Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-sh3xChnDa8

Connect with Jacob Birn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-birn/

Learn more: https://addictiveresearch.com/

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DS1fWR7ODjo

Connect with Tanya Thorson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyathorson/

Buy your copy of "Get Off Your (M)ass!: Introducing B2A Business-to-(A)nyone Marketing, Reimagined": https://www.amazon.com/Get-Off-Your-ass-Business/dp/B0FDPXXVWB

Ed McDonough is a seasoned direct response copywriter and marketing strategist who helps businesses craft persuasive messaging that drives results. As the founder of ECE Marketing Services, he has worked with entrepreneurs and companies to refine their offers and increase conversions.

Ed is the author of the new book, Leveraging Buyer Psychology for Copywriters, which reveals the underlying forces that shape purchasing behavior and shows you exactly how to harness them in your copywriting.

Known for his clarity, empathy, and results-driven approach, Ed teaches business owners how to create copy that not only sells but builds trust. When he's not writing or coaching, he enjoys sharing practical marketing tips through workshops, podcasts, and his social media content.

Connect with Ed McDonough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmcdonough/

Buy your copy of Leveraging Buyer Psychology: https://www.amazon.com/Leveraging-Buyer-Psychology-Copywriters-McDonough/dp/B0DQDC82PB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VIP97FA46LEI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KcOFeL4ZXa2Euga49XfRCNlKL7nxWwcwzvlo2SRwMvcUxKonq3jHN_3B_6WtfQF25xb06FSbRV1rAAvWE28qUQ.VeoXfEHIL-oydaM1_ENUB-I1X5qAZA0kj58nOK2WztI&dib_tag=se&keywords=leveraging+buyer+psychology+for+copywriters&qid=1752526647&s=books&sprefix=leveraging+buyer+psychology+for+copywriters%2Cstripbooks%2C122&sr=1-1

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZL-Q9k5K12Y

Connect with Lou Diamond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thriveloud/

Learn More: https://www.thriveloud.com/

Pallavi Pande is a mompreneur and the visionary founder and CEO of Dtocs, a Portland-based, minority and woman-owned (MWBE) company that creates stylish, 100% compostable tableware crafted from naturally shed Areca palm leaves that is sustainable, eco-friendly, and plastic-free. Pallavi's first name roughly translates to "leaf" in Sanskrit. Fond childhood memories of dining on banana leaves in India, helped inspire Pallavi to create Dtocs.

True to Pallavi's mission of "People, Planet, Parties," Dtocs is a sustainable tableware brand rooted in Pallavi's Indian heritage and driven by a mission to reduce single-use plastic. Her products combine stylish, functional design with a strong dedication to environmental and social impact. According to Pallavi, her products appeal to people who care not only about what's on their plates, but what's in their plates. Founded in 2019, the brand delivers elegant yet eco-conscious alternatives to single-use plastic and paper products—everything from plates and bowls to patented straws—designed for both everyday use as well as upscale events. Sold on Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, and in local markets, Dtocs has captured attention far and wide, earning the prestigious NEXTY Award for Innovation at the Natural Products Expo East and being named a finalist in Shark Tank's audition rounds.

According to one article dated May 1, 2024, Dtocs had achieved $1.8 million in cumulative revenue since 2019 and the company reported having sold 10 million palm leaf tableware units at that point in time.

Pallavi has also been honored as a 2023 Influential Businesswoman and an AI Innovation Excellence Award recipient, recognized on the INC 250 Female Founders list, and most recently awarded the Clearco 2025 AAPI Ecommerce Excellence Award, which spotlights Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) founders in the e-commerce space. Under her leadership, Dtocs has secured a place in SEED SPOT's Retail Brand Accelerator and has been celebrated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a CO‑100 Customer Champion.

Dtocs' mission goes beyond sustainability. By sourcing materials from rural India, the company empowers local farmers and artisans—particularly women—while supporting educational and vocational initiatives through partnerships like Anmol Sahara and "Greater Than PDX" in Portland.

Tune in as Pallavi shares her journey from occasionally dining on banana leaves in her native India to building a BIPOC and women-empowered, eco-conscious ecommerce brand that blends purpose, sustainability, and cultural pride.

Learn more: https://dtocs.com/

Coupon Code: dtocs20 – for 20% off and free shipping on any order on the website

Connect with Pallavi Pande: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pallavi-pande-bb5abb1b/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palpande/?hl=en

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pdxmommies/

My guest, Elisa Cruickshank is an instructional designer and the founder of EC‑Designs for Learning. Elisa specializes in creating engaging and effective learning experiences tailored to her clients' needs. With a strong passion for education and a deep understanding of instructional design principles, she collaborates closely with organizations to develop customized training programs, e-learning modules, and educational materials that drive results.

Elisa draws on over a decade of experience in banking, finance, and learning & development to create impactful e‑learning solutions that empower and engage teams. As the driving force behind EC‑Designs for Learning, she specializes in developing engaging webinars, e‑learning courses, and software training that help organizations thrive.

In this episode, we discussed the impact e-learning has on organizations and how an L&D-forward approach creates a culture of growth, retention, and employee engagement.

With expertise spanning instructional design, course management, ILT/VILT (Instructor-Led Training/Virtual Instructor-Led Training) delivery, and both soft and technical skills training, Elisa crafts immersive experiences that resonate. Her clients—ranging from Nestlé Health Science and McLane Company to PolyGen Pharmaceuticals—praise her ability to "go beyond the basics," delivering "impactful courseware on time and to budget," and being "a joy to work with."

Watch on YouTube:

Connect with Elisa Cruickshank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-c/

Learn more: https://ecdlearning.com/

In this episode, we talked about top Meta (Facebook and Instagram) ads strategies to help you drive more revenue to your business. Toward the end of the show, we received a most unwelcome interruption from a ballistic missile attack — all caught on video (and audio), but Azriel far from bombed. This episode is jam-packed with strategic advertising insights from start to finish.

Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V-5QAjqRu5I

Connect with Azriel Ratz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azrielratz/

Learn more: https://ratzpackmedia.com

Facebook Ads Kingdom Podcast

Whether you're speaking in front of a crowd or delivering a business pitch, this episode will help you refine your delivery, own your story, and connect with your audience in a meaningful way. These skills can help you build your personal brand or make a stronger impression during a presentation or networking event. Tune in for a deep dive into creativity, authenticity, and the art of public speaking and presenting!

About our guest:

Jenn Lederer is a comedian, keynote speaker, and consultant known for blending humor with business insights. Jenn specializes in helping individuals and businesses master the art of storytelling to create authentic connections and make an impact on their audiences. Whether performing on stage or advising clients, she empowers people to embrace their unique voices, foster creativity, and build meaningful relationships.

Using her signature COMEDIAN'S FORMULA, she helps clients master the art of effective communication and become go-to experts in their fields. Jenn's unique blend of comedy, business insights, and coaching has made her a sought-after speaker and consultant, delivering impactful workshops on effective communication. Lederer's work has been featured by SiriusXM, Forbes.com, The Huffington Post, Inspiring Lives Magazine, and comedy clubs throughout New York City.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HLuZGTNz3xw

Connect with Jenn Lederer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennlederer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennlederer/

Learn more: https://www.jennlederer.com/

Jenn's Google Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC20zO2BFR8&ab_channel=TalksatGoogle

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I3-9YBvb7j0

Connect with C.A. Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-a-green-70b88618a/

Learn more: https://www.behindthebeardmedia.com/

Undeterred by that early childhood incident, he's since led a successful sales career spanning decades, selling insurance and phone headsets before he got into selling on-hold messages. While a big fan of cold calling, John has also incorporated newer tactics into his sales process such as LinkedIn and attending virtual networking groups to set up "warm calls" and build relationships that lead to numerous referrals and new business.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b22mr7UTn7Y

Connect with John Waller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wallerjohntheonholdguy/

Learn more: https://www.theonholdexperience.com/

While carpet cleaning and mold remediation may not sound like the most glamorous and exciting businesses in the world, Vance set his companies apart by using creative branding and marketing tactics, building a strong culture, and bending over backward to deliver a level of service that leaves his competitors in the dust.

Also a business coach and mentor to entrepreneurs, Vance shares his Disney-influenced approach with his coaching clients to help them build strong, engaged teams and drive customer loyalty without getting in their own way. He helps his clients create systems that give them more freedom and allow them to spend more time working on their businesses and less time in their businesses. If you're anything like me, you don't want to be coached by someone whose only business has been a coaching business or someone who has only studied business from books and courses; you want to get advice from a business owner who has firsthand experience running successful small businesses. Vance Morris is the real deal with the wisdom and insights to share that can only be learned from experience.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I9osnSwhnnk

Connect with Vance Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris/

Get his free list of 52 Ways To Wow Your Customers

Without Breaking The Bank here: www.wow52ways.com

Learn more about his three successful service businesses:

www.easternshorecarpetcleaning.com

www.easternshorerugcleaning.com

www.marylandmoldbusters.com

Connect with Mark Schaeffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwschaefer/

Buy the book, "Belonging to the Brand": https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-Brand-Community-Marketing-Strategy-ebook/dp/B0BQCRN6JQ

Blog: https://businessesgrow.com/

Podcast: The Marketing Companion

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-IKcl_my7vQ

What if you could build a community around your brand or business? What if I told you that you can cultivate an engaged, supportive community of fans around your business where people clamor to buy anything you offer and never leave because your community is such an important part of their lives and identities? My guest, Mark Schaefer is the author of Belonging to the Brand, Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy.

In an age of AI and automation where even many global brands are losing market share and relevance, Mark believes that community is the last refuge for preserving our humanity and ensuring brands, businesses, and non-profits stand out. As Mark explains in his book, and as we discussed in this episode, building a community goes way beyond simply amassing a following. Social media followers and casual readers or viewers are a weak relational link. According to Mark Schaefer, the real magic happens when you're able to bring people together so they connect to one another and find a sense of belonging within your brand community. Once you create a community, your organization becomes a home for your audience – a place where they find meaning. And, a sense of meaning is often what is missing from many people's lives today. For all of our technological advancements and social progress, many people feel lonely or socially isolated. As Mark says in his book, we humans are "wired for community," which can be hard to find in a world that is so virtual and where remote work is common. The demand for community has, perhaps, never been greater than at any time in human history. If you can help fulfill your audience's need for belonging and community, then you will acquire a tribe of loyal supporters and repeat customers.

According to Mark's thesis, which I believe is correct, building a community is how organizations can make the greatest impact and drive the biggest outcomes if they're willing to put in the time and work into making their community grow. Creating a community requires long-term thinking and an investment of time and energy, but it will pay off for those who commit to it, as Mark explains on the podcast and in his book.

In this conversation, Mark and I spoke about the importance of community from both a marketing and a sociological perspective. He also shared interesting case studies of people who found success by building communities around their brands. From a business and marketing standpoint, having your own community on an owned channel also strengthens your brand long-term, dramatically increases customer loyalty and retention, and lessens your reliance on the whims of social media algorithms and changing markets.

In this episode, we discussed his "Belonging to the Brand," published in 2022, but you should also check out his new book that just came out, "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World."

Connect with Mark Schaefer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwschaefer/

Buy the book, Belonging to the Brand: https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-Brand-Community-Marketing-Strategy-ebook/dp/B0BQCRN6JQ

Learn more: https://businessesgrow.com/

Buy his new book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World: https://www.amazon.com/Audacious-How-Humans-Marketing-World/dp/B0DSHRN3PC#:~:text=Mark%20Schaefer's%20%22Audacious%22%20is%20a,AI%20by%20a%20million%20watts.

Mark Schaefer is a globally recognized keynote speaker, educator, business consultant, and author. His blog {grow} is hailed as one of the top marketing blogs in the world.

Mark has worked in global sales, PR, and marketing positions for more than 30 years and provides consulting services as Executive Director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions.

Mark has advanced degrees in marketing and organizational development, holds seven patents, and is a faculty member of the graduate studies program at Rutgers University. For three years, Mark studied under the late Peter Drucker (a world-renowned consultant and author known as the founder of modern management).

He is one of the world's most popular business-related keynote speakers, taking the stage at some of the largest industry and corporate conferences including SXSW, Dell World, the American Bar Association Annual Conference, and many others. He has spoken in 35 different countries.

Mark is also well-known for developing corporate marketing strategies and marketing workshops. His clients range from successful start-ups to global brands such as Adidas, Johnson & Johnson, GE Life Sciences, Pfizer, The U.S. Air Force, and the UK Government.

Mark is the bestselling author of ten other books:

• Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy: This book was number one in both marketing and advertising categories and provides a spellbinding view of the future of marketing.

• Cumulative Advantage: How to Build Momentum for your Ideas, Business, and Life Against All Odds — This book explores the art and science of momentum

• Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins — Some reviewers note this might be the most influential marketing book of the decade.

• KNOWN: How to Build and Unleash Your Personal Brand in the Digital Age — World's number one book on personal branding.

• The Content Code — Named one of the top five marketing books of the year by INC Magazine.

• Social Media Explained — Essential primer on social media marketing.

• Return on Influence — First book ever written on influencer marketing. Named to the elite list of top academic titles of the year by the American Library Association, which declared it an "essential" and "pathfinding" book.

• Born to Blog — All-time bestselling book on blogging!

• LESSONS — Collection of essential essays on embracing chaos.

• The Tao of Twitter – Best-selling book on Twitter in the world.

Mark's books have been used as textbooks at more than 70 universities, have been translated into 15 languages, and can be found in more than 750 libraries worldwide.

He is the founder and co-host of The Marketing Companion, one of the top 10 marketing podcasts on iTunes. The show has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times.

Mark is also a popular and entertaining commentator and has appeared on many national television shows and periodicals including the Wall Street Journal, Wired, The New York Times, CNN, National Public Radio, CNBC, the BBC, and CBS News. He is a regular contributing columnist to The Harvard Business Review.

Learn more: https://businessesgrow.com/

Reuben Swartz is the host of the Sales for Nerds Podcast and founder of Mimiran, the fun "Anti-CRM" CRM solution for solopreneurs and consultants who hate "Selling" but love serving clients.

Utilizing his background of doing sales and marketing for Fortune 500 companies, and his own experience overcoming his personal aversion to selling, Reuben Swartz created, Mimiran a CRM specially designed for consultants, solo entrepreneurs, and solo professionals who may not be comfortable with sales. This "anti-CRM," as he calls it was made with the solopreneur in mind. It caters to the specific needs solopreneurs with unique features not offered by other CRMs and without burdening users with complex features typical of other CRMs that are unnecessary for the solopreneur or consultant.

Some Topics Discussed in this episode include:

✅ How to get over your negative feelings about selling

✅ The right way to network and cultivate relationships

✅ Relationship-driven selling and fostering referral partnerships

✅ Follow-up strategies and tips

✅ Bridging the gap between marketing and sales with a CRM solution designed with solopreneurs in mind

Connect with Reuben Swartz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reubenswartz/

Learn more about Mimiran CRM (client relationship management): https://www.mimiran.com/

Traditional CRMs are for the VP of Sales to keep track of the sales team, not for consultants to create and nurture relationships in their "spare" time. Mimiran gives you more of what you need and less of what you don't.

Sales for Nerds Podcast: https://www.salesfornerds.io/

Enjoy a jolly conversation between Zev Gotkin and Jim Manning, the official Santa Claus of Boston, and the state of Massachusetts. Happy holidays! 🎄

Jim Manning is a motivational speaker and an in-demand Santa Claus who has even charged as much as $700/hour for the gig. He has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Boston Globe, MSNBC, CBS Boston, NPR, and The Today Show, and he has sung on stage with Jennifer Hudson.

A customer service expert and entertainer, he delivers one-hour talks that inspire his listeners to make memorable moments and create unforgettable experiences for their customers. And, who would know better than Santa Claus how to please an often fickle and demanding audience, right?

So be of good cheer, grab some milk and cookies, and don't do anything to get you on the naughty list, because Santa's coming to the podcast.

I ho-ho-hope you enjoy this interview. Wishing you a happy holidays and a happy new year!

Some topics discussed:

• Creating memorable moments for your customers
• How to improvise and adapt on the fly
• Being sensitive to the needs of our customers and respecting the needs of the individual
• How to surprise and delight your customer
• Using customer data to understand your customers
• How to create unforgettable experiences, personal connections, lasting memories, and deeper relationships

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Yb1XlXAgA4?si=lYK7-0HRFIVG_iLf

Connect with Jim Manning AKA Santa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-manning/

Learn more: https://www.santaboston.com/

Manning in the media:

• Santa Singing on Stage with Jennifer Hudson - WCVB Channel 5 Boston
• Boston Globe - Meet the most expensive Santa in Boston. He charges $700 an hour
• Business Insider - What it's really like to be a professional Santa Claus
• NPR - It's Not Jolly, It's A Job: You Need More Than A Beard To Be Santa
• The Daily Free Press - Meet the jolly man behind the designer beard

Allison Kade's writing has been published in several media outlets, including Fox Business News, Business Insider (now Insider), The Fiscal Times, The Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, Lifehacker, The Travel Channel, and xoJane. In addition to her work as a content marketer, she is also a money coach who helps people with their personal finance and financial planning.

Some topics discussed:

• What the right content marketing strategy can do for your business
• The current state of content marketing
• Utilizing AI in content generation (or not) and how AI will impact content marketing
• Combining a diverse array of interests and areas of expertise into your work

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jV7y6ZvHzFI?si=RcVWULvCKCBB7hwU

Connect with Allison Kade: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-kade-9007804/

Learn more: https://allisonkade.com/

Allison's appearance on Fox Business News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJBfBjIbvOk&ab_channel=FOX61

In this episode, my guest is Sean Littman, a Search Engine Marketing and Google Ads expert who focuses on helping non-profit organizations grow. Sean Littman is the founder of GiveSuite and the host of the podcast, "Profiting with Non Profits." While he shies away from bombastic approbations like "guru" and "expert", don't let his humility fool you. Non-profit organizations from around the world consult him about marketing strategies for fundraising. In this conversation, just in time for Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday, Sean Littman generously shared insights from his vast experience managing successful, ROI-positive ad campaigns on Google and other search engine platforms for small and medium-sized non-profits.

Topics Covered:

• How Non-Profits can put their best foot forward

• The Psychology Behind Why People Give to Some Organizations and Not Others

• Non-profit Growth Strategies and Taking Advantage of Google Grants

• CRMs and all-in-one marketing solutions for managing your fundraising and donor base

And much, much more!

Connect with Sean Littman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-littman-catch22nonprofit/

Learn more about GiveSuite: https://givesuite.com/

Check out the Profiting with Non-Profits Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHJPx7qg79CYEe6hV7qV6Q3Yu5cYMRimF

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q6vmSsIV8xc

In this episode, we sit down with Mary Ann Bautista, a YouTube strategist and direct response marketing expert based in San Francisco. Mary Ann specializes in organic YouTube optimization, leveraging search strategies to help you gain visibility, succeed on the YouTube platform, and convert views and subscribers into tangible business results. She shared secrets to maximizing views and growing your channel's audience, turning your YouTube channel into a brand and business builder as well as a passive income stream.

Some topics we covered:

• Why your business should be on YouTube and why YouTube organic growth is valuable for brands

• Proven strategies for optimizing your content to reach the right audience

• How she pivoted her extensive marketing career to focus on YouTube strategy

Mary Ann's 30+ years in direct response services have included high-impact campaigns across TV, radio, podcasts, and social media. Her proprietary techniques have powered significant growth for countless brands

Connect with Mary Ann Bautista: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannbautista/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4fe05R8cjQU

Rachel Rozen is the founder of Connection Catalyst, a consultancy helping people become stronger networkers. In addition to providing workshops, classes, and 1:1 coaching, she also hosts exclusive, 8-person dinners in Manhattan for like-minded professionals and business owners looking to step up their networking game. You can learn more about Rachel Rozen's coaching services and her dinners in NYC by clicking the links below.

Connect with Rachel Rozen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rozen/

Learn more: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/

Apply to attend a dinner in NYC here: https://www.connectioncatalyst.me/dinners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GI3C25wMx0Y

In this episode we talked about her work with big food/bev brands, lesser-known regional styles of pizza, sweet whiskey, and what makes a grocery shopper pick your product off the shelf over that of your competition. Apologies in advance if this episode makes you hungry!

Connect with Tiffany Wilburn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanywilburn/

Learn More: https://www.cleverdisruption.com/

Watch the episode on YouTube here:

Watch Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKw3i2Rzfu0&t=341s&ab_channel=ZevGotkin

Connect with Naphtali Hoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naphtalihoff/

Learn more about Naphtali Hoff: https://www.impactfulcoaching.com/

Order Becoming the Productive Boss: 5 Proven Steps to Leading High Performing Teams here: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Productive-Boss-Leading-Performing/dp/B0BVSXCWZP

Mastermind Group: https://www.impactfulcoaching.com/blm

If a journalist asks about a topic you know a lot about, simply reply directly with helpful information or feedback for a chance to be featured or quoted in the story. The only rule? Only reply to a journalist's query, or SOS, if you have something productive and relevant to add. If you respond with something unhelpful, you will be permanently removed from the list! No exceptions; no appeals. This is serious business. He's not messing around here!

Peter Shankman is perhaps best known as the founder of HARO (Help a Reporter Out), an online service that worked the same ways as Source of Sources. Groundbreaking at the time and user-friendly, HARO bridged the gap between journalists and public brands seeking media coverage by allowing journalists to connect with industry experts and the public for feedback on issues related to their reporting. In 2010, HARO was sold to Vocus, which was subsequently acquired by Cision in 2014. Earlier this year, Cision folded the classic HARO into Connectively, a web-based tool. Shortly after, our guest, Peter Shankman revived HARO as Source of Sources, an incredible resource he provides to subscribers free of charge.

A lifelong Manhattanite, marketing expert, and futurist, the New York Times called Peter Shankman "a rock star who knows everything about social media and then some." He is a 5X best-selling author, and the author of Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain. He also has a fantastic podcast about ADHD called The Faster than Normal podcast where he interviews psychologists and successful people from all fields who have ADHD. I highly recommend the book and the podcast is one of my favorites!

In this episode, Peter Shankman and I spoke about Source of Sources, the current state of PR and news media in general, and how to become savvier consumers of information. We also discussed Mental Capital Consulting, a consultancy he co-founded with a psychologist in 2023 that helps companies attract, hire, and retain neurodiverse employees while helping companies to become neuro-inclusive. And, to top it all off we resolved a mysterious bone of contention about cold pizza.

Peter assured us his new service, Source of Sources is free, but he says if you really feel like sending him a donation, you should send it to a charity such as Best Friends Animal Society or The NYC Mayor's Alliance for Animals.

Watch on YouTube:

Follow Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petershankman/

Learn more about Source of Sources: https://sourceofsources.com/

Mental Capital Consulting: https://mentalcapitalconsulting.com/

Coaching and Mastermind: https://www.shankminds.com/

Instagram: @petershankman https://www.instagram.com/petershankman/ Over 79K followers

Faster than Normal Podcast: https://www.fasterthannormal.com/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Shankman

Luca Giorgiantonio is a salesperson for ePaymints, a merchant processing solution. Previously he worked for nearly two decades in the restaurant business. Today, he leverages his relationships in the hospitality world in his current sales role. With his colorful, passionate personality 🤌, entrepreneurial spirit, and hilariously entertaining social media content on LinkedIn and TikTok, Luca sets himself apart in a sea of "boring" B2B salespeople. He has a gift for making a seemingly dull topic like merchant processing sound exciting.

In this episode, we talked about building relationships and gaining trust. We also exchanged sales secrets, talked about his relaxed, easygoing approach to life and business, and discussed how people can put a little more personality and fun into their sales process.

Luca had a lot of wisdom to share in this fun and lively interview, as I'm sure you'll agree, but first, a quick word from our sponsor!

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tGBWIEHuZzo?si=gGGoMw0wfSCGy3wW

Connect with Luca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucagepaymints/

Learn more about ePayments: https://epaymints.com/

Italian Food Jerk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@italian.food.jerk

https://dangordonenterprise.com/

Connect with Coach Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdangordon/

Watch Here:

Learn more about Ardor here: https://www.ardortrip.com/

Connect with Brian Hellgeth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhellgeth2045/

Based in New York City, Matt Stein has dedicated himself to redefining the travel experience, alleviating the stresses and frustrations commonly associated with travel. At Unique Luxury Travels, Matt caters to various custom luxury travel needs and wishes, crafting itineraries based on your interests and taking care of everything from planning to booking hotels, excursions, and meals so all you have to do is pack up, go, and enjoy. Whether you are an experienced globetrotter, a wine enthusiast, an art collector, an adventure seeker, or a sports fan, Unique Luxury Travels is committed to meeting your unique preferences and surpassing your expectations.

In this episode we talked about how Matt went from a fear of flying (didn't fly until his 30s) to a travel enthusiast, travel do's and don'ts, and his story of leaving a celebrated 20-year career in TV journalism to become a full-time travel agent and entrepreneur.

Learn more: https://uniqueluxurytravels.com/

Matt Stein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stein-nyc/

Watch: YouTube

Learn More: https://www.tommybahama.com/

https://www.tommybahamamiramonte.com/

In this episode of the Zee Learning Podcast, I sat down with Doug Wood, the visionary CEO of Tommy Bahama, and delved into his remarkable journey and leadership that has driven over 20 years of impressive growth and expansion for the iconic brand. Throughout the interview, Doug shared insights into his leadership style and management philosophy that have unified Tommy Bahama's diverse businesses—wholesale, retail, restaurant, e-commerce, and licensing — under a consistent and compelling brand message.

Watch: YouTube

Doug Wood joined Tommy Bahama in 2001 as Chief Operating Officer, rising to President in 2008 and CEO in 2015. Under his leadership, Tommy Bahama has transformed from a wholesale-centric company to a flourishing direct-to-consumer business with a robust wholesale division. Doug's strategic direction has been pivotal in developing a successful e-commerce platform, expanding retail and restaurant ventures, and spearheading the brand's international growth. With over 25 years of executive experience in business management, finance, and operations, Doug's expertise has been a cornerstone of Tommy Bahama's sustained success.

Before his tenure at Tommy Bahama, Doug held key positions at AT&T/McCaw Communications and Boeing Defense and Space Group. A native of Washington State, Doug earned his MBA from Pacific Lutheran University and a BS in Business Administration for Finance and Economics from Central Washington University, where he was honored as the commencement speaker for the class of 2015. Join us as we explore Doug Wood's incredible journey, his approach to leadership, and the strategies that have positioned Tommy Bahama as a leader in its industry, along with an exciting look at the new Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.

Located in Indian Wells in the Greater Palm Springs area, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa debuted on November 1st, 2023 following an extensive, $20 million renovation and redesign that pairs island living with desert luxury. This is the first resort concept for the elevated lifestyle brand, Tommy Bahama.

Learn more about Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa:

https://www.tommybahamamiramonte.com/

Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0or4jqtqwY&list=PLlTwnBWzuS7yU31j9qrZEY8T8QsSH-SjA&ab_channel=ZevGotkin

Her previous 22 Years of success in the challenging world of corporate travel has given Rochelle a unique and incredibly practical perspective on sales processes and on the most effective way to deal with difficult clients. She infuses her innovative sales training and interactive programs with the wisdom borne out of dealing with diverse industries, crisis management, multicultural clients, and demanding customers.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochellelisner/

https://dynamicbusinessgrowth.com/

Learn more: https://www.emotiontrac.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronitzkowitz/

Watch this episode on YouTube here: YouTube Episode

In this episode, Mary Katz and I discuss branding, what it means to have a 'brand,' the difference between a rebrand and a brand refresh, and the relationship between marketing and sales and how they work together. Other topics we addressed include Mad Men, developing a marketing plan and strategy, and why companies should invest in building a brand for the long term.

Connect with Marty Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-katz/

https://connectors360.com/

Learn more about Darryl Haberman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haberman/

How to Get Involved: https://sportsphilanthropynetwork.org/

Learn more about Neco Turkienicz:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/necoturkienicz/

https://www.leibproductions.com/

Neco Turkienicz has been directing and editing for over 30 years, and he sees every new project with the same excitement and curiosity as his first one. Being able to put yourself in your client's shoes, and embracing their goals as your own, is a self-requirement that guides Neco to create video content that is emotionally engaging, truthful to who the client is, and, above all, effective.

Neco is a storyteller who studied Film and Television at the University of Tel-Aviv, Israel and started his career as an editor and later as a director in Cable Television in Israel. He directed eight documentaries for TV and worked as a TV director and editor on the Israeli Sports Channel for 14 years. He moved to the US in 2004, where he was a creative director in two NY-based animation companies, working with the largest ad agencies in the world. He founded his own company in 2009 and has been working since then creating video content for businesses. In the last few years, Neco became a specialist in Remote Video Production, which is creating high-quality, professional videos without the need for a video crew on location. His company, Leib Productions, is dedicated to creating this kind of content for businesses and non-profit organizations in the US and around the world.

Connect with Josef Katz here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefkatz/

Sydney Campos is an accomplished author, serial entrepreneur, and the founder of Ascend as well as the Chief of Staff of Mattermore. She is passionate about mental health, human connection, well-being, and the future of work. A strategic consultant and performance coach, Sydney Campos leads countless workshops, courses, and retreats where she helps guide people through powerful transformation and healing so they can live their purpose, own their power, and live a fulfilling, joyful life.

Over the past decade, she has guided leaders and conscious companies worldwide in realizing their full potential. Sydney Campos is also the author of two best-selling books, "The Empath Experience" and her new book, "I'm Ascending, Now What?" Both of her books are in-depth resources for human potential and embodiment enjoyed by over 65,000 readers globally and are often recommended by clinicians, coaches, therapists, and parents.

Learn more about Sydney Campos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneycampos/

"I'm Ascending, Now What?" (2023) https://www.amazon.com/Im-Ascending-Now-What-Authentic/dp/B0BKKC32DR/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=aMFGI&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=134-0995366-6082259&pd_rd_wg=YLCJb&pd_rd_r=d8909c2b-c2ef-4e08-aaac-a3e09535de39&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

"The Empath Experience: What to Do When You Feel Everything" (2018) https://www.amazon.com/Empath-Experience-What-When-Everything/dp/1507207166

Watch this interview here: https://youtu.be/KCytfJbeBYo?si=r8SHiT8rUWShdB6A

They say you should start with the end in mind.

Having an exit strategy or a plan for profitability is not only essential to the long-term success of your business, but it will transform how you approach your business in the present. Having a solid financial plan for your business is about more than just "knowing your numbers," as you'll soon find out. It's also a mindset. Having a strategic, big-picture plan not only for revenue growth but also for profitability, will ensure your startup evolves into a scalable organization that ultimately becomes a valuable asset you can sell at a high value at a later date.

With her sharp financial acumen and unwavering commitment to client success, Tina is revolutionizing how small businesses navigate the complexities of company building. I think her passion and enthusiasm for empowering entrepreneurs to create financially profitable businesses is infectious and inspiring as I'm sure you'll agree.

Learn more about Tina Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-liu-b146698/

TSL Partner: https://tslpartner.com/

Watch here: https://youtu.be/phAFltRxVDs?si=vTBwepiB6lxIfws8

Zev Gotkin in conversation with Adam Karofsky. Two content writers continue their conversation about AI and its impact on the written word.

Adam Karofsky is a professional content writer and editor, and the owner of the business, ASK Writes. Adam specializes in creating content, such as articles, blogs, and books that are true to everyone's unique voice.

Learn more about Adam Karofsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askwrites/

https://www.askwrites.com/

Order your copy of Get Over Yourself here: https://rb.gy/0t3zm2

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NMEpo42Pkms?si=RPlrBWELvTSw_cPS

Dave Kerpen is a serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and return guest to the Zee Learning Podcast. He is the cofounder and CEO of Apprentice, a platform connecting entrepreneurs with top college student talent, the cofounder of Likeable Media, a successful social media marketing agency he sold to 10Perals Studio in 2021, and the author of several bestselling books, including The Art of People, Likeable Social Media, and Likeable Business.

Dave Kerpen is a popular contributor to Inc.com, a LinkedIn influencer, and he has been regularly featured in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, TODAY, CBS's The Early Show, BBC, Financial Times, and more. Additionally, Kerpen is the executive chairman of The Nursing Beat and the cofounder of Kip.ai.

With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jesan has personally trained and influenced the skills of more than 15,000 managers and supervisors spanning various industries. He and his team have made it their mission to revolutionize leadership and talent development, catering to managers and supervisors across all organizations and verticals.

In this episode, we talked about Jesan's popular and fast-growing podcast, unpack what modern-day, relevant lessons today's leaders can learn from literature, philosophy, history, and the great books of the past, and delve deeply into a discussion about humanity and AI.

This was one of the most fascinating and deepest discussions I've had yet on the podcast. I sincerely look forward to having more of these intellectual, higher-level kinds of conversations on this show going forward. I think you're going to love this episode, but before we get into it, a quick word from our sponsor!

Learn more:

Leadership Lessons From The Great Books" Podcast: https://leadershiplessonsfromthegreatbooks.transistor.fm/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/

https://leadershiptoolbox.us/

https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Leaders-Foundation-Intentional-Leadership/dp/0997408820#:~:text=12%20Rules%20for%20Leaders%3A%20The%20Foundation%20for%20Intentional%20Leadership%20explores,modern%20world%2C%20and%20with%20the

Learn more: https://www.instantlyrelevant.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/

https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/

His course, "PR Toolkit for Tech Startups," can be found here: https://courses.levelpr.co/

Zee Learning Podcast listeners will get 25% off whenever they register for any of Scott's courses by using the coupon code, zev25. This discount code is exclusively offered to ZEE Learning Podcast listeners and does not expire.

www.levelpr.co

scott@levelpr.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrosenblum/

Scott brings over two decades of experience in the PR field, making him a veteran in the world of media relations and communications, particularly in the niche of tech. As the founder of LEVEL PR, he has established himself as a go-to expert in working with tech startups, media companies, publishers, adtech, fintech, edtech, and enterprise tech companies, helping them gain awareness, fundraise, and enhance their brand presence.

In this episode, we'll dive into the fascinating world of PR in the tech space. Scott will share insights, stories, and strategies that have helped his clients succeed in highly competitive industries. During our conversation, Scott and I talked about innovation and change, both in tech and in the PR industry, how to constantly push the boundaries of what's possible, the intersection between tech and PR, and how to upskill yourself and keep up with changes in your field.

We also discussed how technology has disrupted PR throughout Scott's illustrious career in the form of digital, SEO, social media, and now, AI, and how he has adapted to these changes. With his wealth of experience, Scott has become a trusted partner to both tech startups and established tech companies, helping them navigate the complexities of the media landscape.

A great man once said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." That quote has been incorrectly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, and while I'm not sure who really said it, my guest today is a craft beer brewer who, in his own words, has been working in craft beer before it was called "craft." Marty Nachel is a long-time Beer Educator, the author of "Homebrewing for Dummies," the co-author of "Beer for Dummies," and an International Beer Judge. He's also the "Head Honcho" at Nachel Beer Education, an online course where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about beer – how to understand it, appreciate it, brew it, and promote it. You can find a link to his course in the show notes. With over three decades of beer knowledge and a wide range of industry experience, Marty Nachel can help you become an expert in the world's oldest beverage. So sit back, relax, and crack open a cold one or fill up your pint and get ready to learn a little more about your favorite drink. Before we start, a quick word from our sponsor!

Try his online course: https://www.nachelbeereducation.com/

Buy: Beer for Dummies

Buy: Homebrewing For Dummies

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@martynachel

Guest: Joe Apfelbaum is the founder/CEO of AJAX Union, a B2B marketing agency, an expert in AI marketing tools, and a part-time rapper.

Check out his new course to stay up-to-date with the latest AI marketing tools, tactics, and strategies: https://learn.evyrgreen.com/offers/LQpxxJGq/checkout?coupon_code=EN50OFF

Adam Karofsky is a professional content writer and editor, and the owner of the business, ASK Writes. Adam specializes in creating content, such as articles, blogs, and books that are true to everyone's unique voice.

Learn more about Adam Karofsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askwrites/

https://www.askwrites.com/

Yates is currently utilizing his talents as a Senior Product Manager at Teach for America, the largest education nonprofit in the United States. You can learn more about Mike Yates and all the exciting things he's working on in the education space on his LinkedIn profile, also linked in the show notes.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-yates/

https://alpha.school/about-alpha/

More

Peter Shankman is an author, popular keynote speaker, and authority on marketing, brand building, social media, and customer service. He is also a futurist and expert in the latest trends in digital marketing and technology. In this episode, Peter Shankman and I discuss the metaverse and its implications for edtech, eLearning, upskilling and neurodiverse education.

A little about Peter

The New York Times has called Peter Shankman "a rock star who knows everything about social media and then some." He is a 5X best-selling author, entrepreneur, and corporate in-person and virtual keynote speaker.

Among his many ventures, Peter Shankman founded HARO (Help a Reporter Out), an online service for journalists to obtain feedback from the public and connect with experts on issues relevant to their reporting. Shankman founded HARO originally as a Facebook group in 2008 and it was later turned into a mailing list claiming over 800,000 sources and 55,000 journalists and bloggers. Within three years, HARO was already generating $1.55 million selling simple text ads on email blasts. In June 2010, Shankman made a successful exit, selling HARO to a large advertiser. Today, the company is part of Cision. With three startup launches and exits under his belt, Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, and advertising. He is also a sought-after expert and commentator on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the new Neurodiverse Economy.

An ADHD entrepreneur himself (like me!), he is the host of a popular ADHD podcast called "Faster than Normal." Peter Shankman is currently Futurist in Residence at BluShark Digital, a marketing agency, where he tracks trends in the constantly changing digital landscape in order to devise cutting-edge solutions that help clients gain maximum visibility.

Peter Shankman is a fascinating guy, known not only for his out-of-the-box thinking but also for his incredible, unconventional habits and hobbies. If he's not getting up at 3:30 am for a run followed by a cold shower or jumping out of an airplane, he's often traveling the word and consulting. He also has a Mastermind. It was a lot of fun talking to Peter and you can learn more about him by checking out the links in the show notes. I think you're really going to enjoy this interview, but first a quick word from our sponsor.

Learn more about Peter Shankman:

https://www.shankman.com/about/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Shankman

https://www.instagram.com/petershankman/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petershankman/

https://www.fasterthannormal.com/

Evan Francis is a futurist and a Senior Technical Recruiter at Bigeye, a big data operations platform. In this episode, Evan and I discuss what might be the reasons driving the Great Resignation. We also talk about the most sought-after skills and qualifications tech companies are looking for in job candidates, the metaverse, and the Future of Work.

Learn more about Evan Francis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-francis-43198629/

In this interview, we talk about why team-building matters and why it's such an integral part of creating culture, cultivating team cohesion, and boosting retention, which is now more important than ever during this period of time experts are calling the "Great Resignation." We also talk about following your dreams, reinventing yourself professionally, bringing fun to the workplace, and empowering people to be their true selves.

When you think of a corporate team-building event, usually what comes to mind are uncomfortable, forced "ice breakers" or stale retreats, but Get Some Class puts its own spin on the team-building concept. In addition to the usual wine tastings, trivia, and steak nights, Get Some Class has some unconventional, out-of-the-box, funky offerings like Ha Ha Yoga, where participants take part in a yoga class while a stand-up comic pokes fun at their movements and exertions, and Coral Creations where participants paint underwater scenes under the guidance of a world-class artist while a marine biologist teaches them about oceanic eco-systems.

Learn more: https://getsomeclass.com/

My guest is Kasandrea Sereno. In addition to her responsibilities as a Senior Advisor for Student Success & Technology at the University of Tampa, Kasandrea Sereno is a social media strategist and the founder of Higher Ed Social, a unique social media consultancy that helps advise social media managers focused on managing the social media presence of a college or university.

Her Facebook group, #HigherEdSocial is the world's largest network of social media managers in higher education with a membership of over 10 thousand strong, bringing social media managers at colleges and universities together to share best practices. The members of this passionately engaged community post in the group daily, asking questions, swapping anecdotes, and sharing social media strategies, tools, tips, and tricks tailored to the needs of institutions of higher learning. Kasandrea regularly holds training and workshops for her community where she shares award-winning strategies and best practices that help colleges and universities grow their brands and maintain vibrant, engaged communities across all the major social media platforms.

Kasandrea Sereno is also the founder of My Advisor Says, an organization that works with students of all ages, helping them achieve their dream of a college education. When she sleeps is anybody's guess!

Learn more about Kasandrea Sereno and Higher Ed Social:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HigherEdSocial/

http://kasandreasereno.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasandreasereno/

Mark Zides is also the author of the new book, The #PACE Process for Early Career Success, a book aimed at GenZ and younger Millennials that is designed to help you unlock the mindset, traits, and techniques needed to Plan, Apply for, Commit to, and Evaluate your ideal career path. Whether you plan to enter the corporate world, join a startup, or start your own business, The #Pace Process for Early Career Success will teach you how to build a network, master interviewing skills, leverage your personal brand, and how and when to move on to your next opportunity.

And, even if you're a little older and have been in the workforce for a while, much of the advice Mark shares in his book applies equally to those of you who are contemplating your next move or thinking of transitioning to a new career path. Drawing on over 30 years of his own experience climbing the corporate ladder, changing careers, becoming an entrepreneur, and starting his own successful company, which today employs hundreds of eLearning professionals, Mark imparts practical wisdom that will help you land your dream job or move forward in your career.

The #PACE Process for Early Career Success comes out on Tuesday, April 5th and makes for the perfect graduation present for the college or graduate student in your life, who will no doubt benefit from the powerful insights shared in this book, all with a little bit of tough love and Mark's characteristic no-bullshit, straight talk, pull-no-punches style.

You can order the book now by clicking on the link below. You can also learn more about Mark Zides and CoreAxis Consulting by clicking the links in the show notes.

Order The #Pace Process for Early Career Success here: https://www.amazon.com/PACE-Process-Early-Career-Success/dp/1956450165/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1OP6KV3H6A1U8&keywords=pace+process&qid=1646766227&sprefix=pace+process%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-2

More information about Mark Zides:

https://coreaxis.com/

https://www.markzides.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzides/

But, how do we find purpose, or meaning in life, during our final years when all, or most, of the things that once gave us a sense of purpose may no longer be part of our lives?

Finding one's purpose is a notion we most often associate with youth -- people in college or at the start of their careers. And, we all know of people who had a mid-life crisis and redefined or shifted their sense of purpose in middle age or even in their Golden years.

But, my guest, Anna Hall, founder of The Purpose Equation, uniquely caters to seniors and the elderly, including patients with dementia, helping them to find their purpose.

A former caregiver in an assisted living community, Anna Hall set out on a quest to help seniors find their purpose. She believes that when we are too old to work, raise a family, or do many of the activities we enjoyed throughout most of adulthood, we must redefine our purpose and gain the strength to continue living happy and fulfilling lives. Her company's motto: "Purpose clarifies life."

The Purpose Equation provides exercises and workshops that help seniors and caregivers find their life's purpose, giving them a renewed sense of meaning and happiness. Their certified 'Purpose Guides' are trained to work with elderly patients in homes and senior living communities to help them unlock their "Purpose Equation," which can give them more of a sense of joy and meaning in their everyday lives and ease transitions like retiring or moving into an assisted living facility.

Learn more about the Purpose Equation: https://thepurposeequation.com/

Under the watchful eye of a clinician, users master cognitive and motor skills by playing fun and engaging computer games that simulate 'real-life' activities that they enjoy (or once enjoyed), such as Bingo, slot machines, grocery shopping, skiing, rock climbing, and more.

Connected to the Internet, the platform enables users to play these games with friends and loved ones virtually or in person, making for a fun, interactive, and social experience. An occupational therapist himself, Ian conceived of the platform as a way to help elderly users master skills while having fun and staying connected to their loved ones.

Learn more about Restore Skills: https://restoreskills.com/

Learn more about B.L. Ochman:

https://beyondsocialmediashow.com/

https://www.whatsnextblog.com/

Twitter: @whatsnext

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bl-ochman/

https://www.youtube.com/user/beyondsocialmedia

https://blochman.com/

Learn more about MyIsraelMiracle here: https://www.myisraelsmiracle.com/

Nevvon is a global healthcare education company with an advanced e-training platform designed to simplify mandatory annual education for caregivers. Everything takes place through a simple, intuitive, and user-centric app that lets your caregivers easily educate themselves at their pace and on their schedule. The Nevvon platform simplifies and streamlines your regulatory requirements in any State so you can focus on what matters most: running a successful business.

Learn more about Nevvon here: https://www.nevvon.com/

In this episode, we discussed growing revenue, automation, burnout, and building a self-sustaining business for the long term. My conversation with Dough was basically a free, high-level business consultation so you might want to take notes as you listen, especially if you're an entrepreneur or business owner!

Learn more about Doug C. Brown: https://www.businesssuccessfactors.com/

You can learn more about the Conversational Design Institute and the courses they offer here: https://www.conversationdesigninstitute.com/

Learn more about Sina Kahen: https://www.sinakahen.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sina-kahen-b8681a38/

After receiving his education in biomedical sciences, Sina Kahen went on to become an international sales manager for DeSoutter Medical, one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of powered surgical instruments and medical devices. In his current role at DeSoutter, Sina is tasked with discovering new opportunities in surgical robotics and medical AI, and designing go-to-market, commercialization strategies for newly developed products.

Something of a modern-day "Renaissance Man," in his "free time," Sina Kahen leads a virtual school he founded with an international student body dedicated to the study of classical Jewish texts, history, and reviving knowledge and appreciation of Rabbinic philosophy. You can learn more about his online school, The Habura, here: https://www.thehabura.com/

In this episode, we discuss the future of higher education, how technology is transforming the college experience, and whether or not a college degree is valuable. We also talk a little bit about sales and speculate about what will be the future of education and institutions of higher learning.

QuadC has helped colleges and universities such as Georgia State and the University of Pittsburgh streamline performance evaluations, hiring processes, scheduling & attendance tracking, payment management and processing, results reporting, and communication & video conferencing. You can learn more about QuadC's services and features by clicking the link below.

Learn more about QuadC: https://quadc.io/

In this episode of the Zee Learning Podcast, Chris Colt breaks down the basics of the Clubhouse app and walks us through how to utilize this new social platform to grow your business or B2B brand.

You can learn more about Chris and the services he offers by clicking the links below.

https://chriscolt360.groovepages.com/teawithchris/index

https://www.chriscolt360.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/social-selling-sales-lead-generation-challenges-revenuegrowth/

Clubhouse: @chriscolt

Backed by former Shark, Kevin Harrington, NextGenTech has been wildly successful in Tampa Bay, Florida where it's based, receiving accolades and awards, even from Congress. Robyn Mussler now hopes to expand NexGenTech beyond Tampa and bring it to other parts of the country.

Robyn Mussler is an entrepreneur herself and the founder of an eLearning startup called Connect-IT 360, which provides a two-track curriculum of courses teaching high school students about entrepreneurship fundamentals, giving them the tools they need to become successful entrepreneurs. High school students can complete these courses on their smartphones and earn high school credits in the process. Through NextGenTech and Connect-IT 360, Robyn Mussler has been inspiring, educating, mentoring a whole new generation of young tech entrepreneurs.

Learn more:

connectit360.org

YouTube Channel

TEDx Talk

In this episode, she shares her story of building her brand and clears up popular misconceptions about diet and healthy eating. As an entrepreneur and as someone who has personally lost over 32 pounds on the Mediterranean diet, I can personally say that a healthy lifestyle enables you to perform optimally in all areas of your life.

Learn more about Ale Zozos: https://linktr.ee/mediterraneannutritionist

Instagram: @mediterraneannutritionist

https://www.instagram.com/mediterraneannutritionist/

Prior to the COVID19 pandemic, Nachliel was giving tours in the MET, also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art based in New York City, as well as providing walking tours in Jerusalem, Israel. After most museums closed, he quickly pivoted to delivering virtual tours, creatively using Google Street View and Zoom to expand his tours beyond the borders of his zip code. Going virtual allows Nachliel to now lead tours in museums throughout the world (virtually) from London to Toronto to Chicago to Tel Aviv. He also launched a new website, a YouTube channel, and a Happs account where his prolific output of content digital platforms, attracts him a diverse and international clientele. Paid courses, a podcast, and other programs are also in the works.

I wanted to have Nachliel on the show not only because I'm a history buff and think he is in a particularly interesting niche, but because I think his story serves as a good example of how people who used to do business solely in physical locations can successfully pivot during a tough time when in-person activities are extremely limited or non-existent. His story also exemplifies how people can leverage their knowledge and skills to digital mediums, which should provide inspiration to many of my listeners who are going through a similarly difficult period of transition or who wish to utilize the Internet and social platforms to start or save their businesses. This podcast also has an eLearning focus and I think it's pretty amazing how Nachliel was able to transition from an on-location museum tour guide to an eLearning content creator and entrepreneur.

Learn more about Nachliel Selavan by checking out the links below:

www.museumtours.co.il

Upcoming tours and events www.museumtours.co.il/upcoming

List of available virtual tours www.museumtours.co.il/virtual-tours

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter: @MuseumtoursIL

YouTube: Nachliel Selavan Museum Tours

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/nachliel-selavan

Podcast: www.artifacepodcast.com Also available on most listening platforms.

Blog www.museumtours.co.il/blog

Happs App: Israel Snapshot

https://happs.tv/@IsraelSnapshot

Nachliel's video series and podcast on Tanach Study.com

http://www.tanachstudy.com/parasha-plus-study

https://www.tanachstudy.com/sefer-study

Today, Nick works closely with salespeople, business owners, and sales teams, helping them to refine their pitches and get more inbound leads from LinkedIn. He also coaches them on how to make better LinkedIn videos and craft effective video proposals.

Check him out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-capozzi/

Additional items mentioned in this episode:

https://www.kapwing.com/

https://www.apple.com/clips/

https://www.hippovideo.io/index.html

https://www.rev.com/

https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/clubhouse-app-how-to-get-started/

Learn more about Nick Brailsford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brailsford/

Learn more about CDW: https://www.cdw.com/

Nir and Sarina Ziv founded Smart Notes AI, an online marketplace where you can buy and sell class notes, study docs, how-to guides, and original, educational content. It's free to register and you can start getting paid for your notes today!

Learn more about Smart Notes https://smartnotes.ai/

When Eric Stephens, a young PhD lost his job as university professor in 2020, because of COVID-19, he was in a tough spot. With a family to support and not knowing where else to turn, he logged into his old LinkedIn account. Like most in academia, Eric thought LinkedIn was just a platform for business people, job seekers, and recruiters -- not somewhere where he belonged. But, he soon discovered that LinkedIn is a 24-hour, virtual networking event for professionals of all backgrounds. He started sharing his thoughts on LinkedIn about higher education, the changes wrought by COVID-19, and the future of education. To his surprise, people started listening and responding.

Now, Eric Stephens is leading a movement bringing together displaced former employees of higher ed, academics, and business leaders to help educators find new opportunities and forge a new way forward in a post-COVID world. This was a fascinating interview, and I think you'll be moved by Eric's story and what he's doing to help others.

Reach You promises to make your training and curriculum woes disappear so that your work environment is more effective, efficient, and productive through the development of high-quality, cost-effective media presentations, training materials, and training courses that will engage your employees or educate your clients or your students.

Learn more about Maria Topliff and Reach You here: https://reachyou.media/index.html

Maria Topliff has had more than 10 years of experience teaching online and creating eLearning Curriculum Design. As the 2014 North Carolina Online Teacher of the Year, she has traveled across the country for consultant work as well as public speaking seminars on how to create engaging online learning. Maria has created and revised more than 60 online courses and she has held 100's of professional development training seminars both virtually and in person. With a dual Master's in both Multicultural Literature and Educational Leadership, she believes that Optimal Learning can only occur with instruction that includes real world and application based activities. As her experience grew, Maria was able to see the critical need for engaging online learning in all industries. Her mission has always been to create interactive eLearning that leads to increased productivity and success for all learners.

In this episode, Marc shares sales tips, advice, and wisdom along with interesting anecdotes from over two decades of selling in the toughest and most competitive markets on the planet.

Marc is not only a veteran salesperson; he's also a friend of mine. We first interacted on LinkedIn a couple of years ago before meeting face-to-face in a Manhattan Starbucks for coffee. As I recall, I ended up sitting with him for over two hours transfixed as he shared hilarious stories and memorable pieces of wisdom gained from his years of selling everything from furniture to paint to disinfectants.

Follow Marc Mac on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcmachlovitz/

Joshua Bradley is the co-founder and CTO of Levered Learning, a blended learning system for teaching upper elementary school math (3rd-5th grade math). Originally developed as a learning system and teaching tool intended to solely supplement in-person classroom learning, Levered Learning has added new features to its dashboard since COVID-19, which enable it to facilitate full-time online learning as well. Teachers can deliver lessons on the platform and kids can also play interactive math games and complete quizzes and tests on the platform as well.

Already tested with success in California public schools, the case studies clearly demonstrate that kids who used Levered Learning were able to go up a whole letter grade in mathematics studies and pass state requirements. I think my listeners will also appreciate Lever's data-driven approach which is able to help teachers and parents identify where students are struggling and adapt learning content to fit the needs of each individual student.

Learn more about Levered Learning: https://www.levered.com/

Robin Sargent, Ph.D. is an instructional designer and the founder of IDOL courses, an eLearning agency that helps companies and individuals create courses and corporate training content. IDOL stands Instructional Design & Online Learning. Through their IDOL courses Academy, IDOL also provides training for instructional designers.

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy: https://www.idolcourses.com/academy

Her website features the following quote on the homepage: "If you think it's expensive to train an employee only to see them leave, what is it costing you (and your customers) to NOT train them, and have them stay??" Companies who invest in training their employees and helping them understand what is expected of them experience less turnover, retain and nurture talent, and ultimately save a great deal of time, money, and frustration over the long haul. And, now more than ever before during the COVID-19 pandemic, companies need to adapt their training, onboarding, and learning and development processes to a remote working environment.

Learn more about Lazarus Learning: https://lazaruslearning.com/

The digital age has ushered in a decade of unprecedented growth for e-commerce. But as e-commerce has risen and eclipsed in-store shopping, we've witnessed the decline of brick-and-mortar retail, now accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the time of this recording, we've witnessed big-box retailers such as JCrew, JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, Century 21, and others declare bankruptcy. One advantage, online retail stores have over brick-and-mortar is the ability to do targeted advertising and gather more detailed data analytics and customer insights. To solve that problem and help brick-and-mortar retailers operate in a smarter, data-driven manner, my guest today, Omer Golan, launched Outernets, a startup that bridges the gap between offline and online through the use of intelligent signage.

Outernets' AI Displays bring the same level of targeted advertising and data collection available to digital retailers to the brick-and-mortar store experience. During the pandemic when people are especially wary of going into a store to shop, brick-and-mortar stores will certainly benefit from utilizing Outernets' interactive displays powered by Artificial Intelligence and facial recognition technology. Outernets' smart displays attract attention and engagement from people passing by, and allow customers to try on clothes, ask and answer questions, submit their contact info, and make purchases, all virtually, and right outside your store window.

Learn more about Outernets here: https://outernets.co/

Learn more about Angeli Fitch and her voice acting services: https://www.fitchvoiceover.com/

Many people realize that having an online course can be an excellent lead magnet or a passive revenue stream. What they don't always seem to understand is that the course has to actually be good and provide value. Your course has to actually deliver on the promises you make.

My guest, Samantha Groff, is an instructional designer focused on helping individuals create and launch successful online courses. Her company, Omnibiz Course Creation, works with you to transform your knowledge and subject matter into engaging online courses. Whether you want to start creating courses in anything from parenting, sales, marketing strategy, hedgehog rearing, cooking, to literally anything at all, this is one episode you do not want to miss.

Learn more about OmniBiz Course Creation: https://omnibizservices.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthagroff/

There are many reasons why the agricultural sector is, in a surprising twist of irony, on the rise in the year 2020. With widespread job displacement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid adoption of remote work, and frustration with life in lockdown, cities have begun to lose a lot of their appeal. Some city dwellers have started to seriously consider country living as a quieter, less stressful, and cost-effective alternative.

While America started out as an agrarian nation, the Industrial Revolution led to the well-known rural flight from farms to cities and more densely populated areas. Now, with WiFi making it possible to work from anywhere as well as the catastrophic loss of millions of manufacturing jobs over the past two decades due to outsourcing overseas, more and more Americans are returning to their agrarian roots.

In recent years, there has been tremendous growth in agricultural technology. The American farmer will need a new set of skills in order to compete and farms will need to adapt. While the question of whether or not technological innovation and automation will replace the need for human workers remains debated, Dr. Sue Raftery is optimistic, and with good reason. The explosive growth of agtech has caused a vacuum in the workforce, necessitating more people with the knowledge and skills required to master and harness this new technology.

To cater to this new demand and train a new generation of farmers and horticulturalists, Sue launched TechEDGE, which provides over 1100 online and offline micro-courses in agriculture and horticulture as well as other vocations, teaching students cutting edge methods and technologies.

Learn more about AgTechEDGE: https://techedgeweb.net/agtechedge

Learn more about BookStudio: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mybookstudio/

https://bookstudio.app/courses/sample

Learn more about Module here: https://www.modulellc.com/

Learn more about how TinyIvy works here: https://tinyivy.com/what-is-tips/

Follow him on Instagram: @DavidYarus

Utilized by many Fortune 500 companies to help executives learn new skills and shift their patterns of thoughts and behavior, Cognician is a change management platform that provides user-friendly, bite-sized, and customized learning activities, digital coaching, quests, gamified learning modules, assessments, and more.

Cognician's digital coaching programs are designed to build capability from within. Through self-directed learning, users develop a reflective mindset that facilitates new ways of thinking and working.

Taking the reflective questioning approach of a coach and combining it with an online platform that supports self-directed and personalized learning, Cognician provides a recipe for creating sustainable change at scale. Cognician's programs use coaching guides (which they call 'Cogs') to guide learners with powerful mental models that steer their thoughts and actions, using their cognitive-behavioral approach to teach everything from speech and persuasion skills to cybersecurity. Cognician aims to support the development of new habits by helping learners to follow through over time on their commitment to change. Cognician utilizes a cutting-edge teaching method that engages learners by asking the students questions that guide students to drawing proper conclusions using their own critical thinking.

Learn more: https://www.cognician.com/

Learn more: https://www.thefatplantsociety.com/

Instagram: @thefatplantsociety

Kasey's blog: https://medium.com/@KaseyLaineRiley

During COVID-19, we've seen a rise in people adopting indoor hobbies to stave off boredom and cope with Cabin Fever. One of these trends has been people adopting plants and documenting the care of these plants on Instagram. Turns out, there are some real proven benefits in terms of health, mood, and well-being to having greenery in your space, as Kasey explains in this interview.

Mark Schnurman is a professional Franchise Coach who helps people at career crossroads explore the viability of business ownership as an alternative or added route to their current career.

As a Franchise Consultant, Mark provides complimentary coaching services to prospective franchise owners. He is paid by the franchisor community to assist people in exploring franchising. There are thousands of franchise options and without expert guidance, it is difficult to choose the right one for you.

To learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markschnurman/

https://www.thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com/

According to the State of the American Workplace Report Gallup poll, 79% of employees leave their jobs because they don't feel appreciated for the work they do. Built around the power of "Thank you," HyperCarrot combines the power of data, gaming, and recognition to ignite the employee experience, increase employee engagement, and drive performance metrics and KPIs.

Dumois is a serial tech entrepreneur, remote work expert, and startup advisor who has spent over a decade in the eLearning and technology space. Learn more: https://www.hypercarrot.com/

Something of an entrepreneurial prodigy, Troy coded his first website at the tender age of 10 years-old. Long before the advent of social media, way before memes were a thing, and before YouTube existed, Troy created wildly popular funny picture and video websites, such as Banthis.com and MyBadParent.com. Troy is a published author and his websites have been featured in media outlets such as The Huffington Post, Yahoo! News, and Comedy Central. He has also appeared as a guest on radio and television shows around the world, including Dr. Phil. And, his writing has appeared in prestigious publications, such as AdAge.

On today's episode, Troy catches us up on the relevant social media trends in 2020 and focuses particular attention on a rapidly emerging platform known as TikTok. TikTok is a relatively new kid on the social media block, and many are wondering how they can utilize TiKTok to grow their businesses. During this interview, Troy shares excellent tips for how your brand can tell its story and connect with audiences on TikTok.

My guest, Phillip Rizzo, is a High-Risk Security Consultant, Criminal Justice Instructor & Reform Advocate, and a Distance Learning Content Creator based in Cleveland, Ohio. He is also the CEO of RPG Consulting, an online and offline security training company, which specializes in training employees in things like active shooter risk mitigation, de-escalation of aggression, tactical termination for the HR process, security guard training, unconscious bias training, and house of worship security preparedness.

Coming from a security background and having served as a security guard himself, Phillip saw the need for a better solution to ensure the safety of all. His company's training modules and classes can help anyone in a school, office, store, or house of worship recognize potential threats, de-escalate conflicts, and prepare in the event of an unfortunate security situation. While this episode is a bit different from our usual subject matter, I think this topic is very relevant for the times we live in. You can learn more about RPG Consulting and its online security training by visiting the link in the show notes.

Learn more about RPG Consulting here: https://www.rpgconsultingltd.com/about

In this episode, Robert provides us with an idea of what to expect in a world after COVID-19 and shares with us how his startup is empowering people to take ownership of their professional learning and growth.

Learn more about Team MindShift here: https://teammindshift.com/

As many college and graduate students doing distance learning during COVID-19 can tell you, tutor bots are a real thing.

My guest, Emiliano De Laurentiis, is the founder of a VR, AI edtech platform called Knowledge Avatars. Users can ask a human-looking, cartoonlike character -- a bot -- questions about the material and receive answers in realtime from the bot as if they are having a face-to-face conversation with a real-life tutor.

The Knowledge Avatars platform allows experts and teachers to feed the bots knowledge. No programming knowledge is necessary as the platform makes it easy for educators to simply upload their existing video lectures or content into the bot with the push of a button. As time goes on, the bot becomes smarter and learns how to best interact with the student. Knowledge Avatars also has a revenue-sharing feature that enables educators to monetize their bots and make them widely available to other users on the platform besides their own students.

To learn more: https://knowledgeavatars.com/

Now, I think it's necessary to first provide a little background information to my listeners so that we don't get lost in buzz-words or fancy business jargon. When I say Joel is a copywriter, I want you to understand exactly what that means. No, that doesn't mean he's a lawyer. Copywriting has nothing to do with law. For those who don't know, a copywriter is someone who writes the text for advertisements and other marketing content such as a corporate About Us on a company website, product descriptions, the captions for social media posts, slogans, flyers, banner ads, brochures, newsletters, and more.

While design attracts, the copy is what usually creates the emotional connection and ultimately convinces a person to take a desired action such as hitting the like or subscribe button, opening the email, filling out the lead contact form, or placing the order. Joel Klettke's writing helps businesses get more clicks, traffic, adds to cart, and sales.

I myself have a copywriting background and started out as a copywriter before expanding into other areas of marketing such as social media management and brand strategy consulting. If you've ever watched the popular TV series, Mad Men, then you're familiar with the show's protagonist, a whiskey-drinking, womanizing Madison Avenue agency copywriter named Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm. I can assure you the real life of most of today's copywriters is not nearly as exciting and hopefully far less dysfunctional than that of Don Draper.

This interview turned into a really interesting discussion between two marketers. In this interview, Joel Klettke spills the tea on freelancing, copywriting, and how his work helps his clients and their businesses succeed.

Click the links below learn more about Joel Klettke and his work:

https://joelklettke.com/

https://businesscasualcopywriting.com/

Twitter: @JoelKlettke (over 11,700 followers at the time of this recording)

In this episode, we discuss designing spaces with the user in mind, architecture, client service, and managing your own firm.

Learn more here: https://s16a.com/

Not your typical rabbi, Dan Bortz can be found dancing every year at Coachella, schmoozing with teens and young adults about life, or hosting experiential events featuring guided sound meditations. It's not uncommon during one of his classes (where no questions are off-limits) for him to cite a verse from the bible or quote a famous rabbi and rapper and quote a lyric from Tupac Shakur. Rabbi Dan Bortz is the founder of Soul X through which he runs programming for JTeens and Soul Living, an immersive 6-week course focused on self-optimization. Soul X offers online and offline classes, coaching calls, courses, retreats, and events that help people conquer anxiety, access happiness, and attain higher levels of consciousness in a happy and non-judgemental way. Rabbi Bortz is also the author of Beneath the Surface (edited by yours truly), and produces many bite-sized nuggets of inspiration through video-shorts on his YouTube Channel.

In this episode, we talked about social media marketing strategy, the impact of mobile usage and social media on young people, healthy technology usage, maintaining a balance between staying connected and taking time for one's self, and tackling difficult subjects in our sensitive and polarized political climate. We closed the episode with a brief mindfulness exercise.

You can't buy happiness, but you CAN buy good press. And, public relations, more commonly referred to as PR, is a multi-billion dollar industry where agencies charge companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly retainers to ensure they get their clients positive media attention. To get your company mentioned in an article by the New York Times or Wall Street Journal, featured in a popular magazine or trade journal, or endorsed by a YouTube star or Instagram influencer requires a not only a great deal of money, but time -- thousands of hours are spent pitching reporters at various outlets in the hopes of landing a good placement that is valuable to you or your client.

The problem is the way PR is done has not changed much, even with the advent of the digital age. The outreach and follow-up process is stressful, arduous, and time-consuming. On top of all that, a common charge against PR from the rest of the business world is that it's expensive and lacking in transparency and accountability. Proving PR results in an objective way is hard. It can be exceedingly difficult to pinpoint what's working, what's not, and why, which makes it difficult for companies to optimize or improve their strategy.

My guest, Zach Cutler, came out of the PR industry where he worked for over a decade, eager to develop a technology solution that would make PR smarter, more efficient, ROI-driven, and more accountable to data-based metrics.

Almost immediately after exiting his successful tech-focused PR agency, Cutler PR, a company he started right out of college, Zach launched Propel CRM. More than simply a standard client relationship management software or dashboard, Propel uses AI and machine learning to help PR teams and companies of all sizes find and pitch stories to reporters in an organized, trackable way so that the results are easy to measure and quantify. Propel CRM is literally changing the way companies do PR, simplifying the outreach process, and making it more efficient and data-driven.

A US Chess National Master, Evan Rabin spent years in Corporate America working in sales before he decided to marry his personal passion with his professional skill-set. Now, he gets to run a business around his hobby, and do a lot of good and make a difference in the process. You can learn more about Evan Rabin and Premier Chess by visiting the links below. In this interview, Evan shares some great tips for entrepreneurs or anyone who wants to turn their favorite activity into a career or full-time business.

https://premierchess.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanrabin/

Instagram: @RankineStyles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rankine-50332672/

Do you have style? For some guys style and a good fashion sense seems to come naturally. And, for others it, well, doesn't. While he's not exactly a dating coach, I think my guest today is something like a modern-day Hitch -- a great 2005 movie starring Will Smith and Kevin James if you've never seen it. Mark Rankine is a professional men's grooming and style consultant living in New York City who helps men take their style to the next level. A serial networker coming from a background in sales and recruiting, at the age of 29 Mark is already running three companies.

A couple of years ago, I volunteered to let Mark give me a full make-over -- hair, beard, and clothing. We shopped around Midtown Manhattan for hours and his team filmed the whole adventure, including a short "before" interview and a reveal at the end. The result? I was able to get a whole new wardrobe on a shoestring budget as well as a stylish hair-cut and beard trim. I happened to meet my wife a month later, and I think my make-over had something to do with it.

Counted among Mark's clientele are successful professionals, including entrepreneurs and executives who may be killing it in their careers or other areas of their lives, but whose personal sense of style or fashion ranges from completely lacking to very stylish, but could use a little coaching and guidance. Some of the clients he works with are young men who want to dress for success and make a good impression at job interviews and others are professional athletes, models, and actors. He also works with many businessmen, singles who want to impress their dates, and recent divorcees who have found themselves back on the dating scene with wardrobe in need of a style update.

Mark Rankine is also a social media influencer and content creator. You can find him on all the socials sporting an immaculate outfit teaching men how to tie a Windsor, rock a pocket square, or advising about everything from clothing and shoes to cologne to hair and beard styling.

He is an inspirational speaker, a three-time international best-selling author, a Top 100 Business Coach, the executive producer of Entrepreneur's #1 digital business show, Elevator Pitch, and the host of a popular entrepreneur podcast, The Playbook. His newest book, Game-Time Decision Making, was a #1 new release.

In this episode, we talked about time management, daily routine, success with clients, giving back, and how to build your personal brand.

Where you can find David Meltzer:

https://dmeltzer.com/

The Playbook podcast

YouTube: David Meltzer

LinkedIn: David Meltzer

If you haven't been on LinkedIn for a while, it is time to come back! LinkedIn has been around for a long time, but what you may not know is that the platform has experienced tremendous growth over the past couple of years.

After being acquired by Microsoft in June 2016, LinkedIn transformed from being a hub mainly for job seekers and recruiters to a content-rich community that now operates more like the new "Facebook for business people" and professionals. And, since there is very little content being created relative to the number of people on the platform, the organic reach is insanely high right now -- think Facebook back in 2011, which means that you can see a great deal of engagement from your very first post.

LinkedIn has become the premier place to network and conduct business. Users who are active on the platform are collaborating, generating leads for their businesses, and finding new customers and clients every day. And, if history is any indicator, then as the platform grows and more people start creating content, the organic reach will go down and it may become pay-to-play in the future just like what happened to Facebook and Instagram.

Now is the time to get in on the action. Joe Apfelbaum is here to help you go from casual lurker to active poster, networker, and lead generator.

If you want to master LinkedIn and avoid years of wasted effort, you must check out his LinkedIn course: https://learn.evyrgreen.com/

Michael Hochfelsen is a Planning Counselor at Skye Legacy Planning, a NY-based insurance, and legacy planning firm. You can connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hochfelsen-esq-8246b178/ or shoot him an email: mah@skye-legacy.com.

Life insurance and long-term planning aren't topics too many of us millennials and younger people like to think about, but it's super important we start taking them seriously now. It's time to start thinking about your financial future and ensuring that the possessions and people you love most are protected.

How will you be covered in the event that you can no longer work? How will your loved ones be protected in the event that something happens to you? How are you building wealth for the long-term and planning for your retirement?

Today, Mike will help us start figuring out the answers to these important questions and more. Grab a pen and notepad or your laptop, phone, or tablet, because you're going to want to take notes for this one!

In this episode, Jennifer Gluckow shared a lot of interesting insights about selling that I'm sure you're going to love and find very helpful. Listen carefully, because she packs a great deal of value into every answer.

To read this interview on the blog, click here: https://zgotkin.wordpress.com/2020/01/05/selling-in-a-new-york-minute-with-jennifer-gluckow/

My guest today is Jeffrey Gitomer.

If you work in sales, you've likely heard of Jeffrey Gitomer or came across one of his many color-coded books. An acclaimed public speaker, business trainer, and prolific writer known as the "King of Sales," he has authored over 25 books about sales, customer loyalty, and personal development, including The New York Times best-sellers, The Sales Bible, The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Black Book of Connections, and The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude. He also released a new book, Sales Manifesto. And, his new, new book, Get Sh*t Done: The Ultimate Guide to Productivity, Procrastination, and Profitability

Together with Jennifer Gluckow, author of Sales in a New York Minute, he hosts the wildly popular podcast, Sell or Die, which I listen to every week. He is also the founder of Gitomer Learning Academy, an extensive online library of audio, video, and written content and courses about everything a salesperson needs to succeed, covering topics such as getting past the gatekeeper, overcoming objections, closing, and more. You can check it by visiting Gitomer.com and clicking: Get the Learning Academy or by clicking the link in which I included above.

Jeffrey Gitomer also tours the country delivering over 100 keynote speeches and seminars a year at companies and events, and has served major corporate customers, such as Coca-Cola, D.R. Horton, Caterpillar, BMW, BNC Mortgage, Time Warner Cable, The Sports Authority, and Carlsberg beer.

They say you'll shine brighter if you get closer to the sun. This saying is very true when it comes to advancing your career.

Spending some time working as an executive assistant to the person you admire most, or to a leader who is in a position where you aspire to be someday yourself is one way you can jump-start your professional life and gain experience, which you can ultimately leverage to become a star performer in your field, climb the corporate ladder, or start your own thing in the future.

Taking an internship or a job where you'll be reporting directly under someone who can serve as a mentor, or a role model can be an amazing learning experience.

Today we're going to be talking with serial entrepreneur and business influencer, Dave Kerpen, about mentorship, leadership, and how to make your business and yourself more likable.

Dave Kerpen is the founder and CEO of New York based social media marketing agency, Likeable Media. He's a New York times bestselling author of such books as, Likeable Social Media, Likeable Business, and The Art of People, The 11 Simple People Skills That Will Get You Everything You Want. And he's a renowned keynote speaker. He has recently launched a new venture, chooseapprentice.com, a platform that connects entrepreneurs who are looking for a driven executive assistant committed to professional growth, with smart and motivated college students who are looking for real world experience and mentorship.

Read the full transcipt here:

https://zgotkin.wordpress.com/2019/10/08/how-to-fast-track-your-career-and-an-exciting-opportunity-with-dave-kerpen/

We all know that word of mouth is the most effective and cheapest form of marketing, and that if we had word of mouth, we wouldn't need to spend as much on advertising, but most of us simply don't know how to go about getting word of mouth in a systematic way. We just provide our products and services and hope that people will talk about it.

But what if there was a system or a formula we could use that could sustain-ably and repeatedly generate buzz and get our customers talking about our business in a positive way? Jay Baer and his co-author Daniel Lemin decided to do a lot of research and craft a method for generating word of mouth that's scale-able and repeatable, and they've divulged these secrets in their book, Talk Triggers.

Jay is a business consultant, he's a founder of Convince & Convert and sought after keynote speaker, he's highly respected in the fields a digital marketing and customer service, and he is also the host of a popular social media marketing podcast called Social Pros. I listen to it religiously. I really recommend it.

He's also a New York Times bestselling author of six books, including Utility and Hug Your Haters, and his latest book, Talk Triggers.

Talk Triggers is a comprehensive, but not a dense read and it contains a lot advice about how to generate word of mouth for your company or organization. It's rife with case studies and interesting examples interspersed with humor and, at times, even heartwarming stories. This book doesn't simply inspire you with some high level motivation or fluff. Talk Triggers actually breaks the concepts down and provides a step-by-step road-map for implementing the ideas.

To read the full interview transcript click here:

https://zgotkin.wordpress.com/2019/09/04/talking-talk-triggers-with-jay-baer/

For every athlete ever did anything of note, chances are Steiner has their signed ball that they caught to win the game or their uniform or a piece of the dirt or court they played on. All of this is detailed in his inspiring autobiography, You've Gotta Have Balls.

Along the way, Steiner has forged business relationships and even close personal friendships with numerous professional athletes and hall-of-famers over the decades and bought the original Yankees stadium. And despite all those tremendous accomplishments, perhaps greatest of all, he is also the founder of the Everything Bagel, a feat to which all of us in New York are especially grateful.

Read full transcript here:

https://zgotkin.wordpress.com/2019/07/17/my-interview-with-brandon-steiner-of-steiner-sports/

Magic is made.

No, seriously. This past Fall, Marketing Zen founder and CEO, Shama Hyder teamed up with award-winning architect, Jared Skinner to launch MADE (Marketing, Architecture, Development & Education), an architecture design firm that "bakes branding into the blueprints."

While doomsday prophets predict the end of the brick-and-mortar store, Shama and Jared believe there will always be a place for physical stores that focus on providing experiences. Take Nordstrom for example. At their new location in California, there is nothing available for purchase on site. Instead, personal stylists help customers select a new wardrobe, which can be then be ordered online and delivered to the store that same day. Meanwhile customers can hang out, have a beer, or get a pedicure while they wait for their clothes to arrive.

In a similar vein, co-founders, Shama and Jared have set out to disrupt the world of architectural design and change the way people interact with physical spaces.

Read more here:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/shama-hyder-and-jared-skinner-shake-up-the-architectural_us_5a444b72e4b0d86c803c74e3

Perhaps, you want to be recognized as a leader in your field or courted as an expert by the major news networks. Or, maybe you want to raise the profile of your company, attract donors to a charity you support, or get invited to speak on a prestigious panel.

The Internet affords us opportunities to become known, spread awareness, and wield influence like never before. But can anyone become known? Does it take a special inborn talent to become known or is there a path that people can follow?

Mark Schaefer, a globally recognized keynote speaker, author, university educator, founder of the Business Grow blog, and a business consultant with over 30 years of experience became obsessed with this question. In fact, he dedicated years of research, compiling case studies of ordinary people who achieved a substantial online presence in order to figure out if he could isolate a common denominator and discover a universal process for becoming known. The result was his new book, KNOWN: The handbook for building and unleashing your personal brand in the digital age. Packed with inspiring stories of people who had no prior marketing experience, money, or connections, Schaefer also created a supplemental workbook with practical exercises to help readers approach becoming known in a strategic, step-by-step manner.

I sat down with Mark to talk about his new books and what lessons they contain for people trying to build a personal brand.

To read The Huffington Post article, click here: http://ow.ly/XRqX30kIl7Y

If you don't know who Frank Abagnale is, you may be familiar with the 2002 film inspired by his life story, "Catch Me if You Can," starring Academy Award winner, Leonardo Dicaprio who played Abagnale. Much like the movie depicted, the real-life Frank Abagnale was a confidence trickster, check forger, and impostor between the ages of 15 and 21. In fact, he became one of the most famous impostors ever,[1] claiming to have assumed no fewer than eight identities, including an airline pilot, a physician, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons agent, and a lawyer. He escaped from police custody twice (once from a taxiing airliner and once from a U.S. federal penitentiary), before he was 21 years old.[2] After serving less than five years in prison he began to work for the federal government. He is currently a consultant and lecturer for the FBI and runs Abagnale & Associates, a financial fraud consultancy company. Abagnale is also a consultant for Trusona.

Trusona is a cybersecurity startup on a mission to eliminate passwords, not only because people hate them, but because, according to Trusona, passwords are the weakest link in cybersecurity. It is the lack of proper identification which enables the most horrendous cybercrimes to take place.

This was a fascinating and eye-opening interview for a variety of reasons as I'm sure you'll agree.