmore , and the sweet story behind the last song he played . (Dawon is out this week, but sends his love from London! ) So, get them cups readyyyy!! Tea Stamps: 00:00 Pop Culture Moments 01:26 Agena PAC's Brian Sims 09:52 Communitea Bulletin Board: Sam Smith 11:23 The Importance and Urgency of Voting 14:43 Identifying and Challenging Bigotry 21:46 The Role of Allies in Advocacy 25:00 Finding Hope Amidst Fatigue 29:10 Engaging White Gays in Activism 34:51 Holding Elected Officials Accountable 39:35 Changing the Narrative: Engaging Elected Officials 41:01 Better Teamwork 42:25 The Need for Aggressive Political Strategy 43:22 Fighting Back: The Role of Incumbents and Challengers 44:47 The Importance of Differentiation in Political Messaging 47:59 The Role of Social Media in Political Discourse 50:54 Social Media's Role 53:29 Interpersonal Communication: The Antidote to Misinformation 54:31 Masculinity and Identity: Backed Potato & Gollum 01:00:18 The Call to Action: Voting and Community Engagement 01:02:50 Brandy...where you going girl? 01:08:13 Curiositea: Brian Sims Part 2 01:28:30 Agenda PAC 01:30:18 Benediction 01:31:33 Personal Reflections and Future Plans
If this episode is appearing twice, it's because the Spotify feed was acting up. Apologies and hey... you get to hear Brian Sims, twice! - Yo Aunteas! Yo Aunteas are joined once again by Brian Sims — activist, former Pennsylvania State Representative, and CEO of Agenda PAC. Brian breaks down how Agenda PAC is using AI to identify and defeat the most dangerous bigots in America, why local elections matter more than ever, and how queer communities can reignite political hope amid burnout and misinformation. The group gets real about why the Democratic party refuses to "play dirty", and Brian delivers a sharp call to action for allies—especially white gay men—who have been conspicuously silent while our rights are under attack. Of course, the Aunteas also serve the cultural tea, breaking down the drama behind Brandy walking off stage during the long-awaited Brandy & Monica tour. Finally, Brian returns for "Curiositea Part Two" , sharing his hobbies, his Drag Race Mount Rushmore , and the sweet story behind the last song he played . (Dawon is out this week, but sends his love from London! ) So, get them cups readyyyy!! Tea Stamps: 00:00 Pop Culture Moments 01:26 Agena PAC's Brian Sims 09:52 Communitea Bulletin Board: Sam Smith 11:23 The Importance and Urgency of Voting 14:43 Identifying and Challenging Bigotry 21:46 The Role of Allies in Advocacy 25:00 Finding Hope Amidst Fatigue 29:10 Engaging White Gays in Activism 34:51 Holding Elected Officials Accountable 39:35 Changing the Narrative: Engaging Elected Officials 41:01 Better Teamwork 42:25 The Need for Aggressive Political Strategy 43:22 Fighting Back: The Role of Incumbents and Challengers 44:47 The Importance of Differentiation in Political Messaging 47:59 The Role of Social Media in Political Discourse 50:54 Social Media's Role 53:29 Interpersonal Communication: The Antidote to Misinformation 54:31 Masculinity and Identity: Backed Potato & Gollum 01:00:18 The Call to Action: Voting and Community Engagement 01:02:50 Brandy...where you going girl? 01:08:13 Curiositea: Brian Sims Part 2 01:28:30 Agenda PAC 01:30:18 Benediction 01:31:33 Personal Reflections and Future Plans
In this episode, Luke Burgis explores the question, “Are your desires really yours?” and how to recognize and reclaim what you truly want. He discusses how to tell the difference between “thin desires (fleeting, imitated wants) and “thick desires” (the deeper longings that bring lasting fulfillment), and why discerning between the two can change the direction of your life. Luke also shares practices for uncovering your true hierarchy of values, creating alignment between what you want and who you want to be. Explore how to pivot from “I don't want to” to “I do want to, I just dono't feel like it” and how to feed the desires that lead to meaning instead of comparison or regret.Exciting News!!!Coming in March, 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!Key Takeaways:Exploration of the concept of mimetic desire and its origins in the work of René Girard.Discussion on how desires are often imitative and influenced by others rather than being inherently personal.The importance of discerning between beneficial and harmful desires in one's life.The parable of the two wolves as a metaphor for the internal conflict between positive and negative desires.Differentiation between “thin desires” (fleeting and influenced by external factors) and “thick desires” (deeply rooted in personal values and identity).The role of self-reflection and narrative in understanding one's desires and motivations.The significance of establishing a hierarchy of values to guide decision-making and desire cultivation.The impact of social interactions on shaping desires and the responsibility individuals have in influencing others.The concept of “stalking your greatest desire” as a means to align personal desires with one's life mission.The importance of having a trusted partner for exploring and communicating desires, emphasizing the value of attentive listening.For full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramIf you enjoyed this conversation with Luke Burgis, check out these other episodes:How to Find Zest in Life with Dr. John KaagFinding Zen in the Ordinary with Christopher KeevilBy purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you!This episode is sponsored by:Persona Nutrition delivers science-backed, personalized vitamin packs that make daily wellness simple and convenient. In just minutes, you get a plan tailored to your health goals. No clutter, no guesswork. Just grab-and-go packs designed by experts. Go to PersonaNutrition.com/FEED today to take the free assessment and get your personalized daily vitamin packs for an exclusive offer — get 40% off your first order.Grow Therapy – Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance, and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. (Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plans. Visit growtherapy.com/feed today!Delivering the WOW; Check out Richard Fain's new book, a behind-the-scenes look at how he transformed Royal Caribbean into a world-class company through culture, innovation, and intentional leadership. Available now on Amazon and wherever you get your books.AGZ – Start taking your sleep seriously with AGZ. Head to drinkag1.com/feed to get a FREE Welcome Kit with the flavor of your choice that includes a 30 day supply of AGZ and a FREE frother.Smalls – Smalls cat food is protein-packed recipes made with preservative-free ingredients you'd find in your fridge… and it's delivered right to your door. For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/FEED! No more picking between random brands at the store. Smalls has the right food to satisfy any cat's cravings.LinkedIn: Post your job for free at linkedin.com/1youfeed. Terms and conditions apply.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode with Austin Brittenham of 2nd Chair:* AI is Transforming Legal Workflows and the Billable HourAI tools like 2nd Chair are changing how legal work is performed, reducing the need for billable hours and enabling lawyers to work more efficiently. This shift challenges the traditional billable hour model and encourages new business models in law.* Access to Justice and the Latent Legal MarketThere is a huge unmet demand for legal services—most people with legal needs never consult a lawyer. AI-powered tools and new pricing models can help lawyers serve this “latent legal market,” expanding access to justice and creating new revenue opportunities.* Differentiation in Legal AI: Engineering and User Experience2nd Chair differentiates itself from competitors by building custom solutions for parsing legal documents and providing AI with citations, making it more reliable and useful for lawyers. Transparent, simple subscription pricing is also a key part of their appeal.* The Evolving Role of LawyersAI is automating much of the routine, document-heavy work that has dominated legal practice since the rise of the billable hour. This is pushing lawyers back toward their traditional roles as counselors, advisors, and advocates, focusing on higher-value tasks that require human judgment.* Changing Consumer Expectations and Legal Service DeliveryClients are increasingly using AI tools themselves before consulting lawyers, which changes their expectations for speed, cost, and value. Lawyers need to adapt by leveraging AI to deliver faster, more cost-effective, and higher-quality services, while maintaining the human accountability clients still demand.__________________________Learn more about 2nd Chair.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here's a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle's AI Teach-In if you couldn't make it live.I've partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Check out my other show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at subscriptionseminar.com.Check out Mathew Kerbis' law firm Subscription Attorney LLC. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe
Welcome to a Replay episode of the You Can Call Me “Bossy" podcast. Today, I have a replay of one of my favorite interviews from 2025 - a truly inspiring guest, Eleanor Prisco. Eleanor is a dedicated money and mindset coach who focuses on empowering women to achieve financial independence and confidence. In this episode, we dive deep into Eleanor's personal journey from a financially challenging upbringing to becoming a financial strategist helping others. We'll explore the complex relationship women often have with money, influenced by generational patterns, societal expectations, and personal mindsets.Together, we'll unpack the concepts of financial power, mindset, and the often overlooked cycles of money. Eleanor shares invaluable insights on overcoming shame and guilt associated with financial decisions, advocating for oneself in financial matters, and the significance of understanding your personal money story.Whether you're looking to rebuild your relationship with money, seeking practical financial strategies, or simply want to be inspired by someone who's turned financial adversity into empowerment, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways: The importance of financial mindset and education is often neglected in formal systems. Differentiation between guilt (wrong choices with money) and shame (inherently bad with money). Importance of increasing women's voices and influence in the finance industry. Key Timestamps [7:45] – Diverse financial strategies and investments. [18:17] – Navigating social expectations and assertiveness challenges. [29:50] – Examining savings-investment cycle, alignment critical. [37:25] – Strategies and mindset create sustainable financial relationships. [45:33] – Perceptions and fears about wealthy women. Episode Quote "You can be so surprised and delighted when you stand up for yourself." - Eleanor Prisco Episode Resources Instagram: @Eleanorprisco If you enjoyed this episode and are excited for more, please be sure to SUBSCRIBE and write a review to help build momentum and support the show (5-stars would be AWESOME!)_____________________________________________ JOIN US IN - THE CLUB - An annual membership where high-achieving women come together to unapologetically OWN THEIR “BOSSY” in order to rise to the top, make massive impact, and not burn out while doing it. Join TODAY to get access to all past workshop replays and past group coaching calls - always incredible takeaways and AHA moments from reviewing these sessions! Grab your spot in THE CLUB today by CLICKING HERE! _____________________________________________LET'S FREAKING GO! GRAB THIS FREE DOWNLOAD: GRAB 100 FREE JOURNAL PROMPTS TO OWN YOUR BOSSY BY CLICKING HERE LET'S CONNECT: Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or join my STAND IN YOUR POWER FACEBOOK GROUP Grab a signed copy of my bestselling book STAND IN YOUR POWER HEREWatch my TEDx Talk “The Wisdom of Your Ancestors Should Be Ignored” HERE
In this episode, Wen Sang (Co-Founder & COO, GenSpark.ai), Christian Jester (Partner & TMT Markets Leader, PwC), and Jason Hirsch (Partner & Head of AI, Digital Platforms & Emerging Technologies Practice, Nixon Peabody) join the 10X Strategies Podcast to decode the evolving landscape of Agentic AI — what's hot, what's not. The panel explores how AI is reshaping work and productivity, how enterprises are navigating adoption at scale, and the legal and ethical implications of this rapid evolution. They discuss real-world use cases, sustainable business models, the no-moat reality of AI, and why open-source innovation might define the next phase of the AI revolution. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:45 Meet the Panel: Wen Sang, Christian Jester, and Jason Hirsch 02:20 What's Hot in AI — New Use Cases and The Future of Work 05:00 Empowering Knowledge Workers through AI Agents 08:15 Enterprise AI Adoption and The Governance Challenge 11:20 Legal Risks and AI Whitewashing — When Hype Becomes Hazard 15:00 Differentiation in a No-Moat World — Finding Real Value 18:30 The GenSpark Story — Building AI for Knowledge Workers 21:00 Sustainable Business Models in the AI Ecosystem 25:10 Authenticity, Self-Awareness and Investor Confidence 28:30 Governance, Security and Data Integrity in Practice 31:20 What's Not Hot — Pitfalls, Liabilities and Legal Oversights 35:00 Licensing AI — Who Owns the Risk When Things Go Wrong? 38:30 Challenges for Founders — Regulation and General Counsel Gaps 41:15 Open-Source AI and The Thousand-Model Future 43:30 Audience Q&A and Closing Reflections
In this episode, I explore how AI can make differentiation not only doable but sustainable. I share how I use AI tools to support differentiation across content, process, product, and learning environment—helping teachers meet diverse learner needs without doubling their workload. From creating leveled texts and choice boards to designing asset-based rubrics and flexible online spaces, I highlight practical ways AI can enhance equity and efficiency. My goal is to help you spend less time prepping and more time connecting with students as learners. Related Blog
We are experiencing some technical difficulties with today's episode, so instead I thought I would share two clips that were previously cut for time. In these clips, Dana Grodin and Alison McLaney, both of Gemcor and Digipraise, answer our burning questions about diamonds, lab-grown and natural. I'll re-insert their introduction before we hop into the clips, but the rest of the material has never appeared on this feed before. You might have caught it if you subscribe to our YouTube channel, so if you like these quick hits head over there for more. Notable Timestamps [ 00:50 ] - Introducing Dana Grodin & Ali McLaney of Gemcor & Digipraise. [ 03:33 ] - Beginning of the clip "I Didn't Think a Diamond Could Chip!" Although diamond is the strongest material known to mankind, it has weak points and structural bonds, meaning hardness does not equate to avoidance of chips. [ 05:00 ] - The myth of a "flawless" diamond is common, but most diamonds have clarity characteristics (crystals/clouds) that act as weak points visible under magnification. [ 06:15 ] - Gemcor determines if an imperfection breaks the surface, constituting damage, and investigates if the damage is new or pre-existing, noting mounting condition. [ 08:53 ] - Beginning of the clip "What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?" Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. LGDs have exploded in popularity, now representing 50% of engagement ring sales. [ 09:45 ] - Unlike natural diamonds created over millions of years, LGDs are grown in a lab in about 30 days, resulting in them being thousands of dollars less expensive. [ 10:45 ] - Differentiation between natural and lab grown diamonds requires very high-quality, specialized equipment because standard diamond testers and visual inspection fail. [ 12:00 ] - Ethically, all lab grown diamonds should have a laser inscription (e.g., LG) on the girdle, but vendors sometimes omit this marking, creating significant disclosure risk. [ 16:18 ] - Brennan provides a brief conclusion. Your PLRB Resources Podcast Episode: "You Can't Salvage My Mother's Ring!" https://youtu.be/Ijph_AuQZq4 Podcast Episode: The Lab-Grown Mismatch: One Earring, One Surprise https://youtu.be/zp8UUIqQ9Q0 Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at “Property and Liability Resource Bureau” Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your “adjuster story” sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org. Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: “Piece of Future” by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).
: In this episode of the Move The Ball podcast, host Jen Garrett breaks down the "edge equation" for leaders and high achievers: how to stay sharp, relevant, and ahead in a saturated leadership world. Jen shares personal stories, practical frameworks, and actionable strategies for maintaining your edge through clarity, energy, visibility, and risk-taking. Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, or athlete, you'll learn how to avoid edge erosion, continually evolve, and stand out in competitive environments. Episode Highlights: The Edge Equation Explained [3:26]Jen introduces the "edge equation": Edge = Clarity × Energy × Visibility × Risk-Taking, and explains why each factor is essential for staying sharp as a leader. Avoiding Edge Erosion [2:22]Discussion on how success can lead to complacency, and the subtle ways leaders lose their edge by prioritizing maintenance over innovation. Sharpening Your Edge: The Three Moves [9:22]Jen shares three actionable steps: create before you consume, stretch beyond your sphere, and evaluate your evolution to keep evolving as a leader. The Executive Edge Challenge [14:50]Jen issues a challenge to listeners: audit your edge in clarity, energy, visibility, or risk-taking, and take one action this week to strengthen it. IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP WITH CONFIDENCE, MAKE AN IMPACT, AND MOVE THE BALL:
Barbara R. Blackburn - Rigor and Assessment in the Classroom: Strategies and Tools. Second Edition. This is episode 794 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Ranked in the Top 20 Global Gurus in Education, Barbara has dedicated her life to raising the level of rigor and motivation for professional educators and students alike. What differentiates Barbara's over 30 books are her easily executable concrete examples based on decades of experience as a teacher, professor, and consultant. Barbara's dedication to education was inspired in her early years by her parents, Bob and Rose. Her father's doctorate and lifetime career as a professor taught her the importance of professional training. Her mother's career as school secretary shaped Barbara's appreciation of the effort all staff play in the education of every child. Barbara has taught early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students and has served as an educational consultant for three publishing companies. She holds a master's degree in school administration and was certified as both a teacher and a school principal in North Carolina. She received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 2006, she received the award for Outstanding Junior Professor at Winthrop University. She left her position at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to write and speak full-time. In addition to speaking at state, national, and international conferences, she also regularly presents virtual and on-site workshops for teachers and administrators in elementary, middle, and high schools. Her workshops are lively and engaging and filled with practical information. Here are a few of her most popular topics: Rigorous Schools and Classrooms: Leading the Way Rigorous Assessments Rigor and Differentiation in the Classroom Rigor for Students with Special Needs Motivation + Engagement + Rigor = Student Success Research-Based Engaging Instruction Leads to Higher Achievement High Expectations and Increased Support Lead to Success Scaffolding for Success: Helping Learners Meet Rigorous Expectations Across the Curriculum Rigor Is Not a Four-letter Word: Strategies for Success, 4th Edition And today we are talking about Barbara's latest - Rigor and Assessment in the Classroom: Strategies and Tools, 2nd Edition. Excellent book! Incredible tools for using in your classroom! Great conversation! So much to learn and think about! Thanks for listening! Thanks for sharing! Before you go... You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee. This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it. Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! You are AWESOME! Connect & Learn More: https://www.barbarablackburnonline.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarablackburnonline/ https://www.facebook.com/Barbarablackburneducation/ https://www.instagram.com/barbararblackburn/ https://twitter.com/BarbBlackburn https://www.routledge.com/Rigor-and-Assessment-in-the-Classroom-Strategies-and-Tools/Blackburn/p/book/9781032857541 Length - 42:36
Sue spent years leading high-performing teams in New York City's recruitment world. Then came burnout, long commutes, and layoffs. With a newborn and a toddler at home, she decided to stop building other people's companies and start her own. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to pivot from paycheck to purpose — fear, patience, and the discipline to design a life around freedom, not frenzy.We dive into what founders get wrong about scale, how “stickiness” beats speed, and why being your own bottleneck can kill your dream faster than any competitor. From cash flow realities to the myth of overnight success, Sue shares the emotional and tactical lessons of rebuilding after collapse.TL;DR* The courage equation: Real growth = equal parts fear and excitement.* Don't go back to burnout: Layoffs can be a chance to rebuild — not return.* Cash flow kills faster than failure: Design for early revenue before “scaling.”* Patience > virality: Shark Tank stories aren't the norm — steady wins.* Stickiness beats scale: Differentiation creates sustainability.* AI advantage: Use GenAI for leverage, not replacement — efficiency still needs execution.* Don't be your own bottleneck: Founders must delegate or automate to grow.Memorable lines* “If you're doing the right thing, you should feel equal parts fear and excitement.”* “Nobody knows you're here until you tell them — at least eight times.”* “Fast growth is sexy, but slow cash burn wins the long game.”* “AI can't replace human grit — it just compresses the distance between idea and action.”Guest: Sue Bortone — Founder & Executive Coach, former NYC recruitment leader helping professionals rebuild their second act.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suenorelle/Website: https://www.nobletalent.group/Why it mattersFreedom isn't found in escaping failure — it's earned by rebuilding smarter. Every founder in transition has to bet on themselves twice: once to leave, and again to last.Call to ActionIf this conversation lit something up for you, don't just let it fade. Come join me inside the Second Life Leader community on Skool. That's where I share the frameworks, field reports, and real stories of reinvention that don't make it into the podcast. You'll connect with other professionals who are actively rebuilding and leading with clarity. The link is in the show notes—step inside and start building your Second Life today.https://secondlifeleader.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dougutberg.com
Send us a textLaunching a product on Amazon? You need the right campaign structure, not just a budget. From longtail keyword targeting to avoiding early waste on display ads, this video breaks down what actually works. Learn how to launch with broad, phrase, and exact match strategies for faster ad traction and better conversions.Crush your Q4 goals, download the Q4 Selling Playbook built for serious Amazon sellers: https://bit.ly/46Wqkm3Start strong from day one, let's map out your PPC launch strategy together: https://bit.ly/3ZlHh6G #AmazonSelling #VineProgram #AmazonReviews #FBAnews #amazontips Watch these videos on YouTube:Use Brand Analytics to Increase Sales https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnUKZXZ9uEk&list=PLDkvNlz8yl_b9RMGmU9XeqkI9D7QDOAI8&index=4Simplify Amazon Listing Compliance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArGPygUCFpk&list=PLDkvNlz8yl_b9RMGmU9XeqkI9D7QDOAI8&index=11-----------------------------------------------Relying only on Amazon? Download the DTC GrowthStack and start scaling your brand your way: https://bit.ly/4p7TyqjStop wasting ad spend,download our PPC guide and run campaigns that actually convert: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYXDon't wait for chaos, grab the Amazon Crisis Kit before your traffic or rankings take a hit: https://bit.ly/4maWHn0Timestamps00:00 - How Many Campaigns to Launch With a New Product 00:26 - Longtail Keyword Strategy Using Competitor Research 01:26 - Targeting Luxury Niches and Differentiation 01:48 - Best Match Types for Product Launch Campaigns 02:17 - Why Ads Don't Convert Immediately at Launch 03:07 - Understanding Ad History and Conversion Delay 03:16 - Keep Winning Keywords in Campaigns With History 03:44 - Can You Launch Without PPC on Amazon? 04:26 - Ideal PPC Budget for a 500-Unit Product Launch 04:48 - Why Ad Spend Matters Less Than Performance Metrics ----------------------------------------------Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show
Jay Vijayan, founder of Tekion, and Tesla's former CIO, has one of the most remarkable careers in technology and automotive.Jay joined as CIO when Tesla had almost no revenue and stayed through its growth to $5 billion ARR and $35 billion market cap. Elon Musk brought him in to build Tesla's own ERP system at a time when most companies would have chosen ready-made solutions like SAP or Oracle.Today, Jay leads Tekion, a company valued at over $4 billion that has raised more than $640 million and has companies like GM, BMW, Hyundai, and Exor as both customers and investors.Jay talks about how Tekion is rethinking the experience of buying & servicing cars connecting dealers, manufacturers, and partners on one platform. He explains why the company spent four years building its first product, why they acquired real dealerships to understand the business end-to-end, and what it takes to build tech for such a complex industry.This conversation is about building deep, meaningful products, making hard choices early, and maintaining focus when the world is moving too fast.00:00 – Trailer02:42 – What value Tekion brings to the automotive industry?03:56 – Enabling dealers with car buying and servicing05:41 – Helping manufacturers connect all customer touchpoints07:02 – Supporting partners across loans and financing07:34 – What was the industry like before Tekion?09:37 – Why Tekion spend 4 years in stealth mode11:50 – Acquiring dealerships to study the product end-to-end16:38 – Should vertical SaaS companies invest in sector businesses?20:30 – Stay Informed, but don't get swayed by trends22:57 – Why Subscription model didn't work for cars25:30 – How can founders navigate overhyped trends safely?26:22 – Differentiation in AI: solving valuable, sticky problems28:24 – Every business function should have an AI agent30:31 – How can AI agents improve car servicing?32:56 – When customers turn investors36:58 – Why experts opposed acquiring dealerships?40:08 – Why build an ERP backend as an early stage company?44:21 – Do not outsource core customer functions46:37 – Taking on a failed family business51:38 – Paying off huge debt over 10+ years55:21 – When seed investors get a 400x growth58:06 – What is the right attitude early in your career?-------------India's talent has built the world's tech—now it's time to lead it.This mission goes beyond startups. It's about shifting the center of gravity in global tech to include the brilliance rising from India.What is Neon Fund?We invest in seed and early-stage founders from India and the diaspora building world-class Enterprise AI companies. We bring capital, conviction, and a community that's done it before.Subscribe for real founder stories, investor perspectives, economist breakdowns, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we're doing it all at Neon.-------------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text
A lot of people build firms.Very few sell them.Even fewer?Walk away from it all to start again.But that's exactly what Toussaint Bailey did.After building and selling a $2B RIA, he's back on the founder path, this time leading Uplifting Capital, a values-first platform rethinking what private market investing could look like.In this episode, he sits down with Stacy to discuss: His backstory – How growing up in SoCal shaped his belief in “actionable faith in possibility”Why he left a law partnership to help build an RIAThe cultural ethos that scaled Enso Wealth to $2B AUM and an eventual exitWhy he launched Uplifting Capital and how it's redefining access to values-aligned private marketsA storytelling framework any fund manager can use to stand out (hint: it starts with “we're not that.”)About Toussaint Bailey:Toussaint's career has been built on a belief in the promise of possibility. As Founder and Managing Partner at Uplifting Capital, this belief manifests itself as investment in “Impact Alpha,” funds, and companies that produce compelling financial performance through gap-closing solutions in critical areas like education, healthcare, affordable housing, and renewable energy. Prior to founding Uplifting Capital, he was CEO and Chairman of Enso Wealth Management, a private wealth firm with a mission to translate wealth into fulfillment for clients and advisors. Toussaint joined Enso shortly after its formation in 2017, overseeing the firm's rapid growth to nearly $2 billion of assets under management and its eventual acquisition. Before financial services, Toussaint spent over a decade as a practicing attorney. Toussaint has served in several advisory and board capacities, including Impact Investment Subcommittee of the Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association; Investor Advisory Board of HBCU Founder Initiative; Advisory Board of Catalyst Housing Group; Advisory Board of SIY Global; and Board of Regents of Saint Mary's College of California. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Book: Finding Meaning by David Kessler (the “sixth stage” of grief: finding meaning).Want More Help With Storytelling? + Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn't be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus
“Differentiation of self is being a unique individual while maintaining connection with people you love,” explains Dr. Julie Hanks. “We've been trained, particularly as women, to be enmeshed—to feel other people's pain for them. And that does no one any good. It doesn't help them, and it doesn't help us.” On Episode 239, Dr. Hanks joins Cynthia and Susan for a conversation about enmeshment. It has been a core theme in her 30 years of practice as a therapist in Utah, working with families in which “the boundaries are not clear at all and everything's everyone's business.” So why are some Latter-day Saints prone to focusing too much on the lives and choices of their children or other family members? Does our church have teachings that actually promote family enmeshment?
Differentiation doesn't have to mean creating 30 different versions of a lesson. In this episode, I unpack what differentiation really looks like in practice and why it's essential in today's diverse classrooms. I share examples from elementary, middle, and high school to show how teachers can adjust content, process, product, and learning environment to make learning more accessible and engaging for every student. You'll hear how small, intentional design choices can strengthen Tier 1 instruction, reduce the need for intervention, and make teaching more sustainable over time. Related Blog: Differentiation in Action: Why It Matters, What It Is, and How It Works
In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, host Gui Costin speaks with Mark Levy, a differentiation expert and founder of Levy Innovation, known for helping individuals and organizations stand out through what he calls “big sexy ideas.” Levy has worked with major companies and thought leaders, including Simon Sinek, and emphasizes the power of clarity, surprise, and storytelling in business communication.The episode centers around the critical importance of differentiation in the investment business, especially for fundraisers and marketers constantly facing competition. Levy explains that being “better” than competitors often leads to vague or forgettable comparisons, whereas being “different” creates a unique category—a “category of one”—that sets a brand apart.Levy shares techniques for uncovering differentiation, such as listing all industry assumptions and flipping them to find unconventional approaches. He illustrates this with the story of Schlitz Beer, which became a top brand after advertising its “ordinary” brewing process that, while standard in the industry, was unknown and impressive to the public. This story underscores Levy's point that what's obvious to insiders may be extraordinary to outsiders.Costin and Levy agree that every investment strategy has a story, even if the portfolio managers don't immediately see it. They discuss how identifying moments of surprise, change, or passion can reveal a firm's uniqueness. A practical tip from Costin involves asking fund managers, “What gets you out of bed in the morning?” to uncover authentic motivation and inspiration behind a strategy.Levy stresses that in fundraising, where clients must sell strategies internally, numbers alone won't stick—memorable stories will. The goal is to tell a story so compelling that someone can repeat it to others and sound insightful. Storytelling becomes essential not only in marketing materials but also in meetings, pitches, and quarterly updates. These stories should reflect how the firm thinks, why decisions are made, and how anomalies or blips lead to insights and improvements.The conversation concludes with a strong message: in a crowded, noisy, and data-heavy investment world, your differentiation is your brand. To stand out, you must communicate how you think, not just what you do, through stories that show how your approach uniquely benefits clients.Tired of chasing outdated leads? Book a demo to see how Dakota Marketplace simplifies your fundraising process with accurate, up-to-date investor data.
Once the school year is in full swing, meeting every learner's needs can feel impossible, especially when it comes to supporting English learners. In this episode, I sit down with Risa Woods from Every Teacher for a conversation that's equal parts practical and encouraging. Together, we dig into common misconceptions about who English learners are, why translation isn't always the answer, and how focusing on academic language can be a total game-changer. Risa shares simple, actionable strategies that make a real difference. This episode is your reminder that serving every student doesn't require a million new lesson plans - just small, intentional steps that truly work!Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode204Resources:Risa's InstagramRisa's websiteAI tool: ChatGPTDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Related Episodes:Episode 157, Serving ELLs with AI and More with Guest Alyse of Keystone ScienceEpisode 168, Differentiation in Your Science Classroom - Simple Tips to Decrease OverwhelmEpisode 171, Differentiating Within One Class Period (And How to Not Make it Obvious) Episode 172, Content-Specific Differentiation TipsEpisode 191, Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science with Becca of Science Lessons That Rock4 FREE Halloween-themed resources specifically for high school science - 1 for biology, 1 for chemistry, 1 for anatomy, and 1 for physics. Be sure to grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
How to Stop Competing on Price and Start Standing Out for Your True Value Many business owners feel pressure to drop their prices just to win clients. But the truth is, lowering your price rarely builds the kind of business (or life) you really want. In this final episode of The Brilliant Book Festival, I'm joined by David Gómez, pricing expert and author of Stop Competing on Price, as well as our brand new co-authored book, Connect. Lead. Succeed, who shares how entrepreneurs can stop competing on price and start standing out for all the right reasons. David has spent more than 15 years helping small businesses strengthen their pricing and profitability by focusing on differentiation, perceived value, and human connection. He explains why your ability to charge fairly for your work isn't about being the cheapest — it's about being clear, confident and meaningfully different. If you've ever found yourself second-guessing your prices or wondering how to communicate your worth without discounting, this conversation will open your eyes to what really creates value in your clients' minds. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why competing on price keeps your business stuck — and what to do instead The three questions that uncover your true differentiators How to find what makes you remarkable (even when it feels like everyone's the same) Simple ways to add value that make price irrelevant How to use connection and clarity to build trust — and win clients who pay what you're worth ...and much more!
You see the brand name on the tag, but we found the company that powers everything behind it. PDS Limited is the Value-Focused global infrastructure powerhouse. Group CEO Sanjay Jain gives us a rare look into how major retailers define the single most important word in fashion: Value. He also shares a personal lesson from a favorite movie character and his bullish outlook on the "exploding" future of Indian retail. What You'll Learn: The Core Selling Point: Why "Value" is the one word that determines whether a piece of clothing sells, and how its definition changes based on the customer segment. The India Paradox: The "globally integrated, yet locally rooted" characteristics of the 18+ Indian youth, making a pan-India retail strategy a careful aggregation of clusters. From Landfill to Legacy: The circular economy innovations, including converting textile waste into anti-combustible bricks to actively combat clothes pollution. Scaling Secrets: The two qualities PDS seeks when investing in founders: Differentiation (disruptive idea/consumption) and Scalability.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here on YouTube Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com Connect with Anupam Gupta: Twitter: @b50 Instagram: @b_50 LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta Follow IVM Podcasts We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If your gym feels flat, this is your reset button.In this episode of Sweat Success, Michael sits down with Jarrod Saracco “The Health Club Doctor”, a 30-year fitness veteran who's helped gyms around the world revive their culture, rebuild their teams, and reignite growth.Jared has done it all: from wiping down equipment at 16 to managing major health club operations, training celebrities, and now consulting gym owners who feel like their business is flatlining. Together, they dive deep into the real reasons gyms win or lose and how to turn yours around starting today.They also unpack the biggest lies in the industry, how to handle partnerships without losing friendships, and why actual intelligence will always beat artificial intelligence.If you're a gym owner who's stuck, tired, or just ready to win again: this one's for you.________________________________________________________________________________________________⭐ Jarrod Saracco's contact information:https://www.instagram.com/healthclubdoctor/https://www.facebook.com/HealthClubDoctor/https://www.healthclubdoctor.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here → www.thehabitbook.comIn this episode, I sit down with Barry LaBov, award-winning author of The Power of Differentiation and brand strategist who has worked with Harley-Davidson, Audi, and other global icons.What you will take from this episode:The #1 myth about personal branding and what to do insteadA simple way to uncover your unique differentiationWhy doing less, with focus, builds loyalty and trustHow Harley-Davidson turned customers into a global communityThe daily leadership habit to keep your brand energy aliveIf you want practical strategies to stand out and lead with authenticity, this conversation with Barry will equip you to discover what makes you truly different—and double down on it.Learn more about Barry here - https://www.barrylabov.comGrab a copy of Barry's new book here - https://www.barrylabov.com/booksConnect with Barry here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-labov-6965241/If you're interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.comWebsite: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Send me a personal text message - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.comSupport the show
I share the exact roadmap I use to hit 100+ Etsy sales fast. You'll learn the mindset shifts to survive the “valley of despair,” how to validate demand (inside and outside Etsy), what barriers to entry mean for your niche, and the simple ways to make your listings irresistible. I also cover building product lines that feed the algorithm, a weekly listing cadence that compounds traffic, how to “follow the breadcrumbs” in your stats, and when to pour fuel on the fire with promos, coupons, and ads (without burning cash). What you'll get: • Mindset map of the entrepreneur journey (and how to push through lows) • Demand research on Etsy + external tools (including a quick URL tweak trick) • Barrier-to-entry decisions for POD vs. higher-skill niches • Differentiation playbook: photos, video, SEO, bonuses, value adds • Product-line strategy to scale winners (and train the algorithm) • Consistent listing schedule that keeps your shop analyzed and surfaced • Data loops: read your stats, double down on what works • Marketing stack: sales, coupons, recover carts/favorites, and when to run ads #EtsyTips #EtsySEO #EtsySeller #SmallBusiness #PrintOnDemand #Ecommerce Grow faster than 99% of Etsy shops
Jeff Berlin is the Founder and President of Bridge Industries & Chairman and CEO of TransTech Energy. Jeff's journey spans from his early days at Parker Hannifin to helping grow Hawk Corporation from a $20 million single-plant business into a $200 million global operation, and ultimately to founding his own company, Bridge — an industrial holding company anchored by TransTech — that has quietly scaled into a multi-hundred-million-dollar enterprise based in Chagrin Falls.In our conversation, we cover Jeff's conviction in the importance of American manufacturing and how it shaped his career-long commitment to building enduring businesses; the creation of Bridge Industries and his intentional choice of a permanent holding-company model over traditional private equity; the more than 25-fold scaling of TransTech into a diversified industrial platform with over 700 employees, up from just 35 a decade earlier; and the lessons learned along the way — the resilience and philosophy that guide him, how to weather downturns, usefulness as a true measure of value and success, culture across companies, and much more.00:00:00 - The Roots of American Manufacturing Belief 00:07:35 - Formative Experiences in Leadership 00:09:00 - Transformational Growth at Hawk 00:11:55 - Resilience in Business 00:13:10 - The Birth of Bridge 00:14:14 - Understanding Industrial Holding Companies 00:16:25 - Differentiation from Traditional Private Equity 00:19:00 - The Journey of Bridge 00:20:47 - Strategic Growth and Acquisitions 00:27:31 - Managing Geographic Expansion 00:30:01 - Introducing TransTech 00:31:28 - Building Infrastructure for Energy Solutions 00:35:59 - Strategic Growth and Acquisition Insights 00:38:10 - The Importance of Vertical Integration 00:42:51 - Cultural Dynamics in Business Integration 00:43:43 - The State of American Manufacturing 00:46:30 - Defining Success and Value Creation 00:48:10 - Future Ambitions for Bridge and TransTech 00:49:40 - Mentorship and Leadership Evolution 00:51:22 - Understanding the Nature of Industrial Work 00:54:40 - The Role of Infrastructure in Daily Life 00:55:56 - Excitement for Future Challenges 00:58:07 - Investing in Financial and IT Infrastructure 00:59:52 - Automation and Its Implications 01:01:53 - Guiding Wisdom and Philosophy 01:02:51 - Renewable Natural Gas and Environmental Impact 01:05:51 - Hidden Gem-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-berlin-9b156a12/https://bridgeind.com/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company's passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/
Tom Drummond, Managing Partner at Heavybit, joins the show to break down what it takes to build and scale AI “picks and shovels” companies for the enterprise. We dive into the realities of selling into one of the hardest markets to reach, why differentiation matters more than ever, and how startups can wedge their way into massive opportunities despite fierce competition.Key Takeaways• Enterprise attention is more competitive than ever—breaking through requires clarity and category creation.• Cold email and traditional outbound are saturated—startups must iterate quickly on channels and messaging.• Landing enterprise deals often starts with developers and end users, not CIOs—grassroots adoption is powerful.• Narrow wedges matter—solve one painful, high-value problem better than anyone else, then expand.• Timing the industry cycle is critical—knowing when markets fragment and when they consolidate can define outcomes.Timestamped Highlights02:03 — Why enterprise attention has never been harder to win04:55 — Differentiation in a sea of lookalike AI infrastructure startups07:34 — Cold email vs content, billboards, and unconventional channels08:35 — The Pareto rule of enterprise revenue and why developer adoption is key11:47 — Competing with big tech incumbents: the power of the narrow wedge21:03 — Where the market is headed: cycles of expansion, contraction, and consolidationA line that stuck“You don't win by being another tool—you win by defining the category everyone else has to fit into.”Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a founder or tech leader who's navigating the enterprise market. Make sure to follow the show for more unfiltered conversations with people shaping the future of software and AI.
Send us a textReplay Episode: Python, Anaconda, and the AI Frontier with Peter WangPeter Wang — Chief AI & Innovation Officer and Co-founder of Anaconda — is back on Making Data Simple! Known for shaping the open-source ecosystem and making Python a powerhouse, Peter dives into Anaconda's new AI incubator, the future of GenAI, and why Python isn't just “still a thing”… it's the thing.From branding and security to leadership and philosophy, this episode is a wild ride through the biggest opportunities (and risks) shaping AI today.Timestamps: 01:27 Meet Peter Wang 05:10 Python or R? 05:51 Anaconda's Differentiation 07:08 Why the Name Anaconda 08:24 The AI Incubator 11:40 GenAI 14:39 Enter Python 16:08 Anaconda Commercial Services 18:40 Security 20:57 Common Points of Failure 22:53 Branding 24:50 watsonx Partnership 28:40 AI Risks 34:13 Getting Philosophical 36:13 China 44:52 Leadership StyleLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/pzwangWebsite: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anacondainc/, https://www.anaconda.com/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.
Send us a textReplay Episode: Python, Anaconda, and the AI Frontier with Peter WangPeter Wang — Chief AI & Innovation Officer and Co-founder of Anaconda — is back on Making Data Simple! Known for shaping the open-source ecosystem and making Python a powerhouse, Peter dives into Anaconda's new AI incubator, the future of GenAI, and why Python isn't just “still a thing”… it's the thing.From branding and security to leadership and philosophy, this episode is a wild ride through the biggest opportunities (and risks) shaping AI today.Timestamps: 01:27 Meet Peter Wang 05:10 Python or R? 05:51 Anaconda's Differentiation 07:08 Why the Name Anaconda 08:24 The AI Incubator 11:40 GenAI 14:39 Enter Python 16:08 Anaconda Commercial Services 18:40 Security 20:57 Common Points of Failure 22:53 Branding 24:50 watsonx Partnership 28:40 AI Risks 34:13 Getting Philosophical 36:13 China 44:52 Leadership StyleLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/pzwangWebsite: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anacondainc/, https://www.anaconda.com/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.
Jared Hinton M.A, M.A.T, LCMHC is a psychotherapist in private practice in Asheville, NC. Jared is a husband, father, and a person in long-term recovery. His work focuses on helping individuals and couples heal from patterns of ancestral, familial, and relational trauma. Jared is a graduate of Naropa University's Contemplative and Buddhist Psychology program and a student of the Appalachian Gestalt Institute in Asheville. In this episode, Jared and I discuss the relationship dynamics of codependency, differentiation and autonomy in relationships. They're how people interact emotionally in a relationship, not just fixed traits or parts. Healthy relationships usually balance all three: less codependency, more differentiation and solid autonomy so nobody feels trapped or smothered. Connect with Jared Hinton: Jaredhinton.org Email:jaredhintonpsychotherapy@gmail.com Online Men's Work Program Fall 2025 Jared will be launching a 9-week Men's Work course later this year. The program will examine internalized conditioning around masculinity, question outdated roles and expectations, come to terms with new roles and functions as a man in today's world, and reconnect with parts of self that have been suppressed or forgotten. The course will explore emotional awareness, male development, archetypes and initiation, honesty, vulnerability, grief and purpose. The aim is to anchor in sense of connection, community, and know-how that can create lasting change and build a consistent path forward through daily rituals and practices. Let's Talk About It! Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Relationships! Let's Talk About It - the show to help you forge deeper, more meaningful connections and relationships with those around you. If you enjoyed this week's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review. Check out our Guided Audio Practices and Meditations at Relationships! Let's Learn About It. You can check out the original songs I have sung in my podcast at Pripo's Podcast Songs. Don't forget to visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Share your favorite episodes on social media to help others build better, more meaningful relationships. And if our content has helped you forge deeper connections and more meaningful relationships, be sure to help support the show by visiting our Support the Podcast page! Theme music “These Streets” provided by Adi the Monk Sound Production by Matt Carlson
"You should be distinct enough and positioned just a bit enough that people go, 'Oh, I am caring about the value they're gonna bring to me, to the point where I wanna double click.'” -Etinosa Agbonlahor Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and CEO of Decision Alpha, shares how pricing is about more than numbers. She explains why understanding your value and talking to clients is key to building a profitable bookkeeping business. In this interview, you'll learn: Why most bookkeepers underprice their services How client conversations uncover real value Ways to position yourself so price isn't the only factor To learn more about Etinosa, click here. Connect with Etinosa on LinkedIn. Learn more about Decision Alpha. Download your free Behavioral Pricing Playbook here. Timestamps 02:32 – Etinosa's career journey in finance & behavioral economics 04:57 – Why businesses leave 11% profit on the table 07:56 – The number one mistake in pricing: not talking to customers 11:12 – How bookkeepers often copy pricing from competitors 13:55 – Should you show prices on your website? 15:30 – Positioning: are you in the bazaar or the premium store? 19:02 – Differentiation through unique processes or systems 21:15 – Telling your story to build perceived value This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place. Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!
What does it take to build a brand people actually believe in? Sean Barnes and Nader Safinya explore culture branding, executive coaching, and the future of leadership in a post-COVID world. Podcast Show Notes – Episode 249 | 09.30.2025 Episode Title: Nader Safinya & Sean Barnes Key Moments 0:00 - Introduction to Nader Safinya and Black Ribbit 1:05 - Welcome to The Way of the Wolf 1:33 - Culture branding and its challenges 2:42 - The impact of COVID-19 on workplace dynamics 5:10 - Employee vs. customer experience disconnect 6:02 - Importance of strategic questioning in business 7:22 - Company culture and job seeking 10:18 - Executive career transition coaching 13:20 - Implementing culture branding solutions 17:36 - Job descriptions tailored to lifestyle choices 21:51 - Quantifying culture: surveys and financial metrics 24:08 - Measuring workforce engagement qualitatively and quantitatively 25:52 - Rise of coaching and consulting post-pandemic 28:45 - Differentiation in coaching and consulting 29:03 - AI's role in human harmony 33:09 - Wealth redistribution and educational initiatives 35:42 - Networking events' impact on business 37:03 - Addressing toxic workplaces 38:02 - Communication's role in culture branding 41:24 - Balancing passion with practicality in leadership 44:33 - Black Ribbit's origins and leadership development 49:19 - The importance of early branding 51:17 - Vision for Black Ribbit's future growth 53:18 - Collaborative leadership and industry improvement 54:14 - Final thoughts on leadership and growth 55:22 - Closing remarks and thanks Key Takeaways Culture branding bridges the gap between what a company says and what it does, aligning employee and customer experiences seamlessly. Effective communication and human-centered design in the workplace can transform company culture and positively impact employees' lives, creating a ripple effect beyond the office. Redistributing wealth and leveraging AI requires careful consideration of human skills and education to ensure a balanced and harmonious future. Guest: Nader Safinya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadersafinya/ Website: http://blackribbit.com/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frog-talk/id1738770860 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Yugp87LUkJiRLDeZTtiSO Host: Sean Barnes Website: https://www.wolfexecutives.com https://www.seanbarnes.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbarnes/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfexecutives https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewayofthewolf/ LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7284600567593684993/ The Wolf Leadership Series: https://wolfexecutives.com/wolf-leadership-series/ YouTube: youtube.thewayofthewolf.com Twitter: https://x.com/the_seanbarnes https://x.com/wolfexecutives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_seanbarnes https://www.instagram.com/wolfexecutives https://www.instagram.com/the_wayofthewolf TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_seanbarnes Email: Sean@thewayofthewolf.com Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Way-of-the-Wolf-Podcast/B08JJNXJ6C Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BTGdO25Vop3GTpGCY8Y8E?si=ea91c1ef6dd14f15
In this skills-focused episode, Travis and co-host Eric Kruczynski debate which core competency—sales, marketing, or operations—would make the biggest difference for young professionals and future entrepreneurs. With humorous banter and personal anecdotes, they lay out the case for each skill, reflect on their own career pivots, and highlight why both product-first thinking and communication are more critical than ever for making money in today's economy. On this episode we talk about: The pros and cons of going deep in sales, marketing, or operations as a foundational skillset Why Travis wishes he'd doubled down on marketing after cutting his teeth in sales The hidden importance of learning to communicate and interact with adults from a young age Why product-led growth beats everything (Naval's hierarchy: Product > Marketing > Sales) Real examples: Savannah Bananas' ESPN deal, Manscaped, CarMax, and how big brands use these skillsets to win Top 3 Takeaways 1. Sales is indispensable for young professionals to learn communication, persuasion, and how to speak “adult”—but marketing has the highest earning upside in most modern businesses.2. Product is king: the greatest companies invest first in world-class product, then marketing, with sales as a fallback if needed.3. Differentiation is critical—even brands with average products (like early Manscaped) can win if marketing is exceptional, but nothing replaces a truly great offering. Notable Quotes “Sales is learning to speak the language of adults and persuasion; marketing is sales at scale.” “Sales is what you do when you've failed at marketing; marketing is what you do when you've failed at product. Product is king.” (paraphrasing Naval) “Build something so good that people can't help talking about it—organic always beats paid.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: Travis Chappell on LinkedIn Twitter/X: @travischappell Instagram: @travischappell Website: travischappell.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️
Send us a Positive Review!When Val first stumbled into the scholarship on transpersonal psychology (western psychology meets Eastern Spirituality meets the Perennial Tradition) she saw “transcend and include” on every page of this powerful scholarship. As she took this in, one part of her soul felt a recognition of truth. The other part of her soul shuddered a little and she mumbled to the universe (Eve-like) “Is there no other way?”After hundreds of hours of reading, thinking, and even dreaming about how people in and around the LDS church can truly grow beyond the current climate of polarization that exists…the answer feels clear to her– “there IS no other way” to truly find our deepest, most whole spiritual power and healing. Join Val and a group of Friday Fellowship listeners in this special “Office Hours” recording–where they talk about this sacred but soul-stretching work at the spiritual ‘next level' of development. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Gratitude00:58 Topic Introduction: Transcending and Including Mormonism02:26 Understanding Transcend and Include04:57 Differentiation and Integration in Faith07:19 Transcending Inherited Beliefs11:03 Including Former Beliefs and Practices17:43 Challenges and Personal Experiences25:04 Community and Friendship Dynamics28:26 Embracing Authenticity and Personal Growth32:22 Navigating Social Expectations and Personal Beliefs34:09 Finding Confidence in Personal Changes37:55 Balancing Community and Personal Beliefs40:12 The Journey of Transcendence and Inclusion42:38 Personal Stories of Faith and Growth53:50 Concluding Thoughts and Community SupportSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie's Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
How did Salesforce build a $200B company by declaring war on "software"? Branding expert Laura Ries (author of "Strategic Enemy") reveals why the world's best brands choose strategic enemies to dominate their markets.Laura explains the counterintuitive positioning strategy behind iconic brands like Tesla, Chick-fil-A, and White Claw. Learn why opposition creates clarity, how visual hammers make brands unforgettable, and why line extensions destroy established brands.KEY TOPICS:The strategic enemy frameworkVisual hammers that build brand memoryWhy line extensions fail (Bud Light case study)How to respond to market disruptorsPersonal branding for executives
How do you outshine your competition without the ads and billboards? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Adriana Booth, one of ACT's amazing coaches, to share one way to make your practice stand out from the crowd. To learn how to find your unique value proposition to get patients through your doors, listen to Episode 948 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Adriana:Join Adriana on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adriana.boothFollow Adriana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrimariebSend Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaDownload ACT's BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360Download ACT's BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_USJoin ACT's To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 948: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRegister to ACT's BPA for their Differentiation tool: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fdifferentiation-tool#emailRegister to ACT's BPA for their Creating a 6-Star Experience tool: https://join.actdental.com/c/practice-coaching-tools/6-star-experienceRegister for ACT's To The Top Study Club (October 17, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-october-17-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1218436780209?aff=odcleoeventsincollectionRegister for ACT's To The Top Study Club (October 24, 2025):
Most CEOs miss the competitive edge blindspot—Barry LaBov reveals the two simple questions that uncover your true differentiation and give your company an advantage competitors can't copy!==============CEO Blindspots® Podcast Guest: Barry LaBov, Founder and CEO of LaBov Marketing.Barry is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and founder of LABOV Marketing, Communications, and Training. He's helped global brands like Harley-Davidson, Audi, and The Macallan Scotch stand out and thrive. He's also the author of The Power of Differentiation, a #1 New Release in Marketing on Amazon, now distributed by Simon & Schuster and requested by top universities like Cambridge, Stanford, and Chicago Booth.
In this episode, we catch up with Justin Giuffrida, CEO and co-founder of Citizens Coffee, to hear how the company's Australian-style café model is performing as it scales beyond New York into Texas. The update? Citizens is thriving. After record openings in Houston, the team has now launched Austin, which became the best-performing opening in company history—hitting profitability in just six weeks and trending toward Citizens' most profitable locations to date.Citizens runs a high-margin breakfast & coffee model, pairing chef-driven, fresh food with third-wave coffee, best-in-class hospitality, and local community partnerships. Their stores open at roughly $500K per unit—a fraction of the cost of many national chains—and achieve a 24-month payback period, with stores averaging 21% four-wall EBITDA. The company plans to scale to 40 locations in five years, targeting $120–$150 million in revenue, with CPG (retail) launching in parallel to expand the brand's reach and potential exit pathways.With the brand's strongest performance now outside NYC—specifically in Austin and Houston—Citizens is executing a scalable entry into Tier 2 markets with lower cost structures and equal (or better) unit economics. 02:14 – What's Brewing in 2025Justin shares current momentum and milestones—record openings in Texas03:36 – Proving Portability Beyond NYCHow Citizens performed in Houston and Austin vs. NYC; why Texas was the bet07:40 – The Risk of Scaling RetailChris on the risk of new locations; Justin on build costs ($500K), efficiency, and payback (24 months)10:26 – Local Marketing & “Local Legends”Citizens' launch playbook: grassroots, partnerships, and charity-based LRM14:01 – ICW AnnouncementChris plugs Investment Crowdfunding Week (Sept 29–Oct 2)14:46 – Differentiation vs. StarbucksAustralian café model: chef-driven food + third-wave coffee + hospitality & frequency19:42 – Growth Plan: 40 Locations in 5 YearsTexas expansion strategy and the path from 3 openings/year to 10/year22:31 – Managing Debt & Investor ProtectionHow Citizens balances debt and equity while remaining cash-flow positive25:16 – Why CPG (Retail) Fits the BrandCPG strategy to extend brand trust and boost exit optionality28:19 – Localization & Shelf StrategyChris on go-to-market for CPG; Justin on sequencing markets with brand equity29:50 – Projections & Exit Comps$120–$150M revenue target with CPG; comps like Blue Bottle & La Colombe31:55 – Final Message to InvestorsProof of concept in 3 major markets & the 5-year plan
Adweek just did a write up on Uber's new ad campaign and we found reasons to concur with the article and take what Uber is doing farther. In this episode of the Experience Strategy Podcast, hosts Aranzas Savas, Joe Pine, and Dave Norton discuss Uber's new advertising campaign, focusing on its storytelling approach and the importance of experiences in marketing. They explore how Uber positions itself as a service that enables meaningful experiences, the emotional, social, and systemic jobs it could fulfill, and the broader implications for brands in commoditized industries. The conversation also delves into the significance of modes and situations in user experience, and how universal storytelling can resonate with diverse audiences. Takeaways Uber's new campaign emphasizes storytelling over traditional advertising. Experiences are crucial for differentiation in a commoditized market. Uber positions itself as an enabler of meaningful experiences. The campaign highlights reliability and dependability as key selling points. Emotional and social jobs are opportunity areas for Uber experiences. The storytelling is both universal and situational--and Tiktokky Modes and situations play a significant role in Uber experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Uber's New Campaign 01:40 The Power of Storytelling in Advertising 04:00 Experiences as Differentiation in Marketing 07:28 The Role of Uber in Enabling Experiences 09:47 Promises and Expectations in Service 12:06 Social and Emotional Jobs of Uber 13:47 Aspirational and Systemic Jobs to Be Done 16:35 Modes and Situations in User Experience 20:17 Universal Storytelling in Advertising 22:24 Conclusion and Future Discussions Read more https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/uber-drives-home-the-power-of-showing-up-in-new-on-our-way-ad/ Podcast Sponsors: Learn how to inspire advocacy https://www.thecargoagency.com Learn more about Stone Mantel https://www.stonemantel.co Sign up for the Experience Strategist Substack here: https://theexperiencestrategist.substack.com
David Senra is the host of the Founders podcast. For the past nine years, David has intensely studied the life and work of hundreds of history's greatest entrepreneurs. His new podcast, David Senra, showcases conversations with the best-of-the-best living founders and extreme winners.This episode is brought to you by:Cresset family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneursOur Place's Titanium Always Pan® Pro using nonstick technology that's coating-free and made without PFAS, otherwise known as “Forever Chemicals”AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplementTimestamps:[00:00:00] Who is David Senra?[00:01:11] Brad Jacobs: Roll-up king and positive-driven billionaire founder.[00:02:26] Rare positive archetypes: Ed Thorp, Sol Price, Brunello Cucinelli.[00:06:04] Michael Dell as another exception; fear of failure and motivation.[00:06:47] Negative self-talk, excellence, and its ripple effects.[00:08:26] Jensen Huang story: “Why do you suck so much?”[00:08:54] Inspiration from Dan Carlin's Hardcore History.[00:10:00] Derek Sivers: unconventional, philosophical entrepreneur.[00:11:04] Learning equals behavior change, not memorization.[00:11:48] Jeremy Giffon insight: biographies as substitute mentors.[00:12:37] Reading biographies as one-sided conversations.[00:13:16] The chain of influence.[00:14:09] Podcasting as “relationships at scale.”[00:14:28] Coping with trauma and breaking cycles.[00:20:18] Note-taking process: books, Post-its, ruler, Readwise.[00:29:27] OCD tendencies and love of doing things the hard way.[00:31:04] Comparing our reading/re-reading workflows.[00:35:04] A family falling out and the randomness of student housing.[00:38:58] David's introduction to my work during his MySpace-era college years.[00:40:07] Podcasting influences: Jocko Willink, Kevin Rose's Elon Musk interview.[00:44:14] Five-and-a-half years of obscurity before breakthrough.[00:46:50] Graphtreon and experiments with subscription models.[00:49:25] Patrick O'Shaughnessy's endorsement sparks growth.[00:51:23] Sam Hinkie and Patrick connections fuel momentum.[00:52:19] Transition to ads and joining Patrick's network.[00:55:17] Edwin Land: patron saint of founders and Steve Jobs' influence.[00:57:02] Lessons from Sam Zell, Jay Pritzker, and William Zeckendorf.[00:58:48] Need a generous, well-connected person? You can't go wrong with Rick Gerson.[01:03:04] Edwin Land's philosophies: Differentiation and doing to excess.[01:04:30] Entrepreneurial archetypes and conflicting advice.[01:06:00] Daniel Ek as an alternative founder archetype and mentor.[01:10:59] Further founder archetypes and contrasts.[01:13:41] What is an anti-business billionaire?[01:19:55] Advice from “shark” Michael Ovitz about the value of truth in one's inner circle.[01:22:30] The hands-on approach of practical founders who live for the love of their business.[01:23:28] Doing one thing relentlessly.[01:23:51] “This can't be my life” as a powerful motivator.[01:26:57] Low introspection as a common trait among founders — and its implications about human nature.[01:30:15] Robert Caro: The only writer David believes should be allowed to write thousand-page biographies.[01:32:40] James Dyson's persistence vs. the risk of blind stubbornness.[01:34:22] Todd Graves (Raising Cane's) as an example of relentless focus on one idea.[01:35:41] Separating fact from fiction in biographies/histories.[01:41:55] Considering trainable vs. non-trainable attributes in potential role models.[01:46:11] Perusing Charlie Munger's library.[01:49:35] Dealmaking lessons on Eddie Lampert's superyacht.[01:55:34] The smartest person David knows.[01:56:55] David's obsessive craftsman approach to podcast creation.[01:58:51] Why David decided to begin a second podcast.[02:01:21] The economics of trust.[02:03:40] The benefits of cultivating a purposeful aloofness about current events.[02:07:11] Using the pulpit of publicity for good, not evil.[02:09:57] New show frequency/dynamic and how David plans to balance the burden of running two shows.[02:13:30] Teamwork with essence of turtle.[02:15:40] Adapting the Rockefeller “secret allies” strategy to podcasting.[02:17:56] Chris Hutchins: The mad scientist of podcasting?[02:18:30] Working with Rob Mohr and Andrew Huberman of SciComm.[02:20:54] Why David focuses on 24-hour cycles over long-term planning.[02:24:54] Does David worry the extra workload will disrupt his lifestyle?[02:30:18] What makes one potential guest more interesting to David than another?[02:34:34] Making an impact vs. happiness.[02:36:32] Playing the status game when your heart's not in it is for suckers.[02:44:23] Travel observations and the rarity of truly unique experiences.[02:46:26] Books as philosophical operating systems.[02:48:39] Parting thoughts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Financial advisors face the real challenge of proving their worth to clients who have more options and skepticism than ever before. How do today's top advisors cut through the noise, establish credibility, and attract clients in a way that actually works? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Michael Kitces, Chief Financial Planning Nerd … Continue reading #98 – The Crisis of Differentiation: Michael Kitces on What Actually Works for Advisors →
My guest today is Bill Cates. His new book was released on September 16, 'The Hidden Heist'. We had a great conversation about sales and parable that drives his new book. In our conversation, we touch on: The 3 Rs that can help make you successful. The challenges of drawing people's attention. Strategy v. Tactics. Differentiation. Reputation. Tangible v. Intangible. Plus, more more more!!! Check out Bill at www.ReferralCoach.com I'm doing a survey of folks in the business of tickets, sports, and live entertainment. I need your help to reach my goal of 400 responses. Fill out the survey. It will take about 3 minutes. https://s.surveyplanet.com/hog3tqkv Get 'Talking Tickets' at https://talkingtickets.substack.com Visit my site at www.DaveWakeman.com
In this CME episode, Dr. Andy Cutler speaks with Dr. Manpreet Singh, the Robert H. Putnam Endowed Chair in Bipolar Research and Treatment at UC Davis, about the challenges of diagnosing and treating pediatric bipolar disorder. Dr. Singh shares evidence-based strategies for treatment, management of bipolar depression and medication side effects, and best practices for long-term care and transitioning youth into adult services. NEI Members can earn CME/CE by participating in this activity here: https://nei.global/e264-cme Never miss an episode!
I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text!Differentiation doesn't have to mean staying up late making three different versions of the same lesson. In this week's Teaching Middle School episode, I shared how you can use ChatGPT to quickly create scaffolds, extensions, and tiered questions—so every student has a way into the learning without you doubling your workload.From rewriting texts at multiple levels, to generating leveled questions, to modifying assignments without losing rigor, you'll walk away with practical strategies that save time and reduce stress. Best of all, you'll see how AI can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most: connecting with your students.
Angelo Ponzi, a seasoned marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the challenges of brand differentiation in the crowded managed services provider (MSP) and IT services market. He emphasizes the importance of moving away from company-centric messaging, which often leads to a homogenized market where all providers sound the same. Instead, he advocates for a customer-centric approach that focuses on solving specific problems and addressing pain points, thereby creating a unique value proposition that resonates with potential clients.Ponzi introduces the VRIO framework, which assesses whether a service is valuable, rare, and difficult to imitate. This framework helps businesses identify their competitive advantages and differentiate themselves from competitors. He also highlights the significance of understanding the market and conducting research, which can be as simple as interviewing current customers to gain insights into how they perceive the brand and its offerings. This understanding is crucial for crafting relevant messaging that can effectively attract new clients.The conversation also touches on the balance between long-term brand building and immediate revenue generation. Ponzi suggests that companies should have a clear and consistent message that aligns with their brand pillars. This consistency helps build a strong reputation over time, which is essential for attracting and retaining customers. He stresses the need for businesses to understand their identity and the problems they solve, rather than just focusing on their history or longevity in the market.Finally, Ponzi addresses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on marketing strategies. He notes that while AI is transforming the industry, many businesses are still grappling with how to effectively utilize it. The conversation concludes with Ponzi encouraging companies to leverage their unique strengths and relationships to stand out in a competitive landscape, ultimately driving growth and success. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On this special segment of The Full Ratchet, the following Investors are featured: Rusty Ralston of Swell VC Godard Abel of G2 Han Shen of iFly.vc We asked guests to share the best question they've ever been asked by an allocator. The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. We're proud to partner with Ramp, the modern finance automation platform. Book a demo and get $150—no strings attached. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter.