Shows
COMPELling ConversationsThe Reinvention Challenge: How to Conquer Global DisruptionThe business world is moving too fast, so in this crucial episode of COMPELling Conversations, our host Steve Ramerini sits down with certified reinvention expert and four-time author, Carolyn Strauss (a Certified Reinvention Practice Practitioner and former Ford model), to address the exhaustion and stress caused by intense global disruption.
The challenge? The business cycle has collapsed from 75 years to just 5 years—and it’s still shrinking.
Carolyn reveals her essential playbook for survival:
Master the 90-Second Rule: Because change is biologically triggering causing a burst of adrenaline, leaders must learn to pause and take a deep breath for 90 seconds before...
2025-12-0336 minCOMPELling ConversationsThe Code of Leadership: Building Culture, Momentum & Meaning with Sean FlahertyIn this episode of Compelling Conversations, host Steve Ramerini, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of COMPEL CEOs, sits down with Sean Flaherty, Navy veteran, technologist, educator, and Co-Builder of ITX Corp., a 300-person software consultancy, to explore what it truly means to lead.
Sean shares his remarkable journey — from serving on aircraft carriers to founding a tech company and teaching leadership through social science — and the “code” that drives human motivation, innovation, and culture. Drawing from his recent talks with COMPEL groups, he explains why great leadership starts with connection before content, how to create environments where both emplo...
2025-11-0531 minCOMPELling ConversationsWhat's Your Why? The Leadership Imperative: Building a Brand Manifesto with Mary MaloneyIn this episode of COMPELling Conversations, Steve Ramerini, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of COMPEL CEOs, sits down with Mary Maloney, a seasoned executive and branding expert who has spent over 30 years helping organizations around the world articulate and activate their purpose. With a career spanning roles as CEO, CMO, and advisor to public, private, and venture-backed firms, Mary brings a wealth of insight into leadership, brand identity, and transformation.
Mary shares her perspective on why every leader needs a Brand Manifesto—a clear articulation of one’s purpose, why, and how—and how it serves as a comp...
2025-10-2730 minCOMPELling ConversationsFrom Rock Climbing to Building a Digital Agency — A Conversation with Cause of a KindIn this episode of COMPELling Conversations, host Steve Ramerini, Founder & CEO of COMPEL CEOs, sits down with Justin Abrams and Michael Rispoli, longtime friends turned business partners and co-founders of Cause of a Kind, a mission-driven digital agency specializing in web and software development.
Justin and Mike share their entrepreneurial journey — from meeting as teenagers at a Long Island rock-climbing gym to navigating multiple pivots before finding success in the agency world. They discuss the lessons learned from early failures, the challenges of scaling, managing money, hiring and firing, and staying true to their shared values.
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2025-10-2753 minCOMPELling ConversationsRethinking Sales: Why CEOs Should Put Customers FirstIn this episode of COMPELling Conversations, Steve Ramerini sits down with Janice B. Gordon—international consultant and Customer Growth Expert—to unpack how CEOs and business leaders can build sales organizations that actually perform.
From why introverts often outperform extroverts, to how customer-centric strategies drive sustainable growth, Janice shares insights every executive needs to hear.
Discover why your buyers are avoiding traditional salespeople, how to hire and coach for true sales excellence, and what shifts are required for leaders to ensure sales teams deliver real, measurable results. Packed with practical frameworks and fr...
2025-09-2429 minCOMPELling ConversationsThe World’s Best Buyer Persona: Stormie Andrews on Buyer Personas, NLP, and the Power of AIOn this episode of COMPELling Conversations, Steve Ramerini welcomes Stormie Andrews—marketing strategist, cofounder of Yokel Local, and creator of The World’s Best Buyer Persona System. Stormie takes us through his unexpected path from a Sales Manager for a home builder to leading one of Nevada’s top inbound marketing agencies. He explains why most buyer personas fall short, how his system helps businesses craft messaging that both attracts the right clients and repels the wrong ones, and why aligning strategy with tactics is essential.
You’ll also hear his insights on:
The emotional drivers...
2025-08-2516 minCOMPELling ConversationsThe Power of Perspective: Sam Goodwin on Leadership and ResilienceIn this episode of COMPELling Conversations, host Steve Ramerini sits down with Sam Goodwin, American entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and one of only about 100 people in the world to have traveled to all 193 UN-recognized countries. Sam shares his extraordinary journey, including his experiences as a Division I college hockey player, co-founding a tech company and NGO in Singapore, and surviving a 63-day wrongful detention in Syria.
Through his story, Sam explores the power of embracing uncertainty, cultivating gratitude, and finding resilience in the face of life’s toughest challenges. He shares actionable lessons for business leaders, athletes, faith-based co...
2025-08-1525 minCOMPELling ConversationsCuriosity, Clarity, and Momentum: Fig Annunziato’s Secrets to Entrepreneurial SuccessIn this episode of COMPELling Conversations, Steve Ramerini sits down with Fig Annunziato, a seasoned entrepreneur and facilitator of the COMPEL NextGen Group, to discuss her remarkable journey in business and leadership.
Fig began her career at just 23 years old at the White House and quickly transitioned into business leadership, becoming company president within a year. Over the last two decades, she has grown businesses from under $1 million in revenue to well over eight figures, all while navigating the uncertainties and challenges of entrepreneurship.
Key Takeaways:
Patience is critical: Fig emphasizes that staying...
2025-08-1528 minCOMPELling ConversationsBusiness from 10,000 Feet: Roger Harrop on Helicopter Thinking and Entrepreneurial SuccessIn the very first episode of COMPELling Conversations, host Steve Ramerini welcomes Roger Harrop, UK-based author, business advisor, mentor, and independent board director. With over 25 years of experience leading international businesses, Roger shares his insights on navigating today’s rapidly changing business landscape, including the post-pandemic reset, tight labor markets, and the role of AI and automation.
Roger discusses the four fundamentals for business success—being exceptional, creating a great workplace, constant prospecting, and focusing on profit—while explaining his unique “helicopter view” approach to strategic leadership. He also dives into his innovative use of QR codes in books...
2025-08-1524 min