Episodes

On this episode I am joined by Shola Richards, a positivity writer and workplace civility expert who’s turned his struggles and mental trauma in life into a rallying cry for change in the workplace. We discuss the importance of self-care, both through this time of unrest, while having a view of the other side, which many of us want to positively impact. We provide practical tools for self-care, leading others, engaging in the shift of workplace culture and allyship. Shola Richards is a dynamic...

We’ve often seen the word “authentic” being used to describe leaders, influencers, and personalities, especially in the time of digital media. But what does being authentic actually mean, besides being a trendy hashtag? What does authentic leadership look like and can we be more authentic leaders? A leadership coach and consultant with senior operations experience in several Fortune 500 companies, David Brown Jr. has uncovered revolutionary ideas on authenticity in leadership while continuing h...

The human element is not just a nice to have, it’s a business imperative. To be truly human, we must embrace all of our qualities, raising our emotional intelligence (which is more critical than ever given digital automation and social distancing) and our ability to be inclusive and effective leaders, personally and professionally. Amita Mehta, C-Suite advisor and host of Outcast, shares her journey to inspire people to be authentic doers and unapologetic dreamers. With more than two decades of...

Phrases such as “higher productivity, increased employee engagement, and better retention” are things we all want to hear. Combine that with the feeling, that as a team, you are making an existential difference, “changing lives every day” and you have a thriving culture. Brad Nardick, president of the Bazaar, Inc., shares how the company integrated helping people with disabilities as a shared purpose across the organization, effectively creating sustainability for what might be considered chari...

Begin tapping into your talents like never before by helping others tap into theirs! Kare Anderson, whose TED Talk has been viewed over 2.4 Million times, shares the secrets of mutuality, her journey, and tips to get started. During this episode, Kare will share: How specificity makes you more credible and your messages more meaningful. How mutuality amongst diverse allies allows you to achieve faster and more informed decision making. How to identify who to partner and ways to get started.

What happens when you don’t know your purpose or your “why” from the onset? Many get stuck in a cycle of doing nothing, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Jacklyn is a great example of starting from “I know what I do not want to do” and taking action. During the episode, Jaclyn shares how to use experimentation to dial into your passion and purpose. She discussed the power of mindset, how important it is to keep you moving in the right direction and provides tips to help you move forward. La...

Women start their careers on parity with men but generally end them far earlier, having achieved less status, lower compensation, and less satisfaction than men. During this episode, we’ll be joined by spouses, Andrea Kramer, and Alton Harris. Andie is a partner in an international law firm, is a nationally recognized advocate for women’s advancement and an authority on gender communication. Al was a founding partner of the Chicago law firm of Ungaretti & Harris and has extensive experience wat...

It is natural for us to want to bet on a “sure thing,” but as we know, life is full of uncertainty. During this episode, Kim Davis, one of my favorite mentors, shares how to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity and deliver value at the highest levels. Kim Davis is the Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs at the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to the NHL, she served as a Senior Managing Director at Teneo and served as President of the JPMorgan Ch...

Will using emotional intelligence like a hostage negotiator enable a leader’s success? How can the ideologies and techniques of hostage negotiation be applied to business? Our featured guest, Derek Gaunt, shares the essential information you need to take your leadership to another level by connecting two different disciplines - hostage negotiation and business leadership. Derek is a lecturer, author (Ego, Authority, Failure), trainer and former commander of hostage negotiations teams in the Was...

Gillian Zoe Segal is an author of two books, New York Characters and Getting There: A Book of Mentors. She finished her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Michigan and Law degree at Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. She currently lives in Manhattan, New York with her daughter and dog. Gillian is also a passionate photographer. In this episode, we will learn more about Gillian and her journey – from attending Law school to working in their family business and pursuing her burning passion...

In and of itself, being authentic may feel challenging in today’s hyper influenced environment. Further, authenticity in the workplace has become a major of concern for employees and employers alike. On this episode, I welcome Fran Tarkenton to this conversation as one who has started and run over twenty companies and further, helps small businesses succeed. He is also a former National Football League (NFL) quarterback and television personality. During and after his NFL career, he started mor...

Damon Hurst is a financial and banking professional with ten years of experience in a large financial institution. He specializes in helping individuals, families, and businesses to maximize the full benefits and resources of a deeper banking relationship. Together with his team of experts who specialize in the different areas in Finance, they manage multi-million-dollar books of business. During this episode, Damon will share the three building blocks that will enable your financial success. L...

James talks with Aliza Licht the author of Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. Aliza shares her personal story including her incredible career at Donna Karan. She explains why she left to pursue her own consulting company and why she ultimately shifted back to a corporate position. Land your dream job. Get the 4 key components for setting up a successful career. You can apply these strategies in a job search or if you’re looking to move to another p...

Michel is the CEO and co-founder of DirectTech Labs a company focused on the intersection between AI and behaviorial science in the gig economy and the social selling space. This eye-opening interview is about the methods AI provides to create a better experience for customers (in this case network marketers), which in turn creates additional value for the company. Michel explains how his company can use data to recognize and identify patterns of behavior. Michel isn’t a Silicon Valley tech gu...

Today’s episode is for anyone who has considered starting a business and/or writing a book. My guest, Jim Beach, has done both and shares his insights for success. He interviews successful entrepreneurs, authors and thought leaders on the School for Startups Radio show. He credits these conversations for helping him continue to learn and stay up to date with trends in the business world. Be sure to listen to Jim’s advice about starting a business. It’s not what you expect to hear, but it’s goi...

This episode is about applying best practices for success. Steve covers things everyone can do to create a practice of success. He and James also talk about new strategies for a world that’s changing quickly. The conversation was centered around Steve’s newest book, 30 Ways in 30 Days to a Better Life. There isn’t a magic pill or easy button to living a rewarding, success-filled life. We know it’s important to take effective action. This episode will help you understand what actions to take, a...

Today’s guest is Beth Albright. She is a former CHRO, Chief Human Resources Officer, who has helped many people in their career transitions. She recently made a transition of her own; leaving her c-level position to move into philanthropy and volunteerism. She shares incredible insights from her personal experiences. She also provides the perspective of an organization that is working to support and empower their workforce. Beth explains how to find the common thread in your work to be able to...

Finding the best talent or finding your dream job is on the agenda in today’s podcast. Dom Vacca shares from his nearly 40 years of experience recruiting, and consulting. He didn’t hold anything back. He outlines what leaders are looking for today and it’s not about skills and experience. It’s about values. He details 6 specific things that will set you apart from others looking for the perfect position. He also breaks down 3 things to not do, so be ready to take a few notes. His insights may s...

Today’s podcast guest, Tommy Sardine, brings a unique perspective related to career and opportunity. He shares his career path that’s also been a humanitarian journey of establishing and installing policies within the prison system where they previously did not exist. That’s just one part of his compelling interview. When I got to know Tommy, I knew that his story was one I wanted to share. He is evidence that any one can start where they are and find a way to get where they want to go. He shar...

Melissa Wilson is the founder and CEO of Networlding and Networlding Publishing Inc. She’s writing book 18 and 19 and is a 5-time best-selling author. James and Melissa talk about the first step to writing your book, the benefits of networking and the science that shows us why it’s so effective.

Mike has a wealth of entrepreneurial experience. He’s built 3 multi-million-dollar businesses and he shares how he was able to continue to recognize new opportunities and business models. Mike was a pioneer in the natural food movement in the late 70’s. In the 80’s he was involved in the transformational personal development seminar industry. In the late 90’s he joined LegalShield. He is part of their prestigious Millionaire Club and sits on their Platinum Council. Mike shares his views on soc...

On this episode I am pleased to be joined by Alistair Edwards, entrepreneur, who serves as a market trainer (voted the 2017 trainer of the year) and group benefits specialist, educating business owners and employees in identity theft protection, and risk management for LegalShield. Alistair Edwards brings 27 years of experience in retail management, managing facilities that have generated over $30MM in annual sales. Alistair currently serves as President of the National Sales network Atlanta C...

When someone is referred to as “The Steve Jobs of Procurement,” it cannot help but provoke some level of curiosity. On this episode, I am pleased to welcome Cheryl Harris, senior vice president and Chief Procurement Officer of Sourcing & Procurement Solutions at the Allstate Insurance Company. Cheryl is responsible for optimizing value and mitigating risks associated with Allstate’s $4B spend portfolio spanning Technology, Travel, Marketing, Claims, Professional Services, and Facilities categor...