Podcasts about leadership summit

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Chris Peterson, President, CEO & Board Member of Newell Brands, a major American global consumer and commercial products conglomerate. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company manufactures, markets, and distributes over 50 well-known brands across three core segments: Home & Commercial Solutions, Learning & Development, and Outdoor & Recreation.This episode was recorded at Newell Brands headquarters in Atlanta.Follow Chris on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-peterson-488930114Follow Newell Brands online at: https://www.newellbrands.com/Chris answered these questions: Chris, at CAGNY, you spoke extensively about an enterprise AI program you internally call "Quantum Leap". You mentioned that in mid-2025, you shifted this from isolated use cases into a broader "how work gets done" workflow model. Can you talk to us about the genesis of Quantum Leap and what it looks like today?That scale is incredible, Chris. One thing that stood out to me during your recent Leadership Summit 2026 was your mention of 33 functional "navigators". It sounds like a massive cultural shift to build AI fluency across the enterprise. How do these navigators act as change agents inside their functions?Let's talk about the tangible outputs because the numbers you shared at CAGNY were staggering. You noted a 500% increase in AI-enabled digital content creation in 2025 versus 2024, entirely without any additional investment. How has AI accelerated your innovation pipeline from concept to launch?You can't run advanced AI without clean data, and Newell has done a massive amount of simplification. You've cut your active SKUs by over 80% and rationalized the brand portfolio from 80 down to just over 50 brands. By the fall of 2026, 95% of your global sales will be supported by a single instance of SAP. How critical is that ERP integration to feeding the Quantum Leap program?Chris, driving a transformation of this magnitude isn't just about technology; it's about the people executing it. Newell Brands has a very clear set of core values: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. As CEO, how do you lean on these principles to guide your 24,000 teammates around the world through such a massive operational and cultural shift?You've been driving a unified "One Newell" go-to-market model and consolidating what used to be five separate operating segments into just three. How does the value of "Teamwork"—which you define as "Succeeding Together"—play into breaking down those legacy silos?Thinking about the industry, how do you expect AI to impact shopping and agents to guide consumers? What's your advice to retail?Chris, this has been an absolute masterclass in enterprise AI adoption and operational leadership. What advice would you give others embarking on the AI journey?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Dana Loesch responds to Candace Owens mocking the delivery of her speech at TPUSA's Young Women's Leadership Summit. Dana breaks down how the new political goal is to create a wedge between President Trump and Netanyahu by some in the Woke Reich and the strategy behind it. Karmelo Anthony is sentenced to 35 years in prison after the fatal stabbing of Texas high school track athlete Austin Metcalf. Civil rights activists are already trying to make this a race war. The Somali FIFA World Cup referee who was denied entry into the U.S. reportedly had ties to MULTIPLE terrorist organizations. Harley-Davidson's new Chief Brand Officer had DEI conferences, loves Hillary Clinton and hosted a drag show. Nancy Mace finished 5th in her South Carolina Gubernatorial Primary. Plus, more commentary.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Relief Factorhttps://www.ReliefFactor.comDeclare your independence from pain with Relief Factor—start the 3-Week QuickStart for just $17.76Prebornhttps://www.PreBorn.com/DanaDonate today to help another Mother and Father experience hope. $28 sponsors one ultrasound and can help save a baby's life. Or Dial  #250 and say BABYNative Path Grass Fed Collagenhttps://GetNativePath.com/DanaFor my special offer get up to 45% OFF. Try it risk-free with a 365-day money-back guarantee.Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaTrusted by law enforcement, security professionals, and everyday Americans—defend yourself and your family with Byrna.HumanNhttps://Humann.com/DanaSave $5 on HumanN Cholesterol Health Daily at Sam's Club. Head to your local Sam's Club and do more to support your cholesterol health with the science-first brand. Patriot Mobilehttp://PatriotMobile.com/DANAVisit online or call 972-PATRIOT and use promo code DANA for a FREE month of service.Ghost Bedhttps://GhostBed.com/DANAGhostBed has the cooling luxury mattress you need for the best summer sleep. Use code DANA for an extra 10% off sitewide.Noble Goldhttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/DanaIf you want to see how physical gold and silver could fit into your portfolio, download Noble Gold Investments FREE Wealth Protection Kit. Pocket HoseText DANA to 64000For a limited time, get two FREE gifts—a 360° rotating pocket pivot and thumb drive nozzle when you buy a new Pocket Hose Ballistic; just text DANA to 64000, message and data rates may apply.Subscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore InfoWebsite

Seth gives an autopsy on the termination of Scott Pelley from CBS News. The discussion delves into the world of narcissism, where individuals prioritize their own image and reputation over the truth. He argues that this phenomenon is not only damaging to relationships but also destructive to the very fabric of society. We’re joined by Don Spini and Logan Marcus, Esq. from Sun Valley Wealth. Seth and Producer David Doll discuss Ethiopian cuisine and the persecution of Christians in Africa. Dana Loesch’s speech at Turning Point USA’s (TPUSA) Women’s Leadership Summit in San Antonio, Texas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headlines just keep getting crazier.In today's show, we break down the latest developments in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, including President Trump's calls for restraint, reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian defense systems, and the reactions pouring in from both supporters and critics.We also dive into California's election chaos as major races spark controversy, questions about ballot harvesting return to the spotlight, and viral claims of voting irregularities spread across social media. Plus, Spencer Pratt reacts emotionally to the state of California while investigators examine bizarre voter registration allegations.Then, Trump goes head-to-head with NBC's Kristen Welker in a fiery interview exchange, Democrats continue struggling with brutal polling numbers, CNN is forced to acknowledge positive economic data, and Susie Wiles responds to media rumors surrounding the Trump team.Later, we cover the backlash surrounding Pride Month corporate campaigns, businesses leaving blue cities, the Turning Point USA Women's Leadership Summit protest drama, and the powerful response from Erica Kirk after being confronted by a heckler.We also discuss JD Vance, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, viral TikToks, culture news, and much more.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW!Get your summer glow-up with a skincare upgrade from Bon Charge. Visit https://BonCharge.com/chicks and use code CHICKS for 15% off sitewide.Schedule your FREE risk review from Bulwark Capital at https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comGo to https://ChicksLoveOliveOil.com and get a FREE full-size $49 bottle of Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil for just $1 shipping—no commitmentSubscribe and stay tuned for new episodes every weekday!Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramTikTokXLocalsMore InfoWebsite

Dana recaps her trip to San Antonio speaking at the Young Women's Leadership Summit for TPUSA, reacting to Erika Kirk's hecklers and shares commentary as to what she saw outside the event. Spencer Pratt falls to third place in the Los Angeles Mayoral Race as large batches of votes magically all go toward Nithya Raman. President Trump walks out in the middle of his Meet The Press political interview with Kristen Welker during a massive thunderstorm in Wisconsin. Food delivery service, HelloFresh, offers a promotion with the code “BOTTOMSUP” during Pride Month. Hunter Biden is desperately trying to rehab his image.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Webroothttps://Webroot.com/DanaMake the switch and feel the difference of truly fast, modern antivirus protection — for a limited time, you can save 60% with code DanaRelief Factorhttps://www.ReliefFactor.comDeclare your independence from pain with Relief Factor—start the 3-Week QuickStart for just $17.76Prebornhttps://www.PreBorn.com/DanaDonate today to help another Mother and Father experience hope. $28 sponsors one ultrasound and can help save a baby's life. Or Dial  #250 and say BABYNative Path Grass Fed Collagenhttps://GetNativePath.com/DanaFor my special offer get up to 45% OFF. Try it risk-free with a 365-day money-back guarantee.Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaTrusted by law enforcement, security professionals, and everyday Americans—defend yourself and your family with Byrna.HumanNhttps://Humann.com/DanaSave $5 on HumanN Cholesterol Health Daily at Sam's Club. Head to your local Sam's Club and do more to support your cholesterol health with the science-first brand. Patriot Mobilehttp://PatriotMobile.com/DANAVisit online or call 972-PATRIOT and use promo code DANA for a FREE month of service.Ghost Bedhttps://GhostBed.com/DANAGhostBed has the cooling luxury mattress you need for the best summer sleep. Use code DANA for an extra 10% off sitewide.Noble Goldhttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/DanaIf you want to see how physical gold and silver could fit into your portfolio, download Noble Gold Investments FREE Wealth Protection Kit. Pocket HoseText DANA to 64000For a limited time, get two FREE gifts—a 360° rotating pocket pivot and thumb drive nozzle when you buy a new Pocket Hose Ballistic; just text DANA to 64000, message and data rates may apply.Subscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore InfoWebsite

Today's episode jumps straight into the deep end of managing a practice. Dr. Kuba shares about a disgruntled parent in her practice that ended up with an unexpected bill of $1,700. Travel together with Dr. Kuba and Bethany as they discuss step by step how they investigated the account and used it as an opportunity to learn and improve. In today's episode, they discuss what all went wrong with the treatment estimate and then discuss the changes that could have been made to ensure a more accurate estimate. Deep and meaningful tips are included in this episode PLUS so much more in the June bonus episode. Don't Miss the Early Bird Registration Special for the Leadership Summit!! Friday, September 18 from 8:30 – 4:30Inquire or register TODAY: www.hellobethany.com/leadership 

What does it take to keep growing as a leader? In this episode, Pastor DJ sits down with John Cordes, U.S. Field Director for the Global Leadership Network, to talk about leadership growth, personal development, and the impact of the Global Leadership Summit.John shares how attending his first Summit shaped his leadership journey and why investing in growth continues to be one of the most important decisions leaders can make. Together, they discuss lessons that have influenced One Life Church, the value of learning from world-class leaders, and how leadership development can make a lasting impact in every area of life.Whether you lead a team, a business, a ministry, or your family, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to take your next step as a leader.Learn more about the Global Leadership Summit and how you can get involved today.

Charlie was always hopeful that the rising generation of American young people would be the one to reverse America's decline. In his speech at the 2023 CLS, Charlie shares this hope with Turning Point's grassroots leaders, telling them to remain committed to truth, purpose, and wisdom. Drawing on the teachings of Aristotle and Plato, Charlie encourages young people to pursue depth over distraction, build strong character, and become the leaders America needs. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie was always hopeful that the rising generation of American young people would be the one to reverse America's decline. In his speech at the 2023 CLS, Charlie shares this hope with Turning Point's grassroots leaders, telling them to remain committed to truth, purpose, and wisdom. Drawing on the teachings of Aristotle and Plato, Charlie encourages young people to pursue depth over distraction, build strong character, and become the leaders America needs. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the best and brightest high school students across Tennessee are on UT Knoxville campus this week for the Tennessee Leadership Summit. The conference is geared towards students who have an interest in agriculture.

In this eye-opening episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, Sean V. Bradley sits down with CBT News co-founder and automotive industry veteran Jim Fitzpatrick for a conversation that every dealer principal, general manager, and automotive leader needs to hear. "The FTC is going to be saying, look, you can't play games with this. If your salesperson is out there pitching a price on a car... your salesperson is now going to be representing to the consumers what the sale price of that car is." - Jim Fitzpatrick As the FTC increases its focus on dealership advertising, pricing transparency, and consumer protection, many retailers are left wondering: Is my dealership truly prepared? Sean and Jim unpack one of the most important topics facing the automotive industry today, exploring how regulatory changes, compliance expectations, and evolving consumer demands are reshaping the dealership landscape. From pricing disclosures and advertising practices to the growing influence of social media and personal branding, this discussion highlights why old habits could create new risks in today's market. "We're really bringing together the smartest minds in retail automotive or most of them, to bring them together to say, look, let's help dealers figure this thing out." - Jim Fitzpatrick Without giving away all the answers, this episode challenges dealers to think differently about compliance, leadership, training, and accountability. More importantly, it highlights why staying informed and proactively adapting may be one of the biggest competitive advantages a dealership can have moving forward. Whether you're a dealer principal, GM, GSM, compliance officer, or automotive professional, this conversation will help you better understand the road ahead and why industry leaders are paying close attention to the conversations surrounding FTC enforcement, dealership operations, and the future of automotive retail. Register for the Auto Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. here and get $100 OFF with code 'SEAN100': https://www.cbtnews.com/auto-leadership-summit/ Because in today's environment, what you don't know could cost you far more than you think… Key Takeaways: ✅ The FTC is focusing on fair pricing and transparent marketing practices in the automotive industry to protect consumer interests. ✅ Dealers need a comprehensive training program that includes a structured compliance strategy to address pricing and social media marketing challenges. ✅ Social media influencers and individual sales representatives can unwittingly cause compliance issues if they post content related to pricing without understanding the implications. ✅ Establishing a robust audit system for social media content posted by dealership employees is vital to maintain compliance and protect brand reputation. ✅ The CBT News Auto Leadership Summit on Fair Pricing and Compliance will offer insights from experts across the industry on how to navigate these compliance challenges.   About Jim Fitzpatrick Jim Fitzpatrick is a 25-year veteran of the retail automotive industry. He began his career in 1980 as a new car salesperson at a high-volume Toyota dealership in South Florida and quickly rose through the ranks, holding executive positions with AutoNation and JM&A. In 2001 Jim became the Managing Partner of a Toyota dealership in Augusta Georgia.  In 2004 Jim, along with his son, John, co- founded Force Marketing in Atlanta, Georgia which currently serves over 1600 franchised dealers throughout North America. In 2012, realizing the need for new car dealers to have their own news and information platform, Jim and his wife Bridget, launched CBT Automotive Network.  In addition to providing daily news reports, CBT produces nine weekly shows, hosted by the industry's best known consultants and trainers. Each show focuses on different departments of the dealership operation. Over 54,000 dealer principals, OEM, and Association Executives throughout North America receive CBT's daily newsletters. A recent study found that more people view CBT's video segments than any other automotive media platform. A father of five and grandfather of six, Jim lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his family.     Harnessing Regulatory Compliance and Social Media Strategy in Automotive Sales: Insights from Industry Leaders   Key Takeaways Social Media Compliance: Dealerships must enforce strict social media policies to ensure compliance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations and protect their brand image. Price Transparency: Aligning advertising strategies with FTC guidelines on fair pricing can prevent costly violations and enhance consumer trust. Training and Policies: Implementing comprehensive training programs and policies can safeguard dealerships against potential regulatory breaches and maintain operational integrity.   Navigating the Complex World of Social Media Compliance In the ever-evolving automotive industry, dealerships face a growing demand to maintain transparency and compliance, particularly in the realm of social media. The transcript from a riveting conversation between Jim Fitzpatrick and Sean V. Bradley highlights the importance of ensuring dealership employees adhere to social media guidelines set by the FTC. Fitzpatrick asserts that social media has become crucial in portraying a dealership's brand and customer experience. "Take the influencers and have them talk about the experience, have them talk about the selection," he suggests, emphasizing content that avoids pricing to remain compliant. The conversation underscores the significant role dealerships' social media strategies play in forming consumer perceptions and regulatory compliance. With employees potentially acting as brand ambassadors online, the repercussions of non-compliant posts can be detrimental. Discounted prices or misleading offers shared on personal platforms, as Fitzpatrick points out, can draw unwanted regulatory scrutiny. Dealerships are not just at risk of tarnishing their reputation but also face hefty fines. Simply put, ensuring a strategy that focuses on non-monetary aspects of the dealership experience can protect both brand and financial standing. Price Transparency: A Path to Building Consumer Trust Price transparency in dealership advertising is another crucial theme woven throughout the dialogue. The FTC, under the Biden administration, has intensified its focus on what it terms "junk fees" in various industries, including automotive. "Maybe the managers are saying, well, in order for us to be compliant, we're going to price ourselves right out of the marketplace," Fitzpatrick notes, acknowledging the balance dealerships must strike between competitive pricing and regulatory adherence. According to Bradley, the importance of consistency across advertised prices and what consumers actually pay when they walk into a dealership cannot be overstated. Misleading pricing not only disrupts consumer trust but also exposes dealerships to severe penalties. With the FTC reportedly sending out 97 warnings to dealerships about these practices, the industry is on high alert. Dealerships must ensure that their advertising reflects the actual purchase price, minus incentives, to maintain compliance and consumer confidence. Comprehensive Training and Policies for Sustainable Operations Both Bradley and Fitzpatrick adamantly express the importance of robust training and policy establishment to mitigate the risks of regulatory infringements. Fitzpatrick underscores the need for ongoing employee education, suggesting that training programs specifically tailored to reinforce compliance norms can be a dealership's strongest defense. "If you don't have ongoing training in this area…you have no defense," he mentions. Bradley concurs, emphasizing the necessity of consistent managerial oversight and the implementation of structured communication protocols, such as computer use policies. These measures not only ensure that the dealership aligns with federal regulations but also empower employees with the knowledge they need to uphold the company's reputation. Comprehensive, routine audits and training can preemptively address and rectify potential compliance issues before they escalate to external disputes or regulatory scrutiny.   Navigating the intricacies of compliance in the automotive industry requires a proactive and strategic approach. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability through comprehensive training and controlled social media strategies, dealerships can fortify themselves against regulatory pitfalls. As the conversation between Bradley and Fitzpatrick poignantly illustrates, these measures not only safeguard against financial penalties but also contribute to building a resilient, consumer-focused brand reputation in a competitive industry landscape.     Resources + Our Proud Sponsors:   ➼ The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group: Join the #1 Automotive Sales Mastermind Facebook Group with over 29,000 automotive professionals worldwide. The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group is the go-to community for car salespeople, BDC agents, sales managers, general managers, and dealer principals looking to increase performance, income, and leadership skills. Inside the group, members collaborate daily on automotive sales strategies, lead handling, phone scripts, closing techniques, CRM best practices, dealership leadership, and accountability systems. Learn directly from top automotive trainers, industry mentors, and high-performing sales leaders who are actively winning in today's market. If you're serious about growing your automotive career, increasing car sales, and building long-term success, join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today! ➼ Dealer Synergy: Dealer Synergy is the automotive industry's #1 Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm, with over 20 years of proven dealership success nationwide. We specialize in helping car dealerships increase sales, improve processes, and build high-performing Sales, Internet, and BDC departments from the ground up. Our expertise includes automotive phone scripts, rebuttals, CRM action plans, lead handling strategies, BDC workflows, Internet sales processes, management training, and accountability systems. Dealer Synergy partners directly with dealership leadership to align people, process, and technology, ensuring consistent results and scalable growth. From independent dealers to large dealer groups and OEM partnerships, Dealer Synergy delivers measurable performance improvements, stronger teams, and sustainable profitability. ➼ Bradley On Demand: Bradley On Demand is the automotive industry's most advanced interactive training, tracking, testing, and certification platform for car dealerships — built to develop top-performing teams across Sales, Internet Sales, BDC, CRM, Phone Skills, Leadership, and Management. In addition to LIVE virtual automotive training classes and a library of 9,000+ on-demand dealership training modules, Bradley On Demand now includes AI Phone Roleplaying and Coaching to help salespeople and BDC agents practice real dealership conversations before they ever get on the phone with customers. This AI-powered roleplay technology strengthens phone scripts, objection handling, appointment setting, lead follow-up, and closing skills, while providing measurable coaching feedback for continuous improvement. Bradley On Demand empowers dealerships to train faster, coach smarter, improve call performance, increase closing ratios, and sell more cars more profitably — all through structured, trackable, modern automotive training.

As an addendum to last week's “Money Matters” episode, Dr. Kuba and Bethany dig into the various ways that a team member can unintentionally sabotage a practice. While collections (last week's episode) is foundational to practice success, there are many other seemingly insignificant mistakes that can substantially impact success. Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss several important ones to consider. This power packed twenty minute episode will provide dental teams with multiple areas to review in their practice. 

In this special Q&A from the 2022 Young Women’s Leadership Summit, Charlie answers audience questions on some of the most important challenges facing young women today: How does a person stay motivated through exhaustion and setbacks? Should you send your kids to college, even if it feels like a scam? And of course, how should a young lady find a good man to date? Charlie always brought his best when it came to guiding young people and this YWLS Q&A is no exception. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special Q&A from the 2022 Young Women’s Leadership Summit, Charlie answers audience questions on some of the most important challenges facing young women today: How does a person stay motivated through exhaustion and setbacks? Should you send your kids to college, even if it feels like a scam? And of course, how should a young lady find a good man to date? Charlie always brought his best when it came to guiding young people and this YWLS Q&A is no exception. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraud pervades the American government system. U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins discusses her aggressive efforts to purge billions in SNAP fraud, and also talks about implementing a MAHA agenda in ag. Mark Halperin takes questions on a potential Iran deal, the president's anti-weaponization fund, and Jill Biden's bizarre claim she was surprised by Joe's debate implosion. Then, Daisy joins for subscriber questions on the Women's Leadership Summit, who should perform for America 250 celebrations, and more. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday's Mark Levin Show, the Iran deal reportedly offers immediate release of billions in frozen funds, discussions on sanctions relief, and humanitarian aid in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and forswearing nuclear weapons development for 60 days. This agreement provides a massive financial infusion to the regime—funding the IRGC and police state—without addressing ballistic missiles or the regime's brutality against its people. Why is economic and military pressure being lifted before securing firm concessions? Our negotiators must understand what happens if this isn't locked down tight. Even more, they need to be straightforward in their advice to the President that a deal may be the worst way to attempt to end the war.   If the regime survives, it will become even stronger over time, and the threat to our country and Israel will be hard to overstate. The callers have made clear they want the Iranian regime destroyed and no deal. The audience is very smart about the Iranian regime and the ramifications if it is not defeated -- political, military, and future ramifications. Later, Erica Kirk, still grieving the assassination of her wonderful husband less than a year ago, continues to face torment. Jocko Wensk was arrested after making multiple terroristic threats, including plans to bomb a Turning Point USA Women's Leadership Summit in San Antonio. Afterward, soaring interest costs on the national debt are sparking warnings of a potential debt spiral from center-left economists and policy experts. Despite the left typically downplaying the issue, this long-term problem—driven by out-of-control debt, unfunded obligations, and lack of political will to cut spending—risks a domino effect of rising interest rates, higher inflation, destruction of paper money's value, and collapse of the nation's fiscal house.  Finally, Steve Deace calls in to discuss his new children's book - Why Independence Day?: America Is Great Because God Is Good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fraud pervades the American government system. U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins discusses her aggressive efforts to purge billions in SNAP fraud, and also talks about implementing a MAHA agenda in ag. Mark Halperin takes questions on a potential Iran deal, the president's anti-weaponization fund, and Jill Biden's bizarre claim she was surprised by Joe's debate implosion. Then, Daisy joins for subscriber questions on the Women's Leadership Summit, who should perform for America 250 celebrations, and more. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pags delivers an intense monologue tearing into Jill Biden after her recent comments claiming she thought Joe Biden may have been having a stroke during the Trump debate. Pags calls out what he sees as years of deception, hypocrisy, and media cover-ups surrounding the former president's health. Then, outrage grows as the attacks on the Kirk family continue even after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, with Erika Kirk now reportedly facing nonstop death threats ahead of the Young Women's Leadership Summit in San Antonio. Pags asks how far political hatred in America has gone — and why some people still refuse to condemn it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does growth leadership actually look like in 2026?Recorded live at the Kellogg School of Management Marketing Leadership Summit, this week's episode features two standout conversations with leaders building some of the most talked-about brands in business today. First Jim sits down with AT&T's Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Kellyn Smith Kenny to chat about how a 150-year-old company is transforming itself through customer obsession, operational accountability, and AI-enabled personalization. Then, e.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin and President Kory Marchisotto share the culture, creativity, and community-first mindset behind one of the fastest-growing brands in the industry, and why they believe “zero distance” from consumers changes everything.Across both conversations, there's a shared theme: the brands winning today are the ones willing to stay curious, move quickly, listen deeply to customers, and build cultures where people can do the best work of their lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Turning Point's Women's Leadership Summit approaches, the show takes a look back at Charlie's past appearances at the event. In his 2023 Q&A, Charlie fields questions from young women on immigration, parenthood, college, the culture, and more. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Turning Point's Women's Leadership Summit approaches, the show takes a look back at Charlie's past appearances at the event. In his 2023 Q&A, Charlie fields questions from young women on immigration, parenthood, college, the culture, and more. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Interview with Adam Josefczyk, Co-founder and President, Forge Leadership Network Many young conservatives have genuine conviction and real potential — but without personal formation, a trusted network, and professional mentoring, they never find their footing in the public arena. Forge Leadership Network was created to change that. Our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom is Adam Josefczyk, co-founder and President of Forge Leadership Network. Since founding Forge in 2014, Adam has built a pathway for emerging Christian conservative leaders through formation, friendship, and preparation for influence in politics, culture, and business. Through its Leadership Summit, Mentorship Academy, and a growing national network of Forge Fellows, Forge is turning a sense of calling into enduring impact in the public arena. Before Forge, Adam worked in public policy in Ohio and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dayton. Topics Discussed on this Episode: •          What Adam observed working in Ohio policy and politics — and the gap it revealed for young conservatives entering the public arena •          Why formation, friendship, and preparation must work together, and how the Forge Summit, Academy, and Network deliver all three •          How Forge measures success — and why placement in roles of real responsibility is the right standard •          The relationship between faith and political engagement, and the principles that guide how Forge navigates that tension •          What gives Adam hope about the next generation, where Forge is headed, and what it can offer young people who want to make a difference

Collecting money in a practice tends to be one of the more difficult tasks. At times, odd emotions get in the way. Sometimes we feel guilt over charging a patient for something they need, a service they receive. We attempt to lighten the guilt feeling by making unsanctioned collections agreements or even avoiding to collect altogether. Balances can loom over our heads at times and can cause patients to resist returning to the practice. Dr. Kuba and Bethany tackle this topic today. It is a MUST listen as collections are pivotal to the success of every practice. Stay tuned in the June Subscription for even more collections tips and training! 

Ahead of Turning Point's Women's Leadership Summit, the show revisits Charlie's speech at the 2021 women's conference. Charlie gives the crowd of young women an empowering message about how to fight back against the many lies the wider culture tells them, and how they can restore a moral center to America. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Turning Point's Women's Leadership Summit, the show revisits Charlie's speech at the 2021 women's conference. Charlie gives the crowd of young women an empowering message about how to fight back against the many lies the wider culture tells them, and how they can restore a moral center to America. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's episode probably sounds like a beautiful pipe dream….so today, Dr. Kuba asks the hard question, “Can you really truly pass things off to team members?” She and Bethany discuss the times where tasks are passed off and teams either fail to accomplish them OR are not equipped to complete the task successfully. In this episode, Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss how to ensure that the right people receive the right tasks. The DRI program can work, but it requires a well thought out plan. 

Charlie always brought his A-game when addressing TPUSA chapter leaders, and one of his best addresses of all came at a dark moment for the national conservative movement in the summer of 2021. In a wide-ranging 45 minutes speech, Charlie tells the three things to do daily to be more effective, explains the difference between practical knowledge and eternal knowledge, and explains why fearless truth-telling is the most essential duty of all for anyone who wants to be a positive force in politics. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie always brought his A-game when addressing TPUSA chapter leaders, and one of his best addresses of all came at a dark moment for the national conservative movement in the summer of 2021. In a wide-ranging 45 minutes speech, Charlie tells the three things to do daily to be more effective, explains the difference between practical knowledge and eternal knowledge, and explains why fearless truth-telling is the most essential duty of all for anyone who wants to be a positive force in politics. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Check this episode out in both video and audio! Today, Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss a foundational management strategy called “Directly Responsible Individuals” or as Kuba refers to “The Tag-You're-It Person”. They discuss what a DRI and how it helps in managing a great team, inspiring confidence in your team members, and lightening the load on the practice owner and manager. If you want an inspiring way to get the best out of your team, listen to this episode! 

How do we manage the rapid transformation of the AECO industry without losing the human systems that make the work possible?In this first-ever live recording of Practice Disrupted, captured at the NASCC Steel Conference in Atlanta, Evelyn Lee is joined by Shelby Morris and Emily Schickner to discuss the "methods and mindsets" required to lead through industry-wide change. From the dramatic shift in the Atlanta real estate market, where zero new office buildings are currently under construction while billions are poured into data centers, the conversation explores how firms must adapt their business lines to remain relevant. The guests discuss how flexibility and a willingness to pivot are no longer just survival tactics but core operational strategies.The episode delves into the nuances of communication, particularly how AI-generated renderings are shifting client expectations and the way architects articulate their value. Beyond technology, the discussion focuses on building a resilient firm culture through "co-creation" rather than top-down mandates. Shelby and Emily share insights on radical transparency in fees, the importance of intentional mentorship, and why viewing the entire AEC industry as a collaborative "family" is essential for raising the profession's standing.This live discussion offers a rare look at how leadership happens in real-time during market volatility. By focusing on the intersection of market data and human capital, Shelby and Emily provide a roadmap for firms to move beyond traditional hierarchies toward a more integrated, transparent, and agile way of working."It's the family culture and environment that should spread across our entire AEC industry because we absolutely are all in this together and we all must support each other to continue being the profession that needs to be respected in the way that it needs to be." - Shelby MorrisThis episode is a masterclass in leading with transparency and empathy. Shelby and Emily emphasize that while the technical requirements of the job will always evolve, the business of architecture is, at its heart, a people business built on trust and shared valuesGuest:Shelby Morris is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler's Atlanta office and a former AIA Atlanta president. He has led over $3 billion in transformational projects across the Southeast and is a leading voice on office management, market adaptation, and firm-wide diversification.Emily Schickner is a Principal at Harrison Design, the firm's first female principal, and the past president of AIA Atlanta. She serves as the chair of AIA's 2025 Women's Leadership Summit and is a sought-after voice on mental health, mentorship, and equity within the profession.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are curious about how large and small firms are shifting their business models to meet new market demands like data centers and retail.✅ You want to learn strategies for communicating the value of architectural expertise when clients arrive with AI-generated renderings.✅ You are interested in implementing "reverse mentorship" and structured development programs to retain the next generation of talent.✅ You struggle with the transition from being a technical expert to being a leader focused on HR, finance, and relationship management.✅ You want to understand the difference between hiring for "culture fit" versus "culture ad" to build a more diverse and agile practice.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

Need a little motivation for today? Bethany gets on a self-proclaimed soapbox today, but hopefully one that will inspire and encourage all dental professionals today. She shares of a recent encounter she had with a health provider that reminded her about the importance of what we do on a daily basis. Through dentistry and through relationships, we have the opportunity to be impactful. Today is a day to be reminded that what we do truly matters. Be encouraged today as you listen to Bethany's important reminder! 

Conscious leadership isn't a one-size-fits-all skill. It's a series of conscious decisions to address the needs of your team, build strategies rooted in empathy, and understanding the value of conflict management.Dale Allen, an executive leadership coach who uses a unique empathetic brain-based approach, sat down with Shaun Majumder at CREA's 2026 Leadership Summit to discuss the importance of creativity and flexibility in leadership. She also shared insights into the value of emotional intelligence, checking in with yourself as a leader, and “noticing your grip.”

Encore Performance: While disgruntled patients have always been a reality, they seem to be growing in number. The combination of massive social and economic changes has turned even some of the nicest patients into grumps. In this world-wide rise of grumpiness, the dental field certainly gets hit hard by the patients who are simply looking to fight. In this episode, Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss specific disgruntled patient examples from just the last week and share insights on how they each handled or would have handled the patient. The ability to successfully deescalate a tense situation is very complicated. However, over the last two years, it has become increasingly difficult. Listen in as Dr. Kuba and Bethany discuss this topic and their strategies for dealing with unhappy patients. Interested in the Leadership Summit? Friday, September 18, from 8:30 – 4:30Inquire or register TODAY:  https://www.hellobethany.com/about-3 

Most vendor relationships start and end at a trade show booth. This one was different. For Towson University and EGYM, a first introduction at the Campus Rec Leadership Summit turned into a full partnership — one that's now helping students overcome barriers to using their rec facility. In this video, Grady Sheffield (Director of Campus Recreation, Towson University) and Jonathan Besecker (Senior Account Executive, EGYM) break down how the Summit's intimate format made all the difference. From roundtable conversations to hands-on demos, the Summit creates the kind of environment where real relationships — and real partnerships — actually form. What does your approach to vendor relationships look like? Drop a comment below.

This weekend global urban experts are coming to Dublin to discuss city development challenges. The International Downtown Association's 2026 World Towns Leadership Summit takes place in Dublin this Sunday, running until Wednesday.Ahead of the summit Anton spoke to Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town.

Do you need more revenue in your business… but feel like everything takes too long to implement? What if you could flick a few simple "money switches" and see results this week? And are you avoiding the simple actions that would actually bring more cash into your business? In this episode, I kick things off by sharing what's been happening inside the Dog Daycare Success Academy, including a brand-new bonus training I delivered called the "Profit Booster." The goal? To help owners make more money fast by using simple, practical actions that can be implemented immediately. I break down the idea of "money switches" — small changes, offers, or conversations that can unlock revenue quickly — and why most business owners avoid them, even though they're often the fastest route to growth. Then I'm joined by Eve Molzhon, who shares insights into her upcoming Leadership Summit in Chicago, where the focus is firmly on the business side of pet care. Eve touches on staffing strategies and securing legal protection, as well as working to build new revenue streams. In this episode, you'll discover: The "Money Switch" Mindset – How small, fast actions can unlock immediate revenue in your business. Why Owners Avoid Selling – The real reason you hesitate to ask clients for money (and how to fix it). Quick Wins That Actually Work – Practical ideas you can implement this week to boost cash flow. The Power of Accountability – Why setting deadlines and challenges forces action and results. Building Smarter Revenue Streams – How memberships and recurring income can stabilise and grow your business. If you want to join the waitlist for the Dog Daycare Success Academy, head to: petbusinessmarketing.com/successacademy And if you want to level up your business knowledge even further, check out Eve's upcoming Leadership Summit at: doghandleracademy.com Thanks to our amazing show sponsor Pawpal. To find out more about their amazing app go to Pawpal

Get your ticket now for the Leadership Summit! - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/training/leadershipIs the Bible reliable… or has it been changed over time?In this episode, Dr. Dan Wallace—one of the world's leading New Testament scholars and Executive Director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM)—breaks down the truth behind Bible manuscripts, textual variants, and the biggest objections people raise today.We talk about: • Why there are over 1.5 million textual variants • What that actually means (and why it's NOT a problem) • Whether we can reconstruct the original New Testament • The truth behind the “telephone game” argument • The two most controversial passages in the Bible • Why even skeptical scholars admit core doctrines are untouchedIf you've ever wondered whether you can trust the Bible… this conversation will challenge and equip you.

In a residual theme of “going deep”, Dr. Kuba and Bethany dig into a weighty and important topic today – medical emergencies. Together they reflect on several REAL scenarios that recently occurred in the dental field. They discuss the appropriate steps to take during an emergency in order to protect your patients, your practice, and yourself. In addition, they discuss preventive steps that can be taken to ensure that your team responds well before, during, and after an emergency. Do yourself a favor and take notes today!  Interested in the Leadership Summit? Friday, September 18 from 8:30 – 4:30Inquire or register TODAY:  https://www.hellobethany.com/about-3 

Shelly-Anne "Tulia" Scott is an award-winning architect at HOK, leader, and community advocate with over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, interior design, and urban storytelling. She currently serves on the AIA Strategic Council as the Georgia Representative and is the Past President of the Atlanta chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAtlanta). Her leadership is rooted in mentorship, equity, and social purpose. In recognition of her impact, Tulia was the 2025 recipient of the Carmen Stan Elevation of the Profession Award.We talk about: - Tulia's career across firms and regions and how seeking “projects with a soul” in higher education, civic, and community design has shaped her path.- We talk about the importance of defining career goals, self-advocacy, and personal branding to align with meaningful opportunities. - Tulia elaborates on her leadership with NOMAtlanta and how she grew membership and advanced mentorship.- We also talk about her insights from co-leading a sold-out mindfulness and visioning workshop at the Women's Leadership Summit, which she crafted to help architects pause, reflect and clarify their next career steps.>>>Connect with TuliaLinkedInTulia's Website>>>Thank you to our Sponsor:⁠⁠Arcol ⁠⁠is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly. Learn more about Arcol on their ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠X⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.>>>Connect with Architectette:- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>>> Support Architectette:- Leave us a rating and review!>>>Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Send me a Text Message!At a Leadership Summit, a few years ago, Angela Duckworth laid out her research that suggests that every successful person, every person who makes a true impact on the world, has one unique charecteristic. She called it grit. And she defined grit as the child of passion and persistance. Persistance and passion together equals grit. So let me ask you, "Are you passionately persistant in prayer?" Or am I distracted, living with the illusion that I am a great multi-tasker, while my prayer have neither passion nor persistance.So that's the question for this episode. Are you a gritty pray-er?  

For this episode, Dustin speaks with Kristen McMullen to explore how the “Designing Your Life” framework is being embedded at the College of Charleston to help students navigate uncertainty, make intentional decisions, and align their education with their goals and values. Kristen explains how the design thinking approach—centered on curiosity, experimentation, and action—empowers students to prototype career paths, build confidence, and reduce anxiety about the future. Guest Name: Kristen McMullen, Executive Director of Student Success, the College of Charleston School of Business Guest Social: LinkedIn Guest Bio: Kristen McMullen has dedicated nearly 20 years of her life to higher education, spearheading career service initiatives, creating programs that connect students with the resources they need to succeed, and bolstering various universities' alumni relations at the likes of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University and Duke University. She has earned her masters in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from the University of East London with the goal of extending Success Center services related to our students' wellbeing. Kristen's presidential leadership has elevated organizations including the Junior League, the Jaycees, Penn State's Commission for Women, the Volunteer Center's Community Volunteer in Action organization, and the Penn State Charleston Alumni Chapter. She also founded the Delaware Women's Leadership Summit and the Volunteer Leadership Organization Council of Southwestern Connecticut. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Kuba spills the beans today. In complete vulnerability she discusses the recent opening (and closing) of her second location. She unpacks all of the emotions and thought that went into turning the page on this new and exciting venture in her life. At times, life throws curve balls your way, and you have to react, to pivot. Today's episode focuses on the importance of pivoting and then fighting against the feelings of regret, disappointment, and even guilt and instead forcing yourself to see the silver lining in it all. Welcome to Dr. Kuba's therapy session! Interested in the Leadership Summit? Friday, September 18 from 8:30 – 4:30Inquire or register TODAY: https://www.hellobethany.com/about-3 

Register for the Leadership Summit! - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/training/leadershipDrawing from Ephesians 5:3-4 and Joshua 3:5, this is a call for men to be set apart, consecrated, and different. Men's Alliance tribesmen are not called to blend in. We are called to live with conviction, purity, and leadership that reflects Christ.This message is direct, biblical, and deeply practical for any man who wants God to use his life in a greater way.Follow Men's AllianceInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mensalliancetribe/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mensalliancetribeTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mensalliancetribeWebsite - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/Explore Battlefield Coaching today and find yourself a Coach with experience overcoming a battle you are currently facing - https://battlefieldcoaching.comOrder the Book - Answer With Truth: The Ambassador's Field Manual for Leading Your Family Spiritually - https://amzn.to/3BmnuKV

Omar Ford, Editor in Chief of MD+DI, shares his journey from small-town print journalism to covering medtech, and the steep learning curve that taught him how to find the real story behind press releases, FDA pathways, and industry trends. Omar explains how thinking like a “contemporary medtech historian” helps connect past events to present innovations, and why curiosity—and an unusually open, helpful industry—accelerated his growth. He reflects on defining leadership moments, imposter syndrome, and the mentors who shaped his style, plus memorable conversations from his Let's Talk Medtech podcast.   Guest links: omar.ford@informa.com | https://www.mddionline.com/  Charity supported: March of Dimes Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 078 - Omar Ford [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I'm delighted to welcome as my guest Omar Ford. Omar is an experienced Editor in Chief, currently at MD+DI, with a demonstrated history of working in the medical device industry. Skilled in medical devices, technical writing, marketing, strategic planning, and marketing strategy, he also has a strong media and communication professional background with a bachelor's degree focused in journalism from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Well, hello, welcome. I'm so excited to have you here today. Thank you for being here, Omar. [00:01:28] Omar Ford: Lindsey, I'm excited to be here as well. You know, I have been prepping for this all week, and then all the little notes and all the things I took down, I said, "You know what? I wanna give her the original experience," so I'm gonna chuck 'em to the side and we're just gonna do this off the top of my head. How's that? [00:01:43] Lindsey Dinneen: That's perfect. My favorite. [00:01:46] Omar Ford: Awesome. Awesome. [00:01:48] Lindsey Dinneen: That's how conversations work in real life. I feel like this shouldn't be any different, so, great. [00:01:53] Omar Ford: Agree. Agreed. [00:01:54] Lindsey Dinneen: Love it. All right, so would you mind starting off by telling us just a little bit about yourself, your background, and what led you to medtech specifically? [00:02:02] Omar Ford: Oh wow. So that is an interesting story what led me to medtech. But a little bit about myself first. So, I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2001 as a print journalism major. And, my goal was to go into newspapers, you know, I wanted to go into-- I wanted to be that next print journalist 'cause I had a face for radio, right? I had a face for print, you know, wasn't the, the, the broadcast type. And so I, I did small newspapers for a few years and then this magical thing called marriage happened. And, I was looking at the salary that I made as a print journalist, and it just, it, it just wasn't enough to sustain a family. So, was looking at branching into something else. And back then, we had the, the, the classified ads in the newspaper where they would actually advertise jobs, and I and my wife pointed this one out to me and it was a, a job about it was a job for a company called AHC Media and they had a publication called Medical Device Daily, and that was around, I wanna say 2007. And she said, "Why don't you try it? You know it the pay--" 'cause they advertised the pay there too back, back then-- she said, "The pay is much more than, you know, being, you know, a newspaper reporter. You can, you can leave that, that's something that you could do to, to support the family." And I said, "Yeah, yeah, why don't I try it?" And a lot, there were a lot of adjacencies, so I jumped on it and, you know, got hired and left the newspaper behind. And that was in 2007 and I've been with medtech ever since, so it's been an incredible journey. It's been one that you kinda, you know, once you jump in, there's like a, a steep learning curve, but if you manage to stay in for a few years, you can, you can really learn a lot about the industry. [00:03:53] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Okay. Excellent. Lots of questions. I'll start with that learning curve because I was just thinking about this. [00:04:00] Omar Ford: Yes. Yes. Go ahead. [00:04:01] Lindsey Dinneen: So, okay. So you go from, I might imagine a more generalist approach to all sorts of different topics, to... [00:04:09] Omar Ford: mm-hmm. [00:04:10] Lindsey Dinneen: ...a really crazy niche industry where somebody can say a full sentence and. If you're not from the industry, you're like, "Mm-hmm." [00:04:18] Omar Ford: Yes. [00:04:19] Lindsey Dinneen: So what was that like for you and how did you, how did you navigate that, that steep learning curve and your own personal growth so that you could, you know, really speak to the industry? [00:04:32] Omar Ford: So going back to the head nod, "Um, mm-hmm," a lot of my interviews were like that at the very beginning. But I remember the Editor in Chief of, of Medical Device Daily. He's now deceased-- Don Long-- he pulled me to the side one day and he said, "Omar, each of these companies has a story. You want to be able to tell that story." You know, you look at it from a business sense, and then you drill down into the innovations. You know, when you get a press release from a company such as a Boston Scientific or an Abbott Laboratories, or a Medtronic, you wanna drill down in the press release and look at what the news is. But you also wanna look at the story that they've been telling up until now about that product or about that sector that they're in. You know, if they're looking to get approval for a device, you know, was it easy for them to go through clinical trials? Was this something that bombed a couple times or that was rejected by FDA? Each company has a story about their innovation, right? And you look at the company as your sources, like your, like they're your county commissioners or they're your --I'm going back to my newspaper days-- or they're your board of education members. You know, each company has a personality like that. And you try to hone in on that and you look for those adjacencies and then you kinda fill things in as you go along. The other thing that helps is traveling to some of the trade shows and talking to the people and meeting them face to face, because back when I started, we had this wonderful thing called a landline, a telephone, and we could call people and get messages, right? There were no teams calls or no Skype or anything like that, or, or Zoom. And in fact, I don't think they're Skype anymore. But you know, you didn't have that, so you just heard a person's voice, but when you met them face to face, when you talked about some of these innovations, when you saw how passionate they were or when you could read some of their body language or when you could say, "Hey, can you kind of take the time and talk to me about this," and make that personal connection, it helps you understand the science a little bit more. It helps you understand what they're trying to communicate a whole lot more. And that kind of rounded out that steep learning curve. But I like to tell people all the time, when I first started, I didn't know a 510K from a PMA. You know, I struggled to explain that one time to our, our sales manager back when I was with AHC Media and Medical Device Daily. But if you can stay in this industry long enough and if you can you know, just focus long enough on the content material and have an understanding of the companies that you're, you're talking to and see them each having an individual story, you know, and, and also finding the conflict that the companies might have too, that helps round that, that, that steep learning curve down out a a whole lot. A whole lot. [00:07:44] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. That's, that's great advice. And also something I was thinking about is the more that you get into the industry too, you know, curiosity solves so much, right? [00:07:59] Omar Ford: Yes. [00:07:59] Lindsey Dinneen: The more that you can just be curious and ask questions. And I've found-- and I'd be curious about your own experience with this-- but I found that this industry is extremely helpful. Like if you go with a genuine desire to learn and grow, people are like, "Great, how can I help you?" [00:08:17] Omar Ford: Now, that is one thing that I will testify to and I will say was different from reporting, doing beat reporting because when I was working with the small newspapers, it was all about holding back information. It was all about, "I don't wanna talk to you about this." But this industry, when you talk to people, when you show a level of interest and the ability to understand, they will talk to you for days and they are very, very helpful. So that is ano--, I'm, I'm glad you brought that up because that is a, a another level that really, really helps to understand this industry a lot. Yeah. [00:08:55] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. I love what you were talking about in regards to storytelling. You were talking about you know, sometimes I feel like press releases can, they're getting out information. There's obviously a really important point to them, but it sometimes can feel very dry and slightly just inhuman, I suppose. [00:09:15] Omar Ford: Mm-hmm. [00:09:15] Lindsey Dinneen: I love the fact that you were able to take what you saw, read a little bit between the lines and go, "Okay, I know there's a story here." Like you said, "What did you overcome? What are the challenges you're still facing?" Yeah. I'd just love if you speak a little bit more to that, that fine art of digging through and finding the gems. [00:09:35] Omar Ford: A lot of that is being a contemporary MedTech historian and realizing that everything builds on something else, right? That there are different layers. I'll give you an example of this. Back in 2018, Boston Scientific was acquiring a lot of companies. I think they acquired like 10. That was the trend. And they bought a lot of different companies in a lot of different areas and the easy story was, "Boston Scientific is on a spending spree. Look at what they're doing, look at what they're doing." And that was the easy part of it. But what happened to Boston Scientific before? What happened to them when they acquired Guided back in 2006 and that was heralded as one of the worst acquisitions ever. You, as a writer, as a reporter, as a journalist, when all of this is happening in 2018, I'm able to go back and say, "Wait a minute, this is a far cry from where the company was a few years ago," because there wasn't as much information. You know, they weren't as talkative as they used to be, as they are now. You know, a lot wasn't communicated, but when you go back and, and, and you, you look at where they were and then you look at where they are now. That is a great story and that's how you can read between the lines. And you can see those connections. Okay. They're really, they're really building up their electrophysiology space, right? You know, they're building up their cardiovascular offerings. This is something that was perhaps heard or tainted during the acquisition in the fallout from it. So let me draw back from those past stories, make some connections, see the adjacencies, see the parallels, create a new piece of content from that, that really communicates the story of what's really going on with Boston Scientific. So it's being able to look to the past, realizing that things don't happen in a vacuum, and also to, to work on the trends, to look ahead at how the trends will develop and are developing. [00:11:51] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that, and especially love the term contemporary historian. I was just giggling to myself about how wonderful that is. Okay, so I'm all right. So going back to when you were growing up, could you have imagined yourself where you are now? Would, were you always interested in writing and journalism? [00:12:11] Omar Ford: Oh gosh, you, you're gonna ask me about growing up? Oh God. Oh. So I, I, I, to answer your question, no. No. I am very blessed to be in this position. I never imagined myself here. I was a poor kid growing up in rural South Carolina. My mom was a teacher. My dad was a Vietnam veteran who became an educator. I'm saying that for a reason. Read between the lines. He was, he was tough. And, but my mom always wanted something better for me, right? And my dad, he was just sports and the news. He didn't watch any movie, I don't think, for as long as he lived. I think the only movie we saw together was "Lean On Me" with Morgan Freeman is is Joe Clark. That's the only movie that my whole family watched. He was just. That's all he, he did. And I wanted to impress him, and I wanted to be able to you know, he, he wanted an athlete and that's clearly not what I was back then. But he I, I just wanted to impress him. And I remember he would sit down, he would watch "Crossfire." It was, that came on, I believe, 7:30 on CNN. Pat Buchanan, he was a host, I can't remember the other host, and he would watch "60 Minutes" and then he'd watch the local news with Dan Rather on CBS, that that's all he watched. And he would read the newspaper. It'd come out Mondays and Thursdays. And so I, I wanted to be a journalist to impress him. So I got on the school newspaper, you know, I found out that I had a gift of not necessarily talking, but I had a gift of listening to people and being able to, to kind of relate to, to relate their stories of what they were telling me in writing. So I was able to, to write down what people told me in a sense. And, so if you would've asked me, would I be editor in chief of MD+DI or, or anything like that growing up, no. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted to be, I just wanted to impress my dad. I just wanted to be a a, you know, a good reporter and thankfully he, while he didn't live to see me be Editor in Chief, he did see me become Managing Editor of MD+DI, and my mom actually lived to see me become Editor in Chief and, you know, she was I remember when I told her and she was like, super, super proud. So, yeah, yeah. But no, I couldn't have imagined that me a kid growing up in a, in a, in rural South Carolina in a trailer? No, no, no. [00:14:56] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow. Thank you for sharing that story. That's really powerful. And I actually love how inspirational it is too. You know, you, of course you have to start somewhere and you're working your way up and look where you are now. It's incredible. And now you, you have been there now eight years, is that correct? [00:15:13] Omar Ford: Yes, I've been with in, with MD+DI for eight years now. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm going back. Well, yes, I'm thinking back. Yeah. Yeah. I have to think about that. And I've been Editor, Editor in Chief, I think I took over in of 2022. Yeah. April of 2022. Yeah. So yeah. Wow. My hair was a whole lot darker; it didn't have gray streaks when I started. [00:15:40] Lindsey Dinneen: What a journey. Oh, that's so cool. Congrats. Yeah, so as you've been a journalist, but maybe specifically within medical device, what are some interviews that kind of really stand out that you just for their impact or how they touched you or how they touched others? [00:16:00] Omar Ford: I would say some of my best interviews I did on the podcast, Let's Talk Medtech, because I could finally kinda let-- I could let my hair down and my guests could let their hair down as well, and we could just, we could just talk and just, it, it would it, we could just be open and transparent. And sometimes that doesn't always happen when you're doing an interview. Sometimes some people are reading from the script. Sometimes people are guarded. Sometimes people like to use the old, "Okay, I know I said that, but. That was off the record. Please don't use it." You know, sometimes that happens, but to answer your question, some of my best interviews have been with Marissa Fayer. She is CEO of DeepLook Medical and HERhealthEQ. In fact, we just did a podcast with her. It, it's not even fair to call that an interview because it's just like two old friends talking and our banter is going back and forth and I'm like, "Yeah, I saw some pictures of you, you know, on Facebook. You were on this trip. You were on this trip." You said, "Oh, Facebook is still a thing. I just put everything in Instagram so it funnels out. What you trying to call me old? Marissa, are you trying to say that that old, old people use Facebook?" "No, no, no. I'm not saying that." And, and just that. And then we leap into AI and how AI is really helping the cause of women's health right now and how it's helping with imaging and how it won't replace the radiologist or the physician, but it will give them an extra tool. But you see how comfortable that transition is. We're able to have those talks. We're able to have those conversations. And it's not stiff, you know, it's, it's just like. It's not like we're reading from a paper or we are just trying to be super, super guarded. So Marissa's a good person that I that I talked to. Chris Toth-- he's the CEO of Vantive-- and he had the most energy and enthusiasm about, about his job and his position, and it was just smooth and we, we interviewed him for an episode of Let's Talk Medtech, and it was just incredible. He, he, he really opened up about the company. He talked about some of the goals and it was refreshing to see a CEO, you know, have that type of discussion you know, have those discussion points. So those were some of the most memorable interviews that I've had in, in recent, in recent months. [00:18:29] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Thank you for sharing those. That's, that's fun. Now I'm gonna have to go and listen to them. Marissa was one of my first guests, and I couldn't agree more that the conversation was so just easy and natural and she's got such cool things to talk about. [00:18:43] Omar Ford: Yes, yes. [00:18:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. So one thing I noticed about your LinkedIn was it seems like you are very fond of learning because you are continually taking courses, maybe on and off LinkedIn, but I was looking through the laundry list of, of amazing courses you've taken, and I was like, "That is impressive." So I'm curious if you could talk about that. [00:19:06] Omar Ford: Oh gosh. Well, I look at some of the, the most interesting courses that I can find. And one of the things that I've been looking at is just artificial intelligence and generative AI. How to best use that, how to best write prompts, what are some of the pitfalls? Just how to, for lack of a better term, master it or understand it a little bit more because I understand that content is changing and generative AI is a huge driver of that. I don't fear change. I want to change. It's just, I don't know where change is going to, to, I, I don't know what that looks like now because we're in the middle of it, you know? Something similarly happened to me back in 2006, I wanna say, when Google kind of came on the scene and was taking newspapers and, and publishing the entire newspaper online, and you could look at it for free. And I was like, "This isn't a sustainable model. I need to get out of this and I'm barely making, I'm barely making enough to get by. I need to leave, but what do I need to to go to?" And that was the B2B experience that was in medtech. And that was where it was more focused. It was more targeted. There was a paywall. The, the sales metrics were a whole lot different. It wasn't necessarily about buying an ad because someone is looking at the at the site or looking at your story or the ad impressions, but it was more, "Who's going to buy in for this gated content or this content behind a paywall that specifically talks to them, not everybody." I think that's an issue that newspapers had back then. They tried to be something for, for everyone and I don't think that turned out to, to work too well for them. But I just totally went off the cuff and went off line and just talked about everything except answering your question, so. [00:21:03] Lindsey Dinneen: That is, it's not, you're awesome. I absolutely love it. Okay, so, oh, this is what I wanted to ask. So as you have-- especially with the medical device side of things-- as you have grown in your journalist career, are there any moments that really stand out to you as just affirming to you that, "Wow, I am in the right place at the right time?" [00:21:32] Omar Ford: Yeah. Yeah. And one happened fairly recently and it happened at West. I was coming out of, from the, the showroom floor at, in the Anaheim Conference Center and I had my Informa name tag on and I had my suit and one of the, the guys at the door-- he was a, a, a young person of color-- and he came up to me and he said, "Man, I want to be just like you when I grow up." And I, I brought him in and I gave him a hug and I couldn't say anything and. I walked up those winding stairs. I didn't take the escalator. You, you know what I'm talking about. I didn't take the, I walked up those winding stairs and by the time I got upstairs, I was in tears. And that was validation that, "Hey, you're supposed to be here." If you know, if not, for just that one moment where that young man was able to see me and make a connection. And that was really, that was really emotional for me. And, again, I grew up with a dad that was a Vietnam veteran. Emotions weren't allowed, so you had to hold it in, but that was a point I just, I, that was just an emotional moment for me, and it said, "Yeah, you're, you're supposed to be here. You're all right, Omar. You're supposed to be here." Because I think when you're in leadership, I think you struggle with that, especially coming into it, right? You, you have, well, for me, I had imposter syndrome. I, I just, I, "Why does anybody wanna follow me? Am I doing this right? Am I doing this wrong?" Oh my gosh. And, and also I, I wanted to be the person that always got all the accolades or that, because I thought that that was doing a good job. And that's not what leadership is. You, you will get some of those accolades, but your accolades are to build someone else up so that they can get, so that they can get the spotlight and so that they can become leaders in their own right. So you wanna grow your professionals that are under you. That was the challenge for me at first because I was a great soldier and I was a great person who could roll up their sleeves and I would jump headfirst into it and I would, I would work and knock out and tackle the problem, but asking someone else to do it-- you know, coming up with a strategy to do it was easy too, but just enforcing it, having someone else to do it, that was the tough part for me. That's what I struggled with. And so bringing back to when you, when you were talking about that defining moment, that moment when that young man, you know, when I embraced that young man, when I hugged him, that was saying, "Omar, you're supposed to be here." And that meant a lot to me, so, yeah. [00:24:29] Lindsey Dinneen: That's a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing that. Oh, I, yes, I understand the imposter syndrome for sure. And, you know, and, and you know, I recently, as you know, had the opportunity to host the Leadership Summit at MD&M West, which was really an amazing experience. And there were moments-- I remember I was, I was checking out the space ahead of time, you know, looking to see what it's all gonna be set up as. And I had this moment of like, "You don't, you don't deserve to be here." And like that just very intrusive thought, just came into my head and I just said, "No, that's not true. That's, it's, it's not true. I've worked hard to be where I am apparently some people care what I have to say." Not everyone, I'm sure, that's a thousand percent fine, but it was just such an interesting, it, it, it's just you keep having to have these moments, I feel like, of sometimes, sometimes outside validation from somebody who looks up to you like that, that young man, and just to say, "Yeah, I'm, I'm okay to be here. In fact, I'm, I deserve to be here. I'm supposed to be here. I make a difference. I, at least I try." [00:25:40] Omar Ford: Yes, it, it's hard because you're, you know, you're trying to be humble, but you're also coming against all of these different, these different things in your role. You know, you have people above you, you have people below you. You're kinda like the sandwich generation when it comes to, to, to leadership in your professional career. And you're not necessarily-- I don't wanna say fighting against them. I don't want to say that-- but you're, you're giving up. You're giving down at the same time, you know, you, you're, you know, you're talking to, to your management team, to your managers, and you're giving them information and you're serving their needs, but you're also serving the needs of, of the people that work under you. You're giving them support And so, if you don't have anything to constantly fill you up, it can be it, I don't wanna say draining, that's not the word, but it can take a lot out of you. So you, you, you sometimes don't see the role that you play because you're, you're giving both ways and, you know, I was I, I'll, I'll tell you, I had an amazing leader. She was a great leader, because when I look at bosses, I look at people who tell you, "Okay, I want you to do this. I want you to do this, I want you to do that." All they wanna do is get the task done and go home. That's what I see as a boss. But a leader will actually sow into you, will actually nurture you, will actually tell you right from wrong and will feel like they have a personal responsibility or stake, or stake, I'd say in your growth, right. And that person for me was Daphne Allen. She was my predecessor. She's now Editor in Chief of Design News. It's a sister publication to MD+DI. And I can always remember she was firm and assertive and, but in a almost nurturing way. And if you came up with an idea that didn't quite jive right, she would talk to you, she would say, "Well, maybe we could look at it this way." It would validate the idea, but tell you you're not quite on the right path, but show that she's willing to help you get on the right path all in one blow. And that was so incredible. And I can remember at West, I, I, I pulled her aside, 'cause every time I see her, I talk to her and I tell her, "You've been such a great inspiration for me, you've, I, I'm. I'm forever thankful for you. I'd say the only bad thing is that you're, you're no longer my manager. That's the only bad thing that I have to say." But she just taught me a leadership style. You don't have to yell and scream to get your point across. You don't have to be nasty. You can be assertive and you can give support while being assertive. I think that's something that is missed in in a lot of roles. Just, "Hey, Omar, you, you might've done this a way that we didn't need to do it. But here's how we get back on track to do it, and I want you to think about what you did over here and how we can improve, improve upon it." So it, it was just, it, it, it's just those conversations that I had with her that were, you know, I mean, she really stands out to me as, as one of the best leaders that I've had. And there, there are quite a few more that I could mention. But definitely Daphne Allen. I owe her so much and I'm so thankful to have met her. She's just an amazing person. [00:29:25] Lindsey Dinneen: Well, shout out to Daphne. [00:29:27] Omar Ford: Yes, yes, yes. [00:29:30] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Oh, that's, that's wonderful. I love hearing stories of really great leaders who make an impact because it does matter so much in your experience at work just as a whole, but just also your personal and professional growth. So yeah, thank you for sharing that. So, all right, pivoting the conversation a little bit just for fun. [00:29:51] Omar Ford: Sure. Sure. [00:29:52] Lindsey Dinneen: Imagine you are to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass on anything you want. It can be within your industry, but it doesn't have to be. What would you teach? [00:30:03] Omar Ford: Hmm. A million dollars to teach anything. Oh gosh. I, you know what? I would teach really common sense, old school journalism. I would do that. I think that there are a lot of things that have been lost in journalism over the years and that is one thing that I would teach, not necessarily the writing aspect of it but just how to relate to people, how to talk to people you know, how to just be in a position where you can have discussions with, with a person. We have so many people nowadays that don't even know how to talk on a telephone. They don't know how to have a phone conversation. And I think that that is one of the basics for journalism, right? You gotta be able to pick up that phone or hop on that Teams call and have a conversation with someone. I, I remember a few years ago we had a, a journalist and this person was, this person struggled with talking to people on the phone or doing those cold calls. And I said, "You know, you gotta be able to breach that and you gotta be able to, to, to try and at least make that connection." And there are tips that you can do to, to really get that information out there to, to really make connections with people, you know, you can-- subtle things that you can do, but if you gave me a million dollars, I would yeah, that's what I would do. I would teach just common core principles of journalism. [00:31:39] Lindsey Dinneen: I love it. Sounds like a great course. All right. How do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:31:48] Omar Ford: Oh gosh. I would say as a good husband and a good father. Those are two things that are really important to me, but I would love to be just a go out as a good husband and a good father. That's, that's ultimately what I wanna be. [00:32:04] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Wonderful. All right, and then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:32:14] Omar Ford: Oh goodness. What's one thing that makes me smile or, oh gosh. I will say this. My youngest daughter, my youngest daughter, Emily, and she, we named her after my mom. She was a total surprise to us. We're in, well, I will tell my age. I am 47 years old and she is now two. So do the math. My other children are like in their teens. And Emily makes me smile because, you know, we didn't know that my wife was pregnant at the time. We just, and then when we found out she was pregnant at 21 weeks-- yeah. Yeah. Yes, yes. When we found out she was pregnant, we didn't even want to we didn't know if Emily would survive. We, we didn't. She spent like 10 weeks in the NICU and now she is a big, healthy toddler who has caused a lot of this to turn a lot grayer, but she makes me smile each time I see her. You know, she reminds me of her grandmother, my mom, and she reminds me that miracles can happen. So, yes. [00:33:29] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh, I love that. What a beautiful answer. Well, Omar, this has been an absolutely amazing interview and I am so very thankful for your time. Thanks for just sharing a little bit of your afternoon with me, and thank you so much for everything you're doing to change lives for a better world. Really appreciate it. [00:33:48] Omar Ford: Thank you. Thank you, and thanks for having me on and we've gotta have you on Let's Talk Medtech. [00:33:52] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, let's do it. I would love that. [00:33:55] Omar Ford: Awesome. [00:33:56] Lindsey Dinneen: Well, thanks again. [00:33:59] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

Uncertainty is defining today's business environment — but for leaders who know what to look for, it also presents opportunity. In this exclusive Q&A, Tara Bayke, economist and senior consultant at ITR Economics, offers a preview of her upcoming keynote at the 2026 Club Solutions Leadership Summit, taking place May 18–20 at The Montage in Park City, Utah. This conversation is just a glimpse into the insights Summit attendees will gain during her session. At the event, attendees will walk away with a clear, data-driven framework for navigating what's ahead — including: -What's driving growth — and what risks are building beneath the surface -How to time key decisions like hiring, expansion and investment -The economic indicators that directly impact membership, retention and revenue -Why forecasting is less about what to do — and more about when to do it As Bayke explains, most businesses don't struggle with strategy — they struggle with timing. Her keynote will equip attendees with the clarity, confidence and direction to make smarter decisions ahead of the next shifts in the market. If you're attending the Summit, this is a first look at the insights you'll gain in Park City. And if you're not, you'll still want to watch — we'll be sharing a full post-event breakdown of the key takeaways.  For more information on the Club Solutions Leadership Summit, visit https://peakemediaevents.com/summit

Named to Inc.'s Female Founders list, Priscila Martinez is founder and CEO of The Brand Agency, a public relations and creative communications firm. She is an award-winning marketer whose firm services Fortune 5 clients and other household name brands. The Brand Agency is the only agency globally to service clients like Amazon, Apple, Hulu, Disney, and Netflix with a female-only team. Recently, Ragan recognized Martinez as a Top Women in Communications, industry trade PRNews named her Top Women in 2024, and her agency was named “Best in Business” by Inc. Magazine for two years. Her speaking engagements include UCLA Velocity Women's Leadership Summit, USC Marshall School of Business marketing series, USC Own It Summit, and the International Trade Council's Think Global Conference. Martinez was an entertainment correspondent for NBC's Peacock streaming platform. She has been featured in publications like The Hollywood Reporter and Forbes and frequently contributed to Newsweek and Entrepreneur. Martinez sits on the board of Tierra del Sol Foundation. She is a Mexican immigrant who started living in the US full-time upon being accepted to Pepperdine University.

Register for the Leadership Summit! - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/training/leadershipDid Jesus really claim to be God?That question comes up all the time — especially from atheists, skeptics, and Muslims. In this episode, we go straight to the words of Jesus himself and look at 6 powerful Bible verses that make his identity crystal clear.This is a short, direct, practical teaching for Christian men who want to be ready when someone says, “Jesus never claimed to be God.”In this episode, we cover: • who Jesus said he was • why certain verses are crystal clear on the deity of Christ • how to respond when someone says Jesus never claimed to be divine • why unclear verses should always be compared to clear ones • one key verse from Paul that confirms exactly who Jesus isKey scriptures discussed include: • Matthew 12:8 • Mark 14:62 • John 8:58 • John 10:30 • John 14:9 • John 17:5 • Colossians 1:15If you want a simple, biblical answer to the question “Did Jesus claim to be God?”, this episode will help equip you.This is the kind of practical apologetics Christian men need — clear, direct, and grounded in scripture.Follow Men's AllianceInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mensalliancetribe/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mensalliancetribeTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mensalliancetribeWebsite - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/Explore Battlefield Coaching today and find yourself a Coach with experience overcoming a battle you are currently facing - https://battlefieldcoaching.comOrder the Book - Answer With Truth: The Ambassador's Field Manual for Leading Your Family Spiritually - https://amzn.to/3BmnuKV

The leaders of our country are often criticized, scrutinized, and called out. There is an overwhelming need to directly minister to government leaders and their families. The heart and mission of Alabaster House is to provide spiritual resources to government leaders in our nation's capital through confidential prayer, biblical devotionals, and friendship. Kimberly Genau is the executive director and founder of Alabaster House, and she has been nurturing relationships with political leaders in D.C. for 28 years. Ministering to congressional members and bridging partisan gaps by reliably providing safe spaces to connect is a big part of her mission. “Leaders in D.C. set the tone for the nation, and they have the Legislative power,” Kimberly states. “As they go, so goes America. It's critical to reach out to our leaders missionally and provide them with spiritual resources.” TAKEAWAYS Register for the Leadership Summit on May 19-20 in Washington D.C. by going to AlabasterHouse.org We must pray for our leaders: the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16) Alabaster House has become a refuge on Capitol Hill and the organization works with both Democrats and Republicans We believe a healthy faith and a healthy marriage produces healthy decisions on behalf of our nation, impacting each and every one of us

In this episode, we sit down with Ducky, leader of Judah Tribe in central Arkansas, to hear his powerful story of military service, identity, struggle, faith, and brotherhood.Ducky shares what life looked like before Christ, how the Army shaped him, the dangers of building your life around the wrong identity, and how God used Christian men, Scripture, and Men's Alliance to reshape his life. He also opens up about marriage, fatherhood, launching a tribe, starting his podcast Wisdom for Warriors, and the many obstacles that nearly kept him from attending Carry the Fire.This episode is for any man who feels stuck between old identities and the man God is calling him to become.In this episode: • Growing up without a strong father figure • Joining the Army and serving with the 101st Airborne • The veteran identity trap • How Christian men changed his trajectory • Starting Judah Tribe in Arkansas • The real story behind his Carry the Fire journey • Launching the Wisdom for Warriors podcast • What it means to find your identity in ChristIf you're a veteran, first responder, husband, father, or man trying to walk with Jesus in a world that keeps pulling you backward, this one will hit home.Wisdom for Warriors Podcast - @Wisdomforwarriors Sign up for the Leadership Summit - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/training/leadershipFollow Men's AllianceInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mensalliancetribe/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mensalliancetribeTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mensalliancetribeWebsite - https://www.mensalliancetribe.com/Explore Battlefield Coaching today and find yourself a Coach with experience overcoming a battle you are currently facing - https://battlefieldcoaching.comOrder the Book - Answer With Truth: The Ambassador's Field Manual for Leading Your Family Spiritually - https://amzn.to/3BmnuKV

Ever needed extra time, extra support, or a different way of doing something and immediately thought, “Wait… is this cheating?”Yeah. That feeling is way more common than you think.This week, David and Isabelle are back on stage at the Neurodiversity Alliance Leadership Summit in Denver for the second part of their live conversation with Jesse Sanchez, President of the Neurodiversity Alliance. Jesse has been part of this community for years as a mentor, leader, and now the person helping guide the organization forward. The Leadership Summit is where Neurodiversity Alliance mentors and student leaders from across the country gather for training, storytelling, and connection. It's a room full of neurodivergent students learning how to talk about their brains with confidence—and how to help younger kids do the same.In this part of the live conversation, Safia Mohammed, a Brooklyn-based nursing student and Neurodiversity Alliance Student Ambassador who's been part of the community for several years, joins the conversation. She shares her story about something a lot of neurodivergent people wrestle with: the uncomfortable feeling that needing support somehow means you're doing something wrong.Safia talks about her experience first received an IEP (Individualized Education Program) in elementary school. At the time, it felt confusing. She was being pulled out of class for extra help and didn't really understand why. And like a lot of neurodivergent kids, she started wondering something was wrong with her. David and Isabelle unpack why moments like that are so common in the neurodivergent experience, from the stigma around accommodations to the deeply ingrained belief that success only counts if it's hard.If you've ever hesitated to ask for help because you didn't want to feel like you were getting an advantage, this conversation might shift how you think about support and what it's actually there to do.Here's what's coming your way:Safia's story of receiving an IEP and why it felt confusing when she was youngerThe moment that changed how she understood accommodationsWhy so many neurodivergent people feel shame around getting supportHow stigma around accommodations keeps people from advocating for what they need-------Wait, What's That? Here are some of the terms and people mentioned in this episode explained:IEP (Individualized Education Program): A formal education plan used in U.S. schools to provide accommodations and support for students with learning differences or disabilities. These supports can include extra time on tests, alternative learning environments, or additional instructional support designed to help students demonstrate what they actually know.Accommodations: Adjustments made in school or work environments that allow people with learning differences or disabilities to access the same opportunities as others. Examples include extended time on exams, quieter testing environments, or different ways of presenting information.Neurodiversity Alliance (formerly Eye to Eye): An organization where neurodivergent young adults and teens mentor younger neurodivergent kids through art projects and advocacy work. The rebrand reflects what they actually do: build an alliance of humans across the neurodivergent spectrum who know how to tell their full stories, vulnerabilities and superpowers included.OI: A term used by members of the Neurodiversity Alliance community to refer to the organization's annual leadership summit where mentors and student leaders gather for training and connection.-------