Podcasts about remote teams

Are you secretly running on empty, wondering if burnout is targeting you next?In this episode, Alen Voskanian, COO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network and author, pulls back the curtain on the raw realities beneath operations leadership. From the constant grind of clinical environments to the personal toll of endless firefighting, Voskanian exposes why burnout hits high performers hardest and how ignoring your creative side can quietly sabotage your impact. This isn't just about wellness platitudes. It's a real-world look at chasing fulfillment, designing systems that beat chaos, and the unexpected arts that make leaders resilient.If you're a COO (or run with one), you can't afford to miss these insights. The game has changed. Listen now or risk staying stuck in cycles that will bury both your team and your spirit. This is the side of leadership nobody else is showing you.Sponsored byGenius Network - An exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, connecting you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter.Learn more: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/Timestamped Highlights00:25 – The real reason burnout is rampant among COOs and physicians04:12 – The under-the-radar roles that secretly prepared him for operations07:29 – Three unconventional ways to master leadership fast12:18 – Why stand-up comedy became his secret tool for resilience15:57 – The hidden danger in neglecting your creative life as a leader19:53 – Brutal realities of burnout nobody is willing to admit29:55 – How lean principles are quietly transforming healthcare operations39:09 – What people on their deathbeds taught him about fulfillment and regretAbout the GuestAlen Voskanian, MD, MBA, is the Vice President and COO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. A board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine, he's also an author and sought-after keynote speaker. Alen is known for transforming healthcare to improve access and quality. He holds degrees from UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and an MBA from Indiana University. He's a former innovation advisor for CMS, a Cunniff-Dixon/Hastings Center Physician Award winner, and a Health Innovators Fellow with the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Growth does not get blocked by lack of hustle; it gets blocked by lack of structure. I sit down with Antwon Person, founder of Skillful Brands and a retired U.S. Army senior officer, to talk about what actually helps entrepreneurs move from scattered effort to a real company that can scale. If you have ever felt buried in tasks, unsure what to build next, or stuck at a “growth ceiling,” this conversation gives you a clear path forward.We get practical about the three S's Antoine teaches: structure, systems, and strategy. We talk about why many businesses stall instead of failing, how mentorship and mastermind communities help you break past your current level of knowledge, and why the first six months matter so much for business structure, asset protection, and future financing. If you want business credit or loans later, the foundation you lay early makes a difference.We also dig into modern remote leadership. Antoine shares how he runs a virtual headquarters that feels like a real office, with coworking spaces and meeting and training rooms, so remote teams can collaborate without endless email chains. Then we get into delegation and virtual assistants: when to hire, why a manager can free you up for strategic growth, and how SOPs and a solid onboarding process turn VAs into assets instead of added stress.If you find value here, subscribe, share the episode with a founder friend, and leave a quick review so more entrepreneurs can build with clarity.Learn more at SkillfulBrands.comSend us a messageBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEAltogether Domains, Hosting and MoreBringing your business online - domain names, web design, branded email, security, hosting and more.Digital Marketing PlatformContent Creator Machine - The integrated all-in-one online marketing platform.Small Business Legal ServicesYour Small Business Legal Plan can help with any business legal matter.Mens and Womens HatsSince 1972, American Hat Makers has been dedicated to the art of fine hat making.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showWant to be a guest on Tech Diva Biz Talks? Send Audrey Wiggins a message on PodMatch, here: podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/audreywigginsTo work with Audrey schedule a breakthrough/discovery session.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Henry Mullins, senior operations and strategy leader, and PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, to dig into what personality traits actually drive leadership performance in virtual and remote settings. Henry shares findings from his research on remote leadership, including where the existing literature falls short, the key theories connecting personality to leadership, and practical strategies you can apply to lead more effectively in a virtual environment. Our Guest: Dr. Henry Mullins Dr. Henry C. Mullins is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel whose career spanned more than thirty years across both enlisted and officer ranks. Beginning his service in 1992, he advanced through a wide range of leadership positions including platoon leader, company commander, battalion staff officer, brigade operations officer, and  brigade deputy commanding officer. His career included deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and reflects a rare blend of tactical, operational, and executive‑level experience.After retiring from the military, Dr. Mullins transitioned into senior leadership roles in the private sector, focusing on technical delivery, organizational effectiveness, and people‑centered leadership. His work draws on both real‑world command experience and the science of human behavior and performance, giving him a distinctive perspective on how leaders and teams operate under pressure, adapt to change, and build sustainable cultures.Dr. Mullins holds a BA in Criminal Justice, an MA in Ancient & Classical History, and a PhD in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, where his research examined virtual leadership, personality, and performance. Today, he continues to support leaders, teams, and organizations seeking clarity, alignment, and measurable improvement—bringing a practitioner‑scholar approach to modern leadership challenges. Outside of his professional work, he stays active through martial arts, mountain biking, skiing, and public service. He lives in Georgia with his wife Buffy and their youngest daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, and is the proud father of Courtney and Madison—herself a U.S. Army veteran. References: Dr Henry Mullins LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

What happens when you're the glue holding a global mission together, but the glue starts to crack?In this electric conversation, Sivana Brewer digs into the trenches with Skye Blanks, COO of the International Council for Small Business, an entrepreneur, and a relentless global operator. They expose the raw truth behind cross-border team dynamics, the weight of relentless travel, and the personal toll of constant responsibility. This episode tears open the unfiltered reality of getting things done, teaching accountability, and building operational systems when the stakes and time zones are always changing.Listen now or risk missing the proven tactics and hard-won lessons that separate thriving leaders from burned-out managers. If you're ready to weaponize transparency, claim your seat at the table, and cut through nonprofit noise, this conversation is for you.Timestamped Highlights00:31 – The “born operator” mindset that shaped a global COO02:36 – The hidden power of loyalty and facing down risks bigger than Deloitte05:35 – How do you keep policymakers, professors, and entrepreneurs moving together?10:34 – The stop-doing list: Skye's ruthless system for switching hats daily15:06 – The radical transparency tactic that keeps remote teams accountable18:16 – What's really at stake when culture fails, and no one steps up23:58 – Skye's blueprint for replicable, world-class events—anywhere29:23 – Why firing people and failed partnerships still sting at the top34:18 – The “humane entrepreneurship” concept that rewrites how leaders show upAbout the GuestSkye Blanks is the Chief Operating Officer of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), where he works closely with executive leadership to scale operations and support small and medium-sized enterprises globally. He is also the founder of Premo Cannabis and serves in advisory and board-level roles, bringing a hands-on operator's perspective shaped by building and leading organizations. His work centers on execution, governance, and being an effective second-in-command.

What would your workplace look like if every single leave of absence became a chance to build legendary loyalty and turbocharge retention?Sivana Brewer sits down with Taylor McLemore, COO at Tilt, for a conversation that slices through HR noise and exposes the uncomfortable truth: most companies fumble leave policies and lose their best people as a result. This episode unpacks the hidden costs (and wild upsides) of leave done right.From the real-world pain operators feel managing compliance chaos, to how AI is shaking the industry, and the “roles, responsibilities, expectations” framework that creates lasting clarity, this is actionable COO gold.Miss this, and you risk bleeding talent, tanking culture, and getting steamrolled by change. Listen now for raw lessons, war stories, and tested tactics you won't hear anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights00:40 – The brutal truth about why leave management is your hidden loyalty driver02:07 – The jaw-dropping time and complexity HR teams actually face08:20 – A career-changing moment: what empathetic leave really looks like13:16 – The overlooked ROI of doing leave brilliantly14:23 – Why Tilt planted the flag as the AI leader (and what that really means)16:43 – The four principles that keep AI both fast and safe inside HR22:40 – The surprisingly simple doc that ends CEO-COO confusion29:15 – The unexpected power of letting people define “winning” in their own roleAbout the GuestTaylor McLemore is the COO of Tilt, revolutionizing employee leave with empathy and technology. Taylor is the founder of the Human Potential Summit. Previously, he was an EIR at Stand Together. Taylor is a venture builder, scale operator, community connector, and investor. Taylor served on the Colorado Banking Board and the Board of Trustees for Colorado PERA. Previously, he launched and built the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator as a Managing Director at Techstars. Taylor was the Co-Chair of the DAV National Veterans Entrepreneurship Council. He previously served as an advisor to SHRM Labs and sits on a number of startup boards. Previously, he was Managing Director of Able, a venture and product studio. While at Able, he was a co-founder and investment lead for Codeable, a coding school in Latin America. Taylor was the founder and a board director for Patriot Boot Camp, a nonprofit that supports military veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Patriot Boot Camp was acquired by DAV in 2021.

Ever wondered why one song can instantly give you chills… while another makes you feel nothing at all?In this episode, Selina Meere, COO of Trevanna Tracks, pulls back the curtain on the invisible system behind the music you feel in films, ads, and media. From navigating complex rights and scaling music operations for global brands to leading without a playbook, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to operate at the intersection of creativity, technology, and leadership.They explore the realities of being a COO, managing elite teams, making high-stakes decisions, and building trust in environments where there are no clear answers.If you want to understand how world-class operators think, lead, and execute under pressure, don't wait. The cost of staying reactive instead of strategic is too high. Hit play now for insights you won't hear anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The hidden force behind why certain songs instantly trigger emotion in movies and ads[02:14] – Why music licensing became exponentially more complex, and what most people don't realize[04:21] – The “Excel breaking point” that led to building a completely new category in media[06:37] – From book publishing to COO, the unexpected career pivot that changed everything[11:00] – The moment she had to learn DevOps, Agile, and engineering… from scratch[13:40] – The leadership mistake most companies make during major internal transformations[17:11] – How top teams actually prioritize when every client thinks their request is urgent[19:01] – The hardest part of being a COO, and why there's no such thing as a playbook[28:12] – The real way to build confidence when making big, high-risk decisions[31:54] – Why asking questions can quietly destroy trust, and how to fix itAbout the GuestSelina Meere is the COO of Trevanna Tracks, a pioneering music rights and workflow platform serving some of the largest media and entertainment companies in the world. With a background in publishing and PR, she has built a career partnering closely with founders to scale businesses, optimize operations, and drive growth across industries. Known for her adaptability and strategic thinking, Selina specializes in leading high-performance teams in complex, fast-evolving environments.

Richard is joined by Pilar Orti and Brie Caggiati , co-authors of 'Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams', a book that grew out of a season of the 21st Century Work Life podcast.  They discuss the misconceptions that exist about remote work (and co-located office work!) and the role that organisational leaders, managers and individual employees can play in improving connection - whatever their work set-up. They flag the importance of job design, intentional communication, and the latitude individual employees have to make their remote working day work for them.  How do you and your colleagues navigate the remote work challenge? Have you been summoned back to the office? How do you make remote work into something that works for you? Let us know via email (podcast at worklifepsych dot com) or by joining WorkLife Spark and joining the conversation there.  As always, thanks for listening! Resources for this episode Connect and Thrive: the guide from WorkLifePsych to help combat loneliness and disconnection at work Buy Connection and Disconnection in Remote teams from the Virtual not Distant website Join WorkLifeSpark to keep the conversation going! About our guests Pilar Orti After many years of teaching, training and collaborating with others, Pilar has finally settled down to a more solitary (but not lonely!) way of working, focusing on her work as a writer, voiceover and mat Pilates teacher. She's currently putting the finishing touches to 'All the World's a Workplace', a personal commentary on how remote work affects us emotionally and cognitively (to be published this Autumn 2026 by Blue Goat Books). She's already started laying down the foundations of her next book, which is leading her down memory lane as she discovers the origin of popular Spanish phrases. Pilar still hosts the 21st Century Work Life podcast, and is the voice of GoJetters' Xuli. The Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, in ebook and paperback format, can be purchased from online retailers. You can also buy the ebook directly from www.virtualnotdistant.com/books Bree Caggiati  Bree Caggiati is the co-author of Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams. She lives in Melbourne, Australia where she works as a journalist. She writes for Asiafruit Magazine and Produce Plus Magazine and has been published in Broadsheet, The Herald Sun, Silverkris and Escape Australia, among others. She has previously worked in marketing and brand journalism in the HR Tech sector, where she supported both companies and individual executives to become thought leaders in the future of work space. During this time, Bree hosted the Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams podcast season on Virtual not Distant's 21st Century Work Life podcast.

What if the biggest thing holding your company back… is how you're thinking about what's possible?In this episode, David J. Lee, Global CFO and COO of WEBTOON, breaks down a radically different way to approach growth, leadership, and innovation. From scaling a global storytelling platform with 155 million users to partnering with visionary founders, David shares how elite operators think beyond “high probability outcomes” and instead build toward what must be true to achieve breakthrough success.This conversation dives into the realities of being a COO at scale, navigating public company pressure, leading global teams, and building trust with mission-driven founders.If you're tired of incremental thinking and want to unlock bold, category-defining growth, don't wait. The longer you operate within “safe” assumptions, the more opportunity you lose. Hit play now for a rare, high-level perspective most leaders never access.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The mental trap that keeps leaders stuck in “safe” growth instead of breakthroughs[02:32] – Inside WEBTOON: 155M users, 24M creators, and a global storytelling revolution[05:47] – Why the best operators don't specialize, and the real cost of being a generalist[08:49] – The one question great leaders obsess over that most companies ignore[11:28] – The brutal reality of going public, and why it forces true discipline[15:41] – What separates high-integrity founders from the rest, and how it shows up daily[19:01] – When a COO should stay… and when it's time to walk away[23:17] – How elite leaders stay calm in chaos, even in high-stakes environments[26:23] – The hidden danger of “oversteering” and why great leaders step back[33:14] – The “what must be true” framework used by NASA and top innovatorsAbout the GuestDavid J. Lee is the Global CFO and COO of WEBTOON, a global storytelling platform connecting millions of creators with over 150 million users worldwide. He has led major transformations across companies like Zynga, Impossible Foods, and Best Buy, bringing a unique blend of strategy, operations, and innovation to high-growth environments. Known for partnering with visionary founders, David specializes in scaling companies that are redefining entire industries.

What would happen if you finally ditched micromanagement and actually let your teams run wild, faster, riskier, and more creative than you'd ever dare on your own?Ben Plomion, COO of Pearl AI, joins Sivana Brewer for a sharp, no-fluff deep dive into the gritty reality of leading in markets where mistakes happen fast and growth is non-negotiable. Drawing from cross-functional battle scars in marketing, ops, and tech, Ben unpacks how he leveraged his CMO chops to become a next-level COO, why most leaders fail at “connecting the dots,” and exactly how he's turning AI into his secret weapon for culture and operational scale.If you're tired of theory and ready for the untold COO playbook that frees you from indecision, protects you from hidden traps, and gives you unfair access to what the best operator-leaders are actually doing, listen now. Stalling means losing team trust, missing radical growth, and getting left behind.Timestamped Highlights[00:03:42] – The shocking “dumpster” pitch that clinched Ben's COO job—would you take this text?[00:05:10] – Connect the dots or die: Why leaders who only skim the surface always lose big[00:07:26] – Zero in-house finance, outsourced chaos—how Ben plugged the leaks before it was too late[00:10:51] – From chief cook to master delegator: The brutal art of giving up “employee benefits” and focusing where it matters[00:14:42] – CEO second-in-command: The secret archetypes and why most COOs get it wrong[00:18:29] – CMO to COO crossover: The superpowers that every operator should steal from marketing[00:21:23] – Ditching values for operating principles—radical new rules for building a creative, AI-savvy team[00:32:19] – “Let them run”: The unorthodox motto that keeps Ben's teams breaking the rules, beating churn, and staying aheadAbout the GuestWith over two decades of experience in marketing, commercial and operational leadership across Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Blockchain, Ben Plomion is the Chief Operating Officer at Pearl—the leading AI Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company in dentistry. Prior to Pearl, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at Dibbs, an Amazon-backed tokenization-as-a-service (TaaS) platform. He was previously Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at GumGum, where he played a pivotal role in advancing AI-driven contextual advertising. Earlier in his career, Ben led global digital media efforts at both Magnite and GE Capital. A Forbes contributor and trusted advisor to companies like Deanna.ai, PebblePost, and #Paid, he is also a committed educator in the realms of AI, marketing, and Web3.

Ever felt like your company is running in circles while you quietly burn out, stuck between drive and exhaustion?This episode is a blunt, emotionally raw exploration with Lindsay Gibson, COO of TextNow, a leader who's walked away from the grind, returned for redemption, and rebuilt both companies and herself from the inside out. Sivana Brewer dives deep with Lindsay into the shock of losing vision, the chaos of remote work, and the brutal clarity that comes only after you've crashed headlong into career “success.”If you're tired of vague leadership advice and want exclusive, no-BS strategies for authentic leadership, unclenching burnout's grip, and making culture work for real teams, listen right now. Miss this, and you might repeat the pain Lindsay barely escaped. These lessons are battle-forged, urgent, and unlike anything the standard playbooks offer.Timestamped Highlights[00:01:11] – The brilliant but gritty origin of TextNow: solving real pain for people who have to choose between a phone bill and groceries[00:02:45] – Why Lindsay left her COO seat (twice) and what chasing “interesting work” really costs[00:04:34] – The BlackBerry “return rate” disaster: how fixing buyer's remorse became a master class in real-world delegation[00:07:49] – The shocking truth: Engineering wasn't the problem—here's what really derails a company's goals[00:10:11] – The brutal downside of remote-first culture… and the hardest part of rebuilding accountability across a fractured team[00:14:32] – Motherhood, loss, and the hidden price of ambition: Lindsay's real talk on the boundaries she'll never break again[00:19:04] – “Dead bodies in the process”—when leadership feedback stings and the rebirth of authentic management[00:27:54] – Why remote teams lose their soul (and how one-on-one connection fights back against isolation)About the GuestLindsay Gibson is the Chief Operating Officer of TextNow, a disruptive, ad-supported mobile carrier serving millions who demand true flexibility in mobile communications. With over two decades shaping iconic tech cultures, including a 16-year run at BlackBerry, she's mastered the hard edge of scaling, comeback leadership, and authentic team connection. Known for leading through crisis and comeback, Lindsay is a straight-talker driven by integrity and obsession with growth.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Million Dollar Flip Flops, Rodric sits down with Eric Dingler — digital marketing agency owner, leadership coach, nonprofit founder, husband, father of four teenagers, and full-time digital nomad traveling the world with his family.Eric shares how a simple idea to try life on the road turned into four years of full-time travel across more than 50 homes and multiple countries, all while running businesses remotely and homeschooling their kids along the way.But this conversation goes way beyond travel.Rodric and Eric dive into digital marketing, leadership, hiring, remote teams, entrepreneurship, and why your leadership capacity ultimately determines the capacity of your business, your family, and your life.This is a conversation about freedom, yes — but more than that, it's about building the systems, leadership, and courage required to actually live the life you say you want.In this episode, you'll hear:How Eric and his family became full-time digital nomads with four teenagersWhat long-term travel actually costs and how they made it workWhy giving kids a passport may be one of the best gifts a parent can giveHow Eric built and runs a digital marketing agency while traveling full-timeWhy local SEO still matters for small businessesHow Eric's coaching business evolved from lead generation into leadershipWhy leadership capacity determines business capacityThe framework Eric teaches for hiring and leading remote teamsWhat being a “first-time customer” in 55 different places taught him about marketingHighlights & Timestamps[00:00] Leadership sets the ceiling Eric opens with a powerful belief: your leadership capacity becomes the ceiling for your business, your family, and your life.[01:00] Meet Eric Dingler Eric introduces himself as a digital marketing agency owner, coach, nonprofit founder, husband, father of four, and full-time digital nomad.[02:00] Why travel became the lifestyle Eric shares how a conversation about camper-van life eventually turned into a three-month test run in Istanbul — and then a full-time family adventure.[03:00] Selling almost everything and hitting the road Eric explains how they made the leap, what changed, and why the family decided they wanted to keep going.[04:00] What it really costs to travel the world as a family Eric breaks down the practical side of full-time travel and why they simply used their normal U.S. budget as the framework.[05:00] Worldschooling, homeschooling, and real-life learning Eric talks about how their kids learn through place-based education, history, and direct cultural experience.[06:00] The hardest part of the lifestyle Eric shares what surprised him most, including how difficult it can be when family and friends don't fully understand the choice.[07:00] What Eric's digital marketing agency actually does Eric explains how his agency helps local businesses rank better, get found online, and bring in more customers through websites, SEO, and reviews.[08:00] Why home builders are a different marketing animal Eric and Rodric talk about why marketing for builders is very different from typical local service businesses.[08:00] How Eric's coaching business began Eric shares how people kept asking how he built his lifestyle and business, which led him first into lead generation coaching.[09:00] Why lead generation wasn't the real issue Eric explains how he discovered that clients could get leads but still got stuck because they had no team, systems, or leadership infrastructure.[10:00] Leadership is the real lever Eric talks about his years leading summer camp teams and how that shaped the leadership framework he now teaches business owners.[11:00] Hiring your first remote team members Eric explains how he helps owners recruit, onboard, delegate to, and develop remote team members.[13:00] Where to find Eric Eric shares where people can connect with him, his agency, and his coaching business.[14:00] A question for the next guest Eric asks what the version of themselves 10 years from now would want them focused on today.[15:00] The book that helped Eric implement growth Eric shares the book that most impacted his business execution and planning: The 4 Disciplines of Execution.[16:00] What travel taught Eric about marketing Eric reflects on how becoming a “full-time first-time customer” changed the way he sees local business marketing.[17:00] The email capture lesson most businesses still miss Eric explains why not collecting customer emails is one of the biggest marketing mistakes local businesses make.Notable Quotes“Your leadership capacity is the capacity of your business, your life, your family.” – Eric Dingler“Lead better, you'll live better.” – Eric Dingler“One of the best gifts a parent can give to their kids is a passport.” – Eric Dingler“I can't adopt all the kids, but I can help equip more families to adopt.” – Eric Dingler“I can't give everybody a job, but I can help all of these people employ all of these people and lead them well.” – Eric Dingler“If you own a business and you're interacting with the public and you're not capturing email addresses, it's business malpractice.” – Eric DinglerConnect with Eric

Ever secretly wondered if success, early retirement, a big exit, and the CEO chair are as good as it looks? What if the “dream” of ownership leaves you restless, searching for meaning, and itching to build again?This episode pulls back the curtain on the real journey: Marcus Hantla, a relentless builder who's seen both sides, reveals the wild emotional highs of exits and the raw, daily grind of COO life inside Contractor Foreman, a fast-growing SMB construction SaaS. He and Sivana get blunt about AI hype, hands-dirty delegation, and the gut-check moments that test even the toughest operators.The stakes: Stop winging it in your own career, team, or transformation or risk getting left behind. Listen now to confront the myths of growth, find new ways to thrive, and get the gritty, exclusive playbook you won't hear in sanitized TED Talks.Timestamped Highlights03:41 – What no one warns you about early retirement and the uncomfortable truth about waking up “free.”06:43 – How a random plumber changed Marcus's entire career (on his very own porch).09:10 – The COO/CEO “deciding dance” and why true empathy is a secret growth weapon.14:40 – Real talk: Losing a debate with the CEO (and why not every “brilliant” idea should win).17:25 – AI sales calls, live demos vs. real humans—what actually works right now.20:55 – Is the “beautiful” user interface dead? Why the next SaaS war is about simplicity, not design.26:14 – The dangerous side of AI consensus: Can chasing “truth” kill the next big breakthrough?35:03 – The sobering math of executive gratitude (and the crisis no leadership manual covers).About the GuestMarcus Hantla is the COO of Contractor Foreman, a leading construction management software platform engineered for small and mid-market builders and contractors. With 25+ years in construction and tech—plus multiple exits—Marcus is renowned for his hands-on leadership and hard-won insights at the intersection of trades, SaaS, and rapid growth.

In this episode of the Builders of Authority Podcast, I sat down with our COO, Alejandra Donaire, to talk about what actually goes into building and scaling a digital marketing agency behind the scenes.We recorded this from Nicaragua, and this conversation is a real look at what most people don't see, the systems, the pressure, the leadership, and the day-to-day execution it takes to grow a business the right way.Alejandra shares her path from architecture to marketing, how she stepped into the COO role early on, and what it really means to take ideas and turn them into something that actually works inside a company.We also break down how we've implemented EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), the difference between a visionary and an integrator, and why operations are the backbone of any business that wants to scale.If you're an entrepreneur, agency owner, or contractor trying to grow, this will give you a much clearer picture of what it actually takes behind the scenes.

What if the single greatest unlock for scaling your company has nothing to do with strategy, and everything to do with how much you care?In this gut-level conversation, Sivana Brewer sits down with Amit Shah, COO of Virta Health, a company on a mission to reverse metabolic disease in a billion people. They reveal the raw mechanics, hard decisions, and emotional realities of building a culture where real feedback, personal mission, and relentless impact actually drive bottom-line results. Expect stories that challenge your comfort zone, a blueprint for turning skeptics into true believers, and a rare glimpse into what makes teams (and COOs) last a decade or more through hyper-growth.If you're tired of surface-level advice and want the proven, exclusive tools to protect your culture (and your soul) as you scale, hit play now. The risk of mediocre leadership has never been higher, and these lessons simply can't wait.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The rebel truth about why people don't care what you know until something shocking happens[00:03:23] – Inside Virta's billion-person mission and the radical evidence that built unwavering belief[00:06:57] – The jeans, Disneyland, and moment a clinical trial changed thousands of lives[00:13:17] – The single conversation that blew away a hardened healthcare skeptic[00:17:13] – Why LIVE patient stories kick off every company meeting and what that does to culture[00:21:24] – How Virta built a team that actually sticks (and outgrows their own roles)[00:25:41] – When your job changes every 12 months: The hidden playbook for surviving hyper-growth[00:33:24] – The care vs. candor tightrope—how to love your team while pushing for relentless resultsAbout the GuestAmit Shah is the Chief Operating Officer of Virta Health, where he leads growth, product development, and patient care delivery for a hyper-growth company that's transforming metabolic disease care. With a track record spanning executive roles at Paladina Health, McKinsey, and Amazon, plus roots as a mission-driven entrepreneur, Amit is known for building high-performance teams that scale with heart and precision.

Erste Mitarbeiter einstellen – worauf es wirklich ankommt.

Ever feel overwhelmed by growth or haunted by the worry that your team's success might derail the mission?This is your inside pass. Sivana Brewer dives deep with Dan Murphy, COO of D1 Training, to uncover what really separates winning brands from chaotic burnout. From scaling a nationwide fitness franchise by 100+ units fast, to building a culture where passion crushes bureaucracy, and tough metrics make or break careers, this episode exposes the choices, pivots, and vulnerable moments every top operator faces.Listen now if you want to avoid stalling your company's growth, escape the COO loneliness trap, and get proven, unconventional takeaways on reinventing your playbook in a frantic market. This is real talk you won't find anywhere else, straight from the second in command.Timestamped Highlights[00:01:01] – The wild origin story: Losing a pro career, the CEO's game-changing invention, and how it launched a new franchise model[00:03:39] – Why D1 threw out the playbook and planted flags everywhere plus what they learned scaling from 1 to 160 locations[00:05:17] – The counterintuitive “avatar” that drives most revenue and why it's probably NOT who you think[00:09:57] – How the right “spark” can reveal your company's true North—advice for COOs looking for their next big thing[00:13:37] – The brutal scale-up pivot: When to walk away from side businesses, passive owners… and old friends[00:16:11] – Outsourcing secrets, bringing it all back in-house, and the moment when cost control meets franchisee happiness[00:21:28] – The biggest “aha” that changed their growth trajectory—what actually gets local buyers to care and buy in[00:25:34] – When loyalty isn't enough: Handling hard conversations with passionate, under-performing leaders[00:27:48] – Managing egos, CEO/COO conflict, and why “freedom to dream” requires radical focusAbout the GuestDan Murphy is the Chief Operating Officer of D1 Training, a national franchise leading the youth and community athletic training space. A former Division I soccer player and West Point graduate, Dan has decades of leadership experience spanning military and high-growth franchise operations. He's known for his relentless execution, passion-driven leadership style, and community-building expertise helping D1 scale from a single Nashville gym to 160+ locations and counting.

Washington State is facing a potential economic crisis as companies begin to leave due to increasing taxes. Businessman Marc Barros, owner of Moment, is relocating his company, citing the cumulative burden of city sales tax, property taxes, capital gains, estate taxes, and the removal of the digital advertising sales tax exemption. While it's unclear if this is a widespread trend, attorney Joe Wallin believes the new 9.9% income tax, set to take effect in 2029, will deter new businesses from coming to Washington and cause existing businesses to leave. The rising office vacancy rate in Seattle, reaching over 30%, further emphasizes the negative impact of local taxes on businesses and the economy. Is this the beginning of the end for Washington's business climate?

Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Black Box Thinking: Growth Mindset and the Secrets of High Performance by Matthew Syed Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Black Box Thinking: Growth Mindset and the Secrets of High Performance by Matthew Syed "The paradox of success: it is built upon failure." During the episode, Pilar shares: Zoe podcast episode from 16 March 2026 Tim Spector's 7 health habits for 2026 https://zoe.com/learn/tim-spectors-7-health-habits-for-2026 The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly The Trial by Rob Rinder Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths New newsletter! Pilates and Remote Work: https://pilatesandremotework.substack.com/ And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book!   Part 2: Personal Updates Enjoying writing about Pilates, looking for different teachers to learn from and lots of voicoever jobs last week! If you're interested in All the World's a Workplace, sign up here.

This week on Swimming with Allocators, Earnest and Alexa welcome Zach Ruchman, Shareholder & Managing Director, Private Investments at HB Wealth. Zach shares how his unconventional path through the Middle East, international development, consulting, and BlackRock has helped shape the way he makes decisions under uncertainty and evaluates managers. He talks about why venture requires comfort with long duration and illiquidity, why fund size defines strategy, and how alignment of incentives between GPs and LPs really works. Zach explains HB Wealth's multi-family office approach to private markets across credit, real estate, private equity, and venture, and stresses that in a crowded VC market, authentic differentiation, deep curiosity, and long-term relationship building still matter more than any tool or trend. Also, Rebecca Stuart of Sidley explains how founders and VCs should think about non‑competes, non‑solicits, and trade secret protection in a multi‑state, remote‑work world, emphasizing practical, enforceable ways to safeguard talent and IP as restrictive covenant law shifts across the U.S. Highlights from this week's conversation include: Zach's Non-Linear Path and LP as the Best Job in Finance (0:31) Investing Into Uncertainty and the Need for 10x Venture Outcomes (2:33) Fund Size as Strategy and How Cost of Capital Shapes Venture Models (4:44) HB Wealth Overview, AUM, and Focus on Private Markets (7:25) How HB Packages Private Offerings for Different Client Profiles (8:35) Incentive Alignment, Fees, and Why Zach Prefers Smaller Managers (11:09) What True GP-LP Partnership Looks Like Beyond Formal Diligence (12:45) Radical Transparency, Learning Velocity, and Updating Investment Priors (15:07) Full Life Cycle Counsel for Venture Backed Companies (17:29) Non Competes, Regulatory Shifts, and Implications for VC Portfolios (19:31) Non-Solicitation Agreements, Remote Teams, and Multi-State Compliance (22:32) Trade Secrets, IP Assignments, and Layered Protection Strategies (24:59) Differentiation in a World with Thousands of Venture Funds (27:07) Authentic Superpowers, Avoiding Generic YC Adjacent Strategies (32:58) Venture as an Essay Test and the Industry's Maverick DNA (35:52) What Drives Quick Passes and Alignment Issues for New Funds (39:18) How LPs Triage Email, Say No, and Capacity Constraints on Commitments (41:24) Advice To High Net Worth Families Entering Venture (44:03) Long Term Optimism About Innovation and Private Markets (45:54) HB Wealth is a national independent wealth management firm providing fiduciary, fee-only investment management and financial planning services. With over $28 billion in assets under management and more than 3,700 client relationships nationwide, HB helps families, executives, and entrepreneurs steward their capital with purpose. Learn more at www.hbwealth.com. Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When was the last time you felt your vision misunderstood, your partnership undervalued, or your operational roadmap tangled? If you're a COO wrestling with translating big ideas into real impact, this conversation is your lifeline.Sivana Brewer welcomes Stephanie Kauffman, Chief Operating Officer at Melanoma Research Alliance, for an urgent episode that lifts the veil on what actually moves the needle for COOs. From converting financial “legends” into game-changing board allies to crafting story-driven partnerships that triple outcomes, you'll hear how real-world translation builds trust fast, drives innovation, and prevents career-stalling burnout.Press play now. Don't risk getting stuck in your leadership bubble. Every minute here arms you with exclusive, proven techniques to connect, influence, and scale before someone else beats you to it.Timestamped Highlights[00:10] – A stunning perspective shift: why “second in command” is really “dual in command” for COOs everywhere[00:02:25] – The myth of melanoma: deadliest form of skin cancer, massive underestimation, and breakthrough facts COOs should know[00:08:21] – Surprising everyday tips for preventing melanoma beyond just sunscreen (plus one you've likely never heard)[00:10:39] – How legendary finance leaders shaped Stephanie's radical “private equity” nonprofit strategy—what every COO can steal[00:18:49] – The $12.7 million secret: bold partnerships that defied board skepticism (and the power of gaming for social impact)[00:27:11] – Data-driven storytelling for buy-in: How Stephanie translates emotional conviction into actionable board wins[00:31:47] – Professional translation: the vital COO role in turning CEO vision into operational clarity for every stakeholder[00:43:15] – The “3 Bs” formula and simplifying the complex: brief, brilliant, be done—your solution to communication chaosAbout the GuestStephanie Kauffman is Chief Operating Officer of the Melanoma Research Alliance, the world's largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research. Known for high-impact storytelling and cross-industry partnership wins, she previously held SVP roles at Universal Studios and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Stephanie is recognized for translating visionary ideas into scalable operations, bringing decades of experience across finance, media, and biotech.

Ever felt like you're carrying the weight of growth, but struggling to shift your company from band-aids to real, sustainable breakthroughs?Meet Nicki Baty, COO at Freshpet, who's rewriting the playbook for second-in-command leadership inside a rocketship culture. In this revealing conversation, Nicki Baty opens up to host Sivana Brewer about pioneering a COO role from scratch, installing trust (in teams and at home), and building a business fueled by missionary drive, not mercenaries.Explore how to turn constant change into your secret weapon, earn buy-in when the North Star keeps moving, and design a culture that scales with speed without chaos.You can't afford to run on autopilot or yesterday's wins. Discover the steps that separate successful COOs from those stuck in a cycle of busyness. Listen now for exclusive insights you can't afford to miss. The next wave of growth is already here, and this episode holds the edge.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] - The one guarantee for every COO—how to win when change is constant[03:41] - Missionaries vs. mercenaries: Why purpose-driven teams deliver differently[07:40] - Moving a family across continents for growth—what business leaders really learn[12:11] - “Making room in the boat”: Building trust, networks, and resilient teams on the fly[19:12] - Nicki reveals how to plan post-onboarding in a brand new leadership role[23:35] - Finding your “most valuable pet parent” and reshaping the company around them[28:35] - The surprising power of Freshpet's pioneering spirit—and what big companies still get dead wrong[37:13] - The real difference between strategic priorities and tactical noise (and how most teams get stuck)About the GuestNicki Baty is the Chief Operating Officer at Freshpet, a company redefining the pet nutrition industry with its human-grade, refrigerated pet food. Formerly President and General Manager of Hill's Pet Nutrition US (Colgate-Palmolive), Nicki's career has spanned the globe—from the UK and Europe to Asia and the Americas. She is recognized for her track record in scaling organizations, her passionate belief in purpose-driven work, and her relentless focus on building trust and sustainable growth in fast-moving environments.

Remote and hybrid work are now permanent parts of the modern workplace. Technology allows teams to communicate instantly from anywhere in the world, but communication alone does not create cohesion. In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the leadership challenge many organizations face today: the digital illusion of connection. When teams rely heavily on messaging platforms, video calls, and digital collaboration tools, it can appear that everyone is aligned—while trust, clarity, and shared culture quietly weaken. Brian explains why culture is not created by proximity, but by behavior that is repeated visibly and consistently. Leaders who want to rebuild cohesion in dispersed teams must move beyond constant communication and instead establish structural habits that reinforce clarity, accountability, and shared direction. You will learn why successful distributed organizations focus on: • Creating structured clarity around goals and priorities • Establishing consistent rhythms that support accountability • Recognizing the growing importance of individual responsibility and influence in remote environments Because in the end, technology connects people—but discipline and behavior create culture.

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, shares how he transformed from charging $50 per hour as a consultant into building a $2M digital marketing consulting business serving home service companies. He explains how niching down, productizing services, and focusing on solving real customer problems helped drive consistent 20% annual growth. Phil also discusses the mindset shift from hustler to leader, hiring and building an 18-person remote team, and buying back his time to scale the business. The conversation dives into why content and AI-driven search are becoming critical for modern marketing. Phil also shares practical lessons on leadership, systems, and thinking bigger when building a successful business.   Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.   And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Phil Risher, the hardest thing in growing a small business is balancing growth with building the right team. As more clients come in, business owners must hire and train employees quickly enough to maintain service quality, but hiring too early can create cash-flow pressure while hiring too late can overwhelm the team. This constant challenge of managing new client demand, onboarding capable team members, and keeping finances stable at the same time is one of the most difficult parts of scaling a small business. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Phil Risher, the business book that helped him the most is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. He says the book had a major impact on how he manages finances in his company because it teaches business owners to prioritize profit first instead of treating profit as what is left after expenses. The system helps entrepreneurs control spending, improve cash flow, and build a financially healthy business by allocating money into specific categories like profit, taxes, and operating expenses. He also highly recommends Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, which focuses on delegating tasks and buying back the founder's time so they can focus on leadership and scaling the business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Phil Risher, some of the best resources for learning how to grow a small business are podcasts, YouTube, and books, especially content that teaches practical strategies. He specifically recommends learning from Alex Hormozi on YouTube because his videos break down business growth, marketing, and sales in a clear and practical way. Phil also emphasizes not relying on just one learning format—he suggests combining podcasts, books, and videos because different formats help you understand ideas better and apply them faster in your business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? According to Phil Risher, two tools he strongly recommends for growing a small business are Asana and Slack. He explains that Asana helps business owners organize tasks, projects, and workflows so everything is tracked in one place instead of scattered across emails or spreadsheets, while Slack creates a centralized communication hub for teams to collaborate efficiently, especially as the company grows beyond a few employees. Together, these tools help improve productivity, transparency, and coordination within a growing team. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Phil Risher, the advice he would give himself on day one of starting a business is to think much bigger from the start. He explains that when he first began, he was focused on small goals like making $100,000, but over time he realized the opportunities were far larger than he imagined. His lesson is that entrepreneurs often limit themselves by thinking too small, while the real potential of a business can grow far beyond what they initially believe is possible. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success comes from taking information breaking it down and executing on it quickly - Phil Risher The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is thinking too small about what their business can become - Phil Risher Stop chasing money and start solving real problems and the money will follow - Phil Risher      

Are you trapped in operational chaos, fighting burnout, and searching for a formula that actually scales? You're not alone. This electrifying episode features Guillaume Bouvard, Co-founder, COO and CMO of Extend, as he sits down with Sivana Brewer to reveal the real-life victories and invisible battles behind explosive fintech growth. From his unusual rise at American Express to building a team of true experts (not just generalists), Guillaume exposes the proven rituals, painful lessons, and cultural shifts that unstick founders and COOs worldwide.If you've ever wrestled with hiring mistakes, boardroom pressure, or the fear of letting go, this conversation is your playbook for escaping overwhelm right now. Tune in for exclusive strategies you won't hear from the usual talking heads—and avoid the pain of staying stuck another quarter. Listen now, because your breakthrough can't wait and these field-tested insights are only found here.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The daring anti-micromanagement view that reshaped a whole company's culture[00:07:08] – Why Guillaume became COO and what most founders never tell you about picking partners[00:09:12] – How a “no two days alike” mindset powers world-class operations without chaos[00:12:27] – The little-known boardroom rituals that drive results, build trust, and end nasty surprises[00:19:44] – Guillaume's radical philosophy for staying engaged, focused, and unshakable against daily setbacks[00:21:01] – The breakthrough hiring lesson that can rescue any leader from burnout (before it's too late)[00:28:14] – Steal-this-process: Monday all-hands, relentless transparency, and celebrating the hidden heroes[00:34:29] – Real-life wins: How a single empowered team member triggered a market wave using curiosityAbout the GuestGuillaume Bouvard is the Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer of Extend, a venture-backed digital credit card platform revolutionizing spend management for banks and businesses. With more than two decades of leadership across American Express and international fintech, Guillaume blends corporate discipline with disruptive startup agility. His obsession with hiring world-class talent, building intentional culture, and empowering true ownership makes him a sought-after voice for COOs ready to scale with clarity and conviction.

What if your next breakthrough isn't more hustle, but ruthless focus on what actually matters?Scott Levy, Founder and CEO of ResultMaps, joins Sivana Brewer for a candid, zero-fluff conversation on why most CEOs and COOs are drowning in distraction and what separates “second in command” leaders who skyrocket growth from those stuck grinding. They pull apart why ambitious teams spiral into task overload, the critical metrics every department truly needs, and the battle-tested rituals that free up your brain for high-stakes decisions.Ready to step off the treadmill of constant fires, endless meetings, and “yet another platform” promises? This episode exposes the cost of delay and throws you a direct path out, real systems, real clarity, real results. If you wait, you risk another year of burnout and missed breakthroughs. Press play now for inside strategies unavailable anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:54] – Why “good” content became too dangerous for Speaker A to binge (and what that reveals about focus)[02:09] – The real operations heartbreaks hidden behind entrepreneurial success stories[07:09] – Why small teams will devour giants in the AI revolution (the Special Forces lesson nobody teaches MBAs)[10:34] – The shockingly simple hack for bypassing bloated CRMs and running your pipeline on autopilot[12:02] – How to extract a Vivid Vision in 30 minutes—no trust falls required[16:13] – “Eff your feelings, follow the plan?” Dissecting the truth (and limits) of systemizing emotional chaos[26:52] – The fatal flaw of cascading goals—and what truly separates winners from burned-out operators[44:36] – The raw moment CEOs finally break—and why some refuse to suffer the same mistakes twice About the GuestScott Levy is the Founder and CEO of ResultMaps, a cutting-edge SaaS platform designed to help founders and leadership teams obliterate operational friction, scale clarity, and get real results. With a background spanning management consulting, software, and building systems for high-growth companies, Scott's passion is turning entrepreneurial chaos into decisive execution. He's especially known for integrating technology and coaching with powerful simplicity.

In this week's episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, I speak with Vanessa Druskat, a globally recognized expert in team performance and author of "The Emotionally Intelligent Team." Vanessa shares the inspiration behind her research, highlighting the gap between anecdotal advice and evidence-based practices for building successful teams. She discusses the importance of cultivating esprit de corps—meaning a sense of belonging, value, and psychological safety—within teams, and emphasizes that this must come from both leaders and team members.Our conversation explores practical norms and routines that emotionally intelligent teams use, dispelling myths around individual emotional intelligence versus collective TeamEI. Vanessa provides actionable examples, such as brief check-ins, team charters, and structured feedback mechanisms, underscoring the need for leaders to be intentional, especially in remote or hybrid environments. Questions from the live audience explored topics such as the role of team charters, overcoming ineffective norms, and the courage required to embrace feedback and conflict constructively. The episode is packed with research-backed insights and practical strategies to help leaders create high-performing, emotionally intelligent teams.What You'll Learn- Great teams do things differently… and intentionally.- The importance of assessing your team's norms (anonymous surveys work wonders!).- Develop a charter and revisit it regularly.- Make feedback part of your culture rather than a once-a-year event- How to lead remote/hybrid teams effectively.- Why you want to finish meetings with a Plus/Delta.Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the Podcast(10:25) - Defining Team Emotional Intelligence vs Individual EQ(19:56) - Common Team Norms: Good, Bad, and Misunderstood(24:32) - Creating and Using Team Charters(27:12) - Activities to Build Understanding and Belonging(32:11) - Best Practices for Team Assessment(36:54) - Feedback and Accountability in Emotionally Intelligent Teams(41:20) - Constructive Conflict and Avoiding Sidebar Conversations(49:33) - Emotional Intelligence in Remote and Hybrid Teams(54:33) - Final ReflectionsKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Team Emotional Intelligence, Team Norms, Self-awareness, Psychological Safety, Feedback Culture, Team Rituals, Team-Building, High-Performing Teams, Team Assessment, Team Charter, Remote Teams, Hybrid Teams, Collaboration, Accountability, Sense of Belonging, Respect, Onboarding, Team Effectiveness, CEO Success

The rules of hiring have changed—and many small business owners are still playing by an outdated talent playbook. In this episode, John Jantsch sits down with Rob Levin to explore how to upskill employees for AI, navigate the ongoing talent shift, and build a future-ready team for small and midsize businesses. They discuss why culture and KPIs matter more than ever, how to redesign workflows with an AI-first mindset, and what it really takes to manage AI instead of being replaced by it. If you want to create a resilient organization that thrives amid rapid technological change, this conversation is your roadmap. Today we discussed: 00:00 The New Talent Playbook Explained 05:43 The Hidden Talent Crisis for SMBs 07:12 AI Upskilling for Small Business Teams 12:00 Building Culture in Remote Teams 14:56 Over-Communication and KPI Clarity 17:30 Using AI to Design Smarter KPIs 20:28 AI, Job Security, and Team Buy-In 22:00 Book, Resources, and Final Thoughts Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

A different kind of episode today! We're back with two voices, and this time, instead of Pilar sharing notes from a book, she speaks to her co-author Bree Caggiati, about their latest book, "Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams". They cover some of the book's topics, how the research has moved on, and for Part 2, they've got some connection-related personal updates. In today's episode: Part 1 Check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! 1. Book and Project Origins Bree and Pilar explain how their 2019 podcast project on connection and disconnection evolved into their recently published book. 2. Evolution from Remote to Hybrid Work How remote work went from a "niche" concept in 2019 to the mainstream adoption of hybrid models post-pandemic, and the common mistake of forcing traditional office-based practices into remote environments and the benefits of establishing intentional remote-first frameworks. 3. Diversity and Inclusion in Connection: Individuals experience belonging differently and how designing for specific needs can benefit an entire team. 4. Structure and Themes of the Book An overview of the core topics addressed in the book. 5. New Research on Monthly Meetups A new study by Nick Bloom suggesting that bringing fully remote teams together just once a month can significantly boost productivity and reduce quit rates. 6. The "3A Framework" of Connection & Shared Responsibility A breakdown of three ways people connect at work., and the "overarching thesis" that connection is a shared duty between the organisation, the manager, and the individual, requiring deliberate design rather than just hoping it happens. 7. The Connection Quiz A ten-question, quiz to test Bree's memory of key concepts from the book, such as the health risks of chronic loneliness and the "remote-first" approach. 8. Generative AI and Rapport How AI chatbots might replace small human interactions, potentially impacting the bonding and trust-building typically found in quick feedback loops.   Part 2: Personal Updates Talking "Away from the Work", but still connected to today's topic of connection!

Remote work sounds like the dream but without the right communication rhythms and cadences, even the best accounting teams fall apart.In this episode of The Wize Way Podcast, Dani and the Wize Team break down the real secret to making remote and hybrid work actually work and it all comes down to communication rhythms and cadences.✅ Why senior staff thrive remotely but juniors struggle (and what to do about it) ✅ The simple meeting cadences that keep remote teams connected and accountable ✅ How to onboard remote staff without losing culture or productivity ✅ The open Zoom room strategy that replaces the office "water cooler" instantly ✅ How to handle data security, trust, and time zones without the overwhelmIf you're a firm owner trying to attract top talent, reduce staff turnover, and build a team that works seamlessly from anywhere in the world, this conversation is a must-listen.________________ PS: Whenever you're ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm: 1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here 2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here 3. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here

Feeling the pressure to scale but terrified of losing your best people, or watching team morale dissolve as your business grows?This episode, guest host Sivana Brewer gets real with Isaac Tobelen, current CMO at Springs Rejuvenation and seasoned COO, on the inside challenges of recruiting, retaining, and motivating talent in rapid-growth settings. Isaac shares proven systems for hiring culture-aligned operators, the brutal mistakes that cost him top performers, and how “Innovation Day” became a surprising game-changer for agency culture.If you want actionable tactics to build a resilient team and avoid silent exits, listen now, not later. Your next big hire, retention strategy, or culture upgrade may hinge on these lessons. Tune in for exclusive, hard-won insights that most COOs only learn the hard way.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The “quiet risk” that nearly cratered Isaac's agency and why losing one key player can trigger a domino effect[03:08] – Rewiring direct response marketing for an unexpected industry and scaling it to $1.2M/month[08:59] – Why competitors keep stealing Isaac's ads, but can't touch his team's execution[11:08] – The secret overlap of visionary CEO and practical COO—why it worked for Isaac and Ashton[13:49] – How teaching people “how to think” crushed micromanagement and burnout[15:02] – The counterintuitive hiring process that filters for real values (not just resume skills)[24:29] – Unconventional interview tactics, homework, and the non-negotiables that reveal true fit[32:00] – “Innovation Day” revealed – How letting teams fail forward built trust and inspired breakthrough creativity[38:11] – Isaac's 2 biggest mistakes: concentrated risk and a disastrous acquisition—what he'd do differently[52:44] – Is AI really changing everything? Isaac's blunt take on what's hype, what actually matters, and why talent must upskill nowAbout the GuestIsaac Tobelen is the Chief Marketing Officer at Springs Rejuvenation, a leader in stem cell and exosome therapy. Previously, he was COO at Hemon Media, where he scaled the agency to $500K/month in 18 months, managed $36M+ ad budgets, and built high-performing teams from scratch. Isaac is known for his systems thinking, rapid operational scale, and real-world people development.

Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Code Dependent: How AI Is Changing Our Lives by Madhumita Murgia   "The problem that we have is not the algorithms, but the humans."   And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! Part 2: Personal Updates Pilar shares some of the ways in which she's using generative AI to help with the writing of her book. If you're interested in All the World's a Workplace, sign up here. 

In this episode of Pathmonk Presents, Ernesto chats with Deanna Reed, CMO of Virtual Coworker, a company connecting businesses in Australia and the U.S. with skilled remote staff from the Philippines. Deanna shares how Virtual Coworker simplifies hiring by managing vetting, onboarding, payroll, and client success, enabling companies to grow while saving on costs. She also dives into their marketing strategies, website redesign, and future plans for brand exposure. Tune in to gain actionable insights into outsourcing, client acquisition, and building effective remote teams.

Owen Barrett is the CEO and Co-Founder of Shine, a cleantech company helping multifamily property owners maximize NOI through onsite solar. With over 20 years of experience in sustainability and clean energy, Owen previously managed $60M in projects and launched a successful energy venture for schools before founding Shine to solve the split incentive problem in solar. Shine's turnkey solution targets tenant electricity—95% of a building's usage—enabling owners to generate new income while cutting tenant costs. With 36,500+ panels installed and a recent $5M seed round, Owen is leading Shine's national expansion to transform how real estate decarbonizes.(01:31) - Owen's Journey from Finance to Clean Energy(04:27) - Multifamily Solar Challenges & Solution(09:43) - Solar NOI for Multifamily(15:16) - Installation and Maintenance(17:51) - Feature: CREtech New York 2026 (19:10) - Overcoming Industry Misconceptions(20:46) - Convincing Asset Managers(23:15) - Shine's New Solar Analysis Tool(25:31) - Targeting New and Existing Buildings(26:32) - Fundraising and Growth Strategies (27:59) - Building a Remote Team(29:43) - Collaboration Superpower: Paul Sween (Dominium Board Chairman)

In this fifth episode of Building MarsBased, Àlex Rodriguez Bacardit reflects on nearly 12 years of operating as a remote-first company since 2014. Inspired by the 37signals philosophy, MarsBased was designed as a "hard remote" entity to optimize for productivity over mere presence, a model that forced the founders to defend their professional authority without a physical office during the early years.To maintain human connection in a distributed team, the company established rituals like Martian Days, quarterly in-person meetings, and Martian Tapas, where team members showcase new skills or tools. A key principle in avoiding "second-class citizens" is ensuring that no major company decisions are made during informal hangouts in Barcelona, keeping the playing field level for everyone regardless of their location.The MarsBased hiring strategy specifically filters for seniors, former entrepreneurs, or freelancers who are exceptional written communicators, as remote environments can feel isolating or "hostile" for those who lack experience in self-management. This professional maturity is supported by a streamlined tech stack, evolving from Basecamp to Linear, and a culture of 100% trust from day one, rather than a system of surveillance.While remoteness brings challenges like the "loneliness slump" around month 12, the company remains 95% faithful to its original 2014 vision. By treating employees like adults and prioritizing quality over quantity, MarsBased continues to thrive as an independent, bootstrapped lifestyle business.Support the show

Another episode from the season Booknotes, where Pilar shares the notes she made while reading a book, allowing new insights to emerge spontaneously behind the microphone. In today's episode: Part 1 Pilar shares her booknotes from:  Make Time: How to focus on what happens every day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky Four Thousand Weeks: Embrace your limits. Change your life. Make your four thousand weeks count by Oliver Burkman "The technologies we use to try to 'get on top of everything' always fail us, in the end, because they increase the size of the 'everything' of which we're trying to get on top."   And don't forget to check out Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams, the book! Part 2: Personal Updates Pilar is reading this novel, which she's really enjoying: In a Good Light by Clare Chambers An announcement: Pilates for Remote Workers is in the making… Feedback has come through for All the World's a Workplace Pilar has to go back to re-writing the cozy mystery in third person… pilarwrites.com

Amy Summers shares her journey from a Southern girl in Florida to a successful entrepreneur in New York City. She discusses the challenges she faced during the 2008 financial crisis, her transition to remote work, and the importance of mentorship in leadership. Amy emphasizes the need for connection and communication in remote teams and how technology can both assist and hinder human interaction. She also highlights her mentorship platform, INICIVOX, and encourages leaders to be more aware of their mentoring roles.Amy Summers is an entrepreneur, communications expert, and author of Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career (February 2026). (the main idea is that mentorship isn't a title, it's a daily leadership behavior. It focuses on how leaders can intentionally lift others through actions rather than advice.With more than two decades of experience leading virtual organizations, Amy teaches professionals how to build trust, communicate with empathy, and lead with integrity in adisconnected workplace era. Amy Summers founded Pitch Publicity® in 2003, in her mid-twenties, building a proactive public relations agency that has since earned billions of media impressions for hundreds of companies and organizations. In 2020, she launched INICIVOX®, a virtual platform designed to harness mentorship to enhance communication skills. Summers's pitching methodologies and mentorship success stories are showcased through her popular microcast, (a very short audio or video b roadcast, usually focused on one small idea or topic) The Pitch with Amy Summers, and podcast, Pitch Live with Amy Summers. A pioneer in remote work and virtual mentorship, Summers has earned business, education, and communication awards in entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Based in New York City, Summers attributes her successful career start in public relations to her education at the University of Florida, where she later served as an adjunct lecturer and as a member of multiple boards of directors, including Student Press Law Center, showcasing her commitment to supporting journalism and free speech education.Get In Touch With Amy:The website is https://lifttolead.com andshe can be found on most social platforms: X https://x.com/PitchAmy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amysummersnyc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersNYC/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@pitchpublicitynyc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amysummersnyc/ andTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@amysummersnycFree Mentoring Platform: INICIVOX - INICIVOX®

Mike Feazel built one of the largest roof replacement companies in America, scaling it to $60 million in revenue before selling it 13 years ago. But instead of retiring to an island, he saw a massive problem in the industry and decided to disrupt it all over again with Roof Maxx.In this episode of Escaping the Drift, John Gafford talks with Mike about the journey from a small farm in Ohio to becoming a roofing mogul. Mike shares the exact "dealership model" he used to scale his new company to 380 locations in just five years, why he believes the "franchise model" is broken for most service businesses, and how a 17-page Google search led to a breakthrough product that is saving homeowners millions.If you are in the trades, own a service business, or want to know how to scale a company for a massive exit, this episode is a masterclass in blue-collar entrepreneurship.In this episode, we cover:How he scaled a roofing company to $60M and sold it.The "Dealership vs. Franchise" model: Why one is superior.How a simple Google search led to a bio-oil breakthrough.Why he believes "white collar" jobs are in trouble and "blue collar" is the future.The 3-minute rule for pitching your business to anyone.Chapter Titles & Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Sold for $60 Million02:15 – The Problem with Asphalt Shingles (And How He Fixed It)08:45 – Dealerships vs. Franchises: The Scaling Secret15:30 – How to Scale to 380 Locations in 5 Years22:10 – The "Google Mafia" & The Cost of Leads29:00 – Why Blue Collar is the New Gold Rush36:45 – Managing a Remote Team of 50+ People42:00 – Final Advice: Don't Retire, Reload

Send us a textCan you build a multi-million dollar marketing agency without burning out — while raising kids? In this episode, Jen interviews Kym Asana, founder of Always On Digital, about the real-life systems behind her agency's growth: flexible team schedules, trust-based management, smart hiring decisions, and the mindset shift that helps you scale beyond “it all depends on me.”You'll hear how Kym went from NYC advertising to building a woman-owned agency on her own terms, plus the #1 marketing mistake she sees businesses make when they want results fast.ALL THE LINKS MENTIONED: https://jenvazquez.com/build-a-7-figure-marketing-agency-without-burnout-with-kym-insanaTransform your service-based business with valuable insights and actionable strategies on how to find, attract, and book your ideal clients at our marketing summit.https://creativemarketingsummit.com FREE Marketing Summit: https://creativemarketingsummit.com

Ever feel overwhelmed by the impossible task of scaling a team without losing your soul or your culture? You're not alone… or powerless.In this episode, Sivana Brewer is joined by David Chol, COO of Vanguard Properties, for a candid conversation about breaking through isolation, banishing burnout, and the rare leadership moves every operator needs to hear (but never gets taught).They dive deep into why “quality over quantity” culture trumps complexity, how to actually build people (not just systems), and what happens when you ditch the rulebook and trust your gut. Learn proven ways to create psychological safety, unleash autonomy, and develop team members you never realized were hiding in plain sight.Listen now if you want a legendary team, not headaches. Tune in today to steal the strategies you won't find on any corporate checklist and avoid the silent cost of letting your best people stagnate.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – The wild, serendipitous story of how an overseas friendship turned into a game-changing recruiting move[01:24] – “Quality over quantity”: The Vanguard way of winning big without getting bigger[04:46] – Why career-crushing heartbreaks can open doors to your best opportunities—and why David welcomes them[10:17] – There was no playbook: What happens when you're handed your “dream job” and left to sink or swim[13:15] – Surprising truths: What David really discovered about himself when the safety nets disappeared[19:04] – The secret to creating a culture of radical autonomy without chaos—or loss of accountability[21:10] – Why most interviews are fake (and how to truly get to know someone before you hire them)[31:35] – The 15-calls-a-day ritual: The proven method that keeps hidden talent from falling through the cracks[38:03] – Exactly how to keep your best people growing—plus the overlooked dangers of ignoring their untapped skills[42:07] – The harsh realities no one tells COOs about—plus honest ways to navigate “second in command” constraintsAbout the GuestDavid Chol is the Chief Operating Officer of Vanguard Properties, the Bay Area's largest independent and LGBT-led brokerage, boasting 500+ agents and a forty-year legacy. A lifelong real estate operator with roots ranging from private equity to technology, David is known for building standout cultures and pioneering people-first leadership strategies that drive growth, even when markets are in turmoil. At Vanguard, he champions autonomy, radical honesty, and transforming hidden staff potential into real company wins.

Carmela Then: When Remote Teams Stop Listening—The Silent Killer of Agile Collaboration Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.   "Two minutes into it, my mind's starting to wander and I started to do my own thing." - Carmela Then   Carmela paints a vivid picture of a distributed team stretched across Sydney, New Zealand, India, and beyond—a team where communication had quietly become the enemy of progress. The warning signs were subtle at first: in meetings with 20 people on the call, only two or three would speak for the entire hour or two, with no visual aids, no PowerPoints, no drawings. The result? Within minutes, attention drifted, and everyone assumed someone else understood the message.  The speakers believed their ideas had landed; the listeners had already tuned out. This miscommunication compounded sprint after sprint until, just two months before go-live, the team was still discussing proof of concept. Trust eroded completely, and the Product Owner resorted to micromanagement—tracking developers by the hour, turning what was supposed to be an Agile team into a waterfall nightmare. Carmela points to a critical missing element: the Scrum Master had been assigned delivery management duties, leaving no one to address the communication dysfunction.  The lesson is clear—in remote, cross-cultural teams, you cannot simply talk your way through complex ideas; you need visual anchors, shared artifacts, and constant verification that understanding has truly been achieved.   In this segment, we talk about the importance of visual communication in remote teams and psychological safety.   Self-reflection Question: How do you verify that your message has truly landed with every team member, especially when working across time zones and cultures? Featured Book of the Week: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Carmela recommends How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, a timeless classic that remains essential reading for every Scrum Master. As Carmela explains, "We work with people—customers are people, and our team, they are human beings as well. Whether we want it or not, we are leaders, we are coaches, and sometimes we could even be mentors." Written during the Great Depression and predating software entirely, this book emphasizes that relationships and understanding people are the foundation of personal and professional success. Carmela was first introduced to the book by a successful person outside of work who advised her not just to read it once, but to revisit it every year. For Scrum Masters navigating team dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and the human side of Agile, Carnegie's principles remain as relevant today as they were nearly a century ago.   [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework In this episode of Business of Architecture, Rion Willard sits down with Camila Brugger, founder of WorldTeams—the company quietly transforming how architecture firms grow. Camila shares her personal journey from witnessing the chaos of her parents' small practice to building a 650-person global team that serves over 200 firms. Her story is raw, energizing, and full of practical insight for any architect tired of doing it all alone. You'll hear how remote talent can unlock growth, freedom, and surprising loyalty—even if you've tried outsourcing before and failed. Camila reveals the mindset shifts and systems that make remote work actually work. And she doesn't hold back on the tough lessons that helped her scale without burning out. In this episode, you'll discover… The silent hiring mistake most architects are still making—and how it's costing them thousands. What one architecture firm owner did to 3X their team without opening a single job ad. Why your dream lifestyle might be just one mindset shift away. To learn more about Camila, visit her website: https://worldteams.com/

Rebecca Cureton Vickers challenges the notion that specialization is essential, demonstrating that broad skills, critical thinking, and adaptability are more valuable than narrow expertise. Her career spanning nonprofit arts, marketing, and operations proves that wearing multiple hats is a strategic advantage. She views business as both art and science, where creative experimentation pairs with structural frameworks. Her personal branding philosophy emphasizes authentic storytelling that aligns career narrative with personal values. Central to her leadership approach is her motto: You can't create in chaos. She rejects romanticized chaos, recognizing that while creation can start messy, it must eventually be structured. Effective operations require clear goals, transparent communication, and values demonstrated consistently. She emphasizes that productivity depends on clear expectations and genuine connection, not physical proximity. Her various pursuits—teaching, podcasting, and leadership development—reflect her belief that continuous learning is a leadership responsibility. Rebecca's wisdom centers on clarity, intentionality, and adaptive resilience. She encourages people to get clear on goals while remaining open to evolution as circumstances change. Her philosophy—grounded in systems thinking, values alignment, and understanding that the map is not the territory—offers a framework for success. Connect with Rebecca Vickers on LinkedIn to access her resources and insights on transforming how we lead, work, and grow. For the accessible version of the podcast, go to our Ziotag gallery.We're happy you're here! Like the pod?Support the podcast and receive discounts from our sponsors: https://yourbrandamplified.codeadx.me/Leave a rating and review on your favorite platformFollow @yourbrandamplified on the socialsTalk to my digital avatar Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if your practice is profitable on paper—but bleeding money behind the scenes? In this final episode of 2025, Dr. Len Tau welcomes Dana Moss, founder of PPO Dental Consulting, for a deep dive into the realities of dental insurance and PPO strategy. Dana breaks down how dental practices can increase profitability without sacrificing patient-centered care by negotiating smarter, streamlining fee schedules, and knowing when—and how—to strategically exit low-paying plans. Drawing from years of hands-on experience as a front office coordinator, insurance specialist, and practice administrator, Dana shares what most practices get wrong about insurance and how to fix it. You'll learn why billing office fees correctly is non-negotiable, how getting to the 80th percentile can dramatically change your negotiating power, and when outsourcing insurance coordination makes more sense than handling it in-house. Dana also explains umbrella plans, negotiation timelines, and why organization is the single biggest factor in PPO success. This episode is packed with actionable insights for startups, mid-career dentists, and practice owners preparing for growth—or an eventual sale.   What You'll Learn The two non-negotiables practices must fix before negotiating PPO fees Why billing office fees changes your profitability picture How the 80th percentile impacts insurance negotiations When to renegotiate—and when not to The pros and cons of DIY vs outsourced PPO negotiation How smarter insurance systems lead to stronger cash flow   Key Takeaways 00:44 Welcome, Sponsors & Final Episode of 2025 02:07 Meet Dana Moss & Her Background in Dental Insurance 03:40 Who Dana Helps Most: Startups, Growing Practices & Sellers 08:01 Preparing to Negotiate PPO Fees the Right Way 10:30 The Two Non-Negotiables: Billing Office Fees & Fee Balancing 14:30 PPO vs Fee-for-Service Philosophies Explained 15:29 How Often You Can Renegotiate Insurance Fees 16:20 DIY PPO Negotiation vs Outsourcing: Pros & Cons 18:07 Using Your Top Procedure Codes Strategically 20:40 Dropping Low-Paying Plans & Understanding Umbrella Networks 26:39 Training Insurance Coordinators for Clean Claims & Strong AR 29:13 AI, Remote Teams & the Future of Revenue Cycle Management 31:00 Life on the Road: Dana's Full-Time RV Lifestyle 33:20 Lightning Round Q&A with Dana 36:50 How to Work With Dana + DIY Negotiation Kit Offer 37:40 Closing Thoughts, Sponsors & Event Reminder   Connect with Dana Dana Moss Founder, PPO Dental Consulting

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

Nothing accelerates team trust, creativity, and connection like face-to-face time, but simply gathering in person doesn't guarantee impact. In this episode, Emma pulls back the curtain on the planning, purpose, and power of in-person team retreats, using Ninety Five Media's annual gathering as a mini case study. She shares why Ninety Five Media invests so intentionally in these moments and why January (though undeniably chaotic) is the most effective month to align the team and set the tone for the year. From choosing the right location to balancing professional development with unstructured bonding time, you'll hear how thoughtful planning and intentional "micro-moments" create deeper trust and stronger collaboration. Tune in to learn why a team retreat functions like a mini-conference, why the investment pays off, and how face-to-face interaction fuels faster communication, more supportive relationships, and longer retention – especially within fully remote teams. Listen in as Emma explains: What makes retreats an essential investment in culture, retention, and team joy How in-person time accelerates trust, creativity, and communication in remote teams Why it is so crucial to allow for unscheduled "in-between" spaces   And so much more!   Connect with Ninety Five Media: Check out our website: ninetyfivemedia.co Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/ninety.five.media    Grow your brand's social media presence with us:  Tell us about your business goals and explore how our social media management services can help you reach them! ninetyfivemedia.co/stop-scrolling-start-scaling-inquiry

Ever felt overwhelmed by breakneck growth, scattered systems, and a CEO who just wants “more”—now? If you're a second-in-command, this episode flips the pain of scaling upside down.Host Sivana Brewer dives deep with Inaas Arabi, COO at Block & Associates Realty and an industry veteran who's engineered two rounds of company doubling (with a third on deck). They break down order-from-chaos strategies, how to build systems that actually scale, and the hidden math of hiring for sustainable results. Hear why most “growth plans” fail, and how trusted advisors and specialized team pods change everything.Don't miss out—if you want to avoid costly mistakes, burnout, and leadership isolation, tune in now. This episode exposes proven, rare insights and actionable frameworks you simply won't get anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – From scorching Austin heat to building legacy: Inaas's introduction and real-world leadership challenge[00:03] – The “three-month property turnover” nightmare and the breakthrough that shattered it[00:16] – The surprising danger in property manager–centric models and the pod system that solves it[00:27] – Chaos vs. order: When to build systems and when to let things break (and why most get it wrong)[00:32] – The obscure art of error rates—and why perfect service is a myth, even for world-class COOs[00:34] – How trusted advisors expose hidden blind spots that can kill your growth[00:39] – Building your mentor board: Where to find them and how to make the relationship work[00:48] – Tripling scale and checking off U.S. states—behind the personal drive fueling strategic victoriesResources & MentionsZillowRealPageAmerican Homes 4 RentProgress ResidentialUltraSourceEOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)About the GuestInaas Arabi is an accomplished executive with over 25 years in real estate and property management, including leadership roles at companies like Zillow, RealPage, and American Homes 4 Rent. Since joining Block & Associates Realty in May 2023, she has focused on optimizing operations and driving strategic growth in the greater Atlanta and North Carolina regions. Inaas holds an Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University and has a strong background in asset management, operations, and tech-driven solutions for the real estate industry.

In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, co-host Sivana Brewer sits down with Richard Scheele, CFA, CFP, Managing Partner at Next Level Planning Group and longtime COO Alliance member.Richard takes us inside more than a decade of leadership evolution, from starting as an intern to stepping into the Managing Partner seat of a fast-growing financial planning firm. He shares candid stories about redefining his role, building systems around EOS, and learning to lead beyond his comfort zone. The conversation explores what happens when you outgrow your title, how teams mature into strategic thinkers, and why clarity—real clarity—changes everything.You'll hear how Richard and his team rebuilt their communication rhythms, created a shared playbook for decision-making, and shifted their mindset around accountability and alignment. It's an honest, practical look at what it really takes to scale without losing culture, trust, or your own sense of direction.Whether you're a second in command stepping into bigger shoes or a CEO looking to strengthen your leadership infrastructure, this episode will spark ideas you can use immediately.Timestamped Highlights00:00 The leadership lesson Richard wishes he'd learned earlier.02:10 Richard's growth from intern to Managing Partner.04:12 Why changing his title was critical for true alignment.06:25 How EOS reshaped communication and accountability.08:40 The value of an outside implementer for early EOS adopters.11:03 Richard's background in teaching economics and how it shaped his leadership style.13:18 Creating a decision-making playbook for future clarity.15:45 Balancing vision, strategy, and the daily operational grind.18:20 How curiosity and vulnerability strengthen team culture.21:03 Turning strategy into a team-driven discipline.23:30 The evolution of Next Level Planning Group's internal structure.27:05 Richard's biggest lessons from leading a rapidly growing organization.Resources MentionedEntrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)About the GuestRichard Scheele, CFA, CFP, is the Managing Partner at Next Level Planning Group, where he leads daily operations, strategic initiatives, and organizational coordination. Starting his career as an assistant portfolio analyst, Richard moved through roles in service, analysis, and financial planning before stepping into leadership. His background in teaching economics and his analytical approach to decision-making shape the way he develops talent, drives alignment, and supports long-term firm growth.

In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, guest co-host Sivana Brewer (Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io) sits down with Cory Raggi, COO of 1RDG The Financial Center, to talk about leading with empathy, navigating change, and building trust in teams both large and small.Cory shares her journey from leading HR at a 15,000-person company to stepping into her first COO role at a fast-growing 80-person firm. She opens up about how she learned to adapt, communicate, and stay grounded in high-pressure situations and the three core practices that help her regulate stress and lead with clarity.From learning to “roll on the edge” between people and performance to replacing stress with self-awareness, this conversation is packed with real-world leadership lessons for operators who want to grow without burning out.Timestamped Highlights[00:02:00] – How Cory went from HR leader to unexpected COO.[00:03:00] – Redefining what a COO really does (and doesn't do).[00:06:26] – “Right people, right seats”: her mantra for solving every problem.[00:08:12] – Building trust with the CEO and learning to push back.[00:10:21] – Deprogramming corporate habits in a smaller company.[00:13:07] – Leading teams without being the technical expert.[00:17:13] – Building fast trust through humility and honest communication.[00:19:25] – The mirror test: checking your own leadership energy first.[00:22:00] – Balancing people and business why great leaders “roll on the rim.”[00:23:40] – Running effective meetings that actually serve their purpose.[00:28:16] – Leadership breakdowns most middle managers make.[00:33:13] – How Cory learned to stay calm and centered under pressure.[00:36:49] – The one-next-right-thing method for managing stress.[00:42:00] – The isolation of being a COO—and how to find your support system.[00:47:16] – What's next for Cory personally and professionally?About the GuestCory Raggi, SHRM-SCP is the Chief Operating Officer of 1RDG The Financial Center, a company providing integrated accounting, payroll, benefits, and wealth management solutions for business owners. With a background in HR and organizational leadership, Cory blends people-first management with operational structure, helping teams stay aligned, communicative, and focused through growth.