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Making informed food choices starts with understanding what is in the products we eat. In this episode, host Laura Cohn talks with Steve Hochman about the glycemic index, ingredient substitutions, and his approach to nutrition after his own transformation. The conversation also explores Sugar Shark, an AI-powered ingredient scanning app, food labeling, nutrition education, and Steve’s mission to help people make healthier choices. In this episode, Laura and Steve Hochman discuss: Rethinking common approaches to nutrition and weight managementThe role of ingredient choices in everyday eating habitsTechnology, food labeling, and access to nutrition informationPersonal transformation and the mission to educate others Key Takeaways: Comparing the glycemic index of ingredients can help people identify alternatives to the foods they regularly eat and make more informed choices about what goes into their meals.Ingredient substitutions, such as using almond flour instead of wheat flour and monk fruit instead of sugar, are central to Steve’s approach to making familiar foods with different ingredients.Sugar Shark was developed to scan ingredient labels and identify their glycemic index values, helping users assess products without having to search for each ingredient individually.Steve emphasizes nutrition education as a way to help people make more informed choices, understand food labels, and share with their families. "No one's coming to save you. It's not legislation; it's education." — Steve Hochman   About Steve Hochman: Steve Hochman is a former Division I football player who once weighed 287 pounds and battled high blood pressure and anxiety. After transforming his life, he created The 3—a science-backed, no-gimmick method to shred fat and reclaim health without obsessive dieting. He co-founded the world’s largest fitness boot camp franchise, built OC|FIT in Irvine, CA, and now coaches clients worldwide. A husband and father of three, Steve’s mission is to help one million people live strong, lean, and unstoppable lives. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Steve Hochman:  Book: The 3: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM8P77D4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Steve-Hochman-61550653417654/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevehochman.driven/ Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Project performance can look healthy on paper while problems are already developing on the front lines. In this episode, host Laura Cohn talks with structural engineer and project advisor Peter Frensemeyer about project visibility, financial reporting, decision timing, and profitability. The conversation explores how leaders can identify changes earlier, reduce rework, simplify complex problems, and make better decisions before they lose valuable options. In this episode, Laura and Peter Frensemeyer discuss: Understanding project profitability beyond financial reportsThe challenges of managing complex projects and teamsFrontline insight and its role in better business decisionsSimplifying problems to improve project performance Key Takeaways: Financial reports can accurately show what has happened, but they may not reveal how much work remains or what is changing on a project right now.Frontline teams often see early warning signs such as increasing complexity, rework, and stalled progress before those changes appear in traditional reporting.Asking what has changed that is not in the numbers yet can help leaders identify problems earlier, when they still have more options to act.Sitting down with the people doing the work can reveal where teams are struggling, what remains to be done, and where processes can be simplified to reduce time and costs.  "If you make a decision too late, all the options to do something about turning the project around are gone." — Peter Frensemeyer   About Peter Frensemeyer: Peter Frensemeyer is a structural engineer and project advisor with over 25 years’ experience delivering complex infrastructure and building projects. He works with engineering leaders to improve visibility, decision timing, and project profitability — often identifying issues weeks before they appear in traditional reporting. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Peter Frensemeyer:  Website: http://standoutbusinesssolutions.com/ & https://peterfrensemeyer.com/ Book: The Project Profit Illusion: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4C85WS7 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-frensemeyer/ Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Sales is about more than closing a transaction. In this episode, host Laura Cohn talks with Turnkey Podcast CEO Doug Sandler about building relationships, staying consistent, and using human connection alongside technology to grow a business. The conversation covers sales, podcasting, delegation, customer relationships, and the habits that can help entrepreneurs create lasting business results. In this episode, Laura and Doug Sandler discuss: The role of relationships in business and salesModern sales and the changing role of technologyGrowing a business through consistency and focusPodcasting as a platform for connection and opportunity Key Takeaways: Strong sales relationships can create opportunities across different products and businesses because people are more likely to engage when there is trust and genuine connection.AI and social media can help open doors and reach more people, but human relationship skills are still necessary to turn those connections into meaningful business conversations.Consistent messaging, staying committed, and delegating work outside your strengths can help a business operate more efficiently while giving leaders more time for their core strengths.Podcasting can provide a way to learn directly from experienced people, build relationships, share expertise, and create new opportunities even without an existing large audience. "If you lead with the transaction, rather than the relationship, you’re going to get a lot more no’s than yeses." — Doug Sandler   About Doug Sandler: Doug Sandler has over 30 years of business experience as an entrepreneur and leader. His book, Nice Guys Finish First, is a #1 ranked Amazon bestseller. As podcast host of The Nice Guys on Business, Doug has interviewed Gary Vaynerchuk, Arianna Huffington from HuffPost, Dan Harris from Good Morning America, Ron Klain, White House Chief of Staff, John C. Maxwell, and dozens of celebs. Doug is a nationally recognized speaker, writer, and founder of TurnKey Podcast Productions, providing podcast production, editing, and launch services. He specializes in teaching others the “how-to’s” of building relationships and strengthening connections. His Nice Guys podcast, with over 1,000 episodes, has been downloaded 3.5 million times in more than 175 countries.  About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Get Your Toolkit NOW and learn about being a podcasting pro, making money podcasting, and connecting your podcast to your business: TurnkeyPodcast.com/toolkit Connect with Doug Sandler:  Website: https://turnkeypodcast.com/ Book: Nice Guys Finish First: https://www.amazon.com/Nice-Guys-Finish-First-Sandler/dp/162865161X Show: The Nice Guys On Business:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nice-guys-on-business/id966086057 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-sandler Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Leadership under pressure can affect decision-making, team trust, and performance. In this episode, host Laura Cohn speaks with Antoinette Engelke about the connection between the gut, heart, and brain and how awareness of these systems can shape responses to stress. The conversation explores mindfulness, emotional intelligence, nutrition, decision-making, and finding greater calm under pressure.  In this episode, Laura and Antoinette Engelke discuss: How stress can affect leadership, decision-making, and team performanceThe relationship between the gut, heart, and brain in responses to pressureWhy self-awareness can help identify patterns that affect leadershipWays mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and nutrition can support greater balance Key Takeaways: High pressure can trigger a freeze response that makes it harder to think clearly, communicate effectively, and make commitments with confidence.Balancing logical thinking with emotional intelligence and instinct can help leaders make decisions while considering both the task and the people involved.Replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, losing sleep, and becoming more reactive can signal that stress is affecting both leadership and daily life.Building self-awareness can help identify which areas need attention, including nutrition, emotional intelligence, or mindfulness.  "You could have perfectly everything calm on the outside, but if your inside is doing stress signals, it doesn't matter." — Antoinette Engelke   About Antoinette Engelke: Antoinette Engelke is an international bestselling author, speaker, and creator of the 3-Brain Alignment™ Method. Drawing on 32 years in corporate leadership and business, including 22 years leading teams and 10 years in senior leadership, she works with organizations to help their leaders make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and perform under pressure. Her work integrates leadership experience with the science of how the gut, heart, and brain influence responses under stress, helping leaders create space between trigger and reaction where more intentional choices become possible. She is the international best-selling author of The Quantum Blueprint: Your Symphony Within. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Antoinette Engelke:  Website: http://s2snaturalhealth.com/ Book: The Quantum Blueprint: https://www.soaringtosource.com/product-details/product/69ecc91218fa6ec4139a8947 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinetteengelke/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/S2SNaturalHealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2snaturalhealth/ Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Building consumer brands requires more than a strong product. In this all-new BizWiz episode, host Laura Cohn talks with Danni Fernino Balis about moving from consulting into operations, partnerships, and brand ownership. The conversation explores how to evaluate market potential, understand customers, build strong partnerships, and stay focused through the demands of entrepreneurship. In this episode, Laura and Danni Fernino Balis discuss: Turning consulting time into equity and eventually brand ownershipUsing the “pour gasoline on a fire” test to accelerate existing momentumWhy assuming you’re your own customer can be an expensive mistakeRecognizing a “blessed partnership” through alignment and synergy Key Takeaways: Trading time for equity can create a path from service-based work into business ownership, deeper involvement, and long-term partnerships.Strong brands need a distinct point of view, a passionate founder, and a clear path toward meaningful market potential beyond current sales.Direct consumer connections can reveal what customers want and help prevent businesses from building products around their own personal assumptions.Business partnerships require long-term compatibility, alignment, and synergy because the relationship shapes how people work together on a daily basis. "You don't want to make yourself small; you want to make yourself thin, meaning like less rigid, quicker." — Danni Fernino Balis   About Danni Fernino Balis: Danniele Fernino Balis is a Nashville-based multi-brand entrepreneur behind consumer beauty and wellness brands including SubLuna, JoyWell, and Sun & Moo. She oversees more than $3 million in annual business, with products sold through retailers including Erewhon, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Live Healthillie. She began her career in service-based consulting, eventually moving from consultant to operator and brand owner. Today, she brings hands-on experience across entrepreneurship, consumer brands, ecommerce, retail, partnerships, and operations. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Danni Fernino Balis: SubLuna: https://shopsubluna.com/ Sun & Moo: https://sunandmoo.com/ Visions From Neptune: https://www.visionsfromneptune.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsubluna/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsubluna Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

What happens when an unexpected career turn leads to an entirely new path?  In this all-new BizWiz episode, host Laura Cohn speaks with Scott Martindale about his transition from engineering at Chevron to investment research and eventually becoming CEO of Sabrient Systems. Scott shares lessons on navigating setbacks, spotting opportunities, creating value, and using AI in investment research. In this episode, Laura and Scott Martindale discuss: Turning career changes into new opportunities through existing skillsLessons early-stage companies can learn from challenges and false startsThe role of an entrepreneurial mindset and personal brand in career growthTechnology and AI’s impact on investment research and decision-making Key Takeaways: Scott moved from engineering into investment work through consulting, writing, trading, and joining a startup without immediately taking on the risks of starting a business.Sabrient found a major growth opportunity after years of false starts by launching the Baker’s Dozen during the 2009 market downturn, eventually attracting First Trust Portfolios.An entrepreneurial mindset means focusing on high-potential projects, responding to customer needs, avoiding unnecessary rabbit holes, and creating value by advocating for your ideas.Adaptability, communication, and the ability to create and scale value matter across careers, while AI can accelerate research and synthesis when its output is carefully reviewed. "As a company, you want to be resilient when things turn south. And as an individual, you want to make yourself indispensable, and learn to advocate for yourself and your ideas." — Scott Martindale   About Scott Martindale: Scott Martindale is the CEO of Sabrient Systems, where he leads strategy, product development, institutional sales, business development, client relations, and portfolio management. He began his career as a structural design engineer with Chevron Corp, later moving into engineering, analysis, and management roles. Scott holds BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from the University of Arizona, an MBA from California State University East Bay, and a Series 65 license. About Laura Cohn: Laura is the host of The BizWiz Podcast, a Strategic Marketing Consultant, founder of 416 Sales, and author of Sales Without Being Pushy. With over 30 years of sales experience and 50,000+ sales conversations, she has helped thousands of business owners improve their sales and marketing. Her diverse background in sales, branding, customer experience, and business growth gives her a practical approach to helping small business owners sell confidently through simple, authentic, and repeatable systems. She lives in Belton, TX. Connect with Scott Martindale:  Website: https://MoonRocksToPowerStocks.com & https://www.sabrientsystems.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmartindale Book: Moon Rocks to Power Stocks: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Rocks-Power-Stocks-Scientist-ebook/dp/B0FLSQ67X3 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabrientsystems Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martindale_scott Connect with Laura Cohn:  Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Book: Sales Without Being Pushy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CD52YD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraanncohn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/416SalesTX Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Bob Campana: Bob Campana is a lifelong entrepreneur whose career spans five decades and industries as varied as construction, real estate, hospitality, and global travel. From building one of California’s top swimming pool companies to creating the award-winning Redwood Café, his ventures reflect a deep belief that business is ultimately about people, purpose, and perseverance. The author of Don’t Look Down! shares hard-won lessons on risk, reinvention, and resilience drawn from a lifetime of turning challenges into opportunities. When he’s not advising founders or leading small-group travel experiences around the world, he’s still doing what he’s always done—building connections that last. In this episode, Dan and Bob Campana discuss: Overcoming fear and adversity through bold decision-making and resilienceThe importance of empathy and authentic human connection in business and lifeLessons learned from decades of entrepreneurship across multiple industriesFinding meaning, legacy, and purpose through storytelling and shared experiences Key Takeaways: Shift your sales approach from price and product to purpose and emotion by discovering what truly motivates your customers—often their desire to create lasting memories—and build your entire pitch and experience around helping them achieve that dream.Lead through presence, gratitude, and genuine curiosity by walking the floor, engaging directly with your team and customers, and creating a culture where appreciation, personal acknowledgment, and human warmth drive both loyalty and performance.Transform setbacks into stepping stones by viewing every failure, crisis, or unexpected turn—whether it’s a business challenge or a life-threatening accident—as an opportunity to learn, connect deeper with others, and build a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.Adopt the “rocking chair test” before making big decisions—imagine yourself at the end of your life asking, “Will I regret not doing this?”—and let that clarity push you to take bold, informed action rather than letting fear dictate your path.  "Empathy, the big thing is understanding everybody has a story, everybody has an individual life, and respecting that... enriches your life more." — Bob Campana Connect with Bob Campana:  Website: https://www.bobcampana.com/ Book: Don’t Look Down!: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Look-Down-Battle-Tested-Entrepreneur/dp/B0F9H1YGTT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GetBack2Workk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Debra Clary: Dr. Debra Clary is a leadership strategist, curiosity researcher, and author of The Curiosity Curve (Fast Company Press, October 2025). With more than three decades of executive experience at Fortune 50 companies, including Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana, she now helps leaders harness curiosity as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and engagement. A sought-after keynote speaker and executive coach, Dr. Clary is known for translating neuroscience and real-world experience into practical frameworks that transform culture and performance. She has delivered a TEDx talk viewed by over 225,000 people, was named one of the Top 10 Speakers to Watch in 2025, and continues to inspire audiences worldwide through her company, The Clary Group. In this episode, Dan and Debra Clary discuss: Curiosity as a catalyst for stronger leadership and organizational transformationDeveloping environments that nurture curiosity and psychological safetyShifting leadership mindsets from having answers to asking better questionsTurning curiosity into a measurable and repeatable driver of performance and innovation Key Takeaways: Research confirmed that when leaders consistently model and reward curiosity, their teams mirror that behavior—resulting in measurable gains in engagement, job satisfaction, and overall performance.Neuroscience shows curiosity isn’t a personality trait but a state influenced by environment, meaning organizations can deliberately cultivate it by encouraging inquiry and rewarding experimentation.Executives who view curiosity not as a luxury but as a strategic advantage are better equipped to adapt, innovate, and maintain competitive momentum in rapidly changing markets.Establishing a culture where people feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and offer ideas empowers teams to move from compliance to creativity and unlocks the full potential of collective intelligence.  "Curiosity is contagious; when you’re around curious people, your curiosity level will increase at the rate that theirs is." — Debra Clary Connect with Debra Clary:  Website: https://debraclary.com/ Book: The Curiosity Curve: https://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-Curve-Leaders-Transformation-Questions/dp/1639081380/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdebraclary/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About W. David Prescott: W. David Prescott is a seasoned geologist and environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience. He has led numerous projects across the U.S., balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth, and is recognized for his work in groundwater protection and contaminated site remediation. Prescott advocates for market-driven solutions to sustainability, combining his expertise with leadership roles on community and state boards to influence policies promoting both ecological health and economic prosperity. In this episode, Dan and W. David discuss: ESG mandates and their expanding influence on financial markets and corporate behaviorAmerica’s struggle to maintain energy independence while pursuing environmental goalsThe global race for energy dominance and its link to technological and geopolitical powerCapitalism’s resilience and innovation as forces shaping future prosperity Key Takeaways: ESG pressures have caused capital markets to dry up for oil and gas operators, leaving even profitable and well-managed businesses unable to secure investment, which erodes U.S. energy independence and destabilizes entire regional economies.Eliminating natural gas from fertilizer production would devastate agriculture by cutting yields of staple crops like corn and wheat by 60%, driving food prices sky-high, and threatening both national food security and global supply chains.When investors and pension funds prioritize ESG mandates over fiduciary responsibility, they risk poor returns and massive financial losses that can derail individual retirements and undermine the stability of billions in pension assets.While China and India rapidly expand coal, nuclear, and refining capacity to fuel AI and industrial growth, the U.S. is retreating from dense energy production, a strategic misstep that could result in decades of lost economic power and global influence.  "There has to be a liaison between the natural environment and industry. We have to have jobs, we have to have energy to have the life that we have, and we want to continue to have, but we can do it responsibly." — W. David Prescott Connect with W. David Prescott:  Website: https://creativedestruction.gr-site.com/ Email: [email protected] Book: Creative Destruction: How ESG Mandates Are Destroying Capitalism, Costing You Money, and Wrecking America: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Destruction-Mandates-Destroying-Capitalism/dp/B0D64WSNP9 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-david-prescott-p-g-b1600714/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Eric Degen: Eric Degen is the Principal of Titan Business Development Group, a business coaching, advisory, and exit planning firm based in Flanders, New Jersey. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant, Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Licensed Professional Business Coach, and Certified Mastermind Executive Coach. In this episode, Dan and Eric Degen discuss: Shifting from a technical profession into coaching and advisory workComparing different ways experts support business ownersStruggles entrepreneurs face in managing and growing their companiesPlanning ahead to protect and increase the value of a business Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurs who operate in a constant state of reaction—matching competitors’ prices, chasing short-term fixes, or confusing busyness with productivity—miss out on the deeper benefits of building foresight, strategy, and proactive leadership that create sustainable growth.Because 75–80% of businesses that go to market never sell and many shut down unexpectedly due to events like death, disability, divorce, disputes, or disasters, owners who don’t prepare years in advance risk losing not only their company but also their legacy, their employees’ futures, and their financial security.While revenue and profits are important, the real long-term value of a business comes from strengthening intangible capital such as leadership teams, customer loyalty, processes, and brand reputation, which collectively represent about 80% of valuation and directly influence a buyer’s perception of attractiveness and stability.By deeply listening to customers—observing what they say and do without judgment—business owners can uncover valuable patterns, unmet needs, and subtle signals that guide smarter decisions, build stronger relationships, and transform raw feedback into a roadmap for innovation and competitive advantage.  "My greatest tip is so easy: listen carefully, closely, everything your customer says and does; everything they say and do, watch them, listen to them, and don't be judgmental, because everything they say and do is a blessing for you." — Eric Degen Connect with Eric Degen:  Website: https://www.titanbdg.com/ Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%98%85-eric-degen-cpa-cgma-cepa-lpbc-cmec-833b1210/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/titan-business-development-group-llc Phone: (973) 601-3275 Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About George Pesansky: George Pesansky is the President of MyBlendedLearning.com and a seasoned operations performance coach with more than 30 years of experience in continuous improvement, leadership development, and performance optimization. A Six Sigma Master Black Belt and veteran of both the U.S. Army and Fortune 500 organizations, he has trained and coached thousands of professionals in Lean, Six Sigma, and systems thinking. George is the creator of Deliberate Improvement® and Deliberate Reliability®, innovative frameworks designed to help organizations sustain results, eliminate waste, and unlock the root causes of success. He is also the author of the upcoming book Superperformance (September 2025), which reveals eight proven strategies to turn peak moments into everyday excellence. As a speaker, author, and nonprofit advocate, he is passionate about empowering individuals and teams to achieve sustainable success and lasting impact. In this episode, Dan and George Pesansky discuss: The difference between learning theory and applying knowledge in practiceLeadership approaches that prioritize team empowerment over individual recognitionIdentifying and removing barriers that limit personal or organizational performanceStrategies for sustaining long-term improvement and preventing burnout Key Takeaways: Sustaining long-term success requires deliberately identifying, measuring, and consistently repeating the specific actions and conditions that create positive results, rather than only analyzing problems or failures.The “leaky bucket” concept highlights that organizations waste time and resources when they focus solely on adding new initiatives while ignoring inefficiencies, turnover, and systemic waste that continuously drain performance.Shifting from a “me” style of leadership to a “we” style—where leaders empower teams to operate effectively without constant oversight—creates resilience, sustainability, and stronger organizational outcomes.Focusing on immediate “target conditions,” such as the next exam or milestone, helps individuals and teams build momentum through small, achievable wins, rather than being paralyzed by distant and abstract goals like graduation or retirement.  "You can't sustain what you can't explain. So, if you don't know what helps you work, if you don't know what helps you succeed, there's a good chance you won't continue to do it." — George Pesansky Connect with George Pesansky:  Website: https://georgepesansky.com/ Book: Superperformance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1639081356 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deliberateimprovement/ Twitter: https://x.com/SuperPerformnz Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Lamell McMorris: Dr. Lamell McMorris is a visionary leader, author, and advocate for resilience and significance. As the founder and CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, based in Washington, DC, he has redefined strategic advisory services to empower clients in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to make a meaningful impact. With a career spanning government affairs, community advocacy, and business innovation, Dr. McMorris is also the founder of Greenlining Realty USA, dedicated to reversing the effects of redlining in underserved communities. As an accomplished author and speaker, he continues to inspire audiences nationwide with his insights on leadership, resilience, and social progress. In this episode, Dan and Lamell McMorris discuss: Advocacy as a driver for meaningful change in government, business, and communitiesResilience is a universal principle that applies across personal, professional, and societal challengesLeadership is shaped by humility, service, and the willingness to adaptPersonal growth through overcoming obstacles and developing enduring habits for success Key Takeaways: Resilience is present not only in celebrated leaders and athletes but also in everyday individuals such as parents working multiple jobs, small business owners keeping their doors open, and farmers sustaining family land through decades of hardship.The Eight Habits—attitude, work ethic, agility, vulnerability, network, focus, dogged determination, and faith—serve as a structured framework to help individuals and organizations maintain strength and progress through victories and defeats alike.Embracing vulnerability, though challenging for those in leadership roles, allows others to step in with support, fosters trust, and strengthens relationships, ultimately creating more sustainable success.True leadership is measured not by position or recognition but by consistent servant leadership, meeting people at every level with respect, and leading with the heart as much as with strategy.  "Everybody sees the glory, but people don’t see the story enough… You can’t skip over the story and get straight to the glory." — Lamell McMorris Connect with Lamell McMorris:  Website: http://www.lamellmcmorris.com/ & https://www.phase2-consulting.com/ & https://greenliningrealtyusa.com/ Book: The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience (releases September 23, 2025): https://www.amazon.com/Power-Persist-Simple-Lifelong-Resilience/dp/1639081437 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamellmcmorris/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcmorrislamell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamellmc/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Mark Ryski: Mark Ryski is the Founder and CEO of HeadCount Corporation, a pioneering firm in store traffic and conversion analytics since 1994. He is a recognized industry authority and the author of three influential books, including Store Traffic Is a Gift and CONVERSION: The Last Great Retail Metric. Mark’s work has shaped how retailers worldwide measure and improve in-store performance, earning him media coverage in outlets like Forbes, Retail Dive, and The Globe & Mail. As a frequent contributor to RetailWire and other forums, he continues to advocate for smarter, data-informed retail strategies. In this episode, Dan and Mark Ryski discuss: The growing role of data in physical retail decision-makingHow analytics are reshaping the brick-and-mortar customer experienceOngoing challenges and myths around measuring store performanceResilience and innovation across years of retail disruption Key Takeaways: Many retailers continue to allocate staffing budgets based on historical sales instead of aligning labor with actual store traffic patterns, resulting in lost sales opportunities, staff burnout, and a long-term erosion of conversion potential despite high footfall.Despite the increasing importance of data-driven insights, nearly half of all brick-and-mortar retailers still do not track in-store traffic at all, missing out on fundamental visibility into how many sales they could or should be converting.By identifying “super converting stores” — those that consistently outperform their peers in converting visitors into buyers relative to traffic volume — retailers can uncover overlooked talent, replicate successful behaviors, and improve underperforming locations with real-world best practices.The pandemic starkly highlighted just how fragile and valuable in-store traffic truly is, as even massive multi-store retailers saw their daily foot traffic collapse to zero, proving that every visit is a finite, high-stakes opportunity that must be measured and maximized.  "There's so many places to buy everything in this day and age, online, other physical stores, etc.—that you have to assume once they leave without buying, they may never be back." — Mark Ryski Connect with Mark Ryski:  Website: https://headcount.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-Ryski/author/B0F54MXT75 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ryski-8826601/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/headcount-corporation/ Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Ken Bruce: Ken Bruce is a two-time Emmy-winning animation director whose career spans iconic projects including Toy Story 3, Up, Shrek, The Simpsons, Ren and Stimpy, The Fairly OddParents, and Family Guy. A lifelong Walt Disney enthusiast, Ken spent over a decade researching and writing his acclaimed book Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room Before the Birds Sang Words. The book offers a deeply immersive and visually rich exploration of the origins of Disneyland’s Tiki Room, the rise of Audio-Animatronics, and the legacy of Imagineering. With a storytelling style that blends cinematic flair with meticulous historical research, Ken brings the magic behind the magic to vivid life. In this episode, Dan and Ken Bruce discuss: Creative innovation in theme park storytelling and experiential designShifts in animation industry culture and personal artistic evolutionIntersection of nostalgia, technology, and narrative immersionIndependent historical preservation in pop culture and entertainment Key Takeaways: Without access to Disney’s official archives, Ken Bruce built a comprehensive historical account through deep independent research, interviews, and family collections.The Enchanted Tiki Room began as a background sketch and evolved into a pioneering animatronic show, highlighting how small artistic gestures can trigger massive creative developments when leaders stay curious and adaptable.Walt Disney’s decision to replace live performers with mechanical figures stemmed from his drive to maximize scalability and efficiency, reminding innovators to always challenge operational limits in pursuit of sustainable magic.To break into animation or any competitive industry, creators must focus on emotional connection over polish, because compelling original work that resonates is more likely to open doors than technical perfection alone. "If you can make something of your own that for even two minutes holds someone’s attention, you’re good to go." — Ken Bruce   Connect with Ken Bruce:  Book: Before the Birds Sang Words: https://www.tikiroom63.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tikiroom1963 Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Patrick Ungashick: Patrick Ungashick is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and CEO with over 30 years of experience advising business owners and executive teams on leadership, growth, and exit strategy. As the founder of NAVIX Consultants, he has guided hundreds of companies through successful exits, representing more than $2.5 billion in enterprise value. His latest book, A Day for Leadership, distills timeless leadership lessons from the D-Day invasion into practical insights for today’s executives navigating pressure and uncertainty. A frequent keynote speaker and workshop leader, Patrick helps leaders elevate their decision-making and build aligned, high-performing teams.  In this episode, Dan and Patrick Ungashick discuss: The importance of leadership and team alignment in business successStrategies and challenges around building high-performing teamsInsights into creating effective business exit strategiesDrawing lessons from historical military operations to guide modern leadership Key Takeaways: Business leaders who shift their mindset from building a great company to building a great team will achieve greater, more scalable, and more sustainable results because empowered teams are the ones who create lasting value.The true value and long-term viability of a business—especially in the context of a sale or succession—rests heavily on the strength, cohesion, and alignment of its leadership team, not just financial metrics or market share.A powerful way for leaders to evaluate the health and potential of their team is to regularly ask themselves whether they would enthusiastically rehire each member today based on current cultural alignment, future needs, and individual contribution.The story of General Clarence Huebner’s transformation of a fractured, insular military unit into a cohesive, mission-ready force before the D-Day invasion shows that with urgency, clarity, and the right leadership approach, even deeply entrenched cultures can be rebuilt under extreme pressure.  "The business leader’s primary responsibility is not to go build a great company, but to build a great team, and then the team builds that great company." — Patrick Ungashick Connect with Patrick Ungashick:  Website: https://www.patrickungashick.com/ & https://www.navixconsultants.com/ Book: A Day For Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Day-Leadership-Business-Insights-Executives/dp/1639081240/ Download a secret chapter, The Hapless 90th Case Study, and get an interactive Team Leader’s Guide for productive team discussions now: https://www.patrickungashick.com/#leadership LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickungashick Connect with Dan Hollis:  Website: www.themagicofselling.net Email: [email protected] Business Number: 973-862-8331 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.