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In this episode of Burn the Ship, Christian sits down with Lola Ojabowale, founder and CEO of Lunch Pail Labs, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, self-doubt, software, AI, and building a business that actually fits the life you want. Lola shares how she left her job at the beginning of COVID, navigated the uncertainty of her first years in business, and evolved from an early startup idea into building software products, integrations, and AI-powered systems. She also breaks down why entrepreneurs should stop giving so much weight to their early mistakes, how to filter advice based on the kind of company you actually want to build, and why the more shots you take, the more likely one is eventually going to work. If you’re in the early stages of building, questioning your next move, experimenting with AI, or simply trying to create a business and life on your own terms, this conversation is for you. Watch Full Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbng45SlQtA

In this episode, Christian Brown sits down with Richard Gotlieb, co-founder and CEO of OnGuardAI, for a conversation about how scammers target seniors and what families can do to protect the people they love. After his own father was scammed, Richard got a front-row seat to fraud at a Bitcoin ATM company, where he watched older victims read warning signs and pay anyway. He went on to interview 100 seniors who had lost money and learned why sharp, capable people fall for scams: fake caller IDs that look like their bank, and scammers who deliberately trigger fear and urgency until their targets stop thinking clearly. That research led to OnGuardAI, an app that detects scam calls as they happen and alerts a trusted family member, so someone outside the call can step in. Richard also shares how he tested demand before building a product, and why founders should fall in love with the problem, not the solution. His message for every family: anyone can be scammed, because scammers are professionals at hijacking our emotions. Originally recorded for Burn the Ship, the entrepreneurship podcast from The MP Group.Learn more about OnGuardAI: getonguard.ai

In this episode, Christian Brown sits down with Chris Ashley, co-founder, CRO and COO of TrustPixel, for a conversation about whether AI agents could be the first technology to actually reduce our screen time. Chris explains what an AI agent really is, how it could spare us hours of research, scheduling emails and price-checking, and why TrustPixel is building a neutral exchange where agents can buy things safely and verifiably on our behalf, starting with corporate travel. He also shares how he keeps his own kids' childhood intentionally analog, and his nine-year path from deciding to build a company in 2015 to finally going all in in 2024, after helping grow Meraki from $8M to $100M in revenue ahead of its acquisition by Cisco. His advice for founders: count to five before you speak, expect failure, and remember that the only path is forward. Originally recorded for Burn the Ship, the entrepreneurship podcast from The MP Group.Learn more about TrustPixel: trustpixel.ai

In this episode, Christian Brown sits down with Nick Schell, founder and president of BTA Sports and a former top-producing advisor at Merrill Lynch, for a conversation about what it takes to walk away from a career you're great at but don't love. Nick shares how an idea sketched out at a fantasy football draft became a bootstrapped sports analytics company, why he quit on a Monday without warning, how BTA built a 15-engineer team through university partnerships like Carnegie Mellon, and why he believes the best founders run on acceptance rather than confidence. Originally recorded for Burn the Ship, the entrepreneurship podcast from The MP Group.Learn more about BTA Sports: btasports.io

What does it really take to become a great leader? In this episode of Leading Well, Christian Brown sits down with Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu, to talk about servant leadership, humility, mental well-being, and leading with purpose. Richard shares lessons from nearly two decades of leadership, including why great leaders listen, how to handle setbacks without burning out, and why leadership should be about serving others, not chasing titles or status. You'll also hear how Richard's upbringing shaped his leadership philosophy and how Inspiredu is helping close the digital divide through technology access and digital skills. Learn more about Inspiredu:https://www.iuatl.org

In this episode, Christian Brown sits down with entrepreneur and Kennesaw State University honorary doctorate recipient Dave Walens for a conversation about building a lasting legacy. Dave shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, why age is no criteria for success, and how relationships, resilience, and a commitment to serving others shaped his path. He also discusses his passion for KSU Athletics and why investing in student-athletes creates an impact that reaches far beyond the field. Whether you’re building a business, entering a new season, or wondering if it’s too late to pursue your purpose, Dave’s story is a powerful reminder: success has no age limit.

Terrence Battle sits at the intersection of media, finance, and venture capital. In this conversation, we talk about building taste, recognizing patterns, raising capital, creating ownership, and why your unique point of view may be your biggest advantage in the age of AI.

This episode is a recording from a fireside chat with Christian Brown and Christopher Lafayette for GatherVerse Men's Summit 2026. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Leading Well Podcast Series, Christian sits down with global HR leader Sarita Donaldson for a thoughtful conversation on what it really means to build workplaces that feel good and work better. Together, they explore the idea of leadership sustainability and why long-term performance should never come at the expense of well-being, alignment, trust, or organizational health.  This conversation dives into the tension between performance and people, the hidden cost of burnout, and the blind spots many leaders miss when trying to support their teams. Sarita shares insights from nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of HR, leadership, change management, and organizational strategy, offering practical wisdom on boundaries, belonging, decision-making, and what it looks like to move from reactive leadership to wellness by design.

In this episode of the Leading Well Podcast Series, Christian sits down with Genipha Almonor, Senior Data Analyst at Comcast and Lead of YPN (Young Professionals Network). Their conversation explores the power of community, the role of ERGs, and why wellness and leadership go hand in hand. Together, they discuss how intentional spaces of support can strengthen people, shape culture, and influence the way leaders show up for those they serve.  This episode was recorded at Inspiredu, a Comcast Lift Zone in Atlanta, Georgia.  Connect with Gen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geniphaalmonor/ Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamchristianbrown/

In this episode of The Leading Well Podcast by Blimish, host Christian Brown sits down with Josiah Owens, a Learning & Development leader and VP at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Greater Atlanta Chapter..  Together, they explore what it really means to steward people's gifts with intention, curiosity, and care. From his beginnings in video production to leading talent development in the nuclear industry, Josiah shares a refreshing perspective on how growth, feedback, and collaboration fuel both individual fulfillment and business success. 💡 Topics include: • How to develop people in the flow of work without burning them out • Why curiosity and trust are the foundation of leadership • The link between AI, emotional intelligence, and the future of L&D • Building metrics that connect people development to business growth • How feedback and community sustain well-being in high-stakes environments 🔗 Listen, reflect, and share your biggest takeaway in the comments below. Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamchristianbrown Connect with Josiah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahcowens/

In this episode, Christian sits down with Skip Maloney, Chief Human Resources Officer at InterDigital, for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture change, and the evolving role of HR. From his early dreams as a professional baseball player to leading high-growth tech teams, Skip shares wisdom on how to build organizations where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to perform at their best. 💡 What We Cover in This Episode: • Skip's journey from sports to executive HR leadership • Why culture is built on accountability, values, and trust • How to create psychological safety that empowers people to speak up • The role of neurodivergence and how Skip uses AI tools to manage dyslexia and ADHD • How HR can become a marketing powerhouse by selling purpose and belonging • Why companies that embrace AI and feedback win — and how to get started

Burnout doesn't always look like exhaustion. Sometimes, it manifests as irritability, withdrawal, or even overperformance. In this episode of the Leading Well Podcast Series, host Christian Brown speaks with Dr. Kimberly Grocher — psychotherapist, executive coach, and yoga/meditation teacher — about how leaders can better support mental health in the workplace. You'll learn: The difference between stress and burnout. Why empathy is a leadership superpower. Practical ways to create psychologically safe environments. How mental health impacts retention and performance.   #LeadingWell #MentalHealthAtWork #BurnoutPrevention #PsychologicalSafety

What does it really mean to be human first and a resource second?   In this powerful episode of the Leading Well Podcast, Christian Brown sits down with Jasen Hayes, "The Concierge of HR," for an honest conversation about leadership, culture, and how to create workplaces where people actually thrive.   Together, they explore: • The story behind Jasen's personal brand, The Concierge of HR • Why letting go of ego is the first step toward true leadership growth  • How AI is reshaping employee experience (and why we must keep the human touch) • The three priorities Jasen would choose if he could rebuild employee experience from scratch • Practical ways to promote mental health, psychological safety, and connection at work • Why mentorship and service are the secret weapons for personal and professional growth   🎧 Listen now to learn how to lead with empathy, build better workplaces, and challenge yourself to start fresh — every single day. #hrleadership #wellness #workplacewellness

What happens when HR stops being the "rules police" and becomes a true partner in growth? In this episode of the Leading Well Podcast, we sit down with Mitch Douglass, Managing Partner at Waterloo Human Capital Management, to explore how trust, retention, and wellbeing intersect to shape healthier workplaces. Mitch shares how he turned fear of HR into trust, using small, human-centered actions like coffee chats and pizza lunches to spark massive cultural change. Within just one month, promotions soared, employees felt seen, and trust became the foundation for retention and resilience. 💡 What you'll learn in this episode: How to transform HR into a trusted partner (not a threat) Why trust and psychological safety unlock performance The small rituals that build connection, clarity, and belonging How values and wellbeing drive retention in today's workplace