Advertise on podcast: Twins Talk it Up Podcast

As we prepare for upcoming events and conferences, and to powerfully closed out 2026  we are replaying a special episode about how AI training simulators can deliver hyper-personalized learning and development to support your organization's growth initiatives.  What if you could step into a high-stakes sales conversation, test your instincts, refine your message, and even “clone” your best leadership coaching moments—without ever risking a real deal? Let's explore how AI-powered roleplay simulations are redefining sales enablement, giving leaders a scalable way to coach, develop, and empower their teams. At a time when pipeline management, forecasting, hiring, and customer demands are all competing for attention, the traditional coaching model is breaking under pressure. AI roleplay offers a new path forward—one that reduces overwhelm, removes coaching bottlenecks, and enables consistent, high-impact development across every rep on the team. Key Highlights: How AI roleplay eliminates the coaching bottleneck and scales leadership impact. Why simulation-based learning drives faster onboarding, higher retention, and stronger confidence. The connection between AI enablement and revenue acceleration—not just training efficiency. How “failing safely” in simulations leads to better real-world sales conversations. Why consistency in coaching is critical for maintaining authenticity and driving results.   Embrace AI roleplay as a revenue operations strategy, and ensure your teams aren’t improvising—but are fully prepared to win. Visit appmeetup.com/contact-us/ and schedule your Free Demo.  Discover how customizable simulations can transform L&D and Sales Training for your organization.     Timestamps: What AI Can Do For Your Team 7:25 Managing Diverse Teams & Statistics 9:36 AI LMS Resource 13:51 Real-world Examples 18:01

This episode is a replay from the Let's Talk Tuesday program, hosted by Amanda Van Der Heiden of Global Talent Development Solutions (GTDS), and it features David Suk Brown—one half of the Twins Talk It Up team. The conversation focuses on leadership, learning and development, organizational growth, and translating ideas into practical strategies for leaders and organizations.     You will hear two leaders passionate about developing your most important resource—your people.  David touches on how to prepare your workforce for AI by building power skills: communication, emotional intelligence (EQ), confidence, and sound decision‑making.  He even provides a practical self‑coaching framework leaders can use with just a smartphone to strengthen presence, reduce filler words, and communicate with conviction   Struggling with speaking anxiety? Want to captivate your audience, deliver persuasive presentations, and close more deals? Join identical twins Danny Suk Brown and David Suk Brown as they share leadership communication strategies, practical tips, and tools to help you own every stage, amplify your influence, and speak with confidence. Laugh, learn, and level up your professional voice—one episode at a time. Book a Free 15-minute discovery call: dsbleadershipgroup.com/schedule-a-call/ Website: appmeetup.com/twinstalkitup/ Community: facebook.com/groups/publicspeakingpoints Patreon: patreon.com/twinstalkitup Want to be a Guest? forms.gle/pYBeNMJeXVE9RD9p9

What if the goal isn’t to get someone to say “yes”... but to make “yes” the right decision for them? Whether you’re leading a sales team, gaining organizational buy-in, introducing change, meeting with a prospect or building a relationship with a customer, there’s a big difference between a forced yes and a genuine yes. How can consultative selling and effective leadership create the environment and conditions where people feel safe, heard, understood, and empowered to make their own decision?    From asking better questions and listening intentionally to connecting a person’s actual needs with the right solution—and ultimately giving them the choice—the conversation is about moving beyond simply closing a deal or getting compliance. Because the best “yes” is one that builds trust, strengthens relationships, creates engaged employees, brings customers back, generates referrals, and turns clients into advocates. The ultimate goal isn’t simply to get to a yes; it’s to earn a yes that’s worth having. Highlights Create safety. When people know it’s okay to say “no,” their “yes” becomes more meaningful. Ask better questions. Don’t lead with your solution. Start with their situation, challenges, goals, and what success looks like. Listen beneath the words. What is initially stated may not be what they truly want. Great leaders and sales professionals listen for the motivation behind the request. Connect the need to the solution. Once you understand their situation, you can show how your product, service, idea, or proposal addresses what actually matters to them. Give them a choice. Autonomy builds trust. Taking pressure off the decision can actually make a genuine decision easier. Compliance isn’t commitment. In leadership, demanding agreement may produce compliance—but creating clarity, trust, and ownership produces commitment. Think beyond the transaction. The best “yes” can lead to a returning customer, an engaged employee, a loyal client, or a passionate advocate. Let's secure more approvals, increase the conversion rate, and get more agreements; let's get more yesses.   Visit AppMeetup.com for insight into our training, courses and coaching programs.    Timestamps: Create the Environment for Yes 7:24 Curiosity 10:08 Psychological Reactance 20:25

We’ve all been there. You walk into a meeting with a clear purpose, and somewhere between the first update and the third “quick question,” the conversation takes a detour. Someone is checking email, someone else is wondering why they were invited, and the person leading the meeting is thinking, “How did we get here?”  Here’s the thing: the problem usually isn’t the meeting. It’s how the meeting is being led. Let's explore how leaders, managers, directors, and business owners can turn meetings from calendar obligations into opportunities for clarity, collaboration, and action.  We’ll touch on how to set an agenda that actually sets the tone and guides the conversation,how asking better questions can increase engagement, why listening builds trust, and how to use technology—and even AI—to make meetings more effective. And because we believe a good conversation should lead to something practical, we’ll also share a quick meeting template and follow-up template you can use with your team. Keys to remember:    An effective agenda should answer three essential questions—Why are we meeting? What do we need to accomplish? What does each participant need to contribute?   The leader must guide the conversation toward meaningful outcomes.    Practical ways to increase engagement include asking better questions, creating space for different voices, and recognizing that listening is essential to conducting great meetings.    Technology and AI are also considered tools to support preparation, collaboration, and follow-up without replacing leadership judgment.    Listen for both a quick meeting template and a follow-up template that you can put into practice immediately.   Interested in becoming a sponsor, visit AppMeetup.com/Sponsor/    Timestamps:  People Hate Meetings 3:17 Ask Better Questions 8:22 Leverage Technology 13:48 Templates 20:06

Matt Maples, Leadership Coach, Veteran Advocate, and Texas Director for USA Cares, joins us for a special conversation to explore what it truly means to move beyond simply saying, “Thank you for your service,” and the impact of turning gratitude into meaningful action. USA Cares is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families through emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training.    Highlights include:    Matt's powerful journey from ministry to a different kind of calling—serving those who served our country.   The urgent challenges many veterans face, including difficult transitions to civilian life, financial crises, PTSD, and the heartbreaking reality of veteran suicide.    Timely assistance can provide something invaluable: time, peace of mind, and a roadmap for what comes next.    What companies can do to support our veterans.     This important conversation also highlights the extraordinary leadership, resilience, discipline, and purpose veterans bring to their communities and the civilian workforce—and challenges individuals and business leaders alike to ask a critical question: What can we do today? Because "freedom is not free," and meaningful gratitude requires more than words. They leapt into action for us. Now, it is our turn to do the same.   How You Can Help If this conversation inspires you to move beyond saying “thank you” and take meaningful action, learn more about USA Cares and discover ways to support veterans, service members, and their families. Learn more about USA Cares:usacares.org/ USA Cares Linktree: linktr.ee/usacares Support Texas Veterans directly: austintxchapter.funraise.org/ Whether through donating, volunteering, mentoring, hiring veterans, or connecting someone with needed resources, every action can make a difference.    Timestamps: Why USA Cares 10:25 Assistance, Time & Peace of Mind 16:18 What Companies Can Do 20:02

What if your financial statements could do more than tell you where your business has been—and actually help you chart where it needs to go? Thomas Howard, Business Development Director at Brightway Advisors, stops by for a conversation about turning financial clarity into a strategic roadmap for sustainable growth. Tom explains why profitability doesn't always equal healthy cash flow, why leaders need to understand the story behind the numbers, and how the right financial and HR partners can help businesses scale without losing control.    Highlights: Financials as a Roadmap: Moving from reporting the past to using financial insight to make smarter decisions about the future.   Strategic Partnership: Why businesses need trusted advisors who work alongside them—not outsiders simply delivering reports. AI + Expertise: Leveraging AI to streamline processes and uncover insights while recognizing that AI is only as good as the data and expertise behind it. How successful leaders balance data, experience, and intuition while avoiding “shiny object syndrome.”    Growth & Leadership: Scaling successfully requires more than revenue growth—it requires the right people, financial discipline, strategic focus, and leadership mindset.   Ultimately, the message is clear: data shows you where you've been, but understanding helps map where you're going.  As Tom puts it, "We translate the story the numbers are telling, so that business owners can write their next chapter." Grab the roadmap, and remember that the leader's mindset determines how effectively you get there.  Follow Tom on LinkedIn and visit tbrightwayadvisors.com to learn more about adding a fianancial operations partner to your team.    Timestamps: Financial Statements Lie 7:26 AI Impact 15:37 Success Story 30:39

The MSP industry is evolving—and the days of simply being the “caretaker” of technology are giving way to a new era of strategic partnership, AI enablement, and business transformation. We’re fortunate to have Arsalan Eizadirad, Senior Manager of Global MSP Strategy at Lenovo, join us to explore his more than two-decade journey across technology, sales leadership, enterprise architecture, and global MSP strategy—and the insights he’s gained along the way.  Arsalan shares his perspective on the changing MSP landscape and the growing importance of hardware alongside software in the technology stack.  He reminds us that one of the greatest rewards of leadership is the people and relationships we encounter along the journey—and, in true Arsalan fashion, we even discover that he makes his own hot sauce!   Highlights include: The evolution of the MSP from technology caretaker to strategic business and AI partner. Building stronger vendor/channel relationships through collaboration and co-selling and why partner empathy and asking “So what?” are essential to growing a healthy and successful community. The changing economics of managed services beyond price-per-seat and price-per-device. The Lenovo MSP Advisory Board and the development of the MSP Playbook. Arsalan’s leadership philosophy of “architect the system”, then “empower the people.” Why curiosity, asking questions, and being willing to say “I don’t know” are leadership strengths. Lenovo 360 for MSP is built around you — flexible pocket-to-cloud solutions, sales enablement, training and rewards designed to move your goals forward. Ready to get started? Learn more and explore Lenovo 360 for MSP: https://tinyurl.com/360forMSP Be sure to connect with Arsalan at an upcoming industry event.   Timestamps:  Relevance of Hardware 9:26 New Lenovo Playbook 11:02 Partner Empathy 22:30

In a virtual world where it’s easy to click “Start Meeting” and start talking, how you show up can be just as important as what you say. We welcome the Owner and CEO of Insignia Training Partners, Bernie DeSantis III.  Bernie is a virtual event consultant, leadership trainer, facilitator, and producer.  We dive into a conversation about transforming virtual meetings, webinars, and training sessions into memorable experiences. Bernie shares insights from his leadership journey—including his 2022 acquisition of Insignia—and explains why leaders need to be intentional about their “virtual real estate,” from camera positioning and stage design to making audio a priority over video. We explore the difference between simply presenting information and creating an experience. Of course, no conversation with Bernie would be complete without a little fun—and the story behind his famous mustache, which has become part of his personal brand. Highlights include: Be intentional about your stage: Your camera, background, lighting, framing, and overall virtual presence are part of your “virtual real estate.” Don't prioritize video over audio: Great virtual experiences begin with clear, professional sound. How you're perceived is how you will be received: Leadership presence matters both on and off camera. Networking is about relationships, not collecting connections: Being in the right room can make all the difference. AI and technology advancements: Leaders and facilitators should lean into the qualities that make them uniquely human. Connect with Bernie and Insignia Training Partners: Visit InsigniaTraining.com and be sure to access his 'Top 10 Virtual Event Checklist' before your next webinar, virtual meeting, workshop, or online training session. Let's create more engaging and professional experiences.     Timestamps: Virtual Mistakes 11:52 Soft Skills & Engagement 16:17 AI Exposes Skills 21:35 Top 10 Checklist 34:08 https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ZQIQnRMNZj4zm1A-JV7tRPssy8d1b8S/view?usp=sharing

What if the future of IT isn’t about responding faster—but about knowing what’s going to happen before it happens? David Raissipour, Chief Product & Technology Officer at ConnectWise joins us for a forward-looking conversation about how AI, agentic automation, and predictive intelligence are reshaping the managed services industry. David shares his perspective on the MSP inflection point, why traditional models of simply adding people, tools, and processes are reaching their limits, and how AI agents can help smaller MSPs compete on a more level playing field with larger organizations.    The conversation explores the evolution from reactive IT to predictive IT, where intelligent systems can identify issues, reason through problems, and execute tasks before they become customer-impacting events. David also emphasizes that this transformation is not an “anti-people” approach—it’s a pro-success approach, giving technology professionals the opportunity to move beyond repetitive tasks and contribute at a higher, more strategic level. From the accelerating adoption of AI and dramatically changing response times to the importance of deciding when to buy versus build, David offers practical leadership insights for navigating this next chapter of technology. Plus, we look ahead to ConnectWise’s exciting second half of the year and invite MSP and IT leaders to join the ConnectWise AI Agentic Roadshow and Executive Forum Series for conversations around AI, operational scale, and organizational performance. Follow David on LinkedIn and visit connectwise.com/executive-forum-series to participate in a city near you.  Timestamps: Inflection Point 9:20    AI Strategy 18:43 Launched Platform 27:19 Roadshow Series 37:44

The greatest competitive advantage any organization has is its people.  Amanda Van Der Heiden, Chief Learning Consultant and Coach at Global Talent Development Solutions (GTDS) shares practical strategies for aligning people with business strategy, navigating change with confidence, and cultivating leaders who inspire trust, curiosity, and continuous growth. From designing leadership development with intention to understanding why employees resist change and how emotional intelligence fuels lasting success, Amanda offers actionable insights that every leader can apply immediately.    Highlights include:   Intentional leadership design with measurable business results.   Continuous growth and why today's leaders must continuously upskill to remain effective in an AI-driven and rapidly evolving workplace.   Amanda shares the inspiration behind her free resource, 'Goal Development Participant Workbook,' to help turn aspirations into lasting results. Visit goGTDS.com    Additional resources include, The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier and Amanda's book, Set Yourself Up to Excel: A Practical Guide to Goals, Habits and Success   Let's Talk Tuesday with GTDS podcast.   When leaders intentionally invest in learning, communicate with purpose, and develop others, they design culture where both people and businesses thrive.  Download now and continue to strengthen your leadership, empower your teams, and create meaningful organizational impact.      Timestamps: Why Resist Change 12:26 Skill Up 18:46 Goal Development Resource 24:39

Like a world-class orchestra conductor who brings together extraordinary musicians with different instruments, backgrounds, and talents to perform in perfect harmony, great leaders unite diverse teams around a shared vision to create exceptional business outcomes. We welcome Ilenia Lupi, Executive Director and Europe Channel Leader with Lenovo, for a compelling conversation on leading across cultures, accelerating AI adoption, and empowering organizations through collaboration.    Highlights include:   Ilenia shares why trust, adaptability, curiosity, empathy, and active listening are the foundation of effective leadership, emphasizing that "you cannot achieve results alone" and that the future belongs to leaders who orchestrate ideas, partnerships, and diverse perspectives rather than simply having all the answers.    How Lenovo's AI-first strategy helps organizations move beyond experimentation to measurable business outcomes through smarter infrastructure, hybrid AI, edge computing, and a thriving partner ecosystem.    There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership: how maintaining a clear vision while allowing local flexibility drives success across Europe's diverse markets, and why strong alliances with partners are essential to navigating today's AI transformation.   What to expect from the next generation of technology leaders.    Whether you're leading global teams, building strategic partnerships, or preparing your organization for the next wave of AI innovation, this conversation with Ilenia offers practical leadership insights that will help you become the conductor who brings out the very best in every team member to deliver extraordinary results. To learn more about how Lenovo is helping partners accelerate AI and business transformation, visit Lenovo 360 for MSP: https://tinyurl.com/360forMSP.     Timestamps: No "one-size-fits-all" Approach 5:15 Consistencies in Leadership 20:30 Advice for Next Gen 25:29

What if your greatest leadership advantage isn't your IQ, technical expertise, or business strategy—but your ability to understand your emotions? Morgane Borzée, Founder of Equanima joins the program to explore how emotional intelligence can transform the way leaders communicate, make decisions, and build stronger organizations. Drawing from her personal journey with anxiety and her passion for making psychoeducation more accessible, Morgane shares how she turned personal challenges into a global mission to help leaders move beyond autopilot and respond with greater awareness and intention.    Highlights include:    Why emotions are valuable data—not weaknesses—and how understanding the needs behind our emotions can unlock healthier relationships, better communication, and more effective leadership.    Why leaders should build a relationship with their stress responses instead of trying to eliminate them.   The five stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, submit, and attach—and how they shape behavior.   The importance of distinguishing emotions from interpretations to reduce conflict.   How our body can provide the first clues to our emotional state.   How AI is reshaping not only work but also our sense of value and identity.   Creating a shared language around emotional intelligence fosters trust, psychological safety, and high-performing teams.    This is a fantastic conversation to support any CEO, manager, entrepreneur, coach, or therapist, looking for practical strategies to strengthen emotional awareness, improve communication, and create cultures where both people and performance thrive.  Learn more by visiting https://equanima.io/ Download the Equanima Emotional Intelligence Mobile App: https://tinyurl.com/EquanimaEQ   Timestamps: Awareness of Stressors 8:17 Impact of AI 18:31 Vulnerability & Psychological Safety 24:16 Making EQ Accessible 31:15

Great leaders don't just adapt to change—they create the environment where innovation, collaboration, and business growth thrive. Craig Taylor, Senior Director and Canada Channel Chief at Lenovo, joins the program to explore how leadership, culture, and a relentless focus on customer outcomes are transforming the technology channel. Drawing on more than three decades of experience, Craig touches on leadership principles that have shaped his career, and how Lenovo's One Lenovo strategy is breaking down organizational silos to deliver greater value for customers and partners alike.  He also shares his perspective on the evolving role of AI, channel partnerships, and why today's technology leaders must focus more on solving real business challenges. Craig discusses how Lenovo is enabling partners through education, upskilling, and a channel-first approach that empowers them to lead customer transformation.  Highlights: Lasting success comes from aligning people, technology, and strategy around measurable business outcomes.  Lenovo's One Lenovo strategy is transforming the customer and partner experience. Building a partner-first culture through collaboration, accountability, and trust.   “Sharing best practices and learning from each other. This is coopetition.”"   Why education, upskilling, and ecosystem partnerships are critical for future success.  “Engage, Empower, Educate”   Learn more about the community by visiting Lenovo 360 for MSP: https://tinyurl.com/360forMSP   Timestamps: Leadership Role 7:22 One Lenovo Strategy 9:35 Lenovo 360 Pathways 12:42 Recognition & The Team 17:55

What separates organizations that simply adopt AI from those that truly transform their business? Rob Cato, Vice President of Worldwide Business Transformation for Lenovo's Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) joins us for an insightful conversation on why successful AI initiatives begin with business strategy—not technology. Rob shares how business transformation is "a disciplined shift in the way that we create value," emphasizing that every AI investment should start with one critical question: What measurable business outcome are we trying to achieve? From defining ROI to moving AI from pilot projects into production, Rob explains why infrastructure, data, security, networking, cooling, and services all play essential roles in delivering lasting business impact. Highlights Include:  Why every AI strategy should begin with the desired business outcome. Why customer intimacy is the greatest competitive advantage for MSPs. Moving AI from pilot projects to production with the right infrastructure. How curiosity, empowerment, and disciplined leadership fuel business transformation. Lenovo's channel-first approach and vision for continued global growth. Bringing innovative technology into the world of sports and sports franchises.   Ready to turn managed services into your biggest growth engine? Learn how Lenovo is helping MSPs accelerate growth, deliver greater customer value, and expand their services with Lenovo 360 for MSP: https://tinyurl.com/360forMSP     Timestamps: 6:41 Successful AI Strategy 11:20 Providing True Value 17:30 Leadership Traits 22:24 Exciting Expectations

"Don't leave money on the table" is an idiom that reflects a failure to maximize profit, revenue, or overall value from a transaction, deal or upsell opportunity.  You never want to undercharge for your products and services. You want to secure the best possible outcome. Elliott Hyman, CEO of Lyra Technology Group, joins and shares his leadership journey, thoughts on AI innovation, MSP growth, and the power of scaling without sacrificing culture.   Highlights include: Why protecting customer relationships, preserving brand equity, and empowering local leadership are essential ingredients for long-term success. The most common profitability mistakes MSPs make, including underpricing services and failing to bill for the full value they deliver. How operational maturity separates thriving organizations from struggling ones. Drawing from the unique experience of acquiring more than 120 MSPs, Elliott discusses how identifying best practices across organizations creates a powerful competitive advantage, and why testing AI initiatives through Lyra's Trailblazers Program accelerates meaningful innovation. Pax8 has become the "new town square" for the IT channel. If you're passionate about building organizations that scale with purpose, empower local leadership, and maximize profitability, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.  If you are an MSP and have been considering what your next steps should be, visit lyratechgroup.com Don't leave money on the table.   Time Stamps: Impact of Education on Leadership 4:18 Profitability Mistakes 14:09 Implementing AI 24:51 Beyond Conference Takeawayss 30:54