The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends (jeffpelaccio)

Dr. Michelle Robin is the founder of Small Changes Big Shifts®, Big Shifts Foundation®, and the Kansas City Wellness Consortium®, but more importantly, she is a visionary for the well-being of many generations. After opening her chiropractic practice in Kansas City over 30 years ago, she’s become a national influence and memorable leader in the wellness industry. Her simple framework – called the Quadrants of Well-Being – is the key to what many people have been looking for when it comes to discovering their best life. She has spent the majority of her career helping people make small changes that ultimately create the biggest shifts in their well-being. As a chiropractor, author, teacher, holistic healer, podcast host, unshakable optimist, international speaker, and passionate advocate for generational change, Michelle has left an impression on thousands of lives by helping them find their unique path to wellness and enriching their purpose in life.

To find out more about Dr. Michelle Robin, please visit:

https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/

 

Enjoy the episode!

What the hell is Web3? In this episode (the first in my collaboration with Startland News - Website), I chat with Randy Wasinger—entrepreneur, NFT pioneer, and founder/CEO of CryptoSlam (see his bio below). With over 20 years of experience in high-growth businesses and a track record as an innovator in SEO, affiliate marketing, and big data, Randy shares how his early passion for baseball cards evolved into a groundbreaking career in Web3 and NFTs.

We dive into Randy’s entrepreneurial journey—from running a baseball card shop as a teenager in small-town Kansas to building CryptoSlam, the leading NFT data platform trusted by industry giants. Randy reflects on his transition from accounting for a major firm to tech, the lessons he learned from his mentors, and the incredible story of attracting investors like Mark Cuban, Reid Hoffman, and Ashton Kutcher. It's a remarkable journey from Russell, Kansas to being a leader in the newest technology (that most people do not understand) for Randy and his Kansas City-based company.

Whether you’re curious about Web3, NFTs, or the future of blockchain technology, this episode offers an insider’s perspective on innovation, resilience, and the power of seizing opportunities.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Randy's bio: Randy Wasinger​ (LinkedIn) is the founder/CEO of CryptoSlam, Inc.​ (Website). He has 20+ years as an entrepreneur building high-growth businesses that specialize in SEO, SEM, affiliate marketing, display ad arbitrage & big data. Leadership experience as a CEO, Executive Director for a not-for-profit, youth coach for three different sports, and father of six. 13-time national champion in masters track and field, and 2011 world champion. An NFT early adopter and one of the first NFT "whales". Founded CryptoSlam in 2018, the first and leading NFT data platform, trusted by industry leaders and end-users worldwide, with millions of users since its inception. Randy has raised capital from notable investors including Mark Cuban, Reid Hoffman, and Ashton Kutcher, as well as crypto heavyweights like Animoca Brands and OKX.

Mary Messner  (www.marymessner.com) is a professional speaker, an advocate for women and girls, a mother, and a wife (not necessarily in that order). She has dedicated her career to approaching challenges with creativity, refusing to accept the status quo, and leading with a determination to grow others. Mary partners with organizations to provide inspiration, offer knowledge, and identify solutions. She is committed to creating a workplace culture where women are recognized and celebrated for their authentic and powerful abilities. Her speaking engagements and workshops provide tangible strategies that demonstrate how to empower women in the workplace. While off the stage, Mary spends her time as the Executive Director for Madam President Camp, a non-profit youth organization designed to inspire girls to use their voice to become leaders in their communities now and in the future. Mary brings her corporate, non-profit, and small business experience to each interaction with the goal of creating meaningful connections with her clients and audience.   You will enjoy my conversation with Mary!

In this episode, I sit down with Nick McLean, co-founder of Four Pillars Investors, a Kansas City-based private equity firm focused on founder and family-owned businesses. Nick’s journey from industrial engineering to private equity wasn’t a straight path—he meandered through consulting, corporate roles, and entrepreneurship before finding his true passion: buying and growing businesses.

At Four Pillars Investors, Nick and his team operate with a values-driven approach:

Relationships as a Cornerstone for Success – Building trust with business owners and partners. Challenge the Status Quo – Pushing businesses to think bigger and grow strategically. Servant Leadership – Supporting teams by removing obstacles and empowering employees. Persistence – Staying committed in an unpredictable deal-making environment.

We also discuss:

- The evolution of Four Pillars Investors and what sets them apart in the private equity space. - How Nick transitioned from consulting and corporate life to buying and running companies. - Lessons learned from leading a manufacturing company at age 36. - The biggest mistakes business owners make when preparing to sell. - Why culture and relationships matter just as much as financials in a successful deal. - His insights from hosting the Ambition podcast and growing a YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers.

Nick’s perspective on business, leadership, and strategic growth is invaluable for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone interested in private equity and M&A. If you’ve ever thought about buying, selling, or scaling a business, this episode is a must-listen!

Tune in for an insightful conversation on deals, leadership, and what it takes to grow a business.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   Nick's bio: ​Nick McLean (LinkedIn) is a co-founder of Four Pillars Investors, a lower middle-market private equity firm based in Kansas City. Four Pillars targets founder and family-owned businesses with revenues of at least $10M. Nick did not take a straight path to the private equity world, instead meandering through a variety of entrepreneurial and corporate endeavors. Through this journey, Nick has evolved his definition of success while also getting a bit too familiar with failure. He describes himself as a “deal junkie” and is truly doing what he loves. When working with their portfolio companies, Nick often stresses the importance of building out the sales and marketing function. Partly to practice what he preaches, Nick hosts a podcast titled Ambition: The Challenges, Risks, and Rewards of Business Growth (available on all major podcast platforms and at https://www.AmbitionWithNick.com), publishes a weekly newsletter called the Mid Market Insider (https://www.midmarketinsider.co/) and creates videos for his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@NickFourPillars) that now has over 30,000 subscribers. He also published a book titled How to Sell Your Business to Private Equity (available on Amazon.com).

Anna Murray (see her bio below) is the CEO and founder of emedia the longest-running woman-owned web and digital transformation agency in the US. In this fascinating conversation, we talk about how she found her company by accident, her journey from English teacher to TV journalist, to tech founder, her stories of misogyny in broadcast news, why journalists make great hires, her thoughts on why planning is a fool's errand, three metaphors to diagnose any situation, being a remote work pioneer (and her thoughts on "forcing" people back in the office), the early days of integrating the internet into the fabrics of corporate America, and her mission to evolve cybersecurity to the next level.

You will also enjoy how Anna's grandfather was called "the inventor who powered New York City and how she once gave a tech conference keynote while knitting!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Anna's bio: Anna Murray ​(LinkedIn) is a tech entrepreneur and founder of ​emedia ​            (​Website) LLC, a provider of software development, high-level technology consulting, and project and program management. She has consulted with brands worldwide on their digital strategies, served as interim CIO for Time Out NY, head of interactive at Harvard Business Publishing, and led the digital transformation at the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Anna is well known for her ability to bridge business and tech and is the author of several books, including The Complete Software Project Manager (John Wiley & Sons).

 

 

When Dan Hurst (www.DanHurst.com) was born in Texas, his parents moved. To Honduras. They thought he wouldn't find them. He grew up speaking Spanish. Well, “grew up” might be stretching it a bit. When he was 14 years old he got his first job in radio.  The radio station changed its locks on him. His parents sent him to reform school.  He got kicked out. He finally graduated from High School although the principal "forgot" to call his name at graduation. He spent 13 of the best years of his life in college. 4 different ones. And he actually graduated! He got married and had 3 children.  They moved out.  But they keep coming back to eat. He had a dog, but it ran away. He’s been a voice talent for over 25 years. Mostly because he’s not any good at anything else. He spends most of his days in a small, dark voiceover booth talking to himself.

But other than that, it's been a pretty normal life.

Oh, and by the way, he just won the 2022 Golden Trailer Award (the Oscars of voiceovers) for his work for HBO/Max’s TV series – Winning Time: The Rise of the Laker Dynasty (see the trailer here: Winning Time)

 

Please enjoy my conversation with the very funny Dan Hurst!

Honored to have the co-author of one of my favorite books "The Go-Giver" Bob Burg (see his bio below) as our guest on this episode. We chat about his early career, how he became a public speaker, how a "drive-by" mentor changed his sales philosophy and became a key part of the book, a summary of the five laws of stratospheric success, why no one cares about your quota or product, how focusing on adding value to others leads to success, why givers attract, learning systems to be successful, and why your first question for a business endeavor should not be "will it make money?". You will enjoy my conversation with the legendary Bob Burg!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Bob's bio: For more than 30 years Bob Burg (The Go Giver) has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, and sales professionals how to build relationships, communicate their value, and accelerate their business growth. Although for years he was best known for his sales classic, Endless Referrals, it’s his business parable, The Go-Giver, coauthored with John David Mann, that has created a worldwide movement. While part of a four-book series, The Go-Giver itself has sold well over a million copies and been translated into 30 languages. It was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of The Most Motivational Books Ever Written, and was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time. Bob is creator of The Go-Giver Academy online learning portal featuring The Go-Giver® Success Vault which includes all of his online courses as well as additional business-building resources. He also publishes the very popular Daily Impact email. Both of these can be accessed at his website, which is (burg.com) Website.

Bob is an advocate, supporter, and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. He is also an unapologetic animal fanatic and serves as part of a South Florida rescue, foster, and adoption organization.

You will enjoy Cory Scheer's career journey and why not having a career strategy is okay. We talk about the leadership lessons he learned from being a whitewater rafting guide, driving a forklift as his first job out of college, running 29 marathons including a 56-mile ultramarathon, what a "Christmas Money Consultant" is, why most companies have a trust gap, and asking yourself what you want to do career-wise while trusting the answers are in the journey.

 

Cory Scheer (linkedin.com/in/coryscheer ) is the Founder and CEO of TrustCentric™ Consulting (TrustCentricConsulting.com), an organizational and leadership development firm. In addition to over twenty-five years in leadership roles in multiple sectors, Cory has obtained an Executive MBA (Rockhurst University) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (University of Missouri). Cory has worked with small businesses, school districts, corporations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, ministries, the military, and municipalities to provide vital support and clear direction on how to ensure people, practices, and policies become more trustworthy so that key performance indicators improve. He is the author of the seminal work "Closing the Trust Gap: Taking Action on What Matters Most for Leaders, Teams, and Organizations," (Amazon) each a testament to his commitment to fostering trust within organizations. Cory and his wife live in Kansas City, Missouri with their 4 children.

In this episode, I sit down with Jon McGraw (see his bio below)—former NFL safety, co-founder of Vision Pursue, and performance mindset expert. From walking on at Kansas State to playing 10 seasons in the NFL, Jon shares his incredible journey, the leadership lessons he learned from legendary coaches (including the legendary Kansas State University coach Bill Snyder), and the physical, emotional, and mental toll of professional football. We delve into Jon’s transition from the NFL to entrepreneurship and how his passion for personal growth led to co-founding Vision Pursue, a company that trains corporate and sports teams in performance psychology. Jon opens up about the importance of mindset, navigating change, and how he turned his experiences with injury and uncertainty into a mission to help others thrive. We also discuss how most NFL players are not happy, the challenge of being present in an occupation where your job can end at any time (and how the NFL stands for "Not For Long"), his transitions from high school football to Division I college to the NFL, how the NFL is not a team sport, and importance of mindset to improve your life experiences. He also answers the all-important question: Can he still bench press 225 pounds 13 times? :-)

Whether you’re a corporate leader, athlete, sports fan, or someone striving for personal growth, Jon’s insights will leave you inspired to elevate your performance and embrace a healthier, more balanced mindset.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Jon's bio: Jon ​McGraw (LinkedIn) co-founded Vision Pursue (Website) after its principles radically shifted his mindset, performance, and overall life experience. He’s since guided and assisted in the successful application of these principles inside hundreds of corporate teams and sports franchises. He’s a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and Performance Mindset trainer. Before Vision Pursue, Jon played 10 years in the NFL plus completed business management and entrepreneurship programs at Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School.

Frank Bonura started as an information technology recruiter in 1979 with a focus on the contract‐for‐hire methodology. Pursuing his passion for executive recruiting he launched Alternative Search in 1984 focusing on information technology and C-level search engagements.

In 1987, Frank gained a reputation for connecting people regardless of their personal or professional stations in life. By the end of the decade, he came to be known as “The Connector”. Business owners/leaders who recognize that “relationships” are a major contributor to their company’s success hired Frank to introduce them to other like‐minded business owners/leaders (Frank wants people to know that relationship creation and nurturing are not to be confused with networking, which is nothing more than “card swapping”).

In 2008, he founded Franklin Executive Solutions, LLC (https://feskc.com/), and created the Executive Agent (EA) methodology.  Frank used this to manage the careers of executive operators in much the same fashion that professional agents represent the interests of actors and athletes.  With the support of a research team, he did everything from identifying and pursuing EA client opportunities to negotiating the terms and conditions of each engagement.  Also, as an alternative to outplacement services, Frank began providing “unorthodox” career management counseling and transition support services to displaced employees of companies at every professional level.

At the start of 2015, he became acquainted with many military veterans and their unique post-service employment transition.  Through introductions, Frank uncovered an urgent need for a paradigm shift in how veterans and employers viewed each other.  In analyzing this need, he defined a methodology by which veterans can create and secure the opportunities they deserve.

In 2017 Frank's business partner, Elizabeth Allen Founder of Economy of One, and Frank created a ten-module workshop.  The workshop "Creating Opportunities Instead of Chasing Jobs" has been successfully delivered to the private sector, military, colleges, and universities.

As a Kansas City native, his wife Danita and Frank have two daughters and five grandchildren. His interests are my faith, family, golf, and creating measurable value for all he encounters.

 

Please enjoy my conversation with "The Connector", Frank Bonura!

There are many great insights from my conversation with Kevin McGinnis (see his bio below). We discuss what he learned from working with Silicon Valley companies in the "boom" years (2007-2013), how to leverage AI, working with Gen Zers, how he became a successful intrapreneur, his lessons from Peter Diamandis' Singularity University, not being afraid to fail, what he learned from being an inside sales rep right after college, why culture matters (especially in a start-up), and the importance of having a lifelong learner mindset. Please enjoy my conversation with Kevin!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.    

 

Kevin McGinnis bio: Kevin McGinnis (linkedin.com/in/kevinmcginnis ) currently serves as the President & CEO of the Keystone Community Corporation (https://www.keystonedistrict.org/), a non-profit organization tasked with the planning, development, and operations of a thriving and diverse​ innovation community in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. When McGinnis noticed the region lacked a destination that enabled the region’s innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community members to collaborate and solve our most pressing problems at scale, his strong belief in Kansas City and its institutions drove him to act. Today, McGinnis leans into his track record as a lifelong learner to focus on new areas like urban development, placemaking, and inclusive community engagement and is convening civic, corporate, and community stakeholders on both sides of the state line to bring the Keystone Innovation District vision to life. As part of the Keystone initiative, Kevin is also the founder and president of Keystone Labs, a cross-industry innovation collaborative driving corporate engagement and collaboration across the regional​ ecosystem. Keystone Labs was launched in October 2020 with 15 founding corporate members representing a diverse set of industries and is powered by the human-centered design expertise of global design leader, VMLY&R. After years of championing the role of industry in creating a more vibrant innovation ecosystem, McGinnis was instrumental in the design of the studio programming, recruiting the founding members and developing the relationships to launch the inaugural pilot programs with LaunchKC and VMLY&R.

Please join me and Tammie Osborne (linkedin.com/in/tammieosborne) as we have a great conversation talking about how an ER nurse changed her life, being a female healthcare tech pioneer, pivoting from nursing to Corporate America, the importance of relationships, and starting two companies (one during the pandemic in an industry she had no experience).

 

Tammie L. Osborne is an established healthcare executive and experienced small business owner with a passion for equipping others to succeed. Tammie has 30 years of experience in healthcare as an enterprise technology executive leader, EHR/EMR consultant, and clinician. In 2012, noticing a need for additional support for healthcare organizations as they implement and adopt new technology, Tammie founded Bridgemore IT (bridgemoreit.com ), a healthcare IT consulting, where she continues to lead as CEO. Through her healthcare consulting firm, Bridgemore IT Consulting, Tammie has managed change and new technology adoption for multi-million and billion-dollar projects by leading the world’s most top-tier organizations. Bridgemore IT also supports the Department of Defense’s EHR modernization Project. She has been helping these organizations streamline their operations and improve patient outcomes for over 12 years.

In 2020, while experiencing the challenge and changes of professional isolation brought on by the worldwide pandemic, Tammie saw an opportunity to support other female entrepreneurs in her community and tapped into her expertise by providing a coworking and event space. In response, she founded The Sapphire Suite( thesapphiresuite.com ), a luxe coworking environment where women can focus, grow, and connect in their busy professional and personal lives. With her extensive  leadership experience, her career-long focus on innovation, and her commitment to collaboration, Tammie was uniquely equipped to build a space that not only helps women be productive but also provides the support and a community of seasoned professionals to help them succeed.

She is a wife and mother of three adult children, one of whom has special needs and she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

A fun and insightful conversation with Jamie Crosbie (see her bio below)! Jamie and I talk about the life/leadership lessons from her legendary mom, knowing that she wanted to start a company at an early age, her first public speech at 15 years old in front of 500 people, her first professional job leading a group of accounting clerks (and her story of regularly falling asleep at her desk :-), how to interview salespeople, why a positive mindset is so important, why failure is the path to growth, her preparation process for her upcoming Ted Talk, how having a career strategy prepared her to create her own company, and why you should be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Please enjoy my conversation with Jamie!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

 

Jamie's bio:  An accomplished senior executive with more than two decades of success across sales, sales leadership, talent acquisition, and management, Jamie Crosbie ​(Website) is an inspiring and powerful trainer and speaker. Jamie understands the complex interplay of strategic scale growth, lead generation, client communication, market analysis, strategic sales, and business development; because she has been there, in sales management, talent recruitment and training trenches. Jamie’s company consults in top sales talent acquisition; strategic planning and executive leadership; business development strategy; and Peak Performance Mindset® Workshops. Having served as Vice President of Training and Development and Sales at Career Builder, as well as being the founder of ProActivate, an elite sales staffing company, Jamie understands how to motivate, shape and lead successful teams. Jamie was responsible for leading 50-85% annual revenue growth with oversight of an 80-person sales team while managing $35MM operations; driving top sales training, development, and productivity for half of enterprise’s U.S. sales organization; defining, assessing, profiling, and acquiring targeted best talent for domestic and international sales organizations.

Jamie is the author of Journey to the Top: How to Reach Your Peak Performance Life, The Power of 2, Exponential Sales Leadership and How To Source, Qualify; Hire Elite Sales Talent. As a certified speaker with the High-Performance Mindset® system, Jamie understands how to leverage her extensive experience to help your team go higher and accomplish more. She has been conducting Business Development and Peak Performance Mindset Keynotes and Workshops nationally for companies like Armstrong Relocation Services, Southwest Airlines, EO, Encompass Home Health, MidCo, TPX, Santander, EBSCO Research, and Free Range Concepts. Post-Workshop evaluations have proven that these companies set new sales records, collaborated more effectively, and embraced a more focused and positive sales environment. Simply put, Jamie teaches everyday people to live uncommonly successful lives. Whether you are seeking individual coaching to improve your focus, live more fully, or achieve your goals, or you are looking for ways to inspire and empower your team, you owe it to yourself to learn from this revolutionary mindset workshop. When it comes to selling, you need to be able to connect with clients on a human level, while still showing them how your product solves a problem in their world. Jamie is an acknowledged expert in this area. She has the ability to transfer her skill set, her passion, and her sales knowledge to others via team workshops that work.

You will enjoy this conversation with Andrew Marquardt (see his bio below) the general counsel, co-founder, and CEO of Advantage Tech. Andrew and I discuss the life-changing events in his early teen years that changed his life, how his legal career led him to start an IT company (it also included a legal decision that went against Microsoft), how he never thought he could become an attorney (and his grit to make it happen), the "Oh Sh**" moments he had when he started his company, his advice to people who want to create their own company, the power of emotional intelligence, why he believes in the dignity of work, how the painting company he founded in college was the only reason he landed his first job after graduation, what he thinks of non-compete agreements, the changes in the IT industry the last three decades, and standing of the shoulders of his ancestors (including his trailblazing mom who went to law school after her divorce and becoming the first woman president of the Kansas Bar Association). You will learn about Andrew's career journey and his insight. Enjoy!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Andrews's bio: Andrew Marquardt​ (LinkedIn) has been an attorney for over 30 years. His experience includes litigating employment lawsuits representing plaintiffs and defendants. These cases included non-compete litigation, tort and contract claims, and discrimination suits. In addition to driving the claims through trial, most disputes were resolved through mediation and arbitration.​ Mr. Marquardt is also the co-founder, CEO, and General Counsel of Advantage Tech​ (Website), an IT and professional services firm founded in 1997. Advantage Tech places on average 400 contract and full-time employees each year, which translates to several thousand placements over the past 27 years. During that time, Mr. Marquardt has hired and terminated hundreds of employees and has drafted and overseen the implementation of hundreds of employment agreements. Significant employment issues frequently materialize when dealing with a contingent workforce. Dozens of issues arise relating to any number of clauses. However, the one clause that has created the most consternation with the courts has been the non-compete clause in employment agreements.

You will love my conversation with Kristen Ragusin (www.kristenragusin.com/ )! Her book "The End of Scarcity: The Dawn of The New Abundant World" (Amazon: https://a.co/d/0nyU1cX) will be one of the most important books you will ever read. She has such great energy and is on a mission to change our world by implementing a new system of exchange to create and sustain a life worth living.

About Kristen:

Kristen’s interest in money began as a child as she studied the stock and bond markets with her father to earn her allowance. She grew up seeing the markets as a tool of empowerment but all that changed when she saw the coming financial crisis of 2008. Sensing something was amiss in her worldview, she discovered everything she knew about money was wrong. Through a shocking revelation, she learned that what we use as money today works against us, creating perpetual suffering and scarcity.

This sent her on a seven-year journey around the world to find another way to create money. She uncovered a new way so simple and so beautiful, a new way already beginning to emerge. Preparing to unleash the natural abundance that exists, we stand on the precipice of the coming revolution of how we do money. Unstoppable, it comes closer every day. Reading her book will take you from grief, fear, and scarcity to hope, love, and abundance.

Kristen is a professional wealth management consultant with thirty years of experience. Investing over $150 million, she helps clients navigate markets and achieve financial goals. She is a certified digital currency professional and earned her Masters Degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Kristen holds certificates in FinTech from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Money and Society from the University of Cumbria, London. She loves the adventure of Life and everything it brings from the many kinds of people to the wonders of Nature. She has traveled throughout the world. Her many journeys include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking through the Sahara desert and studying at a spiritual school located in the foothills of Southern India.

https://www.theendofscarcity.com/contact

Nick Giuliani is currently the Director of Sales at Dynamic Logistix. Nick has spent most of his career in the logistics and supply chain industry, with the last eight years focused on software sales and leadership. Before joining the workforce, Nick graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2009 with a degree in Marketing and played on the baseball team.

Since joining his current company Dynamic Logistix in 2018, the company has gone from 28 employees and 23 million in revenue to over 120 people and almost 300 million in revenue. In November 2021, Nick created the KC Shout-Out Series, one of the only LinkedIn series dedicated to highlighting and featuring leaders, nonprofits, and women-owned businesses in the Kansas City area. In early February 2023, Nick created the KC Shout-Out Series blog (kcshoutoutseries.com) to house the 150+ features and have a singular place for people to learn about the fantastic people, nonprofits, and businesses in KC.

Nick also sits on the executive board for KC CAN (Kansas City Children’s Assistance Network), was a 2022 Rockstar for Band of Angels, and a 2022 Most Wanted Honoree for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City.

 

Please enjoy my conversation with Nick!

Terri Foudray’s career spans 25 years, demonstrating an affinity for leadership, achievement, curiosity, and versatility. She is currently the trusted Strategic Advisor to C-suite executives seeking growth through better human capital alignment. Think Moneyball for business. Ms. Foudray previously was the CEO of a software technology company focused on manufacturing performance improvement through real-time performance insights. Prior to that, Ms. Foudray’s experience has included executive positions at two technology companies and at a nationwide hospitality company, P&L responsibility at a Fortune 500 company, and leadership roles in media relations, product development, sales and marketing, and brand management. She also started and sold her first business venture. Ms. Foudray was a member of CompTIA’s worldwide IoT Advisory Council from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, Ms. Foudray was honored by the Women Tech Founders organization as the award winner in Women-in-Tech Intelligence and Automation.  She holds a Bachelor of Journalism-Advertising from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She was awarded a scholarship and completed the WBENC Energy Executive Program with the University of Texas at Austin in 2019.  

 

Please enjoy both my conversations with Terri!

Eastman enjoyed a 35-year career in IT sales and sales management. Managing district, regional, as well as worldwide sales teams on both a domestic and international scope. His experiences include selling and managing for Fortune 500 companies as well as experience with start-up organizations.

In his career, Eastman estimates that he hired over 400 sales team members and interviewed in excess of 2000 candidates. His background includes direct sales as well as channel and distribution sales models. He was a part of 3 mergers where he integrated sales teams on a global basis as well as being part of senior management for a company that successfully completed its IPO. During his career, Eastman had P&L responsibility for North American divisions and managed sales goals in excess of $800 million in sales revenue.

He also had a great jump shot back in the day :-) Go Jaspers!

 

Please enjoy the episode!

Not only does Robert "Abe" Abrams (see his bio below) have an extensive Wikipedia page but so does his father (who also has a US Army tank named after him). I was honored to have Abe as a guest. We talk about his love for being a tactical leader (leading combat troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan during multiple combat tours spanning Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom), what it is like being in combat, how the death of his father at 14 years old impacted him, how he successfully retired as a 4-Star Army General after 39 years, overcoming being a "raging introvert" to lead organizations over 1 million people, how to retire successfully (it involves sprinting through the "retirement" tape), what is a military leader's sacred responsibility, and working for a world-class a$$ chewer. This episode has many leadership lessons so get ready to learn (and laugh)!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

 

Abe's bio: Over a 39-year career of active duty service, General (R) Robert B. “Abe” Abrams​ (Wikipedia) led troops in peace and war. Following his commissioning from theUnited States Military Academy in 1982, he spent his formative years in a Cavalry Squadron with a mission on the E-W German border during the cold war, lead combat troops i​n Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan during multiple combat tours spanning Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was the Senior Military Assistant to the 24th Secretary of Defense. He commanded with distinction at every level from Company to 4-star Major Command including command of the Army’s and DOD’s largest formation, US Army Forces Command, with over 750K soldiers and DA Civilians across all 3 components for over 3 years. His final assignment was as the Commander United Nations Command, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and US Forces Korea from 2018-2021.

Since retiring, Abe serves as a Board Director for Vistage International; as a board director for the Bob Woodruff Foundation; as a senior Board Advisor for VAYA Space; as a member of the Board of Business Executives for Gridiron Capital; as a consultant for several companies; and is the Vice Chairman of the Korea Defense Veteran’s Association, a 501(c) non-profit. Abe speaks publicly on leadership and Korean Peninsula affairs, and is a military contributor to ABC News.

Happily married, he and his wife are proud parents of two children and grandparents to two grandchildren. They moved to a small farm in western Missouri following retirement. The Abrams have a Golden Retriever named “Hank” and adopted an abandoned orange tabby named “Fred”. Abe is a functional fitness enthusiast who also enjoys golf, follows college basketball closely, and gets March Madness annually. He remains an ever-optimistic fan of Army Football and has been recently converted to a fan of the KC Chiefs.

 

Kristin Herman (LinkedIn Profile ) is a wealth management advisor at Northwestern Mutual. Her wealth management philosophy:

In the world of wealth management, there is a lingering misconception about what financial advisors are and do. Many feel that financial advisors are only out to collect a fee or to transact a result. They believe that transparency is the last thought of the financial advisor, and as a result, strategy and education go by the wayside.

The people who work with Kristin don't want to make a transaction. They want someone to understand and counsel them at a deep level by clarifying and aligning their intentions and actions so that they can know what is meaningful in their lives will also be measurable. This helps them pursue ‘Wholehearted Wealth’ through ‘Living by Design’ and achieve financial freedom, confidence, and peace of mind.

Kristin and her team work with amazing individuals nationwide who want to create a legacy of wealth that matches their passions and joy—and they do it by creating clarity, confidence, and security. In their journey with her team, their courageous vulnerability helps them pursue ease in their financial paths, becoming empowered and equipped to pursue their own wholehearted lives. As they create meaningful change in their finances, they experience a peace they never knew was possible.

When you feel empowered, wholehearted, and cared for, the world is your oyster. 

 

Please enjoy my conversation with Kristin!

Welcome to a short-form Special Edition of The Corporate Couch (it's more of a loveseat episode:-)!

I sit down with longtime sports broadcaster, speaker, podcaster, and author Joel Goldberg (see his bio below) to dive into the lessons from his second book, Small Ball, Big Dreams. Drawing from his years covering championship teams and business leaders, Joel shares how small, consistent actions lead to game-changing success—both on and off the field.

We discuss:

⚾ Why the "small ball" mindset is the key to long-term wins in business and life. ⚾ Stories from the clubhouse and boardroom that prove details matter. ⚾ The importance of culture, leadership, and resilience in achieving big dreams. ⚾ How embracing daily habits creates momentum for lasting success.

Packed with real-world insights, sports analogies, and leadership wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their career, mindset, or team dynamics.

📘 Get your copy of Small Ball, Big Dreams, and start building your championship mindset today! - (Amazon)

 

Joel's Story: Joel Goldberg broke into the sports broadcasting scene by knocking on the doors of television stations, cold calling broadcast executives, and sending out resume tapes in the 1990s.​ His career was never handed to him. Rather, it was the product of building connections and dedication, mixed with years of hard work. Joel has worked in four markets during a 30-year career, covering two World Series Championship teams and thousands of baseball games—not to mention multiple Super Bowls, NHL playoffs, and NCAA March Madness basketball games.​ Joel has had the pleasure of interviewing countless athletes, Hall of Famers, and celebrities while traveling the world, telling stories from famous stars to under-the-radar role players.

His longtime job covering the Kansas City Royals as a host and reporter is a privilege, enabling him to entertain, inform, and connect fans to athletes. Through his years of storytelling and watching championship organizations succeed (and fail), he realized his access to methods executives use to build culture and championship teams translated to the corporate world.​ That’s why Joel created the Game Changer Speaking Series to help organizations win trust and build a championship culture. Access insights from Joel through his podcast Rounding the Bases or book him for your next event.

I was honored to chat with Mindy Corporon (see her bio below), a leader, author, and advocate for empathy in the workplace. Mindy’s journey is one of profound loss (losing both her father and oldest son when a white supremacist killed them), resilience, and transformation—from her successful career in wealth management to her mission-driven work with SevenDays® and Workplace Healing.

In our conversation, we discuss:

- Her powerful story of loss and how it reshaped her life’s purpose. - The importance of empathetic leadership and how corporate leaders can better support employees through grief and life transitions. - Her innovative Human Recovery Platform™ and how it’s changing workplace culture. - Lessons from navigating career pivots and finding purpose after tragedy. - The role of kindness and connection in overcoming hate.

Mindy’s resilience in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you’re a leader looking to foster a culture of compassion or someone navigating your own life transitions, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and actionable takeaways.

Check out Mindy’s book, Healing a Shattered Soul, and learn more about her work at Workplace Healing and SevenDays®.

Tune in now for an unforgettable conversation about healing, leadership, and the power of kindness.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.

 

Mindy's bio: Mindy Corporon ​(LinkedIn) is the Vice President of Strategy and Engagement with Global Care Force, where she drives sustainability through strategic growth initiatives and partnership development. Focused on aligning performance metrics with mission impact, she enhances organizational effectiveness and engagement across diverse stakeholders. As the Co-Founder of Workplace Healing and innovator of the Human Recovery Platform™ and Grief Forecast, Mindy empowers corporate leaders to transform how they support employees navigating life and loss transitions. By integrating the head-based corporate environment with empathetic, heart-based strategies, she helps build cultures rooted in trust, long-term productivity, and morale. Mindy’s vision for Workplace Healing was born from personal tragedy and a challenging re-entry into corporate life. At the height of her career as CEO of a successful wealth management firm and while raising two talented sons, her father, and oldest son were murdered by a white supremacist intent on killing Jews. This profound loss shifted her life purpose from guiding people financially to pioneering initiatives that help leaders and organizations embrace empathy and compassion.

An inspirational speaker and author of Healing a Shattered Soul (2021), Mindy shares her family’s story of resilience, faith, and unwavering commitment to courageous kindness. In response to the tragedy, she and her family founded SevenDays® Inc., a foundation dedicated to overcoming hate by promoting kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. SevenDays® engages communities, businesses, and schools in its mission to Make a Ripple, Change the World. Mindy remains deeply committed to SevenDays and Workplace Healing, using her passion to help schools foster kindness and businesses lead with empathy through innovative resources, kindness clubs, and leadership tools.

In this episode, I welcome  Rich Cogswell (see his bio below), a people-first sales leader, FinTech expert, and the first international guest on the podcast. Broadcasting all the way from Singapore, Rich brings a global perspective on what truly makes a high-performing sales culture—and spoiler alert, it’s not just about hitting numbers.

We dive into:

• The evolution of sales from the "Boiler Room" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" days to a more people-first leadership approach.
• Why culture—not just quotas—determines sales success.
• The challenges of moving from top-performing rep to sales leader (and why so many fail).
• Lessons from leading global sales teams across EMEA, the U.S., and APAC.
• Insights from his book, The Cultural Sales Leader, and his upcoming book on networking your way to success (including the poor treatment of job seekers today by many companies).

Rich also shares stories from his career in FinTech, his family's deep-rooted history in Singapore, and the leadership philosophy that has helped him build winning sales organizations worldwide. Whether you’re a sales pro, an aspiring leader, or just someone who loves a good "ABC - Always Be Closing" reference, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and practical takeaways.

 

Tune in for a fun and thought-provoking conversation on sales, leadership, and why the best teams are built on more than just deals and data.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   Rich's bio: Richard Cogswell is a people-first sales leader. He is an organizational team builder who believes that people, vision, values, and behaviors build winning sales cultures. Richard has held multiple senior sales leadership positions within a number of industries, working across EMEA, the United States, and APAC, within startups and listed multinational companies.   Whether newly hired or promoted, or for those with experience already gained on the journey, Richard aims to show a methodology focused on how you might best lay down the foundations for exponential and sustained growth through the sales leadership function, and critically through the catalyst of culture.   Living and working in Singapore, Richard's second book, MASTERING NETWORKING: Forging your own career opportunities to create the future you deserve; will be out in 2025. You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcogswell/, or find out more from Richard at www.richardcogswell.com.

Welcome to the first-ever The Corporate Couch Special Edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere—a monthly happy hour-style conversation where Marc Shaffer and I talk about random stuff that actually matters. Think of it as eavesdropping on our usual drinks-and-deep-thoughts sessions, now with a microphone involved :-)

In this episode, we tackle:

• The frustrating state of job searching and hiring today—why candidates are getting ghosted, the impact of AI-driven hiring, and how companies can do better.
• Marc’s insights as a hiring manager—what he looks for, why personality tests can be misleading, and how he’s approaching an unconventional executive assistant hire.
• Networking vs. the black hole of online applications—why 70-80% of jobs are found through relationships, not job boards.
• Marc’s first book, One for All—why he wrote it, what “systematizing kindness” actually means, and how it can help leaders and sales professionals build real relationships that pay off in unexpected ways.
• Giving back and getting behind the bar—Marc’s experience bartending at the Newhouse Worthy Pop-Up Bar, which raised over $280,000 to support survivors of domestic violence.
• Jeff’s struggle with being ghosted… by friends—how do you handle people who say they want to work with you but then disappear? Marc offers a foolproof process for letting people go gracefully.

Whether you’re job searching, hiring, growing a business, or just looking for some entertaining banter with real takeaways, this episode is for you. Grab a drink (or coffee—no judgment), kick back, and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts insightful and irreverent. 

Tune in now, and don’t forget—it's always 5 o’clock somewhere :-)

  This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.   If you would like to sign up to be notified of updates on Marc's “All for One” book, including the release date, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below: ​Marc's Book "All For One": Keep Me Updated!   "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

When Dan Hurst (www.DanHurst.com) was born in Texas, his parents moved. To Honduras. They thought he wouldn't find them. He grew up speaking Spanish. Well, “grew up” might be stretching it a bit. When he was 14 years old he got his first job in radio.  The radio station changed its locks on him. His parents sent him to reform school.  He got kicked out. He finally graduated from High School although the principal "forgot" to call his name at graduation. He spent 13 of the best years of his life in college. 4 different ones. And he actually graduated! He got married and had 3 children.  They moved out.  But they keep coming back to eat. He had a dog, but it ran away. He’s been a voice talent for over 25 years. Mostly because he’s not any good at anything else. He spends most of his days in a small, dark voiceover booth talking to himself.

But other than that, it's been a pretty normal life.

Oh, and by the way, he just won the 2022 Golden Trailer Award (the Oscars of voiceovers) for his work for HBO/Max’s TV series – Winning Time: The Rise of the Laker Dynasty (see the trailer here: Winning Time)

 

Please enjoy my conversation with the very funny Dan Hurst!

In this episode of The Corporate Couch, I chat with Joel Zeff (see his bio below), a nationally renowned speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist who has captivated audiences for over 25 years. Known for his hilarious improvisational comedy and insightful messages on leadership, collaboration, and change, Joel brings his unique energy to the podcast.

We explore Joel’s fascinating career journey—from his days as a newspaper journalist to becoming a sought-after keynote speaker. Joel shares how improv has shaped his perspectives on teamwork, communication, and embracing the unexpected. He also talks about the power of celebrating small victories (or "Ta-da!" moments) to fuel passion and creativity in the workplace, letting the Universe point the way, and the one question you should ask as a leader. Joel is also the creator of one of the most iconic traditions at the University of Kansas' historic Allen Fieldhouse during men's basketball games.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, Joel’s stories, humor, and actionable insights will leave you inspired and energized. Plus, don’t miss his behind-the-scenes tales from over 2,500 events and the origin of his iconic "Ta-da!" philosophy! Warning: Be prepared to laugh your ass off during this conversation.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

  Joel's bio: ​Joel Zeff creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years. As a national speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist, Joel captivates audiences with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. He has shared his experience and insight on collaboration, leadership, change, communication, innovation, fun, and passion at more than 2,500 events. His book, “Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work”, is consistently listed as one of the top work/life balance books on Amazon​ (Joel’s latest edition of "Make the Right Choice" launched November 13, 202​4). He has appeared on CNBC and featured in the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, The Kansas City Star, and many other media outlets. For more information, visit his website at www.joelzeff.com.    

In this special edition of The Corporate Couch, I welcome back the insightful and inspiring Mary Messner, who first joined us on October 2, 2023, to discuss her remarkable career. Today, we dive deep into a topic close to our hearts: workplace creativity.

Mary, founder of Highline Creative Group, shares her expanded definition of creativity—beyond the arts and crafts—to include innovative thinking, bold problem-solving, and fostering emotional connections within teams. Drawing on her 14-year tenure at Cerner Corporation (now Oracle) and her current work in keynote speaking and workshops, Mary illustrates how creativity fuels growth, drives employee satisfaction, and helps companies tackle their biggest challenges.

We also explore how creativity can transform workplace culture, enhance engagement, and even improve employee retention. Plus, Mary teases exciting details about her new workshop designed to help businesses embed creativity into their DNA.

Don’t miss this engaging conversation packed with actionable insights, personal anecdotes, and even a bit of humor (including a fun challenge involving Mary’s 2024 Halloween costume)!

📌 To learn more, you can connect with Mary using the following link: https://marymessner.com/thecorporatecouch/.

 

Mary's bio:

Mary Messner has spent her career exploring the power of imagination, resilience, and collaboration in the workplace. Her career as a health care executive at Research Medical Center and subsequently Cerner Corporation fostered a deep appreciation for breaking down limitations and encouraging innovative solutions.

Mary's leadership roles solidified her willingness to take strategic risks and explore new frontiers in business, setting the stage for a pivotal career journey.

Mary took a part-time pause from the corporate world to embrace motherhood, a move that deepened her understanding of how emotions influence decision-making. Returning to Cerner full-time as a Facilitator, Mary reconnected with her love for the stage, recognizing the incredible impact of authentic, engaging communication in inspiring teams and driving change.

Today, Mary is a sought-after keynote speaker and creativity advocate who brings a dynamic blend of experience from consulting, and executive leadership. Through her signature DREAM, FEEL, CREATE framework, she inspires organizations to return to the "playground" of possibilities, empowering teams to embrace innovation, foster collaboration, and cultivate environments where everyone’s ideas are celebrated.

When she isn't focusing on her business, Mary puts energy into the non-profit Madam President Camp and spending time with her husband as they raise their two young daughters.

 

 

This week's guest is the fantastic Dr. Risa Stein the founder/CEO of SeeInMe and author of "Best Damn Life Workbook" (see her bio below). Risa and I discussed her desire at age 7 to become a psychologist, going from a college psychology professor to a CEO. the changes she has seen in students in the last 26+ years teaching undergraduate psychology at Rockhurst University, how a near-death experience changed her life, going back to school in her 50s for her masters in organizational leadership, being in a motorcycle "gang" in high school, and her thoughts on how to lead Generation Z team members in the workplace. Please enjoy my conversation with Risa!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.       

 

Risa's Bio: Risa Stein possesses a unique set of credentials and skills including a PhD in clinical child and health psychology and an MA in Organizational Leadership. She has an extensive behavioral medicine research and publication record as well as 25+ years dedicated to teaching undergraduate students. Over the past decade, Risa has consulted with universities, nonprofits, large corporations, and think tanks on design thinking and innovation. After a near-death experience that prompted a midlife crisis, Risa wrote a well-received personal development self-guided therapy workbook called the Best Damn Life Workbook. Risa’s most recent entrepreneurial endeavor, SeeInMe, grew from her professional and personal experiences. While it may be a lofty goal, Risa intends for SeeInMe to become the standard-bearer for collaborative care fueled by data-driven insights and a relentless focus on the uniqueness of every individual.

Risa is also a wife and a mom to two humans and two dogs.

 

Risa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-stein123

SeeInMe website: https://seeinme.com

Best Damn Life Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Damn-Life-Workbook-Personally/dp/0985677937

Join me for this mini-masterclass in start-ups, leadership, the importance of lifelong learning, and long-term strategy with the serial entrepreneur Tucker Graves (bio below). We talk about "long game" thinking, creating a business idea at 22 years old with friends (it involved a hot tub and some alcohol :-), interviewing for his first job with the CEO of a major restaurant chain, business lessons from his dad, creating a business at a bar with a cocktail napkin, and his start-up advice including why dollars are votes, the importance of having an attorney, and how to budget/forecast your revenue/expenses.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.        ​Tucker Graves' Bio: Tucker Graves ( linkedin.com/in/tucker-graves-322a792b ), born into a lineage of entrepreneurs in Missouri with a strong foothold in the food service industry, has established five companies, each a testament to his innate entrepreneurial spirit. His latest venture is fueled by a core mission: to democratize education, particularly for the "deskless workforce," also known as frontline staff. With a diverse background encompassing marketing, management, technology, strategy, legal supply chain, retail, manufacturing, and now education, Tucker's leadership is multifaceted. His drive stems from a profound desire to positively impact as many lives as possible, constantly seeking new avenues to serve others. As CEO and Co-Founder of Pineapple Academy, (Website), he strives to collaborate with organizations, advocating for a culture of person-centered learning. Embracing the philosophy of being a lifelong learner, Tucker remains committed to expanding his horizons and fostering innovation.

Who is the CEO GOAT?   I was shocked this week's guest said "Yes" to be on The Corporate Couch. Richard Dickels as he was named the greatest CEO of the 20th century. He has been the CEO of some of the most iconic companies in our lifetime. Richard had the following criteria I had to honor before he would be interviewed (due to pending lawsuits he is involved in). They were:

• We limit the conversation to 15 minutes 
• He wanted to see the questions before the interview 
• No bio or no headshot would be used.

The conversation was the most unique I have ever had on the podcast and had a major impact on how I view leadership.                          "Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever." ~ Charles Lamb

You will learn and laugh while listening to my conversation with Heidi Lehmann (see her bio below). We talk about how she compares art to creating a startup company ("Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange), selling her first company to AOL for $105 million, why she uses the "3 Es" (Entrepreneurship, Energy, and Enthusiasm) to make career decisions, her goal to make Kansas City an innovation destination via blockchain (she co-founded the KC Futures DAO), co-producing the BET (later acquired by Viacom/CBS) series "Queen Boss" (8-episode series that strives to find the best and brightest African-American female entrepreneurs and have them compete for the business opportunity of a lifetime.), explain blockchain technology to the average person, why female (especially African- American) entrepreneurs have a hard to obtaining funding for their startup (females entrepreneurs only receive 2% of all venture capital funding), and how she likes her martinis :-) We also have a few celebrity references when she was in the entertainment industry in her first job post-college. The list includes Gus Van Sant, Melissa Etheridge, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Bethenny Frankel (she was also a "seat warmer" at the Oscars one year). Please enjoy my conversation with Heidi!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Heidi's bio: Heidi E. Lehmann (LinkedIn) is a seasoned investor, board member, and five-time startup founder leading high-impact global tech deals. As Strategic Director at Ligo Partners, a Miami and New York-based family office, she collaborates with Family Offices worldwide to source investments in cutting-edge startups, venture funds, and real estate, contributing to $455M deployed across 80 companies since 2022. With over 20 years of experience, Heidi has co-founded and scaled venture-backed companies like Kenzen (industrial IoT, $30M raised) and Third Screen Media (mobile ad tech, acquired by AOL for $105M). She advises startup CEOs and holds board and advisory roles with Workplace Healing, Glasswing VC, and Gaingels Syndicate. Heidi co-founded the KC Future’s DAO, driving innovation in Kansas City through blockchain technology, and serves as a Business Advisor to Critical Materials Crossroads, a coalition of investors, innovators, and legislators focused on the energy transition. She also co-produced the media franchise "Queen Boss" (acquired by Viacom/CBS). Featured in Forbes, WSJ, NYT, and more, Heidi is a sought-after speaker and panelist at top conferences like SXSW, Mobile World Congress, and the National NGLCC Conference.

In this episode, I learn and laugh with the powerhouse Erica Rooney (see her bio below)—Chief People Officer, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors. From dreaming of becoming the University of Florida’s head football coach to becoming a trailblazer in HR and leadership, Erica’s journey is anything but conventional.

We tackle a range of topics, including:

• Why sticky floors—the limiting beliefs and behaviors we hold—can be just as career-stifling as the proverbial glass ceiling.
• Why not knowing what's "next" is okay.
• The real impact of return-to-work (RTW) policies and why companies need to rethink their approach to flexibility.
• How organizations can foster inclusive cultures that drive performance and employee satisfaction.
• Practical strategies to overcome self-doubt, advocate for yourself, and unlock new career opportunities.

Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or simply looking for inspiration to break free from barriers—both external and internal—this conversation is packed with insights, humor, and actionable takeaways.

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About ​Erica: ​Erica Rooney ​(Website) is a powerhouse in leadership, gender equality, and workplace culture, with over 15 years of HR experience, including her role as Chief People Officer in the tech industry. She’s the bestselling author of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors and the host of the Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors podcast, where she inspires thousands to break free from limiting beliefs and step into infinite possibilities.​Erica has graced iconic stages like SXSW and CHIEF, and her work has been featured in Forbes, SUCCESS Magazine, and CBS News. Whether she’s partnering with top organizations or challenging the status quo, Erica is on a mission to help people and companies shatter barriers, unlock their potential, and achieve success without limits.

​Michael Smith is a 25+ year veteran of the IT industry.  Michael has led several complex digital and operational transformations for various companies during his career.  Most recently, he led an end-to-end business and digital transformation for a national healthcare association.  His efforts were recognized as recently as 2020, being named one of the 100 most innovative CIOs globally.  Furthermore, his teams have been identified as some of the most innovative in the industry, including being recognized as one of the 100 best companies to work for in IT in 2021 across the United States.  The team he managed, and the organization he led the technology strategy for was the only company in Kansas City to receive that designation.  During Michael’s career, he has worked for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies in the world, as well as a successful consulting career, affording him the opportunity to work across various industries.  As an experienced, award-winning technology strategist with an extensive executive leadership background, Michael is uniquely positioned to meet organizational strategic objectives while enforcing IT execution to achieve more significant growth and sustained profitability.

Michael is currently the CIO for a startup biotechnology company in the greater Kansas City area focused on revolutionizing and disrupting the sample prep Microbiology industry; through a patented technology process that uniquely positions the company for significant growth and expansion opportunities.

You will enjoy my conversation with Michael!

Leslie Anderson's (www.lesliebanderson.com) purpose is to develop legendary executives who demonstrate and inspire others toward exceptional leadership. During nearly 20 years in retail leadership roles for Hallmark Cards, Talbots, Burberry, and Hermes, she took great pride in her executive performance producing tangible, dramatic earnings.  By asking really good questions and listening with authentic curiosity to find what is going on behind others’ words and actions, she helps high-performance executives develop self-awareness that makes them better leaders - and better in all of life’s relationships. 

 

Join me as I sit down with Grant Gooding (see his bio below), founder and CEO of Proof Positioning, to discuss how emotional data is transforming market research and business strategy. With a background in mergers and acquisitions, Grant saw firsthand why so many deals fail—leading him to pioneer a groundbreaking way to measure what truly drives customer decisions.

We cover:

- The surprising reason 70% of business acquisitions fail. - Why traditional market research methods don’t work—and how to fix them. - The neuroscience behind how people really make decisions. - The power of finding your “A+” skill and building a team around strengths instead of weaknesses. - Lessons learned from pivoting a business and navigating industry resistance.

Grant’s journey from aspiring lawyer to M&A expert (it was like getting an MBA every day) to neuroscience-driven entrepreneur is filled with insights, humor, and actionable takeaways for leaders, business owners, and anyone looking to understand decision-making on a deeper level.

Listen in for a fascinating conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on leadership, business strategy, and the future of market research.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

 

Grant's bio: Grant ​Gooding (LinkedIn) got his professional start in the mergers and acquisitions world working first on the legal side then buy-side analysis, valuations, and eventually transition management.  After roughly a decade of analyzing, valuing, and transitioning hundreds of small and mid-market businesses, Grant naturally gravitated towards understanding the 70% failure rates of acquisitions.​ After years of analyzing acquisition failures, he discovered the leading cause of transaction failures was a lack of understanding and measurement as to why customers do business with organizations.​With his MBA emphasis in qualitative marketing, Grant spent the next several years experimenting with methodologies and measurement techniques that could be used to quantify qualitative data.  After working with a nationally renowned brand analyst, Grant discovered a quant method that could be used to assess brand preferences.  With that as a starting point, he and his team utilized some principles of neuroscience and created a new methodology that accurately quantifies emotional resonance.​ After several hundred iterations, the PROOF method stands alone as one of the most compelling and accurate ways to quantify human emotion.  Today, Grant speaks all over the country in the areas of Emotional Data, an emerging field that PROOF is helping pioneer.

Join me with the great Jonathan Jones as we talk about how he pivoted from 12 years working for churches to a successful career in corporate America. You will love the insights from him on building a great company culture!

Jonathan Jones (linkedin.com/in/jonathanjoneskc ) joined DEMDACO (demdaco.com  ) in the fall of 2006 to give leadership to the company’s focus and intentionality about its culture. Since that time Jonathan has helped develop and lead conversations around DEMDACO’s Purpose: pursuing business the way it ought to be, and its Mission: to lift the spirit in measurable and tangible ways. He helps the company tell its stories both inside and outside the company. DEMDACO, located in Leawood, KS, specializes in artist-driven gift and home décor products that lift the spirit and help people connect in meaningful ways. As a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, Jonathan loves helping others discover their Strengths and find ways to leverage them to achieve their goals.

Jonathan and his wife Maria live in the Kansas area. They have four children and five grandchildren. 

 

André Davis is the Corporate and Community Engagement Executive for Built Interior Construction, a prefabricated interior construction company that builds commercial environments.

André is an accomplished thought leader, influencer, social activist, mentor/coach, speaker, and philanthropist and has been a guest on numerous podcasts & webinars to discuss various topics.  Andre has over 20+ years of experience working with CEOs, Executives, and Entrepreneurs while continuing to give back to the community. 

André's community and civic engagement work are below:

*Board Member for PrepKC which creates and implements strategies to improve college and career preparation for Kansas City's urban High School Students. 

*Ambassador Board Member for Big Brothers Big Sisters - Kansas City, where he and other members personally fund and award scholarships to local kids in the BBBS program.

* Board Member/Board President for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City - Kansas City Tomorrow Alumni Association (KCTAA) which serves to support Members who are interested in enhancing their non-profit and civic leadership skills & talents.

* Formerly, a Board Member for UMKC - Marketing Advisory Council (MAC )where he helps to prepare Undergraduates that are entering the field of Marketing.

* Founding Board Member for The Beacon which is a newly launched Non-Profit online news media outlet, focused on public interest journalism.   * Board Member for C3KC Conference (Corporate, Civic, Community), the Junior League's annual collaborative conference which serves to spark change for a better Kansas City.                        

*Formerly Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters – Kansas City which was created to identify diverse Mentors of Color.

* Awarded the Jane Bryan Distinguished Alumni Award by the Grandview Education Foundation. This award honors Individuals whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their life's work and/or service to their communities.  The Honoree's spirit and leadership are worthy of recognition and have inspired praise and gratitude amongst his/her peers.

* Recently awarded Ingram's Magazine 2022 Local Heroes Award which recognizes extraordinary philanthropic work in our region and was featured in their 26th annual Philanthropy Special Edition.

*Chosen for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City  Tomorrow leadership program which serves to develop leaders for civic, community, and non-profit engagement

*An alumnus of The Independent Magazine, Rising Star Award which serves to highlight up and coming Leaders. 

*Co-Founded and personally funds The NexTus scholarship at his Alma Mater College geared towards African-American students.

Additional information:

André's roots started on the East Coast but He was raised in Kansas City.  André is married to an Entrepreneur and they live in Johnson County with their two kids. 

You can connect with André on the following social platforms: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreldavis/ Twitter:  @AndreLDavis

Please enjoy the conversation with Andre!

Welcome to the first special edition of the Corporate Couch Podcast! These episodes will be more of a loveseat and will range from 15 to 30 minutes in duration. In each special edition episode, I will ask one or more exceptional executives how they deal with the challenges that face corporate America today. This first special edition episode is about a topic near and dear to my heart, corporate culture, and you will hear from 10 exceptional executives on what they focus on to build outstanding cultures. You will hear from the following impressive group of leaders:   - Harry Campbell (linkedin.com/in/harryscampbell ) - Mike Allison (linkedin.com/in/mike-allison-connect ) - Jonathan Jones (linkedin.com/in/jonathanjoneskc ) - Pamela Norton (linkedin.com/in/pamelaannnorton ) - Sherri Gilligan (linkedin.com/in/sherri-w-gilligan-95845097 ) - Steve McClain (linkedin.com/in/steve-mcclain-981b648 ) - Brad Douglas (linkedin.com/in/braddouglas1 ) - Jy Maze (linkedin.com/in/jy-maze-0a23a8156 ) - Franny Goolsby (linkedin.com/in/frannygoolsbysalesleader ) - Mark Mears (linkedin.com/in/markamears ).   Please enjoy this inaugural special edition episode!

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Fr. Justin Mathews, a Kansas City native whose journey from musician/audio engineer to Orthodox priest and social entrepreneur exemplifies the intersection of faith, innovation, and community transformation. Fr. Justin shares his remarkable story of leading Reconciliation Services (RS) at Kansas City's historic racial and economic divide, growing it from a modest $650,000 organization to a $4.5-million force for change with 30 employees. We explore the launch of Thelma's Kitchen, Kansas City's first "donate-what-you-can" café, and discuss how his unique approach to social leadership has earned him recognition as a NextGen Leader and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's ACE Award. As a Civil Society Fellow and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Fr. Justin offers profound insights into building bridges across Kansas City's racial and economic dividing lines, his intersection of faith, entrepreneurship, and running a not-for-profit, innovative approaches to community development and reconciliation, leadership strategies that drive both social impact and organizational growth, and the future of social ventures in urban transformation. Whether you're a social entrepreneur, company/community leader, or someone passionate about creating meaningful change, Fr. Justin's contagious enthusiasm and 25 years of experience offer invaluable lessons in transformative leadership.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Justin's bio: With a contagious enthusiasm for social innovation,​ Fr. Justin Mathews is a Kansas City native with 25 years of experience in developing and executing successful strategies for mission-driven for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He is a serial social entrepreneur, retreat leader, keynote speaker, e-course author, mastermind facilitator for social entrepreneurs, and leadership coach. For 10 years Fr. Justin has been the Executive Director & CEO of Reconciliation Services [RS] (www.RS3101.org) a quickly growing social venture located at 31st and Troost, the historic racial and economic dividing line of Kansas City, MO. The vision of RS is “By living our core values of dignity, community, and advocacy, we cultivate a community seeking reconciliation and reveal the strength of our city.” Since Fr. Justin took over as Executive Director RS has grown from a $650,000 organization with 4 employees to over $ 4.5 million annually with 30 employees and hundreds of volunteers. Fr. Justin is a published author and the creator of The Social Leader Essentials E-Course (www.thesocialleader.org), a transformative leadership development course designed to teach CEOs and senior leaders how to lead with greater social impact to transform their company and community. In 2021 Fr. Justin co-founded the Social Venture Studio (www.socialventurestudio.com) with the KCEDC and Downtown Council’s “Launch KC” initiative. Additionally, In 2018 Fr. Justin led the RS team in the launch of Thelma's Kitchen (www.ThelmasKitchen.org), a 5-star Yelp-rated, social venture “donate-what-you-can” box lunch catering company in Kansas City. In 2022 Fr. Justin was named a NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal, in 2020 he was awarded the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s “ACE Award” for his work in Diversity and Inclusion and then was awarded the “2020 Excellence in Impact” Award from Nonprofit Connect. Father Justin is a Fellow of the fourth class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a Partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Fr. Justin was appointed by Mayor Quinton Lucas to the Heart of the City (Troost) TIF Commission and currently serves as the Vice Chair. He graduated from the Centurions Leadership Program of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce (2018) where he was the Co-Chair of the “Diversity & Inclusion Committee” and served on the Steering Committee. Fr. Justin attended Belmont University where he graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Business and an emphasis in audio engineering and then in 2007, Father Justin earned his Master's in Divinity from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary and was ordained to the Priesthood in 2006.

This episode is a beautiful example of how a person's life/career journey evolves. Sandra Wiley (see her bio below) grew up in a small rural town in Kansas and got married at 19 with aspirations of being a housewife and a mother. She is now a company president and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting (10 years running and she does not have an accounting degree :-). Sandra and I discuss:

- Her belief that everyone has a gift and that everything in life happens for a reason

- Taking a career gamble and going from a vice president to an executive assistant (and that decision changed her life)

- How she started life over at 30 

- Why work/life balance is a bunch of crap

- Why focusing on relationship building will make your career amazing

- How to build your confidence "muscle"

- Her anxiety when she had to fire someone (and getting a stapler thrown at her).

You will love Sandra's energy, life journey, and leadership advice. She is truly an inspiring person. Please enjoy!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Sandra's bio: Sandra Wiley​ (LinkedIn), President of Boomer Consulting, Inc., is a leader in the accounting

profession with a passion for helping firms grow, adapt and thrive. For ten years running, Accounting Today has recognized her as a Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting due to her expertise in leadership, management, collaboration, culture building, talent and training. Sandra’s years of experience and influence as a management and strategic planning consultant make her a sought-after resource among the best and brightest firms in the country. She is regularly invited to speak at national conferences where she empowers audiences with new ideas and a sense of humor. She is a popular author, having been published in many online and print publications, and penned two books, The Journey Ahead: A New Roadmap to Collaboration in Your Firm and The Engaged Employee: 10 Initiatives for Successful Firms.

Ebrima's ("Abraham") life/career journey is unlike anyone on the podcast. We talk about his focus on mental health including his own (as well as the role of responsible AI), getting his "break" from Gary Vaynerchuck on Twitter (now "X"), not having the maturity to lead a company, creating the "Oscars" for mental health professionals, and the power of thinking big.

Please enjoy my conversation with Abraham!

 

Ebrima “Abraham” Sisay is the founder and Chief Empathy Officer at Freedom Project (https://partner.freedomprojectkc.com/)  - A multicultural Impact Creative Agency with the goal of making positive change by guiding a billion people to mental health breakthroughs – All with A unique twist! Previously, Abraham worked as a fractional marketing & distribution executive for software startups and distributed content for local and national brands like Yoobi, Marvel Studios, Humana, University Of Kansas Health System, Shake Shack, etc. Abraham loves to write about mental health breakthroughs, Responsible AI in Mental Health & Health Care, making content experiences, engagement campaigns, & Storytelling.

Join me and this week's guest Sue Tetzlaff the co-founder of Capstone Leadership Solutions (www.CapstoneLeadership.net) for her great story of how she helps small healthcare organizations improve their patient and employee experience. We discuss her intellectual "boyfriends" (mentors she has never met who just happen to be all male), her reading of 50-60 books a year, and how the best cultures send their employees home every day with the energy to be fully present with their loved ones. We even get a Brady Bunch discussion that relates to our personal lives :-)   You will love Sue's energy and caring spirit...please enjoy!     Sue Tetzlaff, RN, RHIA, MHA, FACHE, has over thirty years of healthcare strategic planning, leadership development, and execution experience. The transformation of organizational culture, successfully navigating change, developing new programs and expansion of services, strategic planning, training and coaching leaders, employees, and teams are among the favorite aspects of her work. Since co-founding Capstone Leadership Solutions in 2012, Sue has served as a strategist, trainer, and coach to dozens of healthcare organizations undergoing wide-scale improvement initiatives. Before co-founding Capstone, she served as a healthcare executive for more than 20 years as a Vice President of Quality and Safety, Chief Nursing Officer, Interim CEO, and Chief Operating Officer. Sue has degrees in nursing and health information administration from Ferris State University, a master's degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota. Sue is a Board Certified Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.  

Alana Muller (Coffee Lunch Coffee) is an entrepreneurial executive leader whose primary focus is to connect, inspire and empower community.  She is the former President of Kauffman FastTrac (a division of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation), a global provider of training to aspiring and established entrepreneurs, providing them the tools, resources and networks to start and grow successful businesses. Additionally, Alana spent a number of years as an executive with Sprint Corporation serving in a variety of general management roles, including marketing, talent management, corporate strategy and wireless data product marketing.   Today, Alana is founder and CEO of Coffee Lunch Coffee where she is a networking speaker, strategist, workshop facilitator, coach and an internationally bestselling author of Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking, the anthology Growth – Deconstructing GRIT Collection, and a blog, CoffeeLunchCoffee.com. Her accessible, relevant, immediately actionable approach to professional networking for those interested in connecting with others, getting involved in their communities, seeking to advance their careers or looking to build social relationships, has helped thousands of people formulate a strategic mindset around Networking.  Coffee Lunch Coffee is a WBENC-Certified WBE.   Alana is also Community Director for American Public Square at Jewell, an organization that brings together non-like-minded people to engage in civil conversation about controversial topics, for which she launched KC Common Good, now a standalone 501(c)3, designed to give all members of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area access to hope and opportunity while reducing violence.   Alana enjoys connecting with people around the world and sharing stories on topics such as Networking, Executive Presence, and Discovering Purpose.  She is the host of Enterprise.ing podcast, a columnist for American City Business Journals’ BizWomen.com and other publications, has been a contributor to Forbes.com, The Huffington Post and CNBC, and, twice, was a featured speaker at TEDxOverlandPark. Alana has a master’s degree in business administration with concentrations in General Management and Strategy from the University of Chicago, where she was the recipient of the Mike and Karen Herman Fellowship for Women in Entrepreneurship, and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Smith College. She is actively engaged in the community and serves on a number of corporate and volunteer boards including Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Enterprise Bank (NASDAQ: EFSC), ISCTE International Business School (Lisbon, Portugal), Morningstar Communications, Swartz + Associates, SevenDays, Jewish Community Foundation, and Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee. Alana is the immediate past president of the Kansas Chapter of International Women’s Forum.  She is an alumna of Coro Kansas City and the Civic Council’s Kansas City Tomorrow program.  She was recognized as the 2019 JCRB|AJC Emerging Leader, the 2017 Instructor of the Year by the Turner Construction Management Program, a 2013 NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal and a 2012 Influential Woman by KC Business magazine.  Alana is a Strengthscope-certified coach.   Enjoy part II of my conversation with Alana!

Join my conversation with Jane Deterding as we talk about her experience working for the legendary Bob Dole, becoming a lawyer, and her pivot to running her 101-year-old family bank!

Jane Deterding is a fourth-generation banker at Citizen Bank of Kansas (CBK), Jane’s ties to banking started at an early age. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board, with other roles including General Counsel and Chief Strategic Marketing Officer. She is a graduate of Wichita State University, where she earned a BBA in finance and economics, and the University of Kansas School of Law.

Jane joined CBK full-time in 2001 after a decade in private law practice. Jane serves as a Commissioner on the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission and is involved with the Wichita Animal Action League, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, and Wichita Area Delta Gamma Alumnae, among other interests. Jane and her husband, Brent Lehner, have two adult children and live in western Sedgwick County with their four rescue dogs.

Cody Isabel is a brain researcher, entrepreneur, and the CEO & Co-Founder of Mind Brain and Body Lab (https://www.mindbrainbodylab.com/) which focuses on bringing successful treatment outcomes to those healing from CPTSD & anxiety caused by traumas like emotional abuse, and burnout, or after a breakup/divorce.

They use AI algorithms to analyze the biometric & behavioral data to aid in the treatments we provide our clients. Their mission is to provide better ways to objectively measure, diagnose, and treat individual mental health conditions.

Please enjoy my conversation with Cody!

​Megan Galloway is on a mission to make our workplace a more authentic and human place for current and future generations to thrive. She works with Campfire (https://www.getcampfire.com/) to help managers be the best versions of themselves through innovative, community-based learning. She's spent over a decade building learning and development programs from the ground up for companies that have never had them before, including one recognized as a top global learning program. She lives in Kansas City with her family, loves Ted Lasso, and aspires to be a Great British Bakeoff baker.     You will enjoy my conversation with Megan!  

Maria Flynn (see her bio below) is just such a fascinating person from her roots growing up on a Kansas wheat farm to her journey as a CEO/founder to helping entrepreneurs in the early stages of their journey to succeed. Maria and I discuss the lessons she learned from her parents (e.g., if you can see it, you can be it), being an intrapreneur, why mindset is so important, why in times of stress you need to rally yourself first and then your team, why sh*t is always going to happen and what to do about it, and how she helps entrepreneurs be successful. Please enjoy my conversation with Maria!   Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.        Maria's Bio: Maria Flynn (LinkedIn) is the Founder and CEO of Ambiologix (Website), a consulting and training company that helps entrepreneurs advance their innovation, grow their potential, and build their businesses. Maria has worked with founders from over 40 companies, helping them Make Opportunity Happen, which is the title of her book​ (Amazon), keynote, and workshops. As CEO of Orbis Biosciences, Maria built a technology company that improved pharmaceutical manufacturing, won awards for its novel innovation, and was acquired by Adare Pharmaceuticals. As Managing Director of Techstars Kansas City, Maria invested in and coached companies across health tech, biotech, fintech, deep tech, and consumer tech.

A fun and insightful conversation with one of the nation's leading experts on the convergence of technology and marketing, Chuck Moxley. Chuck and I chat about using AI in marketing, data privacy concerns (including his thoughts on TikTok), why companies are getting it wrong on handling the multi-generational workforce, getting mentored at Waffle House, and his first job after college (probably the best one out of any of my guests).

You will learn and laugh so please enjoy!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.

 

Chuck Moxley (LinkedIn) is a marketing practitioner with more than 25 years of experience on both the brand and agency sides of marketing. Chuck has developed innovative marketing programs for dozens of brands including Chick-fil-A, Lee Jeans, Subway, ATT, Pepsi, Citgo, NFL, and Sears. He is one of the nation's leading experts on the convergence of technology and marketing and speaks frequently at corporations, industry trade organizations, and universities on digital marketing, digital identity, and the ethical use of data and its impact on business and society.

He is the co-author of the book on how brands are using one-to-one marketing for greater effectiveness, An Audience of One (Amazon ), published by McGraw Hill and used in marketing and MBA programs at multiple universities. Also, Chuck is co-host of The Frictionless Experience podcast.

 

 

You will enjoy one of the most unique career journeys of any guest who has appeared on the podcast when you listen to my conversation with Kyle Doherty (linkedin.com/in/kydoherty). We talk about how making clothes was part of his upbringing as his grandmother worked for one of the first female entrepreneurs in the United States making dresses for the incredible Nell Reed (Wikipedia) and how he started sewing at age 4. The story of why he founded his clothing company Charles & Richards is truly inspiring. You will also find out if he was voted best dressed in his high school senior class :-)

 

For the last 30 years, Kyle Doherty has had his hand in the tailoring world.  He spent time in his teens as a foreign exchange student in Northern Italy.  Falling in love with “la dolce vita” he made it back for a study abroad program in college. Being exposed to Italian manufacturing he was hooked. Post college he worked for several clothiers honing his skills. After years designing clothes for other brands he was drawn back to Italy to create a line stitched by hand providing the perfect marriage of form and function for the guy on the go without compromising the highest standards in quality.  

In 2016 he launched Charles & Richard's (Company Website) lifestyle.  He continues to grow the brand catering to the ever-changing office environment giving gentleman the best quality from jeans to tuxedos.  

Aaron Fulk (www.aaronfulk.com) is the CEO and founder of Lillian James Creative (https://lillianjamescreative.com/). You are going to enjoy this conversation with Aaron in this wide-open chat about her unconventional upbringing and career journey.  Here is the bio Aaron gave me to use for the episode:

In 2016, as a single mom without a college degree, Aaron (spelled like a boy) founded Lillian James Creative in her garage. She leaned on her marketing and sales experience, tapped into her personal and professional networks, and utilized her intuition and ambition to overcome obstacles, conquer challenges, and achieve company goals.

You will so enjoy listening to Aaron's unfiltered and unapologetic view of her life!

Steve McClain’s career includes more than 30 years of diverse experience in marketing and strategy development for large corporations, as well as entrepreneurial startups. His career has been focused on consumer marketing and business development for top brands like Sprint, Ford, ADP, and USAA.  Steve joined Unbound (https://www.unbound.org/) an international nonprofit organization, based in the Kansas City area, as the Chief Marketing Officer, where he leads a team of marketers, business development, creative services, and media relations professionals who are focused on creating sustainable growth for Unbound.     Prior to joining Unbound, Steve was the Senior Vice President at American Century Investments where he was responsible for overseeing the retail division which served over 600,000 individual investors and had $36B in assets under management. Steve is a graduate of Rockhurst University and earned an MBA from Webster University. He lives in the Kansas City area with his wife, Mary Beth. They have raised five children together and are enjoying a life stage that includes grandchildren.   You will enjoy my conversation with Steve!​

An inspiring conversation with Angela Kreps who decided after surviving a rollover car accident with her three young daughters that she needed to focus on making a difference while being open to new things. She then leaves her successful role as a sales manager for a Fortune 50 company to become a CEO. We talk about what she learned growing up being a pig farmer and having her first job in 3rd grade, why everyone is capable of more, believing in yourself, and why titles don't matter.

 

Please enjoy my conversation with Angela!

 

Angela Kreps (linkedin.com/in/akreps ), co-founder of SolutionBrokers.US and former CEO of BioKansas. Her career titles include CEO, Vice President, and Executive Coach with a consistent record of improving team performance while growing revenue and market share across multiple industries. Angela's career began selling B2B services to C-Suite clients, turning in record-breaking, award-winning results. She has experience in large multinational firms, small privately held companies, and non-profits.

 

 

A fun and insightful conversation with the lifelong entrepreneur Glenn Fisher (see his bio below). Glenn and I chat about how he started a business for a business owner after a conversation at a bar, his rule of 3 in times of stress, having lunch with Zig Ziglar and Lee Iacocca as a customer (as well as David Spade sleeping on his couch), graduating #1 in his Marine Basic training boot camp, and his entrepreneur lessons from launching over a dozen companies. You will enjoy my conversation with Glenn!   Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.        ​Glenn's Bio: Glenn Fisher (LinkedIn) is the CEO of the healthcare analytics and solutions company NavMD (NavMD.com). Creating businesses that deliver solutions for over 35 years, Glenn has built a reputation as a problem-solver and forward-thinker, pioneering solutions in industries including waste management, alternative lending, technology, business process management, third-party logistics, healthcare, and employee benefits. He is passionate about making a difference in the world and is committed to driving impactful change through technology and innovation. He built one of the largest servicing platforms in the fintech space processing a transaction every three-tenths of a second with annual revenues of more than $2 billion.  ​after investing in the emerging alternative lending market, he seized an opportunity to disrupt the technology-driven benefit analytics space.    Challenged by the frustration of buying employee benefits, he acquired NavMD. His mission is to partner with the most innovative people in America to fix employee benefits one plan at a time.

In this compelling episode," Jeff sits down with Bill Brandmeyer (see his bio below), a visionary leader who has transformed organizational development, marketing, and social impact over four decades. Bill shares insights from his remarkable journey, from working with Fortune 500 companies to founding ShareWaves, a nonprofit revolutionizing youth sports access.

Listeners will discover how Bill's passion for breaking down barriers in sports has created tangible opportunities for underprivileged children, and how his professional experiences have shaped his mission-driven approach to community development. You will learn from his struggles with alcohol from being in AA at 21 to now being 29 years sober, being part of a legendary Kansas City family that created multigenerational wealth (as well as the complexity and dysfunction that comes with working with all your family members), building a business that sold for $715 million (2024 dollars), and the reasons for his multiple business failures after the sale of the family business. From personal struggles to philanthropic innovation, Bill's story is a powerful testament to using professional expertise for social good.

Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about failing, sobriety, leadership, purpose, and the transformative power of sports in building stronger, more inclusive communities.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Bill's bio: With over four decades of multifaceted experience in organizational development, marketing, digital content, commercialization strategy, healthcare, hospitality, and event production, ​Bill Brandmeyer (LinkedIn) drives purpose-driven initiatives that resonate with diverse audiences. Throughout my career, I have partnered with various organizations, from ambitious startups to Fortune 500 companies, collaborating with them to achieve their aspirational goals. A relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation has characterized my professional journey. Starting in organizational development, I recognized the importance of understanding the dynamics influencing success. This foundation allowed me to transition into marketing, where I honed my skills in creating compelling value propositions. Embracing the digital revolution, I led strategies that engage and inspire audiences across platforms. I actively contribute to the Kansas City community's social impact and philanthropic endeavors, focusing primarily on youth sports and education. Believing in the transformative power of sports, I am committed to dismantling barriers that impede underprivileged households from accessing sporting opportunities. The research underscores the profound impact of sports on holistic child development, which propels my dedication to pioneering innovative, collaborative solutions for inclusive sports participation. ​Bill founded ShareWaves, a public charity registered as a 501(c)(3) that harnesses the transformative power of sports to build better humans. Our mission is to ensure that every child has equitable access to physical activity and high-quality sports engagement. For over half a decade, we have worked to identify and remove barriers preventing children from participating in sports, particularly those from under-resourced households.Our impactful implementation of core strategies has led to quantifiable changes in young lives. For example, we provide targeted microgrants to alleviate financial burdens, invest in high-quality sports programs in marginalized communities, and equip caregivers with essential social and emotional skills. Through our work, we have discovered a systemic youth sports crisis characterized by a "pay-for-play" and "win-at-all-costs" mentality that drives young people away from the transformative benefits of positive sports experiences. Our #Ready2Play Camps and Clinics aim to provide children access to top-tier coaching and training opportunities, fostering a love for sports while offering essential skills and mentorship. A principle that guides my life comes from the biblical text, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). This wisdom emphasizes the moral obligation to use one’s gifts to glorify God and benefit others. This ethos aligns closely with Uncle Ben’s words to Peter Parker in Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.”. Bill is also the co-host of the podcast "Movement is the Medicine," where they discuss the profound impacts of exercise, physical activity, and sports participation.

eresa Carey has more than 25 years of experience as a professional leadership coach and facilitator. Before launching PerformancePointe, Inc (www.performancepointe.com/), she held positions for the world’s second-largest document technology company in sales, professional development, and sales leadership. She was also instrumental in helping take two other companies from start-ups to rapid growth before exiting. As a coach and strategist, Teresa has led individual and organizational change in diverse sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, financial, legal, and technology. Throughout her career, Teresa has assisted over 50,000 professionals in improved performance. ​ ​

Teresa is active in the community as a volunteer including being a mentor in the KC Fellows Program and a member of the Stateline Service League. Teresa is a mom, wife, triathlete, and author of the book, The Attractive Trap™. She enjoys adventure, travel, and cooking.

 

Please enjoy both parts I & II of my conversation with Teresa!

 

This conversation with Sonya Jury (see her bio below) tugged at my heartstrings as one of our topics was her journey during her mom's Alzheimer's illness (my dad had early onset Alzheimer's when I was about 10 years old). Sonya wrote a book to help others through their parents' journey (or other loved ones) called - "Mom Forget My Birthday: A Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's".  We chat about many things including her career pivot from architect to business consultant/author, how getting fired led to her current career, her advice for picking a college major, the importance of having a coach (especially for young leaders, why entrepreneurs should embrace "job carving", and why you should work for three different sized companies. Sonya gives some great book recommendations also: "Who Not How", "The Psychological Safety Playbook, Selling Boldly, and the one that has had the most impact on her - Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours. I know you will enjoy my conversation with Sonya.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

 

Sonya's bio: With an uncanny ability to see the big picture formulate, Sonya Jury, AIA is ​(https://www.businesssherpa.org/ ) parlaying her years of business design acumen into following her passion – helping others achieve success. 

Using simple, proven tools aligned with a proven process, she works with Leadership Teams to design a vision, execute that vision, and live a better life. Her passion is to coach, teach, and facilitate leadership teams to be free from the frustrations of running their business with a focus. 

Enjoy my conversation with the magnificent Maki Moussavi as we get into some deep topics about work and fulfillment. Her book is fantastic!

 

Maki Moussavi (www.makimoussavi.com) is a mindset and executive coach, as well as the author of The High Achiever’s Guide (Amazon). She helps high achievers catalyze empowering change through deep examination of their conditioning to identify limiting patterns that keep them from reaching their full potential. Maki helps high achievers create positive disruption in their lives by de-complicating the process of making change. Like her clients, she identifies as a type A high achiever and spent 13 years in corporate America. Combined with her training in genetic counseling, her background provides the unique skills and experience to guide clients through the emotionally complex process of self-examination, deconditioning from standard paradigms of success, and uncovering a personally aligned approach that is holistically fulfilling.  

If you grew up wanting to be a professional athlete, but never achieved your dream my conversation with John Hall will inspire you (see bio below). We discuss how a devasting knee injury shaped his career journey, his first professional job which was in the fashion industry (including revealing if he dated any models), being the youngest boxing promoter in the world, working for the NFL, Sacramento Kings, and NY Rangers (including his insights on working with Wayne Gretzky), and his decision to walk away from a glamourous sports executive position to focus on being a better dad. John is a walking billboard for achieving your dreams using intellect, energy, and a positive attitude. You will enjoy my conversation with him!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

 

​John's bio: John Hall ​(LinkedIn) is a former VP/GM with Madison Square Garden (MSG) and a former senior executive with the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL). Hall has helped companies ranging from Fortune 500 organizations to small local businesses in creating strategies that enhance personal and professional enrichment. John is the recipient of six Colorado Press Awards and has sat on numerous boards and committees throughout his career.​ John serves as the Vice President of Marketing for ZoomGrants, a leading online application software company and listed in the Top 200 Companies in Colorado. He is also the Founder and CEO of GetRecruited24/7 (GR24/7). GR24/7 is a next-generation high school student-athlete recruiting service helping athletes secure college scholarships.​Currently, he is the Chief Sales Officer at Crux Accelerate (Website).

In this illuminating episode, Jeff sits down with marketing legend and bestselling author Seth Godin to discuss his new book "This is Strategy" and explore the evolving landscape of college, work, and decision-making.

Episode Highlights:

• Seth reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, from his college days to founding successful ventures
• The genesis of "This is Strategy" and why strategy is crucial in today's rapidly changing work environment
• His thoughts on college (it's not pretty)
• Insights into the four pillars of strategy: time, games, empathy, and systems
• How job seekers can approach their career strategically in an AI-driven world
• The future of work and creating value beyond traditional job structures
• Seth's evolution as a writer and thinker over the past 25 years

Godin challenges listeners to have meaningful conversations about strategy and offers a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of modern work life. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode provides valuable insights to help shape your strategic thinking.

Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion with one of the most influential voices in marketing and business strategy!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.  ​Seth's bio: Seth Godin (www.sethgodin.com) is an author, entrepreneur and most of all, A teacher Seth is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn). His book, This is Marketing, was an instant bestseller in countries around the world.    His new book is THIS IS STRATEGY.​ His previous books include The Song of Significance and  The Practice, and creatives everywhere have made it a bestseller. Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!). He's credited as the inventor of email marketing (the good kind). Seth has given five TED talks, including two that rank as the most popular of all time.​ By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has been able to motivate and inspire countless people around the world.​    In 2013, Seth was one of just three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame. In an astonishing turn of events, in May 2018, he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame as well. He might be the only person in both.  

Caroline Markel Hammond (www.carolinemarkelhammond.com) is the CEO and Founder of Safe In Harm’s Way, a Kansas City-based nonprofit and an online secure resource for people navigating the sadness, worries, lies, screaming, fear, and pain of domestic violence. Premiering last summer in Times Square, and spreading across the country, Caroline and her team launched two unique campaigns for diversified communities related to domestic violence, achieving one billion impressions and opportunities for immediate and actionable help. As CEO and Founder of Epizon Strategy Solutions, Caroline and her team create tailor-made solutions for employers within diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria related to profit, safety, retention, reward, and recruitment.  

As a survivor of domestic violence, plus revival from a death experience, Caroline uses storytelling to evoke change and has been featured on Oprah, Forbes, PBS, NPR, Ms. Magazine, M+M Magazine, national and regional television, and podcasts as an initiator to disrupt complacency within the domestic violence arena and overcoming adversity. 

With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate well-being, Haley Prophet (linkedin.com/in/haleyprophet ) brings a multi-dimensional approach and authentic presence to her strategies for fostering an atmosphere where individuals, organizations, and community relationships can thrive. She creatively evaluates and implements well-rounded, multi-dimensional whole-person well-being opportunities through intentional planning and alignment with company and program goals and values. Haley emphasizes the notion that energy management has to begin with how individuals care for and prioritize their well-being which leads to happier, healthier, and more productive workplaces and communities. She is also in her college Hall of Fame and has been voted as a 100 Top Wellness Professional in 2014 and 50 Top Wellness Professionals in 2016.

 

Please enjoy my conversation with Haley a true pioneer in corporate well-being!

From Mucking Stables to Shaping Leaders: Linda Endecott’s Path of Purpose​ - In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Linda Endecott​ (see her bio below), Managing Director of the Executive MBA program at Rockhurst University’s Helzberg School of Management. With an extraordinary career spanning education, nonprofit/corporate leadership, and executive development, Linda shares the lessons, laughter, and life experiences that have shaped her journey.  

We explore Linda’s unique path—from mucking stables at age three to marrying into a family that built a multi-generational legacy of wealth through their business endeavors. Linda reflects on how this experience deepened her understanding of leadership, respect, and the importance of fostering relationships across all levels of an organization.

With her trademark warmth and wit, Linda discusses:

• The values instilled by her father, a steel company president, and her journey from Valley Forge, PA into Kansas City’s iconic business community.
• Her passion is mentoring emerging leaders and helping them uncover their potential.
• Insights on navigating family legacy, multi-generational wealth, and creating meaningful impact.

Linda also offers invaluable advice for recent graduates entering the workforce and seasoned professionals stepping into leadership roles, reminding us that success is about purpose, relationships, and lifelong learning.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of Kansas City’s most cherished leaders, and leave with practical insights on how to lead with purpose, build meaningful relationships, and embrace every new day as an opportunity to grow.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Linda's bio: Linda Endecott​ (LinkedIn), Managing Director of the Executive MBA program at Helzberg School of Management, Rockhurst University is an alliance builder that works with leaders and organizations to plan and implement bold value-creating change. She has worked in senior executive and development roles for nonprofits, universities, for-profit companies and has served as a board member and volunteer for numerous philanthropic and civic organizations and initiatives.​ With her love of the Midwest, Linda engages with the greater Kansas City region and its vibrant business community to create collaborative partnerships that support talent development and executive education. She is guided by her passion for helping emerging leaders broaden their experiences, skills, and perspectives in service to themselves, their organizations, and their communities. 

My conversation with senior vice president of sales at Salelytics Franny Goolsby will motivate you in so many ways. We discuss her first job as a crane operator, how she decided to do a half Ironman (70.1 miles: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run) in four months without knowing how to swim, why she loves prospecting, her belief in hard work, why events are neither good nor bad, and balancing being a mom of four daughters. Franny has also done "75 Hard" twice (https://andyfrisella.com/pages/75hard-info).

 

Franny Goolsby began her career at Salelytics in 2008 on the Executive Sales team. Her expertise spans from Fortune 500 Companies to new startups. As she works intimately with prospects and clients to implement strategic business plans beyond traditional feet-on-the-street sales models - she identifies their go-to-market sales challenges and develops solutions to drive incremental revenue. Franny Goolsby has a degree in Psychology from Creighton University, where she was Captain of the Women's Soccer Team and earned All-Conference Honors in each of four seasons. She continues to stay active and busy with her husband, Aaron, and their children Justice, Gwendolyn, Beatrice, and Estelle.

In this special edition episode of 'The Corporate Couch,' host Jeff P​elaccio interviews Joni Wickham​ the author of "The Thin Line Between Cupcake and B*tch: Taking Action, Driving Change, and Getting​ Results". ​She also co-founded the public affairs firm Wickham James Strategies and Solutions. They discuss leadership in corporate America, the influence of the November 5th, 2024 election on leadership and political parties, and how skills from government and politics transition to the private sector. Joni shares her career journey, insights into effective communication and agenda setting, and reflections on major projects like Kansas City's new airport and streetcar. The episode highlights the importance of meeting audiences where they are and the distinction between leadership and politics.   00:00 Introduction to The Corporate Couch 01:19 Meet Joni Wickham: From Politics to Private Sector 05:03 Insights on the November 5th Election 07:59 Leadership and Politics: A Delicate Balance 08:58 Wickham James Strategies and Solutions 10:42 Kansas City Projects and Achievements 14:05 Final Thoughts and Resources 15:23 Closing Remarks ​

 To learn more, ​about the topics above, please visit the Wickham James website.

 

​J​oni's bio:​ Joni Wickham (LinkedIn) hails from Raleigh, North Carolina, and arrived in Kansas City almost 15 years ago, bringing her distinctive southern accent and extensive experience from diverse governmental and advocacy roles. Joni served as Chief of Staff to former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, contributing to major development projects and elevating Kansas City's reputation nationally and internationally. ​Joni’s honors​ include the 2019 University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs Mel Carnahan Public Service Award; and recognition as one of the 50 most influential people in Kansas City. Joni was also honored as a Woman Who Means Business by the Kansas City Business Journal in 2023. In addition to public speaking engagements, Joni leads workshops on a variety of leadership and communications topics and assists clients with their public policy, strategic communications, crisis communications, government relations, and political consulting needs. Additionally, she is celebrated as the author of the best-selling book,​ "The Thin Line Between Cupcake and B*tch: Taking Action, Driving Change, and Getting​ Results".

A fun conversation with Rick Kahle! Join Rick and me as we discuss his impressive career journey from the insurance industry to the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem back to insurance. Some of the great topics include: how he became a better leader by observing great leaders in action and learning how to ask great questions; how being an entrepreneur is not for the fragile or faint at heart; the importance of not confusing activity with results; investing in others; and the gift of listening.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.

 

Rick's bio: Driven by impactful outcomes and passionate about serving people, Rick Kahle (LinkedIn) serves as a trusted advisor adept at helping clients solve their most complex business challenges. Following a 27-year career in employee benefits consulting and brokerage, Rick switched gears and followed his passion for investing in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Kansas City. In 2019, he co-founded Crux-Xcelerate, which combines sales and marketing acumen to develop sales performers and leaders, drive value and accountability, and fuel sustainable revenue growth for organizations. As Senior Vice President of Alliant, Rick is leaning into his entrepreneurial experiences to help build and lead the firm’s Kansas City office. Rick is passionate about supporting the greater Kansas City community and has served in numerous leadership positions, both charitably and civically. Most notably, he continues to serve as chair of Phoenix Family, which provides support services to 6,000 residents of affordable housing communities.

Welcome to a Special Edition of The Corporate Couch! Today my co-host is Shawn Kinkade (linkedin.com/in/shawnkinkade) and we do a "deep dive" review of Adam Grant's great book "Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success". Shawn and I have a fun conversation as we discuss how this book can help everyone from college students to CEOs.

• Introduction to "Give and Take": We delve into Adam Grant's exploration of reciprocity styles and their impact on success, based on his extensive research and personal experiences.

• The Three Reciprocity Styles: Grant categorizes individuals into givers, takers, and matchers, each with distinct approaches to social interactions and success.

• Success Patterns: Surprisingly, both the least and most successful individuals in various fields tend to be givers. We explore the correlation between reciprocity styles and success metrics such as productivity, sales revenue, and leadership effectiveness.

• Navigating the Challenges of Giving: While giving offers numerous benefits, including increased happiness and productivity, givers face risks such as burnout and exploitation by takers. We discuss strategies to mitigate these challenges.

• Key Takeaways and Practical Applications: We summarize actionable insights from Grant's research, including leveraging powerless communication, integrating self-interest with "other-interest", and implementing the five-minute rule of giving.

To receive a free 7-page "Give and Take" book summary, you can email me at jeffpelaccio@gmail.com. Enjoy the episode!

In this compelling episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Rita Smith, a leading expert in the field of domestic violence. Rita shares her remarkable 16-year journey to work with the National Football League (NFL) knowing the involvement of men to make a difference was crucial to her strategy. From her early advocacy efforts to her current 10-year affiliation with the NFL, Rita recounts the challenges and triumphs she's experienced along the way. She reveals the strategies she's employed to amplify her message and effect meaningful change, including collaborations with Presidents and Congress to enact policy reforms. We delve into Rita's impactful media appearances, including The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and many others, where she has tirelessly advocated for survivors and raised awareness about the complexities of domestic violence. 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.

 

Rita ​Smith (LinkedIn ) began working as a crisis line advocate in a shelter for battered women and their children in Colorado in 1981. She is a Senior Adviser for the National Football League on their efforts to end violence against women. Also, she serves as Vice President of External Relations for​ domesticshelters.org and Executive Director of Victim Services for eBodyGuard. Rita was the Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence for nearly 22 years. Hundreds of newspaper reporters have interviewed her and appeared on many local and national radio and television news shows, including the Washington Post, USA Today, People Magazine, NPR, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.​ Rita has co-authored several articles and chapters for books including a manual for attorneys working with domestic violence victims in Colorado, and an article on child custody and domestic violence published in the fall of 1997 in The Judges Journal (an American Bar Association publication). She believes advocacy and social change are intricately connected and cannot be done separately.

This is one of the most fun interviews on The Corporate Couch with my friend Ray Ruecker. His journey starts at the end of the Vietnam War on the steps of an orphanage. We talk about everything from the almost tragic (the plane he was supposed to be on from Vietnam to the US to live with the parents who adopted him crashed), to his daily, habit started 23 years ago of journalling every day (approximately 8400 days), to college/pro football. Ray is also the author of "How to Score from First Base! (In Sales)" (Ray's Book), one of the best tactical sales prospecting books ever.

Please enjoy my conversation with Ray!

 

Ray Ruecker is the Managing Director of Connect 5000 (Connect 5000), a Kansas City-based lead generation, prospecting training, and sales consulting company. Since March 2010, Connect 5000 has helped countless software, technology,

and consulting companies boost sales revenue with effective lead-generation

campaigns, sales prospecting strategies, and inside sales management. In

addition to providing support to existing company leadership, Ray has also

served as a firm's interim sales leader until they found a permanent solution.

 

Ray holds two Bachelor's degrees from Washburn University in Business

Administration with an emphasis on marketing and management. Born in

Saigon, Vietnam, and raised in the rural Midwest, Ray now lives in Kansas

City Metro with his wife, Kate, their two children, Olivia and William, and

their mischievous Goldendoodle, Millie.

A fun conversation with Elizabeth Souder (we worked "together" in the early days of Sprint PCS - now T-Mobile). We talk about her love of basketball and her college basketball records, God/Universe moments, why she stopped practicing law and started her own company, being clear on the work you want to do, and her realization that radical adherence to core values guides and informs every action and decision of a healthy corporate culture. Please enjoy!

 

Elizabeth McJimsey Souder is a “recovering” attorney and organizational health consultant and coach (www.whatsnextbiz.com) who helps companies and leaders realign the disconnect between who they say they are and how they behave. She has worked with some of Kansas City’s leading organizations as they launched, prepared for growth, prepared for expansion, addressed COVID and post-COVID related interruptions, reimagined who they were, restructured how they functioned, and rebuilt the culture in which they worked. Elizabeth also enjoys working with new managers and their teams to build trust, align and operationalize values, empower one another, and win together. Elizabeth brings 20+ years as a corporate lawyer with two of Kansas City’s largest employers where she witnessed and experienced the relationship between an organization’s health and alignment and its success. As a collegiate and lifelong athlete, the relationship between health and performance has always been obvious. The trick was translating what she knew to be true as an athlete and an attorney into a context that impacts organizations. The result led to the realization that radical adherence to core values guides and informs every action and decision of a healthy and successful organization.

David Komar is our third podcast guest who survived 9/11. Born to immigrant parents who lived the American Dream, David wanted to give back to his country by serving in the military for 31 years. We talk about being at the Pentagon on 9/11, his first leadership/culture lesson at 16 years old working for a regional department store, how 90% of CEOs do not have a clear vision of what culture they want their company to have, and how the best companies help their employees be better human beings after their workday is done.

Please enjoy my conversation with David!

 

David Komar (linkedin.com/in/davekomar ) grew up in central New York State and graduated with a BA in Business and Economics from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He served over 31 years on active duty in a variety of positions and retired at the end of 2018 as a Brigadier General. Komar’s career enabled him to travel and live all over the US as well as across the world. He is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. He led the Army’s capability development enterprise that planned and prioritized the Army’s annual $25 billion modernization program. As the Director of Army Business Operations, he led the Army’s business initiatives program, process improvement program, and organizational performance management programs. These programs provided billions of dollars in savings annually across the Army.

Komar was a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow and a graduate of the Executive Development Program at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina. He also earned Master’s Degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Military Operational Arts and Science from the Air University and in Management from Webster University. .  General Komar is currently the president of EDA Inc. (Company Website ) which is a top-of-the-house executive development service and technology company. He has recently written "Conquer Your Culture" (available late February 2024). It is a “how to” book for CEOs and other senior leaders on how to build an exceptional and enduring company culture. 

 

Harry Campbell (www.harryscampbell.com) has been a President for two Fortune 500 companies, co-owner of an award-winning small business, CEO of an Internet start-up, and founding member of the industry-changing Wal-Mart/P&G team. He has driven exceptional people and business results in organizations of 5 to 3,500 employees in a broad range of industries from consumer-packaged goods to telecom to sports marketing to digital media to healthcare. Harry is known as an identifier, developer, and motivator of exceptional talent at all levels of the organization.

He has a passion for speaking on leadership to companies and organizations. His books, Get-Real Leadership, Get-Real Culture, and Get-Real Mindset, are available on Amazon. Harry donates 100% of his speaking fees and book royalties to brain cancer research in honor of his wife, Kris.

Please enjoy!

In this wild and wisdom-packed episode, Jeff sits down with Frankie Russo (see his bio below) - serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and the man behind the “Love Your Weird” movement - to explore how authenticity, imagination, and generosity fuel extraordinary growth.

Frankie shares the deeply personal story of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction in his 20s and how that journey shaped the visionary leader he is today. From building a tech company that grew 60X in just three years (and was later acquired by a Fortune 500 firm) to his viral TEDx Talk on AI and the Future of Work (over 1.1 million views), Frankie’s insights are raw, real, and radically useful.

We talk about what it means to create a workplace where everyone’s genius comes out, why most organizations stifle innovation, and how a little weirdness might be the missing link to your next breakthrough. Oh—and yes, you’ll finally find out what the hell a “Donkey Barbeque” is.

If you’re tired of the same old corporate playbook, this conversation will shake things up in the best way possible.

Watch Frankie’s TEDx Talk: AI and the Future of Work

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About Frankie: ​Frankie Russo​ (Website) is a visionary in authenticity, imagination, and growth. An entrepreneur with a proven track record for using innovative methods to unlock rapid growth. Russo has led multiple companies to remarkable growth, landing on the Inc. 500/5000 list 8 years in a row, including 60X growth in three years of his tech company 360ia, leading to an acquisition by a Fortune 500 company.​ Organizations that Russo has collaborated with who have embraced his “Love Your Weird” movement were able to adapt, innovate, and grow through massive uncertainty and change. In his latest work, Russo shares the critical unlocks for driving unprecedented and continuous growth by leading with authenticity, imagination, and generosity.​ He is the author of two best-selling books and a sought-after speaker known for transforming organizational cultures and inspiring individual and corporate growth. His keynote experiences are tailored, experiential, and full of actionable insights for fostering a culture of authenticity, imagination, and collaboration to unlock breakthrough results and extraordinary transformation and growth. Frankie’s highest calling is his family, and he happily lives with his wife and six children in Louisiana.

In our first conversation with someone born in the Netherlands, you will learn and laugh listening to Michel Koopman  (see his bio below). We chat about his great career and discuss why senior leaders (especially C-Suite executives)  should approach their careers like athletes, how being process-driven accelerates start-up business growth, how being transparent while being mindful is a great communication approach, why top performers are hesitant to pursue their development, his first paid internship in Hong Kong (it involves waking up the next morning in a taxi after a business dinner :-), how a major surgery at 34-years old changed his career path, why he worked for free, the difficulty he had landing a job post-college (and his major decision to go to the United States for college), and common misconceptions of people of Dutch descent.  Please enjoy my conversation with Michel!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Michels's bio: Michel​ Koopman (LinkedIn) is CxO Coaching’s Chief Executive Coach and Founder. He is a senior operator and entrepreneur with a mix of small business and corporate successes in a global capacity. At this stage, he is most passionate about maximizing the business success and potential of others. He and his team dedicate their time as growth advisors and executive coaches to high-performing business executives.​ His current and past roles include Founder and CEO at 2Swell, Co-Founding Partner at Bond Growth, CCO at Banyan Medical, CEO at getAbstract, Inc, Executive Chairman & President at ARMS Medical, Managing Director at Citrix Systems, plus a number of other prior roles, board and advisory positions. He is a servant leader focused on growing companies by delivering new go-to-market strategies and elevating teams to perform at their full potential.​ Michel is a passionate business writer, a Forbes Business Council Member, and has published over 80 articles in premier media outlets including Forbes, The Washington Post, Strategy Magazine, Fast Company, The Miami Herald, and more. He is married and a proud father of two, with a love for nature, snowboarding, motorcycles, and fine watches. While he grew up in the Netherlands, he currently lives in Florida and North Carolina and is an avid traveler.

In Part III of our special series with Rick Mathes (see his bio below), co-founder of Align Pain Solutions, we shift the conversation to athletes and high performers who may not be in chronic pain, but want to stay that way. Rick discusses the often-overlooked role posture plays in maximizing performance and preventing injuries, even for those in peak physical condition. He shares insights from his work with an NBA player and explains how his postural therapy approach can help athletes maintain symmetry, improve movement efficiency, and extend their careers. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned pro, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to keep their edge.

 

Special Offers for our Listeners:

• A free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions
• $25 off a single visit
• $100 off an 8- or 16-visit package.

Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions​ (you can also visit their YouTube Channel for examples of their therapy -YouTube).

 

About Rick:

Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s.​ Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels.​ When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain.​ This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.  

In this Special Edition episode, Leslie Anderson (see her bio below) returns to The Corporate Couch to explore the transformative power of coaching in leadership. Drawing from her extensive experience as an executive coach and insights from Coaching Skills for Leaders, Leslie breaks down what it takes to cultivate a coaching culture within organizations.

We discuss why modern leadership demands more than just authority—it requires empathy, active listening, and the ability to empower teams. Leslie shares practical strategies for integrating coaching into everyday leadership, the difference between managing and coaching, and how leaders can foster environments where employees thrive.

If you’re looking to refine your leadership style, enhance team performance, or navigate workplace complexities with confidence, this conversation is for you. Tune in for an insightful discussion on leadership that inspires real change.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.

 

About Leslie: Leslie Anderson is a C-Suite coach with 2500+ hours of coaching experience. She believes in the transformative power of coaching to impact not only the leaders she works with but everyone they interact with, too. Leslie works with senior leadership and their teams to quickly get to the heart of the issues and guide leaders towards decisions that create cultures where both the organization and its people thrive.

To learn more about Leslie and Coaching Skills for Leaders, visit the Essential Wisdom website - Here.

Doug Morse knows small hospitals and clinics are the healthcare and economic engines driving rural life. 30+ years of leadership as critical access hospital CEO, healthcare system executive, and entrepreneurship instructor. His first CEO position was in a small rural hospital system in Iowa. In his role as an educator teaching budding entrepreneurs, he was named "Teacher of the Year" twice. Doug is an accomplished author, speaker, and consultant who thrives on adding value to everyone he meets. Today he helps rural hospital C-Suites and Boards achieve exceptional scorecards and strong community support.

You will enjoy my conversation with Doug, a true servant leader!

 

André Davis is the Corporate and Community Engagement Executive for Built Interior Construction, a prefabricated interior construction company that builds commercial environments.

André is an accomplished thought leader, influencer, social activist, mentor/coach, speaker, and philanthropist and has been a guest on numerous podcasts & webinars to discuss various topics.  Andre has over 20+ years of experience working with CEOs, Executives, and Entrepreneurs while continuing to give back to the community. 

André's community and civic engagement work are below:

*Board Member for PrepKC which creates and implements strategies to improve college and career preparation for Kansas City's urban High School Students. 

*Ambassador Board Member for Big Brothers Big Sisters - Kansas City, where he and other members personally fund and award scholarships to local kids in the BBBS program.

* Board Member/Board President for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City - Kansas City Tomorrow Alumni Association (KCTAA) which serves to support Members who are interested in enhancing their non-profit and civic leadership skills & talents.

* Formerly, a Board Member for UMKC - Marketing Advisory Council (MAC )where he helps to prepare Undergraduates that are entering the field of Marketing.

* Founding Board Member for The Beacon which is a newly launched Non-Profit online news media outlet, focused on public interest journalism.   * Board Member for C3KC Conference (Corporate, Civic, Community), the Junior League's annual collaborative conference which serves to spark change for a better Kansas City.                        

*Formerly Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters – Kansas City which was created to identify diverse Mentors of Color.

* Awarded the Jane Bryan Distinguished Alumni Award by the Grandview Education Foundation. This award honors Individuals whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their life's work and/or service to their communities.  The Honoree's spirit and leadership are worthy of recognition and have inspired praise and gratitude amongst his/her peers.

* Recently awarded Ingram's Magazine 2022 Local Heroes Award which recognizes extraordinary philanthropic work in our region and was featured in their 26th annual Philanthropy Special Edition.

*Chosen for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City  Tomorrow leadership program which serves to develop leaders for civic, community, and non-profit engagement

*An alumnus of The Independent Magazine, Rising Star Award which highlights up-and-coming Leaders. 

*Co-Founded and personally funds The NexTus scholarship at his Alma Mater College geared towards African-American students.

Additional information:

André's roots started on the East Coast but He was raised in Kansas City.  André is married to an Entrepreneur and they live in Johnson County with their two kids. 

You can connect with André on the following social platforms: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreldavis/ Twitter:  @AndreLDavis

Please enjoy the conversation with Andre!

Alana Muller (Coffee Lunch Coffee) is an entrepreneurial executive leader whose primary focus is to connect, inspire and empower community.  She is the former President of Kauffman FastTrac (a division of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation), a global provider of training to aspiring and established entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools, resources, and networks to start and grow successful businesses. Additionally, Alana spent a number of years as an executive with Sprint Corporation serving in a variety of general management roles, including marketing, talent management, corporate strategy and wireless data product marketing.   Today, Alana is founder and CEO of Coffee Lunch Coffee where she is a networking speaker, strategist, workshop facilitator, coach and an internationally bestselling author of Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking, the anthology Growth – Deconstructing GRIT Collection, and a blog, CoffeeLunchCoffee.com. Her accessible, relevant, immediately actionable approach to professional networking for those interested in connecting with others, getting involved in their communities, seeking to advance their careers or looking to build social relationships, has helped thousands of people formulate a strategic mindset around Networking.  Coffee Lunch Coffee is a WBENC-Certified WBE.   Alana is also Community Director for American Public Square at Jewell, an organization that brings together non-like-minded people to engage in civil conversation about controversial topics, for which she launched KC Common Good, now a standalone 501(c)3, designed to give all members of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area access to hope and opportunity while reducing violence.   Alana enjoys connecting with people around the world and sharing stories on topics such as Networking, Executive Presence, and Discovering Purpose.  She is the host of Enterprise.ing podcast, a columnist for American City Business Journals’ BizWomen.com and other publications, has been a contributor to Forbes.com, The Huffington Post and CNBC, and, twice, was a featured speaker at TEDxOverlandPark. Alana has a master’s degree in business administration with concentrations in General Management and Strategy from the University of Chicago, where she was the recipient of the Mike and Karen Herman Fellowship for Women in Entrepreneurship, and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Smith College. She is actively engaged in the community and serves on a number of corporate and volunteer boards including Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Enterprise Bank (NASDAQ: EFSC), ISCTE International Business School (Lisbon, Portugal), Morningstar Communications, Swartz + Associates, SevenDays, Jewish Community Foundation, and Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee. Alana is the immediate past president of the Kansas Chapter of International Women’s Forum.  She is an alumna of Coro Kansas City and the Civic Council’s Kansas City Tomorrow program.  She was recognized as the 2019 JCRB|AJC Emerging Leader, the 2017 Instructor of the Year by the Turner Construction Management Program, a 2013 NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal and a 2012 Influential Woman by KC Business magazine.  Alana is a Strengthscope-certified coach.   Please enjoy the conversation with Alana!

In this Special Edition of The Corporate Couch, I sit down with Rick Mathes (see his bio below), co-founder of Align Pain Solutions, to discuss his transformative journey from debilitating back pain to pain-free living through postural therapy. After surviving a life-altering car accident that left him with five spinal fractures, Rick was told he would never play tennis or hike again. Refusing to accept that prognosis, he discovered the Egoscue Method—a revolutionary approach to correcting posture and eliminating pain without drugs, surgery, or manipulation.

We cover: ✅ Rick’s incredible recovery journey and why he rejected spinal fusion surgery. ✅ How postural therapy differs from chiropractic care, physical therapy, and other treatments. ✅ Why pain isn’t always caused by injury—but by how your body is positioned. ✅ The simple, corrective exercises that can help relieve chronic pain and increase mobility. ✅ How Align Pain Solutions helps people reclaim their movement, strength, and quality of life—no matter where they live.

I’m not just the host today—I’m also a client of Align Pain Solutions, and I’ve personally experienced the benefits of postural therapy. If you’ve struggled with chronic pain or want to improve your mobility and flexibility, this episode is a must-listen!

Special Offers for our Listeners: 🆓 Free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions 💲 $25 off a single visit 💲 $100 off an 8- or 16-visit package

📌 Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions

🎧 Tune in now to discover how small postural changes can lead to big pain relief and greater mobility!

 

Rick's Bio:

Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s. Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels. When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain. This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.  

Teresa Carey has more than 25 years of experience as a professional leadership coach and facilitator. Before launching PerformancePointe, Inc (www.performancepointe.com/), she held positions for the world’s second-largest document technology company in sales, professional development, and sales leadership. She was also instrumental in helping take two other companies from start-ups to rapid growth before exiting. As a coach and strategist, Teresa has led individual and organizational change in diverse sectors including healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, financial, legal, and technology. Throughout her career, Teresa has assisted over 50,000 professionals in improved performance. ​ ​

Teresa is active in the community as a volunteer including being a mentor in the KC Fellows Program and a member of the Stateline Service League. Teresa is a mom, wife, triathlete, and author of the book, The Attractive Trap™. She enjoys adventure, travel, and cooking.

 

Please enjoy both parts I & II of my conversation with Teresa!

 

After over 100 episodes, Paige Pelaccio Meyer (see her bio below) is my favorite guest so far (I am biased since she is my daughter :-). While she knew she wanted to be a nurse, Paige had a unique career strategy that deviated from the typical nurse's first job. She bought the business she worked at for 5 years when she was 27. Two and half months after taking ownership, Paige was forced to shut down her business for 8 weeks due to COVID regulations. She talks about "embracing the suck" to achieve your long-term goals, her failures of leading people who were once her peers, how being a leader can be lonely, how she wants to help people radiate beauty and happiness (both inside and out), and how knowing what you do not want to do can guide your career.

As a listener of The Corporate Couch, new clients of Refresh Med Spa will receive $50 off (minimum purchase $150). See their website in the bio below and mention The Corporate Couch.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Paige's bio: ​Paige Pelaccio Meyer​ (LinkedIn) is a nurse turned med spa owner who started working at Refresh Medical Spa ​(Website) in 2014 as a nurse injector. After 5 years of simultaneously working other jobs to keep afloat, she decided to purchase the business to grow and expand. After navigating a worldwide pandemic as a new business owner, almost 5 years later, the business has grown more than 5x. In late 2024, Refresh is opening its new location, triple its size, to become the first luxury medical spa in Overland Park, KS. Paige started her college career at the University of Kansas and graduated from the University of St. Mary's with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

In this episode, I chat with the inimitable Michael Mackie (see his bio below), a multi-talented storyteller, Emmy-award-winning host, entertainment journalist, and travel writer. With his signature wit and humor, Michael takes us through his fascinating career, from his early days in Des Moines TV to interviewing A-list celebrities and even hosting his own PBS travel show, "Get Lost!".

We dive into:

• Michael’s hilarious and sometimes disastrous celebrity interviews, including Sarah McLachlan and Jennifer Lopez.
• His pivot from TV journalism to storytelling in advertising and travel writing.
• The art of personal branding, creating genuine connections on LinkedIn, and why authenticity is key.
• A sneak peek into his upcoming gig as a host for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Sevilla excursion.

Michael’s advice for life and career? “Just say yes.” Whether it’s showing up for opportunities or embracing the unexpected, his philosophy will inspire you to stay open to life’s twists and turns.

Don’t miss Michael’s insights on storytelling, building a personal brand, and his unfiltered anecdotes from a career filled with laughs, lessons, and a few surprises!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Michael's bio: Michael Mackie(LinkedIn) is an Aries with a Pisces rising. (IYKYK.)​. Growing up as a proud Midwesterner, he knew he always knew he wanted to be in TV. Or on TV.​ Or watching TV (He's not picky). By complete accident and happenstance, Mackie began interviewing a litany of Emmy-, Academy-, and Grammy-award winners. What started as a hobby, quickly became his own unexpected claim to fame. His motto? “You name the celebrity and I’ve probably interviewed them. Twice.”​ "My parents never could comprehend how I earned my keep stringing words together for the universe to appreciate," he says. "Frankly, that makes three of us. But I feel like telling stories is what I was put on this earth to do. I was born to spend no more than five minutes in a room chatting up a celebrity and then somehow cobble brilliance together. Whether you read it or watch it—welp, that’s up to you

Welcome to a short-form Special Edition of The Corporate Couch! Today, my co-host is Shawn Kinkade (linkedin.com/in/shawnkinkade). We break down James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Spoiler alert: this book is life-changing—but also responsible for Shawn flossing regularly and me questioning my peanut M&M consumption.

We dive into Clear’s genius strategies, like:

• Turning "just go to the gym" into an actual life hack (but maybe not living there).
• Habit stacking: floss after brushing, not after binging peanut M&Ms.
• Becoming the kind of person who does things—like yoga, writing, or saying no to that second dessert.
• Why "Don’t break the chain" is your new mantra, unless it’s linked to your Netflix binge.

It’s not rocket science, but it might just change your life—or at least your morning routine. We also explore how setting up systems over goals can help you crush them at work and at home.

📚 Bonus: Email me at jeffpelaccio@gmail.com for a free 7-page summary of Atomic Habits!

 

🎧 Tune in for laughs, insights, and actionable tips—and maybe walk away ready to ditch those M&Ms (or at least hide them better).

This is the first episode where I felt at times it was one of my therapy sessions and I should have been lying on The Corporate Couch:-) I chat with the fantastic Britt Frank, licensed neuropsychotherapist, trauma expert, and author of The Science of Stuck. As the first interview of 2025—and our first licensed neuropsychotherapist—Britt brings a fresh and no-nonsense perspective on how our brains work, why we stay stuck, and what it actually takes to create meaningful change.

We dive into:

• The myth that our brains are wired for happiness (spoiler: they aren’t—they’re wired for survival).
• Why asking why keeps you stuck, and how what and how questions move you forward.
• The real science behind procrastination (hint: it’s not about laziness).
• Why January is not the best time for resolutions—April is the new January.
• The hidden cost of remote work and how to create better transitions between work and home.
• Why you don’t need more empathy to be a great leader—you need curiosity.

Britt also shares her personal journey, from struggling with addiction and mental health challenges to becoming a therapist, author, and keynote speaker. We even discuss her time in a cult, her love of aerial arts, and whether Jewish mothers or Italian mothers give better guilt.

Britt’s insights challenge conventional thinking on personal growth, leadership, and workplace culture. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for practical ways to get unstuck, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable takeaways.

Tune in for a bold and thought-provoking conversation that might just change the way you approach work, life, and your own mind.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About Britt​ (Website): The Shiny Professional Stuff: Britt received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her master’s degree from the University of Kansas. She is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and trauma expert who is trained in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and SE (Somatic Experiencing). In addition to her private practice, Britt is also a speaker and an award-winning adjunct instructor at the​ University of Kansas, where she’s taught classes on ethics, addiction, and clinical social work.​ She is the author of The Science of Stuck and Align Your Mind (Penguin Random House). The Sordid Personal Stuff: Born and raised in NY, Britt struggled for more than two decades with chemical/behavioral addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, trichotillomania, crazy-making relationships, and complex PTSD.  Eventually, she found her way out of that mess (with a lot of help and a brief stint in a religious cult) and became a therapist.      

You will enjoy my conversation with  Dr. Katie Ervin on so many levels. We talk about great topics like how you can change a toxic culture focusing on two things, how to distinguish great leaders from bad leaders, leading the GenZ workforce, why career journeys are not a straight path, how to have a successful side hustle, tips on pursuing a PhD, and how she started a company without have a business degree. She has written a fantastic business book with a great title  - "You Might Be An Asshole" and is on a mission to revolutionize workplace culture.    Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.     Bio: Dr. Katie Ervin (linkedin.com/in/katieervin ) is the founder and CEO of Catalyst Development (Website). Throughout her career, she has established a reputation as a transformational leader driven by challenge, undeterred by obstacles, and committed to furthering standards of excellence. In her work, she has saved organizations millions of dollars by focusing on building a strong culture and investing in your people. Dr. Ervin believes that her work is all about the people! Her work in developing strong leaders and teams focused on critical career skill building to develop strong cultures and grow organizations. Dr. Ervin’s area of research is workplace motivation based on self-determination theory and the impact of an employee’s perception of their organization’s support. Her first book “You Might Be an Asshole but It Might Not Be Your Fault” was released on April 21, 2023, and was the #1 New Release Best Seller in Human Resources as well as Educational Leadership on Amazon.

Terri Foudray’s career spans 25 years, demonstrating an affinity for leadership, achievement, curiosity, and versatility. She is currently the trusted Strategic Advisor to C-suite executives seeking growth through better human capital alignment. Think Moneyball for business. Ms. Foudray previously was the CEO of a software technology company focused on manufacturing performance improvement through real-time performance insights. Prior to that, Ms. Foudray’s experience has included executive positions at two technology companies and at a nationwide hospitality company, P&L responsibility at a Fortune 500 company, and leadership roles in media relations, product development, sales and marketing, and brand management. She also started and sold her first business venture. Ms. Foudray was a member of CompTIA’s worldwide IoT Advisory Council from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, Ms. Foudray was honored by the Women Tech Founders organization as the award winner in Women-in-Tech Intelligence and Automation.  She holds a Bachelor of Journalism-Advertising from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She was awarded a scholarship and completed the WBENC Energy Executive Program with the University of Texas at Austin in 2019.  

 

Please enjoy both my conversations with Terri!

Tabitha Scott (https://speakerhub.com/speaker/tabitha-scott) is an award-winning author and speaker who helps inspire action, ignite change, and provide connection, direction, and power. With over 20 years of experience leading corporate innovation and sustainability, she was named by Industry Era as one of the Top 10 Most Inspiring Women Leaders of 2022, is a thought leader on the 2023 Forbes Business Council, and her work was honored at the White House as part of its Energy Data Initiative.

Tabitha’s talks focus on the transformational power of human dynamics to create sustainable business growth and success. Also a bestselling author, she currently serves as Partner at Epic Pivot, advising on engagement, innovation, and cutting-edge leadership practices for large organizations. Tabitha recently led IT Strategy for a Fortune 400 Company during its record growth period. Formerly CEO of Cole Scott Group and Military Assistance Company, and SVP of Innovation & Sustainability at global companies Balfour Beatty Investments and Lend Lease Americas, she has deep experience leading purposeful business transformations. 

Tabitha is known for her groundbreaking expertise in leveraging the principles of modern and ancient energy bioscience to accelerate innovation, productivity, and success for organizations. She led efforts to create the world’s largest solar-powered community and initiated three “net zero” communities. Tabitha has published dozens of original works in leading industry publications, like Forbes, Success Magazine, the Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, the Encyclopedia of Energy Engineering and Technology, and CEO Magazine on energy, human dynamics, behavior change, and avoiding burnout.

You can find Tabitha's book "Trust Your Animal Instincts: Recharge Your Life & Ignite Your Power" on Amazon (https://a.co/d/5r0sD9c).

Enjoy!

Komalpreet “Komal” Kaur is the 18-year-old founder of Eye of An Immigrant (https://www.eyeofanimmigrant.org/ ), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to sharing the stories of the immigrant journey and to providing resources and funds for immigrants to gain a legal pathway to citizenship.

Komal is a freshman at the University of Kansas majoring in Political Science and Business Administration with a minor in Intelligence and National Security Studies on the pre-law track in the Honors program. At the University of Kansas, she is a Student Senator serving on the Finance Council and a member of the South Asian Student Association Executive Board.

Before starting college, Kaur was deeply involved in youth activism and involvement in local government. She served as the two-time co-chair of the Olathe Teen Council and interned in the City Manager’s Office at the City of Olathe her senior year.

Kaur’s family immigrated from Punjab, India to the United States in the late 1980s. She was born and raised in Queens, New York, and moved to Olathe, Kansas in 2017.

Please enjoy my conversation with Komal!

 

If you are moved by Komal’s inspirational story and helping immigrants you can donate to Eye of An Immigrant here: https://www.eyeofanimmigrant.org/

Join me in a mini-course in organizational leadership with one of the best CEOs in Kansas City, Reinhard Mabry of the not-for-profit organization Alphapointe. Please consider helping Alphapointe with your time, ideas, or donations - https://www.alphapointe.org/.

 

Bio: Reinhard Mabry has been the President & CEO of Alphapointe since 2007, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Alphapointe is one of the largest employers of people who are blind in the United States, with principal operations in Kansas City and New York City. Alphapointe provides employment opportunities for people who are blind through light manufacturing, injection molding, retail, and call center services for federal, state, and commercial customers. Alphapointe is the only Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Education Center for people who are blind or visually impaired in the state of Missouri, serving over 7,000 people annually in its various programs. Reinhard is a past president of the Board of Directors of The National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind. He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Industries for the Blind. Reinhard currently serves on the Kansas Advisory Committee for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the Board of Directors of the VisionServe Alliance.

Reinhard began his career in the field in 1994 when he joined RESPECT of Florida, Florida’s state use program, where he was soon appointed as the Director by the Governor’s Commission for Purchase from the Blind and other Severely Handicapped. During his tenure at RESPECT, the program’s sales doubled. Under contract, Reinhard also held the position of Director of Georgia Enterprises, Georgia’s state use program, during a transitional period for that program, growing  its sales and employment for people with disabilities. He was a Vice President for the Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, responsible for Marketing, Business Development, and Base Supply Stores for the agency before joining Alphapointe in 2006.

Reinhard received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and his MBA from Florida State University. He is married and has two sons.

Amy Bradshaw recently joined Capitol Bridge, LLC, and is the company’s Chief Financial Officer. In her role. Amy is responsible for scaling the organization’s financial and accounting infrastructure to support the growth of the overall company.

Before joining Capitol Bridge, Amy worked with technology and services companies to evolve the accounting and finance functions. She has experience building strong teams and implementing new systems and processes to enable growth. Amy is a strong leader passionate about developing her team members and finding creative solutions to challenging situations.

Amy graduated summa cum laude from Miami University with bachelor's degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Accounting. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Amy is an active member of her community and currently serves on the non-profit boards of Cornerstones of Care, BraCoutureKC, and the Kansas City chapter of Financial Executives International.

 

Please enjoy my great conversation with Amy!

Resilience, Reinvention, and the Power of Taking Control with Deb Coviello In this episode I chat with Deb Coviello (see her bio below), also known as The Drop In CEO™, to discuss leadership, resilience, and her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, speaker, and author. Deb and I share remarkably similar career paths—both coming from corporate backgrounds, navigating unexpected exits, and ultimately finding fulfillment by forging our own way. We dive into: - The challenges of corporate life and what it feels like to get "kicked out of the nest" - How Deb turned repeated corporate rejections into an opportunity to build The Drop In CEO brand - The importance of emotional intelligence and influence in leadership - Why every professional should invest in personal branding and relationships—before they need them - Insights from The CEO’s Compass and her upcoming book, "The New CEO Playbook". Deb’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and embracing the unknown to create a career and life on her own terms. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode is packed with wisdom on navigating career transitions, leading with authenticity, and finding peace of mind in the process.

Check out Deb’s books and podcasts at dropinceo.com.  Tune in for a candid, inspiring, and insightful conversation that will leave you rethinking your own career path!

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   Deb's bio: Known as The Drop In CEO™, Deb’s superpower is lowering the temperature and elevating conversations with empathy and patience. As a speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, she teaches C-Suite leaders how to establish a “Lift, Light, Lead” environment and create calm amidst chaos or crisis. She is the author of “The CEO’s​ Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track,” and, “The New CEO Playbook: Stop Chasing Results and Start Pursuing Peace of Mind.”​ Her long-running podcast, The Drop-In CEO, is in the top 1.5% globally among Apple podcasts. 

Henning ​​Schwinum is a creative and results-driven global founder and executive with extensive domestic and international experience in Sales, Supply Chain, and General Management, both in a corporate and entrepreneurial setting. He​nning launched Vendux in 2019 as the matchmaker, the agency for fractional and interim sales leadership. And almost four years later, Vendux is the only matchmaker focusing on CRO, CSO, or VP of Sales roles, representing North America's largest community of Sales Leaders.​ For more information, you can visit https://www.vendux.org/.   Please enjoy my conversation with Henning!

Whenever a guest has a story that involves lifting a 400 lb. calf in designer jeans you know it will be a great conversation. Join the discussion with Scott Willingham (see bio below) as we talk about Level 5 leadership (and how Abraham Lincoln was one of the few presidents to reach this level), building cultures where people don't experience the weekly "Dark Sunday Nights", why he uses the Predictive Index assessment, the Platinum Rule (and why it's better than the Golden Rule), and why he believes in giving everyone an opportunity. Also, the story about lifting a 400 lb. calf and riding a horse with no experience was to impress his girlfriend's father (it worked since now he is his father-in-law).   Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.     ​Scott Willingham (linkedin.com/in/scott-willingham )  is currently the CEO and Founder of WakeEffect (Website). Before launching WakeEffect in late 2023, he served as the CRO for bulb Digital Portfolios, an EdTech start-up company based in Lafayette, CO. bulb was recently acquired by a competitor based in the U.K. Before leading the sales function at bulb, Scott was EVP and Partner at MindWire in Scottsdale, AZ – the fastest growing Predictive Index Firm in the world from 2016 to 2020. His clients have included one of the largest Automotive OEMs in the world, the largest Diesel Commercial Truck dealer group in the U.S., and the largest veterans Home Mortgage company in America. 20+ years of Leadership in Sales, B2B Sales, Education Sales, and Organizational Development. Selling something you believe in is a noble calling. There is no greater accomplishment than hiring great talent, playing to their strengths, developing and building high-performing teams, and accomplishing extraordinary results. Winning with and through your people is what leadership is all about. Having earned an M.A. in Organization Leadership at Gonzaga University, Scott has been a disruptor in delivering results with B2B Sales into Fortune 500 companies, re-building sales training for a publicly traded company, and leading education sales efforts in school districts across 14 states.​ Before launching for-profit ventures, Scott served as the Chaplain for the University of Missouri Tiger Football team from 2001 to 2004. Scott and his wife Stephanie live in Las Cruces, NM, and have 2 kids. A son who is a junior at Colorado Christian University in Denver and a 16-year-old daughter.

Do you ignore your intuition? In this episode, I chat with Kody Bateman, founder of Promptings, author, entrepreneur, and thought leader in the modern-day gratitude movement. Kody has built a career helping people recognize and act on their inner promptings to create deeper connections, both personally and professionally.

But his journey wasn’t always clear. In this conversation, Kody shares how ignoring a life-changing prompting—one that involved his older brother just before his passing—shaped his mission and led him to create a global platform that has helped millions foster meaningful relationships.

We discuss:

• The power of acting on your inner promptings and why so many people ignore them.
• How a tragic loss transformed Kody’s perspective and fueled his life’s work.
• The importance of gratitude as more than just a feeling, but a way of being.
• The origins of SendOutCards and how it pioneered digital-to-physical relationship marketing.
• Why handwritten notes and tangible connection still matter in an increasingly digital world.
• Kody’s take on network marketing done right—why most people have a negative perception of MLMs, and how true relationship-based marketing creates genuine value and trust.
• Lessons from his book, Promptings: Your Inner Guide to Making a Difference.

Kody’s insights on intuition, personal development, and authentic connection are both inspiring and practical. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking for more meaningful relationships, this episode will challenge you to pause, listen, and act on the small nudges that can lead to life-changing results.

Tune in for a powerful conversation about purpose, loss, and the impact of following your intuition.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About ​K​ody: Kody Bateman​ (Website) is the founder of Promptings, a globally recognized company that inspires people to act on their promptings and create real human connection.  As he leads the modern—day gratitude movement he is helping people transform their lives by simply being in gratitude, sharing gratitude, and showing others how to do the same.​ With a background in entrepreneurship and personal development, Kody has authored several books, including Promptings: Your Inner Guide to Making a Difference and The Power of Human Connection. His revolutionary relationship-building platform, SendOutCards has delivered over 200 million promptings all around the world. Known for his motivational speaking and leadership, Kody continues to empower individuals and organizations to strengthen relationships and foster meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings. He is on a mission to reconnect people to others, their purpose, and prosperity.

You will enjoy this conversation with Yoav Snir as we discuss his outstanding tech career that began in his homeland of Israel for one of the biggest telecom tech companies (30,000+ employees) and why he left to go to an 18-person startup to satisfy his entrepreneurial passion.   With 24 years of Startups and Fortune 500 international leadership in technology sales, product engineering, global strategy, partnerships, channels, and alliances,  Yoav Snir (linkedin.com/in/yoavsnir) has been crafting dynamic solutions and delivering multimillion-dollar results at every turn. He has built and led teams of up to 400 people with $100M P&L and early-stage startup teams. He is an entrepreneur, works with startups as a mentor (with TechStars and Pipeline Entrepreneurs), started a nonprofit, and even within the big corporation, he ran “start-up-like” initiatives. In his last role as the chief partnership officer for a Fintech startup (Novel Capital), he created a partner ecosystem from the ground up. He rolled out a nationwide channel partners program, generating 19% of new customer deals within a year. Before that, he ran global partnerships for a $4B multinational product and services company (Amdocs) where he oversaw 100 partners, generating $30M. Yoav is a creative partnerships and alliances guru known to drive revenue growth through partnerships by building relationships and using cross-functional leadership. On the personal side - Yoav moved to the US from Israel in 2008 with his family. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces and is also an aspiring musician.  

In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Paul Hatch (see his bio below), a distinguished leader with an extraordinary career spanning the US Navy, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and beyond. From his early days as a Naval officer (and advising two US presidents on Middle East policy) to becoming Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Paul’s journey is marked by innovation, leadership, and resilience. We focus on Paul’s inspiring work with Stage3 Tribe, a groundbreaking initiative to combat ageism in the workplace and empower professionals in the later stages of their careers. Paul shares how Stage3 Tribe fosters a supportive community for seasoned individuals seeking new opportunities and purpose in their professional lives. Join us for an insightful conversation as Paul reflects on his career, how Wall Street has changed over the last 40 years, the impact of moving over 60 times, the challenges of navigating ageism, and how Stage3 Tribe is transforming the narrative for experienced professionals. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just beginning to consider your next chapter, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement for all.

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

Paul's bio: Paul ​Hatch (LinkedIn) began his career as an officer in the US Navy, after graduation from the US Naval Academy.  Following his service, Paul joined EF Hutton as a financial advisor and began a 30-year career at the firm that would become Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Paul continued to rise through the organization, holding and mastering virtually every field management role, becoming Head of all Global Products and eventually Vice Chairman. Following his time at Morgan Stanley, Paul was appointed to the Board of Focus Financial, the leading provider of capital to the Independent Advisory business. Paul moved to UBS in 2014 where he was Group Managing Director, and Head of Investment Products and Services for the Americas, including all products, programs, services, research, and technology that Financial Advisors use with their clients, along with Wealth Management Capital Markets. Paul was also a founder of Convergency Partners prior to the creation of Vestria Capital.​ Paul is also the founder of Stage3 Tribe​ (LinkedIn). It is a community for professionals in the later stages of their careers that offers a supportive and informative space to explore new opportunities. It is a virtual hub for experienced individuals seeking to make a career change and find fulfillment. Members of this community are typically close to retirement or have significant experience in their field. They can connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, ask for advice, and network for potential opportunities.  Overall, this community focuses on supporting and empowering individuals in the latter stages of their career journey and fighting ageism in the workplace.    

Joel Goldberg (https://joelgoldbergmedia.com/meet-joel/ ) is an Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster. Keynote Speaker. Published Author. Joel began dreaming of a career as a sportscaster at a young age, always wanting to deliver news of the previous night’s game to his grade school teachers. He’s spent over a quarter century on television, relying on relationship-building to tell athletes’ stories. Joel’s unique access enables him to share lessons learned from the baseball field to the board room as a motivational speaker and to homes everywhere through his business podcast.

My conversation with John Minnis (see bio below) should be published the day after Father's Day. We talk about the lessons he learns from his dad (he is in 6 Hall of Fames), quitting a successful job to be a better spouse and father, how your career is a series of chapters that you do not realize until the chapter is completed, his job interview with a CEO that happened in a bar wearing shorts, a tank top, and a baseball cap, why he wrote in "Journey to Leadership" book, how reading "Never Eat Alone" changed his career, and his workout routine. We even chat about the movie "Tommy Boy" :-)   Please enjoy my conversation with John!   ​Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.    ​John's Bio: As CEO of Kompass Funding (Website),  John Minnis (LinkedIn) provides leadership and strategic direction to meet the vision of the company. His leadership spans all aspects of the company to include business development, underwriting, client relationships, finance, and marketing. Mr. Minnis comes from a strong business background which includes both Fortune 500 and privately held companies. His diversified experience included business development, sales management general management, finance, and banking. Over his career, he has experience in the industries of manufacturing, retail, service, legal, insurance as well as finance and banking. Growing up in St. Joseph, MO, and currently residing in the Kansas City metro area, ​John has held numerous board and leadership positions throughout the community, including Catholic Charities, Catholic Education Foundation, and Bishop Ward Mentoring program, Reach Out and Read Kansas City, Healthy KC, St. Benedict’s Abbey, Ascension Finance Council, the Knights of Columbus, and coaches multiple youth football and baseball teams. Mr. Minnis was selected as a NextGen Leader by the Kansas City Business Journal, and is a graduate of the Centurion Leadership Program through the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He is also the author of Journey to Leadership, Timeless Lessons for Today’s Leaders published in 2015. Mr. Minnis is also the Co-Founder of J. Patrick and Co. redefining men’s accessories, crafted to last a lifetime. ​John attended Benedictine College and is a graduate of Missouri Western University with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Mr. Minnis lives in Overland Park with his wife Angie and their four children: Jack, Drew, Maggie, and Michael.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Mark Hamberlin (see his bio below), the first Chief People Officer to appear on "The Corporate Couch" podcast. As the executive responsible for human resources strategy and operations at Clark Construction Group, Mark shares his expertise in attracting, retaining, and engaging top talent to drive business success. With decades of experience spanning roles at Danaher, Cisco Systems, Coach Leather, and Hallmark Cards, Mark offers a unique perspective on the evolving role of the Chief People Officer in the modern workforce. We dive into how he aligns talent management, company culture, and business strategy to foster the growth and development of high-performing teams. Listeners will gain valuable insights on:

• The critical intersection of human resources, organizational behavior, and corporate strategy
• How Human Resources evolved from an admin function to gaining a seat at the executive table
• Embracing a strategy of focusing on experience to further your career (especially for Gen Z)
• How he embraced the opportunity to be a controller (twice) which made him a better HR executive
• Strategies for building a strong employer brand and cultivating an engaged workforce
• Best practices in talent acquisition, training, and succession planning
• Advice for aspiring HR leaders looking to make a strategic impact.

Whether you're a seasoned HR professional, a business leader focused on talent management, or simply interested in the evolution of the modern workplace, you will enjoy this conversation with Mark!

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.   

 

Mark's bio: Mark Hamberlin ​(LinkedIn) provides executive direction for Clark Construction Group’s human

resources strategy and operations.​ Mark is responsible for aligning talent, culture, and organization in order to attract, retain, develop, and engage the best talent for Clark. His role also encompasses talent acquisition and management, training and development, organization development, employee engagement, total rewards, and employee policies. Before joining Clark, Mark served as vice president of global talent acquisition for Danaher, a global science and technology company. Mark’s career has also included human resources and finance leadership roles at Cisco Systems, Coach Leather, and Hallmark Cards. With decades of human resources experience, Mark is instrumental in fostering a strong alignment between business strategy, talent management, and company culture. He is also focused on driving the growth and development of the Clark team.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in French, with minors in business and psychology, and a master’s degree in organizational behavior from Brigham Young University. Mark serves on the MBA Advisory Board for the Marriott School of Management and is active with local community service and youth groups.

Join me as I chat with Marci Weisler (see her bio below), a tech strategist and fierce advocate for female founders, about navigating career challenges, overcoming bad bosses, and staying ahead of the curve in emerging technology. Marci shares her incredible journey—from navigating toxic leadership and making bold career moves to helping businesses leverage emerging technologies before they hit the mainstream. We discuss:

- The "bad boss" experience that pushed Marci to take a leap of faith in her career. - Why she’s passionate about empowering women founders and leaders. - The power of embracing cutting-edge technology—before the market is ready. - Lessons learned from working in both scrappy startups and corporate giants like T-Mobile. - Practical career advice for young professionals and aspiring leaders.

Marci’s story is one of resilience, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others up. If you're looking for inspiration on navigating career challenges, breaking barriers, and staying ahead of the curve in tech, this episode is for you!

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder Jeff Pelaccio doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   Marci's bio: Marci Weisler​ (LinkedIn) is a strategic digital leader in mobile, media, and ad tech who drives growth through commercializing new products; leveraging disruptive technology to improve outcomes, and developing partnerships to open new revenue streams and achieve aggressive growth goals. She takes an entrepreneurial approach to creating innovative solutions, incubating new ventures, scaling businesses, and leading teams.​ Thriving in high-growth dynamic environments, Marci has transformed both emerging and incumbent businesses by offering a fresh perspective, understanding how data and emerging technologies (such as AI)  can be applied to it to unlock revenue streams, upend existing models, and grow customer bases at both startups and brands, including T-Mobile, Kellogg’s, Time Out, and Vengo. Marci is a senior advisor at Oaklins DaSilva & Phillips, a global investment bank specializing in media, tech, and marketing, and advises startups on strategy and growth.​ She was named a Woman2Watch in Business Disruption in 2020 and is on the board of WE.DOOH, empowering women in digital out-of-home media.​ Marci passionately supports female founders and women-led businesses as co-founder of SWSI (Smart Women. Smart Ideas) Media, mentorship, and investment.