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Jeff Pelaccio

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The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsDeals with Heart: Cam Bishop’s Journey from Copywriter to CEO and the Human Side of M&ACameron “Cam” Bishop’s (see his bio below) journey from copywriter to CEO is proof that leading with vision, grit, and heart still matters. In this episode, Cam reflects on a career that spans startups, scale-ups, turnarounds, and multimillion-dollar exits, but at the core of it all is his unwavering belief in the power of people. Now a Managing Director at Raincatcher, Cam helps business owners navigate the emotional and financial complexities of selling their businesses. With more than 70 M&A deals under his belt, he’s seen firsthand how too many founders are undervalued and underserved in the p...2025-07-211h 11The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFlow, Fulfillment, and Feeling Seen: Ari DeGrote on Unlocking Human Potential at WorkAri DeGrote (see her bio below) was born because of a New Year’s resolution literally. And that origin story might explain a lot about her mission to help people make intentional, aligned choices that spark real change. Ari believes everyone craves two things at work: meaning and mattering. As the founder of Upward & Inward and a human potential coach, Ari helps leaders and teams move beyond burnout and back into purpose by reconnecting with what makes them feel alive, aligned, and in flow. In this episode, she explains how tapping into a flow state, what many ca...2025-07-131h 08The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Police Reserves to Practical AI: Dale Thomas on Curiosity, Service, and Smart Tech for Small BusinessDale Thomas (see his bio below) doesn’t wear the typical “tech founder” label lightly. Before launching ActionableOps and becoming a bestselling author, Dale served in the police officer reserves, an experience that shaped his no-nonsense, service-first approach to problem-solving. In this episode, Dale shares how his path from public service to operations leadership to “AI Explorer” has always centered on one thing: making things work better for real people. He doesn’t call himself an AI expert, and that’s intentional. His focus is on helping small and mid-sized business owners cut through the hype and use AI in ways...2025-07-071h 05The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Ivory Tower to Inclusive Leadership: Dr. Victoria Farris on Bridging Generational Divides at Work Dr. Victoria Farris (see her bio below) traded a tenured track in academia for the unpredictable path of entrepreneurship. As a transformational leadership strategist, she now helps business leaders foster high-trust, inclusive workplaces where people want to show up and contribute. Our conversation explores the modern leader’s reality: managing five generations in the workplace, each with their own expectations, communication styles, and values. Victoria breaks down how trust isn’t built through perks or policies, but through presence, accountability, allyship, and the courage to challenge outdated assumptions. We unpack how self-awareness and inclusive supervision go hand in ha...2025-06-161h 14The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Southern China to Strategic Force: Fiona Lin on Leading with Purpose Across CulturesFiona Lin (see her bio below) brings a global lens to leadership, starting with her childhood in southern China and leading to her rise as a business transformation expert in the U.S. As the first guest on the podcast born and raised in China, Fiona shares how growing up without toys or pets (and carving fish with friends in the river) shaped her creativity, resilience, and lifelong love of learning. We explore Fiona’s evolution from English teacher to COO, her passion for aligning strategy and execution, and why she believes every transformation begins with listening to...2025-06-0857 minRounding The Bases With Joel GoldbergRounding The Bases With Joel GoldbergEp. 1021 Jeff Pelaccio | Building Connection through ConversationToday’s guest is an executive super-connector who has spent more than 40 years adding value in more ways than quarterly earnings. His name is Jeff Pelaccio, an accomplished speaker, podcast creator and mastermind behind Pelaccio & Partners. A firm that focuses on helping organizations enhance their internal messaging by creating content that fosters connection, clarity, and culture. By laying a foundation of real-life strategies, Jeff Pelaccio drives extraordinary outcomes for all he meets.Website: https://thecorporatecouch.podbean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffpelaccioCheck out our conversation with Jeff on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lpp98Xs3...2025-06-0344 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Packaging to Powerhouse: How Mary-Catherine Reinert Built a Brand as Bold as Her Heritage Mary-Catherine “M-C” Reinert (see her bio below) isn’t just a brand strategist, she’s a force of nature. In this episode of The Corporate Couch, M-C shares her journey from a quiet, science-loving kid from Kansas City to the founder of Fortissima, a bold branding and marketing firm whose name (Italian for “very loud”) reflects both her fierce personality and her Sicilian roots. M-C opens up about the lessons she learned in the family restaurant, the middle school teacher who helped her find her voice, and why she borrowed a friend’s art portfolio to break into design sc...2025-06-021h 05The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsCharting Your Own Path: Massimo Backus on Self-Compassion, Reinvention, and Leading Human-FirstThis episode of The Corporate Couch features Massimo Backus (see his bio below), executive coach, organizational psychologist, and author of Human First, Leader Second. One of the least traditionally “corporate” guests we’ve had on the show, Massimo brings depth, vulnerability, and candor to a conversation about how to thrive in work and life by embracing our full humanity. From attending seven different colleges to working in door-to-door sales, film, commercial real estate, and ultimately leadership development at Fortune 200 companies, Massimo’s career has been anything but linear. He shares how his early struggles with dyslexia shaped his conf...2025-05-271h 05The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom KC Chiefs Fan to Media Mogul: Zach Best on Culture, Creativity, and Championship MindsetsIn this fun and insightful episode, Zach Best, co-founder of FanSided and Executive VP at Minute Media, joins to talk about turning fandom into a media empire, building thriving remote teams, and why culture beats everything. Zach’s Kansas City roots and love for the Chiefs sparked a journey that turned a humble sports blog into a major digital media player acquired three times, including by Time/Sports Illustrated and Meredith Corporation. You’ll hear about: How Zach built a strong remote culture with team members well before remote work was cool. Why bad...2025-05-191h 13The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsBranding the Biggest Games on Earth: Inside Sports Marketing with Mike GoffIn this episode of The Corporate Couch, Kansas City native and sports marketing legend Mike Goff shares stories, lessons, and the occasional war wound from his trailblazing career in brand strategy and sponsorship. From his early days dreaming of sports journalism to leading iconic campaigns with the NFL, World Cup '94, and Rolling Stones tours, Mike’s career is a masterclass in storytelling, strategy, and savvy execution. Mike, whose resume includes everything from being the force behind Sprint’s groundbreaking NFL headset sponsorship to naming the College Football Playoff (CFP), doesn’t just drop names like Peyton Mannin...2025-05-121h 05The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Cattle Ranch to Conscious Rebellion: Justin Foster on Branding, Justice, and Inner WorkWhat happens when one of the least corporate minds steps onto The Corporate Couch? You get a conversation that’s anything but business as usual. In this episode, Justin Foster (see his bio below), poet, agitator, and co-founder of Massive Change, pulls no punches as he unpacks the hidden forces behind branding, leadership, and personal transformation. Raised on a cattle ranch and now based in Austin, Justin’s deep thinking and sharp tongue challenge the traditional playbook with radical honesty and ethical clarity. We explore everything from dismantling toxic systems to cultivating inner awareness—and how bo...2025-05-051h 13The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsBorn to Help: Samantha Shepherd on Law, Legacy, and Leading with HeartSamantha Shepherd (see her bio below) joins The Corporate Couch to discuss making career choices based on personal reasons, going to law school with Mel Robbins, why she decided to focus on Elder care law (and launch three organizations to support her mission), and being born to help people. She is a powerhouse attorney, a law firm and trust company CEO, and an advocate for some of the most vulnerable members of the Kansas City community. With a legal career built on compassion and expertise, Samantha has helped over 8,000 families in Kansas City navigate aging, disability, and estate planning c...2025-04-291h 14The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsBootstraps, Buyouts, and the Business Lessons No One Teaches You with Scott SchaperIn this episode, I’m joined by Scott Schaper (see his bio below), the President of RSM Marketing, serial entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed “empathy-driven business builder.” If you’ve ever dreamed of buying, selling, or merging a business—or are just curious how the sausage is made—this episode is your behind-the-scenes mini-course in small business acquisitions. Scott takes us on a candid journey from his early days managing First Watch restaurants to launching multiple startups, building IFTA Plus (now owned by an industry giant), and eventually leading two back-to-back mergers that culminated in a full buyout of RSM Marketin...2025-04-211h 03The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Politics to Purpose: Joni Wickham on Strategic Leadership and InfluencePlease join me as I chat with Joni Wickham (see her bio below), one of Kansas City’s most influential voices in government and strategic leadership. From her roots in rural North Carolina to serving as Chief of Staff to Kansas City, MO, Mayor Sly James, Joni shares her journey through public service, political strategy, and entrepreneurship. We explore: The pivotal moment in a city council meeting that led her to a career in public service Her experience leading transformative city initiatives like the new airport terminal, the streetcar, and the Women’s Empo...2025-04-1256 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsLove Your Weird: Frankie Russo on Genius Cultures, Radical Growth, and the Donkey Barbeque 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 Wo...2025-04-071h 18The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsSpecial Edition: Reimaging Leadership By Creating A Coaching Culture with Leslie AndersonIn 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 wh...2025-04-0222 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsBreaking Barriers: Shattering Glass Ceilings, Sticky Floors, and Workplace Norms with Erica Rooney 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...2025-03-311h 03The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsKody Bateman, From Grunt to Founder - His Passion to Spread the Gratitude Movement, Why Your Most Powerful Mentor is You, and The True Essence of Network Marketing 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...2025-03-241h 03The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsAligning Your Mind: Britt Frank on Getting Unstuck, Leading Yourself, and Rethinking Change 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...2025-03-171h 07The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsRich Cogswell, The People-First Sales Leader - How To Build Winning Sales Cultures, His Take On FinTech, and Why Leaders Should Make Themselves Redundant 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 f...2025-03-101h 24The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsNick McLean, From Engineer to Deal Junkie - His Four Pillars of Success, Being The Most Boring Guy in Private Equity, and Learning Entrepreneurship Through Company Acquisitions 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...2025-03-031h 05The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsTurning Tragedy into Purpose: Mindy Corporon on Healing, Resilience, and Workplace TransformationI 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 thr...2025-02-241h 14The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThriving in Tech, Overcoming Bad Bosses, and Championing Women Leaders with Marci Weisler 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 embr...2025-02-171h 03The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsKicked Out of the Nest: Deb Coviello on Reinvention, Leadership, and Owning Your Path 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...2025-02-091h 08The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsGrant Gooding, The Curious CEO - Why Following Your Passion is Shitty Advice, How Emotional Data is Transforming Business Strategy, and Finding Your A+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. ...2025-02-0354 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsSaying Yes to Life: Michael Mackie’s Journey Through TV, Travel, and StorytellingIn 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...2025-01-2758 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsA Lifetime of Leadership, Legacy, and Service with Linda EndecottFrom 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...2025-01-201h 06The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom Baseball Cards to Blockchain: Randy Wasinger’s Journey with CryptoSlam 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 lea...2025-01-131h 00How to Get What You WantHow to Get What You WantUnlocking Career Success with Jeff PelaccioAre you standing in your own way when it comes to negotiating for what you deserve? In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Pelaccio to uncover his tips for overcoming self-doubt, preparing for negotiations, and asking for more with confidence. Jeff shares his insights from his career transitions, advice for job seekers, and the importance of valuing yourself in every professional conversation. This is your guide to negotiating smarter, not harder.In this episode, we talk about the following:1. Why preparation and research are key to successful negotiations.2. How to overcome fear...2025-01-0724 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrom the NFL to Mindset Mastery: A Conversation with Jon McGraw 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 p...2025-01-0656 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsUnleashing Fun At Work - Leadership and Laughter With Joel ZeffIn 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 cele...2024-12-301h 17The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsSusie Tomenchok, The Master Negotiator With A Big Heart - Unlocking The Magic Of Others, How To Have Tough Conversations, and Why Negotiating Skills Make Us Better Humans In this episode, I sit down with the vibrant and insightful Susie Tomenchok, author, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and negotiation expert (see her bio below). From being a telecom pioneer at Comcast to leading an international company of over 1000 employees to becoming a mentor and coach, Susie shares her inspiring journey and practical advice for professionals at every stage of their careers (including being an early adopter of having a side hustle). We dive into her unique approach to negotiation as a daily practice, not just a high-stakes event, and explore how mastering this skill can transform careers, leadership, an...2024-12-231h 03The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsPaige Pelaccio Meyer, From Nurse To Business Owner- Embracing The Suck For The Long Game, The Loneliness Of Leadership, and Buying A Business At 27After 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 on...2024-12-1655 minExecutives on the Frontlines: Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsExecutives on the Frontlines: Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsYear-end Thoughts and Suggestions for a Successful 2025 - Part IIThis is the second of two episodes in which our host, Jeff Pelaccio, asks two of our ExecHQ Principals, Ellza Malok and Mark Derr, to provide year-end thoughts and suggestions for a successful 2025 in light of the recent election results and the probable U.S. economic/business climate. To learn more, you can schedule a 30-minute introductory call with our guests using this link: https://calendly.com/d/dy9-tyh-b6g/meet-exechq.   Ellza Malok bio: Ellza Malok is a principal, and CMO recognized for her data science background and expertise in behavior science res...2024-12-1117 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsAnna Murray, From English Teacher to Tech Entrepreneur - Why Plans Are Overrated, Re-Thinking Your Return to Work Policy, and Her Mission To Change CybersecurityAnna 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...2024-12-091h 09Executives on the Frontlines: Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsExecutives on the Frontlines: Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsYear-end Thoughts and Suggestions for a Successful 2025 - Part 1This is the first of two episodes in which our host, Jeff Pelaccio, asks three of our ExecHQ Principals, Elizabeth Souder, Mike Read, and Baron Lukas, to provide year-end thoughts and suggestions for a successful 2025 in light of the recent election results and the probable U.S. economic/business climate. You can schedule a 30-minute introductory call with Baron using this link: https://calendly.com/baron-lukas-exechq/30min). Elizabeth Souder bio: Elizabeth McJimsey Souder is a “recovering” attorney and organizational health consultant and coach who helps companies and leaders realign the disconnect between who they say they a...2024-12-0412 minThe Path To LeadershipThe Path To LeadershipCrafting a New Path: Jeff Pelaccio's Evolution from Tech Enthusiast to EntrepreneurSend us a textWhat if the path to leadership starts with a passion for technology and a high school computer course? Jeff, the founder of Pelaccio and Partners and mastermind behind The Corporate Couch podcast, joins us to reveal how his early interests paved the way for a diverse and fulfilling career. From AT&T to solopreneurship, Jeff has navigated the ups and downs of the corporate world, ultimately embracing the freedom and creativity of launching new ventures. Tune in to learn how his journey, filled with surprising twists and collaborations with top-notch companies like Terra...2024-12-0348 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsPaul Hatch, The Go-Giver Executive - His Mission To Fight Ageism In The Workplace, Lessons From 40 Years On Wall Street, and How Moving Over 60 Times Made Him A Better LeaderIn 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 Stag...2024-12-021h 13The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsBill Brandmeyer, The Purpose-Driven Transformative Leader - Being Part of A Family That Created Multigenerational Wealth, Transforming Kids' Lives Through Sport, and Being in AA at 21 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...2024-11-251h 10Give A DamnGive A DamnStory 98: Jeff Pelaccio on Keeping the End in Mind, Abundance, and The Corporate CouchJustin chats with Jeff Pelaccio, host of The Corporate Couch and President of Pelaccio & Partners, about leading with integrity by helping others grow in their careers. Jeff shares insights from his transition out of IT and lessons from interviewing over 100 guests, including Seth Godin. 2024-11-1956 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsSandra Wiley, The Relationship Builder - From Only Wanting Babies To Company President, Why Relationships Will Make Your Career Amazing, and Starting Life Over at 30This 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 a...2024-11-181h 11The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsMark Hamberlin, The Global CHRO- The Evolution of HR, Gen Z Career Advice, and His Process for Learning A New IndustryIn 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 b...2024-11-111h 09The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFr. Justin Mathews, The Serial Social Entrepreneur - Transforming Communities Through Social Innovation, Why Social Entrepreneurship Is The Future Of Philanthropy, and Practicing Of Cultural HumilityIn 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 Gre...2024-11-041h 10The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsKen Bramble, The Mental Health Champion - Dealing With Imposter Syndrome, The Battle Between His Faith and His Material Desires, and Letting Go Of Being In The "Cool Kids" ClubIn this powerful episode, I sit down with Ken Bramble (see his bio below), an employee benefits consultant turned mental health advocate whose raw honesty about his personal struggles has resonated with audiences nationwide. Ken opens up about his journey wrestling with imposter syndrome while building a successful 25-year career in the employee benefits space. He candidly shares how anxiety crept into his life as he balanced the mounting pressures of career advancement, family responsibilities, and community service. Drawing from his book "Reflections at the Crossroads: A Journey from Ambition to Authenticity," Ken explores the tension between his faith...2024-10-281h 00The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Fascinating Mind Of Seth GodinIn 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...2024-10-2140 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsAndrew Marquardt, The Gritty General Counsel, and CEO - The Emotional Labor of Leadership, The "Oh Shit" Moments When He Started His Company", and The Dignity of WorkYou 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 emotion...2024-10-141h 13The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsJenna Washnieski, The Born Leader - Why Self-Awareness Is The #1 Leadership Trait, Creating New Roles For Yourself, and The Beauty Of Listening To Your IntuitionPlease enjoy this conversation with Jenna Washnieski (see her bio below). Jenna has great energy and we discussed how she was born to be a leader, how a letter she wrote to herself at seventeen predicted her career, why she journals (she has a closet full of them representing the last 20 years), what it's like to be the youngest executive at your company, the beauty of trying different things in your career, why self-awareness is the number one leadership trait, how listening to your intuition helps your career, the importance of having a positive affective presence as a leader...2024-10-071h 00The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsHeidi Lehmann, The Renaissance Woman - Her Journey From Art Major to Tech Start-Up FounderYou 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...2024-09-301h 16The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsBob Burg, The Go-Giver - Misconceptions of "Always" Giving, Learning from Drive-By Mentors, and Why Your Focus Should Be On Adding ValueHonored 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...2024-09-2349 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsMichel Koopman, The Business Athlete CEO - The Art And Science Of Building A Company, The Key To Transparent Communication, and How He Helps Experienced Leaders SucceedIn 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 change...2024-09-161h 02The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsJamie Crosbie, The Born Leader - Destined To Create Her Own Company, Changing Your Mindset For Peak Performance, and Embracing FailureA 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...2024-09-091h 00The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsMelea McRae, The Fearless Leader - Born To Launch Her Own Ad Agency, Being The Only Female In The Executive Suite, and The Importance Of Being A Positive Role ModelYou will enjoy the conversation with the bold and fearless Melea McRae(see her bio below). Melea and I discussed the following: how she navigated being the only female executive at a company, knowing she wanted to be an entrepreneur at an early age (when she was 10 years old she dressed as a "business owner" for Halloween), her advice to female entrepreneurs, finding career success as an intrapreneur, the impact of her mom dying when she was very young, how a palm reader in NYC predicted her future, her roles models (including Murphy Brown), working for Nordstrom's after the...2024-09-021h 11The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsSonya Jury, The Mental Fitness Coach - From Architect to EOS, Riding The Dementia Train With Her Mom, and Lessons From Getting FiredThis 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 c...2024-08-261h 06The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsWayne Simien, The Faith-Based Servant Leader - Leadership Lessons from Hall of Fame Players and Coaches, Why You Should Expect Life To Be Hard, and Wanting To Be Like His FatherHere's an interview with someone I "knew" as a teenager the humble, servant leader Wayne Simien (see his bio below) from his early athletic success as a McDonald's All-American (recognizes the top 25 high school basketball players in the United States) and winning the 2006 NBA Championship to his current role as the associate athlete director of engagement and leadership at the University of Kansas. His leadership lessons from Hall of Famers like Pat Riley, Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Roy Williams, and Bill Self, his journey to becoming a Christian at 20 years old when he was feeling broken and empty, why...2024-08-191h 15The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsRobert "Abe" Abrams, The 4-Star Muddy Boots Leader - Lessons from 39 Years of Army Leadership, How a "Raging Introvert" Can Lead An Organization of 1 Million People, and What It Is Like to Be In A WarNot 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...2024-08-121h 08The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsMichael Sommers, The Leadership Junkie - Creating A Company Based on Love, Vulnerability, and Transparency, Being Driven By Greatness, and The Three Signs of A Miserable JobYou will not find many executives talking about leading with love, vulnerability, and transparency but you will in this episode with Michael Sommers (see his bio below). We talk about his drive at an early age to be a servant leader and strive for greatness, the three signs of a miserable job, how his parents' divorce impacted his leadership journey, the "formula" that justifies his leading with love, and how he operationalized transparency at his company. You will love this episode with Michael!   Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional fi...2024-08-051h 08The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsZach Arend, The Teddy Roosevelt of Leadership Coaches - Overcoming "Boreout" At Work, The Gift of Getting A Major Demotion, and The Beauty of Letting GoGet ready to saddle up your horse in this episode with Zach Arend (see his bio below). His life and career journey is one you will not want to miss. Zach and I discuss: How he was demoted from the vice president of sales of a $300 million company to an account executive (and the major impact it had on his life); his journey from 11 to 18 years old to become a bronc riding champion, his early leadership lessons while still in college working for UPS and leading a team of 16 (when he knew "everything"), his unique approach to making leaders...2024-07-291h 09The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFred Stipkovits, From Steel Mill Town to Company President - Revolutionizing American Manufacturing’s Culture, His Remarkable Company Turnaround, and How His First Job During 9/11 Changed His LifeThere are so many leadership lessons from Fred Stipkovits in this episode (see his bio below) from his first job leading a Coast Guard Homeland Security unit (with colleagues who had been in the Coast Guard longer than he had been alive) pre and post-9/11 (including ramming a boat head-on at 50 MPH to track down a suspected terrorist), his struggles transitioning from his military career (including working a job at Home Depot), being selected as president of a company where two years earlier he was not hired as the business development manager, leading an incredible company turnaround (e.g...2024-07-221h 10The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsFrumi Barr, The Female C-Suite Pioneer - Her Journey From A Physical Therapist to Leading Fourteen Companies, How She Became A CEO's Secret Weapon, and The Benefits of A Portfolio CareerYou will learn many things by listening to Dr. Frumi Barr's (see her bio below) professional journey. Frumi talks about starting her career as a physical therapist and then pivoting into the business world where she led/founded fourteen different companies, her experience being a female C-Suite executive starting in 1980, how her persistence led her to meet Simon Sinek (he wrote the forward for her book), why growth companies need to understand the "Valley of Death", the benefits of a portfolio career, and why every entrepreneur will fail at some point. You will enjoy Frumi's great career and the...2024-07-1655 minExecutives on the Frontlines - Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsExecutives on the Frontlines - Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsDear CEO: Why Don't You Want Your Company to Be on the Best Places to Work List?If you are a CEO or part of the executive management team, why are you not focusing on building a great culture where your team members are energized and engaged? This episode focuses on why culture is so important, what a great culture looks and feels like, the importance for the CEO and other CxOs to live by the company's cultural values, and the steps to create the best environment for your team members. To learn more, you can book a 15-minute call with Jeff here: https://calendly.com/jeffpelaccio/zoom-15-minute-call-with-jeffJeff Pelaccio Bio: J...2024-07-1015 minExecutives on the Frontlines: Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsExecutives on the Frontlines: Real Answers to Everyday Business ProblemsDear CEO: Why Don't You Want Your Company to Be on the Best Places to Work List?If you are a CEO or part of the executive management team, why are you not focusing on building a great culture where your team members are energized and engaged? This episode focuses on why culture is so important, what a great culture looks and feels like, the importance for the CEO and other CxOs to live by the company's cultural values, and the steps to create the best environment for your team members. To learn more, you can book a 15-minute call with Jeff here: https://calendly.com/jeffpelaccio/zoom-15-minute-call-with-jeff Jeff Pelaccio Bio: Jeff ...2024-07-1015 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsMaria Flynn, From Farm Girl to Founder - Making Opportunity Happen As An Entrepreneur, Overcoming Overwhelm, and Rallying Yourself First In Times Of StressMaria 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...2024-07-0857 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsGlenn Fisher, The Lifelong Entrepreneur - Helping People Get What They Want, His Rule of Three, and Questioning If College Is Worth ItA 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 pr...2024-07-0156 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsJohn Hall, A Walking Billboard For Achieving Anything in Life - From Sports Executive To Being A Better Dad, His Mission To Make People’s Lives Better, and Using Commonality to Build ConnectionIf 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...2024-06-2456 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsJohn Minnis, The Relationship-Focused CEO - Lessons He Learned From His Hall of Fame Dad, Quitting a Successful Job to Be a Better Spouse and Father, and The Book That Changed His CareerMy 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 ro...2024-06-171h 12The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsRisa Stein, The Psychologist Turned CEO - How A Mid-Life Crisis Led Her To Create A Company, Going Back to School In Your 50s, and Her Journey From Invulnerability to VulnerabilityThis 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...2024-06-101h 07The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsTucker Graves, The Serial Entrepreneur and Learner - Long Game Thinking, His Great Advice For Start-Ups, and Why Caring Is The Key To A Great CultureJoin 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.2024-06-031h 11The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsKevin McGinnis, The Innovative Community Champion - Lessons From Silicon Valley Companies, Leveraging the Gen Z Workforce, and How To Be A Successful IntrapreneurThere 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...2024-05-281h 10The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsDr. Katie Ervin, The Culture Doctor - Why CEOs Stop Learning, How to Have A Side Hustle, and How Listening to The Universe Can Guide Your CareerYou 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 epis...2024-05-201h 09The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsScott Willingham, The Fierce Competitor With A Servant Leader's Heart - Living By The Platinum Rule, Level 5 Leadership, and Giving Everyone An OpportunityWhenever 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...2024-05-131h 08The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsRick Kahle, The Trusted Advisor - Investing In Others To Stand Out, Learning Leadership By Observation, and The Importance of Self-AwarenessA 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 f...2024-05-061h 00The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsRita Smith, The Domestic Violence Pioneer - Her 16-Year Journey to Help The NFL, How to Share Your Message For People to Hear It, and The Importance of Having A Strong Personal Support SystemIn 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 d...2024-04-2956 minThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsThe Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My FriendsChuck Moxley, The 1:1 Data Pioneer - Using AI for Marketing, Data Privacy and TikTok, and Why Companies Are Creating A Huge Skill And Knowledge GapA 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 e...2024-04-221h 03The Digital ExecutiveThe Digital ExecutiveInsatiable Curiosity Led to Learning and Inspirational Leadership with Senior Executive Jeff Pelaccio | Ep 148Send us a text Senior Executive and Chief Evangelist, Jeff Pelaccio, joins Coruzant Technologies for the Digital Executive podcast. He discusses his career path and how his curiosity and learning put him on a trajectory for success. 2020-12-1316 minTHE FOOD SEENTHE FOOD SEENEpisode 80: Tatroux presents “Notes from a Kitchen, A Journey Inside Culinary Obsession”On today’s THE FOOD SEEN, multimedia artist Jeff Scott and Chef Blake Beshore come together to form Tatroux, the publishers behind “Notes from a Kitchen: A Journey Inside Culinary Obsession”, a re-envisioned take on the modern cookbook. Compiled of hand written ephemera and cinematic clips, the Scott and Beshore follow around renowned chefs like Sean Brock (McCrady’s, Husk), Johnny Iuzzini, Michael Laiskonis, George Mendes, Zak Pelaccio and many more, eliciting a visceral response that reveals their culinary passions and obsessions. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...2011-12-0635 min