Shows
The Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eighty-Four - Ideate Through It.On today's episode we talk to Daleele Alison, CEO, RooksDM, about the etiology of "Rooks," which in the Amharic language means "to go far," and how RooksDM wants to take people further than they're going today, helping businesses drive efficiency by leveraging tech to do as much they can, flying the plane as you're building it, curiosity, passion, reflection (and the importance of dissecting the situation when things don't work out), and how wearing all the hats is the most draining thing as a small business owner.
2023-03-1443 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eighty-Three - Framing A Moment.On today's episode we talk to Spider, Owner + Photographer, SpiderMeka Portraits, LLC, about how doing portraiture is like being a heart surgeon and that she gets to help people look inwardly, that what she's doing is important, that it's her joy, she's transforming lives, people can feel things and see themselves in ways they haven't in years, the work fills her up, it is her service and it's an amazing gift, though also how acceptance is a giant part of what she does, it's a giant part of personal branding, that fixation is vanity, and that it isn't our...
2023-01-1156 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eighty-Two - It's All Relative.On today's episode we talk to Audrey Hutnick, Founder + CEO, Smallwave Marketing, about offering a pay what you can model, working with expectant mothers, when a focus on age may mean a potential client is probably not a good fit, and how firing a client can be necessary and rewarding, the relationship between Hutnick's work ethic and her nonprofit experience, as well as learning from one's experiences going forward and Brené Brown's concept of FFT, or the F'ing First Time, providing custom strategy and not a cookie cutter approach, and her recent experience living nomadically, and following the sun.
2022-12-2744 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eighty-One - I'm Trying To Be Emperor.On today's episode we talk to Stephanie M. Sexauer, Attorney and Founder, Sexauer Law, about how all bossy children are told they ought to be lawyers some day, myths about estate planning, the importance of giving homage to our ancestors, asking yourself what your plan is for when you're no longer available to the work, because the biggest mistake of all entrepreneurs is the belief that whatever they do can only be done by them, and how people come to Stephanie because they're uncertain and in a vulnerable place, and she's looking to help them.
2022-12-1457 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eighty - It's All About Transformation.On today's episode we talk to Susan Bryant, CPA, CTC, Principal, The MB Group LLC, about so much smart stuff related to effective accounting, though in particular, the importance of finding someone who is more interested in the future than they are in the past, as well as the importance of recognizing when we don't have the skills to take our business to the next level, and asking how do I scale and grow my business, Bryant's belief that communication is the key to setting expectations, her recipe for success, which includes: accounting, solid tax planning and strategy, and...
2022-09-3043 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Nine - This Isn't A Side Hustle.We're back, and on today's episode we talk to Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, CFF, Forensic Accountant & Fraud Investigator, Sequence, Inc. about how when it comes to divorce, everyone knows there is a problem, they just don't know there's a solution as well (as well as how disturbing Coenen finds watching people get taken in divorce), her hatred of billable hours, because she doesn't want to sell her time, she wants to sell a result, looking for patterns and asking where did the money go, and most especially, drum roll please...Coenen's creation of the Divorce Money Guide, her desire...
2022-09-1540 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Eight - We Are All Human.On today's episode we talk to Dr. Lakeya Cherry, Evolution Partner, Executive Coach, Dare to Lead™ and #IAmRemarkable facilitator, Chief Executive Officer, Entrepreneur (and so much more) about taking risks, understanding your core values, and those of your business, the four skill sets of courage, which includes vulnerability (and we talk a lot about being vulnerable), normalizing fear, hustle, knowing what matters to you and how coaches don't give advice.
2022-04-2853 min
Inside BS ShowHow to Make HR a Competitive Advantage in Your Business | Samuel Tanios | 463How to Make HR a Competitive Advantage in Your BusinessDo you know what the most valuable asset is for your business? It's your employees. If you want to discover some ways to make your HR processes a competitive advantage, this is the show for you. Dave Lorenzo's guest today is Sam Tanios and he is the CEO of Human Elements Consulting. Sam walks us through the different aspects of taking care of your employees and making them your competitive advantage. Chapters00:00 Intro: How to Make HR a Competitive Advantage in Your Business01:20...
2022-03-3150 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Seven - Intention and Purpose.On today's episode we talk to Kristin Hull, Ph.D., Founder, CEO & CIO of Nia Impact Capital about building a just and sustainable economy, focusing on renewable solutions, the belief that the status quo in business is not going to get us where we're going, the need to step into the shoes of your employees, and how being an investor is not only a right and a responsibility, but the importance of using the investor voice to make change.
2022-03-2250 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Six - Pace of Thought.On today's episode we talk to Craig Stanley, Founder & CEO of Broadwing Advisors, LLC about the journey he's been on, how everything that's baked into real estate is baked into HR, that any great practitioner (of anything) thinks first and foremost about what the client needs, the importance of rethinking, reusing and revisiting our ideas about space and hybrid work culture during (and following) the pandemic and Jim Courier, of course.
2022-02-0742 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Five - The Paradox Principle.On today's episode we talk to Michael Liss, Business & Franchise Attorney and Counselor at Law at FRANLAW®: Liss & Lamar, P.C. on what to look for in a franchisor and the misconceptions about opening franchises, why one has to know what they're looking for, what a good day looks like to them and how they avoid falling into the abyss, as well as the idea that maybe you need to be a little different to open a franchise.
2022-01-2745 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Four - Generational Business.On today's episode we talk to Dennis Platipodis, Vice President at Hometown National Bank on being a community leader, working hard at becoming a trusted advisor (and not transactional), caring about people and how that's a key difference between Hometown National Bank and the global banks (not to mention working in an inherently flatter organization) and the fact that his clients have his cell phone number.
2021-12-2146 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Three - Admissions Of An Ex-Recruiter.On today's episode we talk to Anna Papalia, Founder of Shift Profile about following one's dreams everyday, the lightbulb moment when she realized that one of the problems with interviewing is that we have no formal language for it, how hiring managers always talk way too much, why the video interview is one of the worst things to happen to recruiting and that when it comes to interviews we all get swayed by beauty, the halo effect and all the biases we bring to the table.
2021-12-0351 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-Two - The Kevin Bacon Episode.On today's episode we talk to Howard Fox, Founder of Fox Coaching, Inc. about being truthful and kind (which informs the coaching he does today), how he didn't want to die alone in a hotel room, knowing the difference between selling and marketing, the importance of knowing who one's appropiate client is, giving feedback without cutting someone off at the knees, how every small business should have a podcast to get their story out there and the glory that is his own podcast, the SuccessInSight Podcast.
2021-11-1255 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy-One - Iron Sharpens Iron.On today's episode we talk to Jay McAllister, Founder of Paragon Tech about how if you don't know what the target is, it doesn't matter what tools you use, providing value and charging appropriately, knowing the pain points of your audience, his love for superheroes such as Spider-Man (and his aspiration to become a real life one...a superhero that is), how when it comes to legacy he'd like his concepts to outlive him and that everything he does is with the aim to be the best legal IT provider period.
2021-11-0651 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventy - It Just Felt So Old.On today's episode we talk to Michael FitzGerald, Co-Founder of Submittable about why one ought not name their company after the problem they're trying to solve, how sales is wildly undervalued as an art form, building software with Roxane Gay in mind, start-up culture, the importance of having time to screw-up (and thrash around), how you're not going to get the hard truth from your mother, that employees make your culture (especially when you get to a certain size) and the realization that stepping-back is an emotional thing.
2021-10-291h 03The Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Nine - A Wake-Up Call.On today's episode we talk to Leilani Quiray, Founder of be the change HR, Inc. about how powerful it is to have a job and income, and how people are elated when you communicate with them, being okay with being wrong, as well as transparent and vulnerable, building a happy and healthy workforce, focusing on the company's core values of caring, calming, reliable and fun, practicing philanthropy and looking at how one can serve the community.
2021-10-2343 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Eight - You've Got To Rescue Yourself.On today's episode we talk to Larry Chester, President of CFO Simplified about how everyone has fractional people in their lives, it's not about the hours one spends on the job, but how effective one is (and that people work harder when they feel appreciated), having an exit strategy in place, asking oneself "What is it I have to fix?" and recognizing that not only are we not going to have total control of our business everyday, but the fact that just because things have not gone right, doesn't mean they won't go right.
2021-10-0857 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Seven - A Clearer Vision.On today's episode we talk to Christina Beauchemin, Founder of Let My Legacy Be Love, LLC about how the brain and central nervous system work together to make us think certain ways, her work with Neuro-Linguistics Programming, the impact of ANTs, or automatic negative thoughts, granting oneself grace on the bad days, recognizing that we can't control how anybody else is acting, only how we're reacting and the upcoming release of Beauchemin's memoir Let My Legacy Be Love: A Shortcut to Self-Loving.
2021-09-3042 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Six - Revolution Now!On today's episode we talk to Anne Poirier + Tim Drown, Founders of Shaping Perspectives about ending diet culture, rejecting the thin ideal, focusing on body neutrality, how the body positivity movement does more damage than people realize, making people more comfortable and confident in their body, the business of running Shaping Perspectives together (and identifying whose role is what) and the upcoming release of Poirier's memoir The Body Joyful - My Journey from Self-Loathing to Self-Acceptance.
2021-09-1850 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Five - Then What, So What.On today's episode we talk to Rick Clemons, Founder of Perfect Detour about being how we're supposed to be, that everybody has closets, if you didn't care what anyone thought about you, what would you like to experience and feel, everything you learn comes back and how after you're clear on your why, you're going to get stuck on the how and the when and that everything Clemons does is tied to freedom, integrity, honesty, spontaneity and adventure.
2021-09-1750 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Four - Souls And Goals.On today's episode we talk to Carrie Waible, President of CW&Co. about bringing the heart and the grit, how she had always been about the how and what, but is now focused on her why and a big part of her why is working with founders, small business people, creatives and those who try to get from A-Z everyday, living smaller, needing to love what you do and being more connected to her work and learning that she doesn't have to have all of the answers.
2021-09-1257 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Three - Saddle Your Own Horse.On today's episode we talk to Barbara Newman, Brand Whisperer about listening to one self, her life in advertising, creating emotional connections, cowgirl spirit, saying yes, staying curious, not managing teams, but inspiring them, how feeling good is what drove her, that she's winding down from always wanting to power through and instead now wants to thrive and the release of her eco fiction YA novel The Dreamcatcher Codes.
2021-08-2752 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-Two - Teachable Moments.On today's episode we talk* to Barbra Dillon, Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder & Director of Jedi Recruitment at Fanbase Press about how Dillon (and her co-founder + husband Bryant) take their morals from the stories they love, while telling stories that are meaningful to them (such as the comic book series Quince) and giving people the chance to tell their stories, loving every fandom possible (and their belief that a fanbase ought speak to everyone), creating a safe and inclusive community and not serving as gatekeepers, but focusing on supporting creators and sharing what to expect in the comics industry with them. ...
2021-08-2046 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty-One - Reimagination.On today's episode we talk to Matt Fitzpatrick, Partner at Salt Works Energy about marrying the old school with the new, abandoning Wall Street for the entrepreneurial life (and how that involves starting at ground zero, belt tightening, and embracing patience and risk), the impact of solar energy on both the world and one's bottom line, reimagining stale business models through vision, planning and implementation and the upcoming release of his novel Demon Tide, the third book in the widely acclaimed Justin McGee crime series.
2021-08-1448 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixty - I'm In The Room.On today's episode we talk to D. Yvonne Rivers, CEO and Founder of Phoebe Marketing Group, Business Success Coach & Podcaster about seeking work that's aligned with one's mission and vision (and knowing what one's mission and vision are), focusing on your why, how everday is a chance to fill-in a blank check, the benefits of engaging in a SWOT Analysis, helping people achieve their fullest potential, the Birth Moms Real Talk podcast and the three Ps, Ms and Knows.
2021-08-0655 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Nine - Truth Seeking.On today's episode we talk to Matt Simpson, Author, Podcaster & Empowerment Life Coach about giving oneself permission to dream big, the benefits of ayahuasca, forging a path of passion, purpose and service to others, leaning into the darkness, examining how we start our days, including a focus on rituals, daily discipline and intentional habits, childhood sexual trauma and the Worth The Fight podcast and book.
2021-07-3045 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Eight - Noise.On today's episode we talk to Jeremy Gershfeld, Director of Culture and Learning, goodcounsel about his career as a classical musician, seeking consistency and The Quartet Approach, creating a decisionmaking process that welcomes argument and dissent, the Subject-Object Interview model, the benefits of leaders showing vulnerability, neuronormality and reflecting on one's past experiences of how they learned and making new meaning from them.
2021-07-1849 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Seven - Refire.On today's episode we talk to Robin Joyce Tillotson, Chief Cultural Officer, This I Do For Me (and host of the This I Do For Me: Women Over 50, Black and Fabulous! podcast) about how everthing she does is based on bringing other people along, recognizing that most people want to make a change, but being comfortable is the next big thing, experiencing travel and culture as self-care, recognizing that even what she was doing before the pandemic was helpful, deepening her understanding of other people helps her deepen the understanding of herself and that there are no limits.
2021-07-0355 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Six - The Service Mindset.On today's episode we talk to researcher, speaker and thought entrepreneur Jon Mertz about balancing profit and purpose, the future of work and the line between work and life, empathy, stakeholder value, businesses doing what's best for the common good, betterment, social impact, his book Activate Leadership: Aspen Truths to Empower Millenial Leaders and virtues, including, but not limited to honesty, transparency and courage (as well as how we put these virtues into practice).
2021-06-2548 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Five - Making Art.On today's episode we talk to Cartoonist & Writer Chris Schweizer and Liz Schweizer, his life and business partner, about not usually being in the same room, how Chris spends most of his time drawing (and how their division of labor affords Chris the ability to create because he doesn't have to do the normal adult things), being unable to attend comic book conventions during the pandemic (and what this means in terms of cash flow), utilizing Patreon and why even though Chris likes his solitude, he misses being helpful to other artists who are looking to get started.
2021-06-2254 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Four - Perspective.On today's episode we talk to Randy Ford, Writer & Storytelling Strategist, First Story Strategies about how storytelling has become a buzzword, the Neural Story Net (and the ways our brain uses story-structure to organize the data we take in through the five senses), The Hero's Journey and helping organizations explore what people want and share what they need to know.
2021-06-1349 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Three - The Accidental Entrepreneur.On today's episode we talk to Peter Simon Grenis, Attorney, The Grenis Law Office about survival, the ins and outs of divorce and family law, meeting clients who don't want to meet him (and how very personal his work is), treating people right because doing so will come back around, the need for lawyers to specialize (and identifying one's niche) and finding a market where your competition is aging (while you're not yet).
2021-06-0654 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-Two - Craft.On today's episode we talk to Annmarie Lanesey, Cofounder and President, Greane Tree Technology and Founder and CEO, ALBANYCANCODE about advocating for more diversity in the tech sector, paying it forward, the belief that most of us can do this work (and how if you expose people to tech, they'll see that they're good at it) and getting peeved when someone uses the phrase "lifestyle business" as a negative.
2021-05-2840 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty-One - Coming Together.On today's episode we talk to Mark Yonaty, Owner, Greater Binghamton Development about rebranding one's business through partnerships, staying the course, revitalizing downtown Binghamton, NY (producer Ben Tanzer's hometown), extracting lessons from the pandemic (and recognizing today's show signals a shift towards the post-pandemic episodes to come), extending respect to one's fellow business owners and competitors, the need for all of us to work together in harmony and our collective obligation to make the world a better place.
2021-05-2145 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifty - Like Magic.On today's very special 50th episode we talk to Daniel Cooney, Owner of Daniel Cooney Fine Art about doing what he wants to be doing, selecting work that is both close to his heart and work he wants to sell, showing amazing artists no one has heard of, having a voice in the world and how everything changed when instead of thinking about money, getting bigger and more prestige, he asked, how can I be of service?
2021-05-1456 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Nine - Brain Training.On today's episode we talk to Diane Grimard Wilson, Founder of Grimard Wilson Consulting, Inc. about Neuroscience based coaching, the clarity that comes with your brain being more clear, her love of excellence (and people who are difficult), how a lot of things that get us in trouble are hard wired, her recovery from concussion and post-concussion syndrome and the upcoming May 11th release of her critically acclaimed medical memoir Brain Dance.
2021-05-0745 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Eight - Subject To Interpretation.On today's episode we talk to Mark Yee, Abstract Artist about shopping (and eating) local, imposter syndrome, endless warriors, The Happiness Trap, dialectical thinking (or holding two thoughts at the same time), being present (as well as the tension between the future and the past), circles of feedback, not living a life of regret (and not wanting to die unremembered), the push-pull between legacy and mission and how we all have a purpose.
2021-04-3046 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Seven - Smashing The Turbo Button.On today's episode we talk to David Fausel, Consultant to big companies and startups alike, about feeling optimistic, skating to where the puck is going, not where it is, missing the serendipity that comes with being in an office (and how someone will find a way to to address that even as we continue to work from home), keeping people motivated and retaining the stuff that's great from the last twelve months (and getting rid of the stuff that isn't), while ensuring a broader range of people benefit from those great things.
2021-04-1053 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Six - Soul.On today's episode we talk to Charlene King, Founder of King Communications (which is in the process of a rebrand that will launch in April, new name charleneking.co) about asking yourself how someone can start a business without knowing who they are first, learning your pain points, determining that spirituality had to come first, vulnerability, having an effective ritual at the start of your day (and creating moments of serendipity) and being called to work with mission driven leaders, change agent warriors and entrepreneurs.
2021-03-3157 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Five - Cohesive And Organized.On today's episode we talk to Elliot Richardson, Co-Founder & President of the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) about getting tired of yelling at his television, how there's never been a more important time to support small business, getting involved with issues that are important to you, moving legislation, the SBAC's support for The Recovery Initiative to Support Employment (or the R.I.S.E. Act), staying positive and how we're all in this together.
2021-03-2243 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Four - Focus On The Moment.On today's episode we talk to Bill Gamble, CEO at Pinhole Press about the importance of learning (and not getting lazy), cultural fit and expectations, committing to the situation you're in and learning now to navigate it, not chasing the shiny thing (while recognizing there are no easy solutions) and the importance of a fundamentally sound marketing plan with good execution.
2021-03-1252 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Three - Mission Critical.On today's episode we talk to Kerry Fagan, owner of Mark Thomas Men's Apparel (the finest menswear in upstate New York) about being a niche within a niche, the human connection, the challenges that come with legacy customers, the importance of owning one nice fitting suit (as well as a blue blazer, obviously), The Albany Housing Coalition Inc. and Kerry's belief that price is what you pay, value is what you get (and how customers of Mark Thomas Men's Apparel get the value proposition of shopping there).
2021-03-0754 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-Two - Laser Focused.On today's episode we talk to Jim Bennett, the longtime (and former) owner of Worldwide Express about focusing on the idea and not the business of running the business, the Seven P's, believing in yourself, projecting positivity, the benefits of using playbooks and role-playing (and practice), learning what not to do, how a few key people can make a difference and why you always deliver bad news over the phone (and not by text or email).
2021-02-1954 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty-One - Running With Softballs.On today's episode we talk to Amy Guth, Host of Crain’s Daily Gist (among many other things) about sharing stories, where creativity happens, and all that we've learned, will learn and hope we may still learn from doing business during the pandemic, including what it looks like when we run things as introverts, leaders being able to say they don't have all of the answers and whether we will be able to say, that was when business become softer and more human.
2021-02-121h 02The Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Forty - Passion Is The Word.On today's episode we talk to Jeff Bennett, Co-Founder of Direct Advisors about always wanting to be better (and the fear of mediocrity), asking the right questions, transparency, compliance, and how working in the grey area is not for him, being focused on the best interest of his clients and his client's employees (while believing there's no reason we can't all win) and why things click (I can do this, I get it, I understand it and I believe in it).
2021-02-041h 02The Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Nine - Seed To Spirit.On today's episode we talk to Nick Nagele, Co-Founder of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. about how the whiskey they make is a reflection (and expression) of the work and dedication they put into planting and growing their grain, why bourbon from Kentucky has nothing over bourbon from Illinois, what it takes to get your story and product in front of the people willing to give you their dollar and why his real passion is telling the history of farming.
2021-01-291h 01The Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Eight - Hedging Against Uncertainty.On today's episode we talk to Sarry Ibrahim, Founder of Financial Asset Protection about having to believe that what you're doing is right (and controlling your emotions), black belt strategy, the Bank on Yourself approach to retirement planning, the difference between visioning something and envisioning it, crafting a daily routine and how building a small business is a game of inches, not miles.
2021-01-2246 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Seven - Still An Entrepreneur.On today's episode we talk to Dr. Michele Kehrer, Founder of Balance Chicago about knowing that she wanted to be her own boss at five (while also wanting to change the world), and not knowing why this is because she doesn't know any different, taking time during the pandemic to re-evaluate her business (and seeing the cracks that success can cover-up) and asking how you do today better and tomorrow better too?
2021-01-1448 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Six - The Fundamentals.On today's episode we talk to John Gotschall, President at Coaching Financial about the importance of asking yourself, if this doesn't work, can I live with it, also, what business am I in and where am I taking it, the questions any employee wants to be able to answer for themselves - what's my job, do I like the environment I'm in, what are the benefits and the value of being able to identify something you failed at and what you learned from it.
2021-01-0743 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Five - What's The Why?On today's episode we talk to Lidia Varesco Racoma, Founder of Lidia Varesco Design about celebrating 20 years in business during a pandemic, how sometimes small business owners can feel truly alone, asking what keeps one's clients up at night, and what they're passionate about, and engaging in generosity and sharing with one's competitors, while knowing there is nothing anyone can steal from you, because it's your unique story and you cannot be replicated.
2020-12-2253 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Four - What Box Thinking.On today's episode we talk to Sherry Frey, Founder of lylole prosperity about asking what if we thought bigger, collaborating with competitors, and building a movement, organizations being authentic to themselves, being a spiritual, and solo, entrepreneur, and not realizing how lonely the journey would be and recognizing that how you treat your money is a reflection on how you love yourself.
2020-12-1854 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Three - Way Too Creative.On today's episode we talk to Nathan Delack, Founder of Delack Media Group about helping businesses tell their story (and connecting audiences to the heart of the brand), following one's passion, letting the fear go, how one has to evolve over time (or one will fall in a rut), asking what the market needs (and filling that need) and the unfortunate reality that he doesn't have enough time to do everything in his head.
2020-12-1154 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-Two - Joyful.On today's episode we talk to Clayton Smith, Co-owner of Reconstruction Coffee Roasters about re-establishing family bonds (and putting something together for the family), the origins and multiple meanings behind the usage of reconstruction in the company's name, social media fatigue (and feeling lighter without social media, Facebook anyway), experiencing restaurant and bar closings as a new kind of trauma, creating a social hub and the idea that if anything can bring people back together it's sitting down over a cup of coffee.
2020-12-0351 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty-One - Hopeful.On today's episode we talk to Suzy Takacs, Owner of The Book Cellar about creating a space where people can feel safe, visit, have conversations and connect with the community, how there are books that people consume and books that people collect, being more forgiving and kind, prioritizing differently, plugging along and (hopefully) going back to what we've had.
2020-11-2738 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirty - Bending Capitalism For Good.On today's episode we talk to Diane Tanios (sister of The Blank Slate Podcast co-host Sam Tanios) & Sheila Patel, Co-Founders, The Giving Goddess Shop about changing course (not pivoting), not measuring succcess by how much you make, but how much impact you make, coming from a place of privilege, creating a physical manifestation of one's actual values as human beings and professionals, as well as a model where everyone has enough, understanding what it is to be accountable and The Life Bags Company.
2020-11-2056 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Nine - There's No Try.On today's episode we talk to Phil Gafka, Principal & Founder, LEAP about asking yourself whether you'd rather have authority or power, the need to fall in love with the goal, not the plan, recognizing that culture eats strategy for breakfast, and that culture is not what you define, it's what you tolerate, understanding that leadership is a full-time job and Gafka's book Hole-In-One Leadership.
2020-11-1352 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Eight - Moving From Knowing To Doing.On today's episode we talk to Aaron Levy, Founder & Coach, Raise The Bar about whether companies are willing to think about their people as investments, why when we know better don't we do better, basic human motivations, practicing being, how most leaders are not given the tools or skills to optimize their teams, listening with intention and attention and the Open, Honest & Direct book and podcast.
2020-11-0741 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Seven - Do Something.On today's episode we talk to Tom Alexander, Co-Founder & CEO, Holistic about equity, inclusion, diversity, fairness and learned behaviors, systemic racism, and systemic change, Corona clarity, the three buckets of wokeness, creating environments where people can thrive and how when the whole world is burning down around you, it's important to know what you value as an organization.
2020-10-3039 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Six - A Delightful Surprise.On today's episode we talk to Laura Rossi, Founder, Laura Rossi Public Relations about dealing with uncertainty, recognizing that fear sharpens us, how it's okay to tell the truth (need support, cry and brag sometimes), knowing who you are, that what matters at the end of the day is your community and the Parent Footprint Podcast with Dr. Dan.
2020-10-2249 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Five - Avid Conversationalist.On today's very special 25th episode we talk to Lisa Meredith, Chicago Regional Director, ProVisors about concentrating on your story and making sure it resonates, getting over yourself (and setting your ego at the door), how doing business will not be the same following the pandemic (we will be more deliberate) and the 4 R's for what comes next: Review, Reinvention, Re-establishment and Relaunch.
2020-10-1544 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Four - Legacy.On today's episode* we talk to Stacy, Cara and Alana Kahan, Owner & President, CEO and VP of Sales & Operations (as well as mother and daughters) respectively at Lang Financial Group about setting boundaries, succession planning, building trust, preparation, ego, work-life balance, generational clashes, parenting as coaching (and coaching as parenting) and not talking business on Sundays. *Please excuse the occasional bubble-related fan noise.
2020-10-0942 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Three - The Human Side Of Business.On today's episode we talk to Alicia Del Real, President, The Center for Advanced Emotional Intelligence about creating space for reflection, and creating space between stimulus and response, helping leaders reach their potential, making conscious choices about our behavior instead of just reacting to things and how higher performing teams experience higher levels of psychological safety.
2020-10-0244 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-Two - Tailored Space.On today's episode we talk to Ferdinand Dimailig, Principal, BOX Studios about designing work, live and play spaces for a productive life, focusing on your strengths, the magic to finding solutions, not waiting for something to happen and the office of the future.
2020-09-2449 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty-One - Setting Expectations.On today's episode we talk to Joe Martin, CEO of Martin Creative, about not letting work overrun us, finding someone to pay you for doing what you do best, temporal landmarks, living in a world of opposites, 6-Week Cycles and time travel.
2020-09-1842 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twenty - Mindset.On today's episode we talk to Colin Hosten and David LeGere, Co-Founders (along with Christopher Madden) of Woodhall Press, about having a five-year plan (and being prepared to throw it out the door), putting beautiful products out in the world, how no one does it all alone, making opportunities where they don't exist and why they exult in storytelling.
2020-09-0451 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Nineteen - Robots, What?On today's episode we talk to Matt Sullivan, President/CEO, BES Cleaning, about creating a positive experience for your employees, being the best version of yourself, going so fast you create your own prison, not letting the business you currently own define you, how everything is connected and yes, robots too.
2020-08-2850 min
Finding Favorites with Leah JonesScotty Iseri loves open mic nightsScotty Iseri, the host of The Imagine Neighborhood, loves open mic nights (and probably open mic afternoons, too). He learned plenty of life lessons trying to make strangers look up from their laptops and pay attention to him.
Links
The Imagine Neighborhood
The Digits
Scotty Got an Office Job
Emily Heller - writing retreats
Tumblr acquired by Yahoo, David Karp founder
Thea Lux runs a Zoom open mic
Find Leah on other podcasts
Friday Night Movies - Mantzoukas-Fest: Just t...
2020-08-231h 05The Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eighteen - Innate Curiosity.On today's episode we talk to Kellee M. Johnson, M.A., Principle, The Ballast Group LLC and Melissa Costello, Founder, MELISSACOSTELLO.COM, about the joy of limitations, why any kind of story that sticks with us moves us in some way, the need to quantify what you do, connecting the dots and how clients don't care where you work as long as you're accountable and get work done.
2020-08-2250 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Seventeen - Flipping The Switch.On today's episode we talk to G. Riley Mills, Co-founder and COO, Pinnacle Performance Company, about the benefits of being your own boss; crucible stories, failure and pushing through it; The Pin Drop Principle, Phil Davison and The Pinnacle Three-Step Process for Influential Communications and creating psychological safety for your company and team members.
2020-08-1444 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Sixteen - Wanting Something Different.On today's episode we talk to Leah Jones, Founder, of Natiiv Facilitation, about Adaptive Leadership skills, I Fight Dragons, when your skills don't match your taste, The E-Myth Revisited, Jones' new podcast Finding Favorites and never saying no without a number.
2020-08-0750 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fifteen - It's About Value.On today's episode we talk to Calvin Jackson, President/Creative Director, and Vanessa Jackson-Lopez, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, of The Lemon Ad Stand (who are both professional and personal partners), about balance and agility, working with people you love working with, having faith, knowing how to build and authenticity.
2020-07-2546 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Fourteen - From Pivot To Transformation.On today's episode we talk to Sophia Ruffolo, Founder and CEO, and Rebecca Wallenfelsz, Director, of femmebought, about the funding gap for women business owners, creating your own community when it doesn't exist, collaboration over competition and empowering women to gain economic independence through entrepreneurship.
2020-07-1838 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Thirteen - Everything, Everything, Everything.On today's episode we talk to Mark Rothman, Progress Coach, about reinvention, asking yourself what you're getting out of being stuck, dissociation, letting go of the trapeze, connecting with others and Stop Playing Small: An A to Z Guide to Living Your Bigger, Better Life.
2020-07-0846 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Twelve - Labor of Love.On today's episode we talk to Buunni Coffee Co-Founders Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu (who just happeb to be both business and personal partners), about creating community, coffee culture, having respect for each other's roles, what comes next and The Coffeehouse Resistance: Brewing Hope in Desperate Times.
2020-07-0345 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Eleven - Working.On today's episode we talk to Mary Nisi, Founder, Toast & Jam (as well as Ampersand and CHIRP Radio), about the business of love, valuing work, coping through Peleton (and other outlets), life and business strategies after the pandemic and beekeeping.
2020-06-2054 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Ten - Rinse, Repeat.On today's episode we talk to David Garofalo, Owner & Founder, Two Guys Smoke Shop, about believing in reciprocity, educated guesses, looking at the assets you have (as well as your strengths and opportunities), proven promotions and providing a better business.
2020-06-1340 minThe Blank Slate PodcastThe Blank Slate Podcast, Episode Nine - Respect & Trust.On today's episode (of the newly rebranded The Blank Slate Podcast) we talk to Melissa McAtee and Thon Lorenz, (who are both personal and professional) Partners at elbē creative partners, about intention, diversity, seeking guidance, being nimble, learning something new and finding someone who challenges you in a healthy way.
2020-06-0543 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Eight - Operating Rhythm.On today's episode we talk to Scott Campbell, CRO and Co-Founder of Koan, about having a deliberate focus, OKR methodology, creating a cadence for reporting and how during the pandemic Koan has focused on embracing short term horizons, being agile and a willingness to change.
2020-05-2244 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Seven - There Is Hope.On today's episode we talk to Eric Lazar, Partner, Lead Evangelist and Rebecca Considine, Partner, Rapport & Sales Synergies, of SpeedPro Chicago Loop, about not being afraid to ask for help, pivoting, moving from conversation to action, giving back to the community and their truly uplifting "Hope and Thanks" campaign.
2020-05-1440 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Six - Level-Up.On today's episode we talk to Justin Breen, Founder & President, BrEpic Communications LLC and Chris M. King, CEO, Status Flow, about a range of topics, including having an abundance mindset, positivity, honoring what you're experiencing and counterintuitive thinking.
2020-05-0734 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Five - AuthenticityOn today's episode we talk to Jana Fuelberth and Kristen Chandler, Co-Founder & President and Account Executive respectively, of analytic.li, and revisit the Five Pillars of any Comeback Plan, while also discussing workforce optimization, usable data and leading in a way that's authentic to you.
2020-04-3037 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Four - Moving ForwardOn today's episode we talk to Trisha Daho, the Founder of Empowered, on brand, compassion and navigating the focus required to get to the other side of all this.
2020-04-2333 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Three - Relationship BuildingOn today's episode we talk to Elise Gelwicks, the Founder of Eleveview, on the power of the pause, seeing what resonates in the current climate and what it means to build a strong network.
2020-04-1632 minThe Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode Two - The Comeback PlanAny business owner needs to be focused on a survival right now, however it's also time to start thinking about your comeback plan and today we discuss the Five Pillars of any comeback plan: I. Maximize productivity II. Get a better understanding of your labor budget III. Prioritize hiring IV. Ensure efficiency and V. Keep your team together All of which we discuss in more depth in today's episode.
2020-04-0842 min
The Blank Slate PodcastBlank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast, Episode One - TogetherWelcome to Episode One of Blank Slate: A Human Elements Podcast. Small businesses have to be nimble and adapt during the best of times. But especially during times of crisis. What we’re experiencing now, while unprecedented and challenging (and tragic for many), also provides us with the opportunity for a re-set. Part therapy, part inspiration, Blank Slate is a weekly podcast hosted by Human Elements founder and CEO Sam Tanios that will engage you in a dialog about what’s possible now, where to find hope and what can be accomplished if we work together.
2020-03-3125 min