Explore every episode of the podcast Abstract Essay

This Is Not a Drill - Are You Ready When a Crisis Hits?

Mike retired in 2021 after a career as a broadcast journalist, press secretary to a Governor and founder and leader of a successful public relations firm.

Mike founded Barkley Public Relations in 1987. What began as a regional public relations firm is today a national leader in crisis management, influencer relations, purpose branding and employee engagement.

During his career at Barkley, Mike became a nationally recognized leader in both crisis management and cause branding. He also served as global president of IPREX, a collaboration of more than 100 independent public relations firms.

Mike began his career in broadcast journalism working in both radio and television. Following that, he spent five years as press secretary to Kansas Gov. John Carlin.

Mike and his wife Char have four children and eight grandchildren.

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Serial Entrepreneur, CEO, Value Creation Expert and keynote speaker

Lee Benson is a value creation expert with over 30 years of experience in the business world. He is the CEO of Execute to Win, a firm that helps organizations of all sizes to accelerate the value they create. He has founded and led seven companies, including Able Aerospace, which he grew from two to 500 employees and 2,000 customers in 60 countries culminating in a 9-figure exit in 2016.

Lee is a sought-after speaker and best-selling author on the topics of value-creation, leadership, execution, and strategy. He has been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Inc., and he has been interviewed by CNBC, Bloomberg, and other major media outlets.

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Ready to Rise

I’m Monica Kaufman, CFP®— founder of Harmony Wealth Academy.

As a financial planner and behavioral strategist with deep roots in both Wall Street and real-world resilience, I believe that true wealth is built at the intersection of mindset, meaning, and money.

My work is shaped not just by decades in the industry—but by my personal story as a wife, caregiver, and mother navigating the challenges of severe mental illness in my family. I’ve learned that clarity isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline.

Most people weren’t taught how to lead financially. They’re overwhelmed, ashamed, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. That’s why I created The Aligned Horizon—a framework for helping people rise above fear, reclaim agency, and build a financial life that reflects who they truly are.

Whether I’m working with high-income professionals and entrepreneurs, purpose-driven parents, or first-generation wealth builders, my message is this:

You are not behind.

You are not broken.

You’re just ready for a new horizon.

So the real question is:

Are you ready to rise?

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AMAZON BEST SELLER

“Superperformance” Isn’t Luck—It’s a Skill You Can Learn and Cultivate

Too many professionals and organizations struggle to break free of the prison of expectations, held back by unclear priorities, workplace friction, and fleeting moments of peak performance that never last. Without a system for understanding the root causes of their success, they fall into cycles of burnout chasing incremental improvement, inconsistency, and missed potential.

Superperformance unlocks the formula for turning high-performance moments into lasting success. George Pesansky introduces eight proven strategies to eliminate ambiguity, master clarity, and extend “golden hours”—those rare times when everything just clicks. Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, this book shows how to build utility, lead with impact, and create sustainable momentum. Whether you’re leading a team, driving organizational change, or striving for personal excellence, Superperformance delivers the blueprint for winning—again and again.

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Music industry professional turned marketing strategist – I help event businesses replace unpredictable referrals with systematic lead generation that works during peak seasons and beyond.

Dan Charles is the founder of Codarity, a marketing agency specializing in the events industry. After scaling events from 60-person venues to 3000+ capacity shows and working in the music industry, Dan discovered why most event businesses struggle with feast-or-famine revenue cycles. He developed the Evergreen Event Profit System, helping event companies generate consistent bookings year-round. His clients have added millions in predictable revenue by moving beyond unreliable referrals to systematic lead generation. Dan helps event businesses build predictable growth systems that work regardless of season or market conditions.

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In "Pieces of Me," embark on a profound poetic journey that transcends the boundaries of words and takes you deep into the recesses of the human soul. This collection of poems is a testament to the power of art born from life's unexpected turns.

Written during a time when the author's life was marked by twists of fate, each verse in this anthology is a reflection of the raw, unfiltered emotions that surged from the heart. these poems are a mirror to the author's soul, capturing life experiences, hard-earned lessons, and the full spectrum of human emotions.

With each page, you'll trace the author's footsteps through moments of joy, sorrow, love, and resilience. These verses are more than just words; they are a source of inspiration, igniting the spark of creativity that resides within all of us.

"Pieces of Me" invites you to delve into the universal tapestry of human experience, where poetry serves as the bridge between hearts. It's a testament to the enduring power of the written word to heal, inspire, and connect us.

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Writing Fiction That Explores Women's Leadership and Corporate Life

After years as a successful executive, Karen left the corporate world to pursue her dream of becoming an author. She was inspired to write her first novel by the vision of a female leader struggling to maintain her integrity in the boardroom.

Since embarking on her career shift, Karen has written two novels exploring corporate life and the ethical dilemmas that often arise. She is working on the third and final novel in the trilogy.

Karen has also hosted her own podcast, coached a variety of women leaders, and created an expansive new life for herself. She is an avid traveler and enjoys sharing her adventures with others.

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Set in Rome and Venice - with a brief stop in Magallanes, Chile, and New York City - Vatican Daughter propels the reader deep into the heart of Italy. Ensnared by its vivid descriptive language, you will be transported and immersed in this plausible, suspenseful story as it takes you through various cities, tasting their foods along the way, with different characters. At the same time, you will meander along the medieval palazzos of Rome and Venice, sip the wine, explore the countryside, ride the train, step behind the walls of Vatican City and its papal gardens, and imagine experiencing the loss of a child at the hands of men who would go to any means to avoid the exposure of Vatican corruption, papal indiscretion, and the Vatican's long-buried secrets. A story of a young woman who relentlessly searches for her child while coming head-to-head with the most powerful entity on earth, Vatican Daughter focuses on serious female-centric issues and the Vatican's controversial, scandalous, and hypocritical behaviors.

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FINANCIAL MINDSET COACH

A money mindset entrepreneur passionate about transforming how you think and feel about money. Your money mindset shapes every financial decision you make — and I'm here to help you align it with abundance, clarity, and purpose.

CJ Wiggins is a seasoned guide for entrepreneurs, offering 10 years of expertise in Tax, financial and business advising

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Dr. Glenn Toby is not just a philanthropist or a successful entrepreneur—he’s a walking testament to the power of transformation. From experiencing homelessness as a child on the streets of Brooklyn to becoming a music industry pioneer, wealth manager for elite athletes, and the visionary behind The Book Bank Foundation, Dr. Toby’s journey is one of grit, grace, and giving back.

As a speaker, he masterfully blends real-life storytelling with sharp insight, offering conversations that spark purpose and leave listeners motivated to rise above their circumstances. He’s been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and on national platforms, but what makes him stand out is his heart for the people—and his ability to connect across generations, industries, and lived experiences. Dr. Glenn Toby brings raw, inspiring stories of overcoming adversity and building legacy, as well as a fresh perspective on literacy, service, and social responsibility. He provides candid reflections on managing high-profile talent and maintaining integrity as well as actionable advice for aspiring changemakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives.

Booking Dr. Glenn Toby means bringing your audience not just another success story—but a soulful, high-impact conversation that lingers long after the episode ends.

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The new edition of the bestselling book for real estate agents, loan officers, SaaS and small businesses. 

In this revision, The Conversion Code: A Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing and Sales that Will Grow Your Business Faster, Second Edition, digital marketing and lead conversion expert Chris Smith delivers the ultimate exploration of the marketing and advertising tactics that are successfully generating higher quality leads that are easier for salespeople to convert. Smith researches and tests the latest and most popular platforms, including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, while also studying the most effective sales techniques, tools, and scripts.

In this book, you'll learn to:

• Increase your lead conversion rate, reduce your cost per lead and improve your overall ROI from marketing and sales
• Generate an endless supply of high-quality leads from social media that are easy to convert into closed sales
• Stop chasing leads and start attracting clients with amazing marketing and clever ads
• Adapt to the consumer privacy changes that have made targeting ads and getting leads to answer the phone harder than ever
• Differentiate your brand in a way that positions you as the authority and gets people contacting you who are already sold

An invaluable reference and easy to follow guide for real estate agents, loan officers, SaaS and small businessescompeting in the hyper-competitive online environment. The Conversion Code, Second Edition, is also a fantastic resource for sales leaders, marketing managers, business owners and anyone else with a team who is responsible for growing revenue.

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Executive Coach & Neuromanagement Expert

High pressure. High conflict. High stress. Today, too many leaders believe that these states are not just natural, but inevitable. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Through my ongoing work as an Executive Coach, I aim to challenge these accepted norms, and provide insight and solutions through the lens of neuroscience.

I am passionate about helping others understand our multi-layered, magical minds, so we can build great relationships, increase our productivity and become better leaders - all by maximising our energy, not our time.

Based on my unique perspective as both a medical doctor and Executive Coach, in 2023 I published 'Five Brain Leadership' to provide a practical, comprehensive guide to help us decode and harness the true potential of our brains. This followed on from my TEDx talk on the same topic which took place in Prague a few months prior.

I believe Five Brain Leadership provides a solid framework to liberate limiting beliefs and fixed mindsets, and allow readers to explore their own depths and alter their most primal programming, in ways that can be applied to the business world, personal development and beyond.

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One Woman’s Sacrifice. One Man’s Undoing.

Daughter to an ancient Roman senator, Cecilia is forced into a lonely marriage to a loathsome patrician and leaves behind her infatuation for the handsome Sebastian of Milan. With her husband often away on military duty, however, Cecilia seeks refuge through her clandestine meetings with a Christian congregation hiding in the catacombs beneath the Appian Way. When news of Sebastian's torture brings her to his aid and her involvement with Sebastian and the Christians is exposed, Cecilia must face fatal consequences. 

Thirteen hundred years after her death, Saint Cecilia’s body is exhumed from her grave and young artist Stefano Maderno is commissioned by the pope to sculpt her likeness. Seeking a big break in his career, Stefano enthralls himself in his work and the romanticized accounts of Cecilia’s virginity and martyrdom. However, the more he immerses himself in carving her form, the more he struggles against his sinful nature to be worthy of his subject’s virtue. Stefano’s dedication to Cecilia’s legacy might just be what breaks him.

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Author Brad Dude

- 40+ years of leadership/management/consulting in 30+ countries & territories.

- Taught leadership courses for NASA & Naval Surface Warfare Center.

- Served as Peace Corps Volunteer, trainer & staff member in 2 Pacific Island countries.

- Authored or co-authored six books on leadership

- Just completed novel & screenplay (Finding Eden) that describes the challenges of migrants searching for a safe homeland.

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Michael is the founder and owner of Boom! Percussion Entertainment, a Mesa, AZ–based ensemble recognized for its innovative, high-energy performances. His lifelong connection to drumming began at Coronado High School, where he joined the marching band, later advancing through multiple seasons in Drum Corps. With a career rooted in music education, Michael spent years mentoring students before devoting himself fully to leading Boom! Today, he continues to share his expertise and passion for percussion with audiences worldwide, creating unforgettable musical experiences.

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Celebrated Author Kay A. Oliver

Kay A. Oliver, a dynamic storyteller holding degrees in Radio/TV/Film from California State University, Fullerton, and an MBA in Business. With over 3 decades in entertainment, spanning studios and TV stations, she produce, wrote and directed films.

Defying gender biases and the notion that female-centric stories lack marketability in Hollywood, Oliver took the leap in become an author, championing women's resilience in her novels. Characters, often professionals like archeologists and anthropologists, navigate life's challenges with humor, despite their imperfections.

Passionate about storytelling, Kay's literary journey began with the success of "Disturbed Tombs," evolving into a compelling series. "Grave Disturbances," the second installment in the Dr. Kaili Worthy series, while anticipation builds for the upcoming release, "Disturbing Remains."

Kay's works include "Road to Elysium," resonating with readers on a deeply human level. In her latest work, "Ice Cream Moments," she explores family dynamics with empathy. Honored in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America 2024, Oliver's legacy as a legendary storyteller is cemented.

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June Edward has been psychic since a child; however she didn’t realize she was also a medium until later in life. Some of her gifts have been passed on, since her mother was also a medium. She also passed to the other side herself when she was 27 years old, and came back to this side by choice. She can offer firsthand experience that Life after Life does exist! She has a 100% success rate in bringing through souls from the other side, to give closure and help loved ones heal on both sides. Her sold out group readings can help give insight as to what’s going on in your life, and help to see what the Universe has in store.

June’s special gifts include working directly with the Angels, Guides and departed Souls. Combined these tools have made her a very strong and accurate psychic and trance medium, able to bring through validating details to prove the connection and messages from the other side.

June believes that her job as a psychic medium is not only to help those connect with their loved ones, and heal both sides, but to help encourage others to embrace this life, and be thankful for all the gifts they receive in their life every day!

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She built the life she was supposed to want—a high-flying career, a marriage, a carefully crafted plan. Until everything came crashing down. A dear friend dies. Her marriage unravels. She’s laid off while alone in a foreign country as a global pandemic hits. Then, just when she thinks it can’t get worse, she gets the call that her father has died.

Stranded in rural Mexico, cracked open by grief, she experiences a supernatural encounter under the full moon that sets her on a wild, often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking journey. From car crashes and chaotic hookups, to silent meditation retreats, psychedelic revelations, robberies, and mystical moments—this is what happens when life blows up and a woman dares to say yes to becoming someone new.

Becca’s journey is raw, hilarious, and a deeply human memoir that reads like fiction. What starts as a freefall becomes a wild quest to untangle grief, rewrite old stories, and rediscover her own worth. Told with spiritual sass, hard-won wisdom, and gut-punching honesty, this incredible true story is for anyone who’s ever felt lost in their own life and is searching for more. 

For fans of Glennon Doyle, Chelsea Handler, Gabrielle Bernstein, and Elizabeth Gilbert, this is a raw, funny, and soul-stirring invitation to remember who you are—and reclaim the freedom to become who you were always meant to be.

Just know: it’s gonna get messy.

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Intuitive Healer & Bestselling Author of "The Secret Language Of Your Body" - Helping Millions Reclaim Inner Health & Power.

Inna Segal is a pioneer in the field of energy medicine and human consciousness, and the bestselling author of The Secret Language of Your Body, translated into 26 languages and sold over a million copies worldwide. Below is some feedback about her work from highly regarded MD's as well as her incredible story of healing.

“The Secret Language of Your Body truly is the essential guide to restoring your body to its healthiest state and assist you to heal your life. Inna Segal offers invaluable insights into the underlying causes of illness and disease and provides practical advice, which will undoubtedly empower many to self-heal.

—Bernie S. Siegel, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Medicine & Miracles

“The Secret Language of Your Body is thrilling and right on target! My fondest hope is that people all over the planet will take this message of healing into their hearts

and bodies, and become vibrantly well!”

—Christiane Northrup, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

“You don’t have to be ill to benefit from this remarkable book. Ms. Segal provides simple but powerful exercises that help you connect with your body and inner

wisdom to promote physical, mental, and emotional healing at the deepest level, allowing you to live a happy, healthy, and more abundant life.”

—Hyla Cass, MD, author of Natural Highs and former assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine

“I was a skeptic at first look. But I tried it and discovered this to be a magical book. Quite simply, it works and it can heal you.”

—Roger Cole, MD, cancer and palliative care specialist,

and bestselling author of Mission of Love

“Even if you don’t know what’s wrong with you yet, this book helps you start on the

road to healing and—with the guidance of Inna—eventually even a cure!”

—Jerry M. Rosenbaum, MD, coauthor of What’s Wrong with Me?

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Geopolitical analyst

José Niño is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He's a published author whose works have been featured at the Mises Institute, Big League Politics, and even cited by Senator Rand Paul. José is a popular commentator on the topics of foreign policy, cryptocurrency, immigration, and gun rights.

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As an author of 21 books, speaker, holistic counselor, Dr. Evette Rose has worked with over 7,500 clients, uncovering one undeniable truth — unresolved emotions impact our well-being.

I'm Dr. Evette Rose — an internationally renowned holistic counselor, trauma recovery expert, and author of 21 books, including the global best-seller Metaphysical Anatomy Volume 1: Your Body Is Talking, Are You Listening? This groundbreaking work explores 722 ailments and the emotional roots behind them, based on over 7,000 client case studies from around the world.

I specialize in helping people decode the hidden emotional messages behind physical symptoms — and my methods have helped thousands break free from chronic pain, trauma, and emotional stress. My work has been recognized globally, and I recently presented my latest research at a prestigious medical conference in London, UK. I will continue my speaker appearances in Dubai and Singapore this year, 2025.

Over the past decade, I’ve taught workshops in 43+ countries, empowering individuals, practitioners, and therapists with the tools to heal deeply and permanently. I’ve developed three powerful healing modalities — Metaphysical Anatomy Technique (MAT), Metapsychology Coaching (MC), and Integrative Soulful Therapy (IST) — all of which are rooted in neuroscience, psychosomatics, and compassion-based trauma recovery.

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Auditory Mentor and Author

Maureen Covinsky is no stranger to hearing loss. As an Auditory Mentor, Maureen uses her education and years of personal experience to assist those with hearing loss or family members of those losing their hearing. She has created a step by step guide on how to adapt to hearing loss while living a full and thriving life. From the emotional toll hearing decline can have on all involved, Maureen can help ease the transition and offer tools that support the journey.

Maureen Covinsky is a certified life coach and advocate for individuals living with hearing loss. After navigating her own journey of emotional healing and self-empowerment, she now helps others overcome the limitations of disability, perfectionism, and people-pleasing to live with confidence and clarity. She is the author of My Voice Beyond Hearing Loss: How I Discovered Confidence, Freedom, and Inner Peace, a powerful memoir and guide for anyone ready to reclaim their voice and thrive on their own terms

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Hello my name is Kenneth Wyche. My areas of competency are psychology, business, leadership, and personal and professional development. I am the award winning author of "Get Your Mind Right", a psychology based self-help book. I am also the founder of Life with Ken, my lifestyle brand the helps people live more confidently. I look forward to sharing ideas and being part of insightful conversations.

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Writer and Entertainer

Active writer, who has thus far published one novel through a hybrid publishing service. Second book is currently heavily in development and close to also being publishing-ready.

Have other projects as well, including a handful of unpublished books and a script. I always have something or other that in some stage of active development; plus an never increasing number of potential projects just waiting to move from concept to page.

All this while surviving retail (it beats being a starving artist) and care for my grandmother as effectively an in-home caretaker.

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Author, Spiritual seeker, Cancer survivor, and guide to alternative healing wisdom

V.C. Pitt's story isn't just another spiritual awakening tale—it's a raw, honest journey through the darkest valleys that leads to extraordinary transformation. Her experience offers your audience something rare: authentic wisdom earned through real suffering and genuine healing.

Her story has everything listeners crave. A successful businesswoman who loses everything pursuing spiritual truth. A cancer diagnosis that becomes a catalyst for deeper healing. Sacred plant medicine ceremonies that unlock ancient goddess energy. Twin flame heartbreak that transforms into divine feminine power. Financial devastation of $134,500 in medical debt that teaches profound lessons about surrender and trust.

What makes V.C. different is that she doesn't sugarcoat the spiritual path. Through nine Ayahuasca ceremonies and eight mushroom journeys, she's experienced firsthand how true transformation often comes disguised as complete breakdown. Her two-book journey from victim to empowered lightworker provides a complete roadmap that your audience can actually follow.

This is the conversation your listeners need. In a world full of spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity, V.C. teaches how to practice unconditional love while maintaining healthy boundaries. She helps people distinguish between genuine twin flame connections and unhealthy obsession, clear karmic patterns and generational trauma, and develop authentic spiritual gifts in service to collective consciousness.

Her unique expertise spans sacred plant medicine integration, twin flame dynamics, divine masculine and feminine energy healing, cancer survivorship through alternative methods, financial surrender as spiritual practice, and activating dormant spiritual gifts like clairsentience, clairaudience, clairvoyance, and claircognizance.

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My goal is to make the world a better place through storytelling.

Over the course of his writing and producing career, Alan Katz has written movies and TV shows like HBO's iconic Tales From The Crypt. Entertainment Weekly called the first season of his "The How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast" the "Best Film Podcast of 2022". He realized at that point that he'd become the thing he always wanted to be when he grew up: a podcaster.

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NaRon Tillman is a leading voice at the intersection of human potential and artificial intelligence, empowering thought leaders, coaches, and creators to build thriving, automated businesses with a polished, big-brand feel.

As CEO of Principal Matters, Inc., NaRon is pioneering cutting-edge AI agents that go beyond task automation—designing systems for strategic growth, streamlined client workflows, and scalable impact.

With 25+ years of entrepreneurial experience, NaRon understands the unique pressures faced by purpose-driven leaders. He fuses this hands-on expertise with 20 years as a spiritual teacher (Pastor of One Ministries in NYC) and 10 years as a mindfulness and yoga instructor, serving as Director of Urban Yogis. His approach is holistic, human-centered, and results-focused—merging soulful leadership with smart automation.

NaRon is also the author of the forthcoming book Internal Awakening in an AI Age, which explores the deep connection between AI prompt engineering and subconscious identity programming. Through it, he equips readers with transformational strategies for aligning their inner voice with their external impact.

He hosts the Walk In Victory Podcast, where he explores the convergence of AI, mindful leadership, and business growth—sharing practical, repeatable strategies to automate systems, increase revenue, and free up founders to focus on their calling.

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The Advocate Behind the Numbers, Guiding Small Businesses from Confusion to Control.

Shasha Tax & Retirement is a boutique firm led by a powerhouse husband-and-wife team with over 42 years of combined experience in tax, finance, and strategic planning. Together, they’ve built more than a firm, they’ve created a movement that helps business owners and families align their tax strategy, financial goals, and long-term life vision.

With decades of experience at both large institutions and nimble firms, they recognized a massive gap: most people are planning their financial future in one silo and handling taxes in another. That’s where Shasha Tax & Retirement steps in fusing both worlds into one empowerment driven strategy.

At Shasha Tax & Retirement, the mission is clear:

🔹 Educate, not just serve

🔹 Break financial restraints

🔹 Transform tax anxiety into wealth building confidence

Gale & Michael specialize in helping entrepreneurs, professionals, and families retire well, plan boldly, and make confident financial decisions that endure. Whether it’s minimizing IRS exposure, optimizing entity structure, or aligning income with retirement vision, their work is about legacy not just numbers.

If you're looking for a guest who can bring clarity to the confusing, turn tax talk into transformation, and leave your audience smarter, stronger, and more in control of their future, this is the voice your audience needs to hear.

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Do you constantly question who you are, searching for meaning beyond societal expectations? You are not alone.

In Learning to Be Me: Lessons and Perspectives, Derrick Henderson takes you on a powerful journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and deep reflection. This transformational self-help book challenges conventional thinking and helps you break free from limiting beliefs. Through critical thinking, emotional intelligence, personal responsibility, and mindset shifts, this book empowers you to redefine yourself on your own terms.

What You Will Gain from This Book:

• Discover Who You Really Are – Unpack the layers of conditioning and redefine your identity.
• Overcome Self-Doubt and Fear – Learn how to silence your inner critic and build self-confidence.
• Find Your True Purpose – Gain clarity on what truly fulfills you and take actionable steps forward.
• Develop Emotional Intelligence – Master the art of self-awareness, communication, and relationship-building.
• Break Free from Society’s Expectations – Stop living for others and start embracing your authentic self.

Why This Book Stands Out:

Unlike other self-help books that offer one-size-fits-all advice, Learning to Be Me provides a unique blend of humor, real-life experiences, thought-provoking questions, and deep insights. Derrick Henderson shares his personal journey of self-exploration, making this book relatable, engaging, and genuinely transformative.

If You Have Ever Asked Yourself…

Who am I, really?

Why do I feel stuck or unfulfilled?

How can I overcome self-doubt and start living authentically?

…then this book holds the answers you have been searching for.

Who This Book Is For:

• Individuals seeking personal growth and self-discovery
• Anyone struggling with identity, purpose, and direction
• People feeling trapped by societal expectations and self-doubt
• Those looking for a fresh perspective on life, mindset, and happiness

Take the First Step Toward Becoming the Best Version of Yourself

Your journey to self-acceptance, confidence, and fulfillment starts now. Stop searching for answers outside yourself, you already have them within you. This book will help you unlock them.

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Life Can Change in a Heartbeat. And Recovery from Trauma Is Possible. 

On Halloween night 1985, Susan Williams’ life changed forever when her father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, was ambushed and killed. This compelling story of Susan’s (and her family’s) loss and the road to recovery from trauma provides hope and practical guidance for others whose lives have been touched by violence and loss. Years passed and a second loss impacted Susan before she reclaimed her life, learned how to manage PTSD, and found a path to vulnerability with courage, loss without victimhood, and love with forgiveness.

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Community builder with broadcast experience-Carol Tice

Looking for an experienced podcast guest who’s an online-business pioneer? I’m a seasoned online entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building and growing paid digital communities. My radio experience includes creating programming at KPFK Los Angeles. I also ran a weekly podcast for my community for over a decade, and am an experienced podcast guest. I give good ‘ear!’

My new platform is Community Growth Academy on Skool, where I’m teaching the paid community model to other coaches, consultants and experts looking to create more reliable income and impact more lives with less marketing. (I know, a community about paid community is meta.)

CGA provides an opportunity for aspiring community founders to learn this business model the right way–with a step by step course developed by a community-building pro and with peer support. Founded in late ‘24, CGA is coming out of beta mode with some members already launching. One member’s community is already earning six figures annually.

The idea for CGA came from my past experience in online business. After struggling to earn with my Make a Living Writing blog and as a writing coach, I founded the Freelance Writers Den community back in 2011. The Den grew to over 1,500 paying members, earning nearly $6 million over the life of the business. In 2021, I sold the Den for life-changing money.

My paid community experience grew from my background as an award-winning business journalist who has authored/co-authored 2 traditional print business books on business startup and entrepreneurship. While running the Den, I wrote over a dozen e-books for members, including The Recession-Proof Freelancer. Forbes and Entrepreneur are among my magazine bylines. I’m based in Seattle but travel frequently with my husband in our RV while supporting my CGA members. Let’s talk!

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Fredrik Haren, The Creativity Explorer

As a global speaker who has delivered over 2,000 presentations across 75+ countries, Fredrik has spent his career exploring creativity, innovation, and the power of ideas. He has inspired over a million people from the stage and his bestselling book, The Idea Book - has been recognized as one of the '100 Best Business Books of All Time’. Fredrik has been inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame on two continents.

But most importantly: Fredrik is passionate about sharing his insights on what he has learnt during this 25 year journey around the world so that others can discover their full creative potential.

Everyone wants to become more creative - but how can we discover our full creative potential? That is the questions that has pushed Fredrik Haren to travel to over 75 countries on 6 countries over the last 25 years. He is The Creativity Explorer.

Fredrik has interviewed hundreds of business leaders - from heads of innovations to CEOs and travelled the world to interview thousands of creative people from all walks of life: from glass artists in Barcelona to Nomads in Mongolia. He even went to learn about creativity from the people in North Korea! He has learnt about creativity from the children in the slums of Mumbai as well as from the most famous watch makers in Switzerland - and everything in-between.

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I was feeding the homeless at a very young age just out of high school. I n 1997 I found this guy John McCormick a homeless man who needed help. I asked him to come with me and I took him to a hospital. We were not a shelter at the time. When I gave him housing the hospitals found out and they started to send me all their homeless. We became a shelter basically overnight without one ounce of planning. We became the biggest provider in the county. Years later the city sued us but we won the case to stay where we were. I also operate the Mass Shooting Prevention Center Crisis hotline trying to help potential shooters get the help they need.

Been working with the homeless since 1984, operates shelters, food banks, outreach, COVID outreach, Monitor Hospitals for unsafe discharges, Hate Crimes on the Homeless, and NIMBY when it comes to communities that don't want shelters . Networks covered my work, CNN, FOX and Friends , CBS and many local networks. Also on NewsNation for mass shootings and The Hill.

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SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR | ARCHITECT | BUILDER

Lance Cayko is a dynamic serial entrepreneur, award-winning architect, and co-founder of F9 Productions, a leading design-build firm in Northern Colorado. With over two decades in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, Lance has earned international recognition, including the 2016 Architizer A+ Award for Architecture + Living Small for his innovative Atlas Tiny House project, featured on HGTV. He launched F9 Productions in 2009 alongside partner Alex Gore, transforming recession-era layoffs into a thriving business that has grown from a two-person startup to a team of 10 operating from a custom-designed office in Longmont. Under his leadership, F9 has achieved remarkable milestones, such as topping BizWest's Mercury 100 Fastest-Growing Private Firms in Tier III for 2023 with a 386% growth rate, and securing the Best Architecture Firm title in the Best of Mile High Awards for both 2023 and 2024. In 2024, Lance was honored as one of BizWest's Most-Influential Business Leaders in Construction, and he received the 2021 Horizon Award from the North Dakota State University Foundation for his exceptional professional success and community contributions.

Beyond his firm, Lance shares his expertise as a part-time lecturer at the University of Colorado Boulder and his alma mater, North Dakota State University, where he mentors aspiring architects on practical design and business strategies. He co-hosts Inside the Firm, a top-five global podcast on architecture and entrepreneurship, delivering candid insights on industry challenges, innovation, and growth to over a million listeners worldwide. Committed to community service, Lance founded Longmont Community Gardens in 2020, a non-profit dedicated to urban sustainable gardening, education, and local involvement, evolving from his years of volunteer garden management.

In his personal life, Lance is a devoted father of four, an avid professional fisherman, and the creator of the YouTube channel Fishing with Lance, where he edits and shares his outdoor adventures chasing walleye and paddlefish in Colorado and North Dakota. Whether discussing resilient business practices, sustainable design, or work-life balance, Lance brings a grounded, multifaceted perspective to every conversation, inspiring audiences with his journey from hands-on tradesman to influential industry leader.

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CEO of Next Level University, Top 100 Podcast, 2,100+ Ep, 180+ Countries, Computer Engineer, MBA, 11,000+ Hours of Coaching, Training, and Podcasting.

At age 2, my birth father passed away in a car accident. At age 26, after getting into a nearly fatal car accident myself, I questioned everything...

I was already very successful from the outside looking in, but filled with pain, regret, and abandonment challenges, I searched for answers and finally found what I was really missing all this time, Personal Development.

Today I'm grateful to lead a global team of 18 individuals as the Founder and CEO of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Podcast focused on helping others reach their own unique potential in Health, Wealth, and Love.

With well over 2,100 episodes and more than one million listens in 180+ countries, I've been doing this deeply meaningful work for more than a decade, and after accumulating more than 10,000 hours of Coaching, Training, and Podcasting with all walks of life, I believe in a heart-driven but no BS approach to achieving both external success AND internal fulfillment.

Thank you again for this opportunity. I believe we're all far more capable than we realize when given the right guidance, and I'm honored to help you and your listeners reach their own unique Next Level of success!

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Invasion of the Punk Rockers, Who Drink Blood!

A Vampire Horror-Punk Thriller for Rebels, Outcasts, and Anyone Who’s Ever Slammed in a Basement Mosh Pit.

Bax Laywright and his punk band, Ashwood Commons, are used to being outsiders in the buttoned-up Bible Belt town of Ashwood, Kentucky. They’ve got fire in their guitars, rebellion in their lyrics, and no patience for small-town conformity. But when a mysterious music collective invites them to play a warehouse show in Louisville, it’s the break they’ve been dying for—until the night turns into a blood-soaked nightmare.

The venue? An abandoned slaughterhouse called The Abattoir.

The headliner? A gothic band called Crimson Thirst.

The fans? Not all of them are human.

What starts as a killer show quickly spirals into a trap laid by actual vampires using the underground punk scene to hunt, hypnotize, and harvest the young and rebellious. Bax and his band barely escape with their lives—but the real horror begins when the vampires follow them home.

Now, Ashwood Commons isn’t just trying to make it out of their dead-end town—they’re trying to save it.

Armed with guitars, guts, and DIY determination, these teens must rally their scene, outsmart an ancient predator, and fight back before their hometown becomes the next stop on Crimson Thirst’s never-ending tour of terror.

If The Lost Boys formed a band with Buffy, played a show in Jennifer’s Body, and were managed by the ghost of Sid Vicious, you'd get Invasion of the Punk Rockers, Who Drink Blood!—a fierce, funny, and terrifying novel that fuses vampire horror with the raw heart of punk rock.

Perfect for fans of:

🩸 Stranger Things meets SLC Punk

🩸 Fast-paced YA horror with brains and bite

🩸 Found-family punk bands, outcasts, and fierce female leads

🩸 Vampire lore with a fresh, blood-splattered edge

Ashwood Commons showed up to play the gig of their lives. They just didn’t know it might be their last.

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Author, Writing and Life Coach, Founder

I was a bad student” is my common answer when asked about my early school years. I could be a teacher’s best friend or worst enemy, alternating between charismatic participant and equally charismatic dissident depending on my passion for the assignment. As my brother once perfectly encapsulated: “If Eric doesn’t like doing something and it takes longer than fifteen minutes, he’s not going to do it.”

Let’s face it, school is designed for certain types of people. For everyone else, it's an exhaustive marathon of tedium, awkwardness, and social castigation. We’re often told that it’s a phase that we’ll grow out of, but why should we grow out of something we are, just to be something we’re not? It hurts to be misunderstood, but it hurts even more to be gaslit into believing your value differences are an illusion, and if you’d only conform to someone else’s standards of happiness you’d, in fact, be happy too.

That is why I’ve devoted the last two decades of my life to helping people forge a path to success that works for them. I founded an education company with individualized growth as its mission statement. I’ve coached teachers on how to work with their students’ personal needs, and provided business professionals, in leadership and non-leadership roles, with the tools they need to attain collaboration, productivity, and personal growth within their team.

My book, The Power of Personality, is the culmination of decades of research and application. I’ve personality-typed over fifty thousand people during my career, which is no small sample size. The main takeaway? Our relationship to others will only be as healthy as our relationship to ourselves.

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Unlocking Divine Identity, Leadership, and Legacy—One Conversation at a Time.

A Journey of Awakening: From Near-Death to Unshakable Faith

When I was six, my best friend, in a fit of rage, hurled a hammer across the yard. It struck the back of my head with brutal force, and in an instant, everything went black. But I didn’t just lose consciousness—I left my body. Floating outside myself, I watched as his older brother carried what looked like my lifeless form back to their house. That was 1975.

Some time later, I came to—bandaged, dazed, but alive. The memory of that moment faded into the background of my life, buried under the weight of time. Until the pandemic.

I grew up in a traditional Christian and military family, shaped not only by the discipline of that world but by the richness of cultures I encountered as a child living in Japan. The beauty of the Japanese, Filipino, and South Korean traditions left an imprint on my soul, broadening my understanding of connection, honor, and love. Coming back to the States after three years of living abroad, my life transformed. Even then, I saw love differently—not just in relationships, but as something divine, something woven into the very fabric of existence. I believed in a kind of biblical fairy tale. That belief made me different—an outlier, a dreamer, someone who felt things deeply but struggled to find where I fit in the world.

Following in the footsteps of my father and brother, I became a Marine Corps officer. Yet for all the discipline and leadership the Corps instilled in me, I couldn’t make relationships work. One failed marriage. Then another. By 2020, I was a Director at Cisco Systems, carrying the weight of two divorces and the wreckage of a 3.5-year relationship that had just ended. Then the pandemic hit. And I hit rock bottom.

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For years, Katie Baker wore the mask of a woman who had it all together. On the surface, she was a successful professional, a loving mother, and the embodiment of relentless perseverance. But beneath that carefully crafted facade, the cracks were deepening into fractures too wide to ignore. Haunted by a childhood of instability—marked by alcoholic fathers, sexual, physical, and verbal abuse, a lack of protection, and exposure to addiction—she carried her pain like an invisible weight. Pressured by societal expectations to “buck up,” she buried her wounds under achievement and resilience, holding onto pain and shame well into her late 40s.

In this raw and unflinching memoir, Katie takes readers on her journey from rock bottom to radical transformation. Guided by courage and therapeutic psychedelics, she confronted the darkness she had spent a lifetime outrunning—unraveling the shame, guilt, and addiction that had stolen so much from her life. Through profound medicine journeys, she unearthed the lost pieces of herself and reclaimed the life she was meant to live.

But this is more than a story of healing—it’s a story of rediscovery. With vulnerability, grit, and humor, Katie reflects on the childhood that shaped her, the courage it took to rebuild, and the light that emerges when we finally face our deepest wounds.

For anyone who has ever struggled to find their way back to themselves, When The Universe Holds Your Hair Backis a beacon of hope, redemption, and the powerful reminder that healing is not a destination—it’s a journey home.

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Licensed Acupuncturist & Book Author Empowering People to Achieve Peak Performance and Improved Health Through Applied Kinesiology

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Derek Williams, a licensed acupuncturist, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and accomplished author. With a background in competitive sports and personal training, Derek has transformed lives through Applied Kinesiology. He’s the author of Turn on the Power: How to Use Applied Kinesiology to Improve Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition, a game-changer for athletes seeking instant performance boosts and injury recovery. He’s also written Successful Treatment of Environmental Illness with Applied Kinesiology: A Comprehensive Guide for Doctors and Patients, offering groundbreaking insights into managing environmental health challenges. Join us as Derek shares his expertise and practical strategies to empower peak performance and wellness.

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After a devastating accident, a coma, and a breast cancer diagnosis, Shannon could have easily given up. Instead, she embarked on a transformative journey of healing. Through simple daily practices, she rebuilt her life and discovered inner strength she never knew she had.

With honesty and humor, Shannon's story is a powerful testament to perseverance and self-care. Along with inspiration, her experiences offer practical lessons, reminding us that hope, and healing are possible even in dark times. Whether you're a survivor, a health enthusiast, or just looking for an uplifting read, this book is a heartfelt guide to reclaiming your life, one day at a time.

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Human-First AI Marketing® @Avenue9 👨‍🦲✨ Founder, Podcaster, & Author

What if your audience could finally understand how to really use AI in marketing to grow their business without sounding like a robot or spamming everyone they know?

I help business leaders, marketers, and entrepreneurs cut through the hype and get real about what it takes to market like a big brand without blowing their budget or burning bridges with their clients and employees.

As the founder of Avenue9, I teach Human-First AI Marketing®, a practical, people-centered approach that blends smart AI tools with smarter marketing strategy.

I’ve built over 200 websites, authored LinkedIn The Sandler Way, and trained thousands of professionals during my 15 years as a Sandler sales trainer. My How To Succeed podcast has over 3.7 million downloads, and I’ve shared stages at Google, Amazon, HubSpot, Vistage, ATD, and even with Billy Idol and Frankie Valli. I've helped everyone from founder-led startups to giants like Uber, Bud Light, Express, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and the Kansas City Chiefs to build trust, not just traffic.

I don’t just talk about trends and AI hype (although I am happy to nerd-out if you want). I prefer to give your audience actionable marketing strategies, great stories, and a few laughs. I am a former radio DJ and game show host! Ask me about how I got fired live on-stage by Billy Idol...

I’ll show them how to:

- Use AI to amplify their unique voice—not replace it

- Market with authenticity at scale with automation

- Avoid the “AI slop” and stand out with strategic restraint

- Build trust through storytelling, context, and human-first communication

I bring a fresh, contrarian take to AI, sales, and marketing that resonates with entrepreneurs, CMOs, and curious skeptics alike.

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Software Developer, Creator, No-Code Expert

I hear app ideas every single day, and I’ve learned how to spot the ones with real potential and steer clear of the rest.

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful an app can be as a marketing, fulfillment, and lead-generation tool. There’s both an art and a science to bringing these elements together for success.

On shows, I can bring value by breaking down this process and explaining how it works in straightforward, simple terms anyone can understand.

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Founder/CEO of RoofBids. Shaking up the roof industry for the good of the world!

Getting a business started is super easy. Starting a business is not. Taking the steps to incorporate, set up bank accounts, credit cards, etc is easy because their are processes to follow and checklists everywhere to find out what to do. BUT starting that business as a business that will succeed is crazy hard and it's not for everyone. "They" say to follow the script to make a successful business, but the world is not that easy, not that kind, and not that welcoming to new things. Failing is the best thing that has happened to me. We need to fail and fail and fail until we start to see the small things that make the bigger things successful. Slowing down, reading the signs, making informed decisions, but also trying something that will fail and teach you something is as much or more important.

My first venture was going to be a cool space for guys inside of a mall. I didn't get it off the ground and within 5 years malls all around the country were closing down. My wife and I started a small children's boutique online. We found a brick and mortar location, but before we signed in 2008, the stock market crashed. Another business I started depended upon a partnership that never produced what they said they would, and it made me fail. I ended up selling roofs just to earn a few dollars. I felt like I would never succeed in business, but that roof sales job led to RoofBids and I couldn't be more thankful! RoofBids led to starting our nonprofit, Covered by Christ (which is harder than a for-profit business) and I couldn't be happier!

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Jim Carlough knows effective leadership. Throughout the last three decades, he has grown from mentee to mentor and held key leadership positions in multi-million-dollar companies. His decades of success are a direct result of intentional growth and a lifelong learning mindset. In The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership, Carlough debunks the traditional theory that certain individuals are born leaders and provides a practical guide for anyone striving to be a respected and successful leader. He has identified the six key attributes that effective leaders embrace, and now shares how intentional practice and lifelong learning form the foundational pillars of essential leadership. Today’s dynamic and diverse work environments require strong leadership that exemplifies integrity and credibility, provides stability and focus, and encourages a company-wide growth mindset. Through this comprehensive approach, The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership empowers readers to embark on their leadership journey, equipping them with the tools they need to overcome challenges, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact.

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Your Human Strategists dedicated to empowering corporate decision-makers to navigate the intricate landscapes of human potential

Jessica is a visionary leader and the Human Strategist on a mission to blend neuroscience & ancient wisdom to dismantle societal constraints and change organizations and lives. Built on a simple belief: every person & every business matters. Empowering individuals & organizations through a new era of strategy, cultivating inspired action, she helps you achieve the success your desire, infusing integrity, authenticity, & conscious awareness into everything she does.

Jessica’s led transformative experiences in thousands of lives around the world. She has captivated international stages across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, aerospace, & education. Spearheading strategic implementations of regional & global movements, focusing on growth & enhancing lives or company operational framework and culture.

She is an avid writer with 3 more books releasing in 2025. She seeks authentic connections and helping individuals and company’s take the right actions for them to empower blissful transformations.

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I was feeding the homeless at a very young age just out of high school. I n 1997 I found this guy John McCormick a homeless man who needed help. I asked him to come with me and I took him to a hospital. We were not a shelter at the time. When I gave him housing the hospitals found out and they started to send me all their homeless. We became a shelter basically overnight without one ounce of planning. We became the biggest provider in the county. Years later the city sued us but we won the case to stay where we were. I also operate the Mass Shooting Prevention Center Crisis hotline trying to help potential shooters get the help they need.

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Psychologist, Writer, Advisor and Mentor

I started my practice as a psychologist working with preschool children, mainly boys, as the female teachers saw them as problematic with their exuberance and physical energy and labeled them as hyperactive or attention-deficient.

My work resulted in their fathers coming to therapy to explore their emotional angst. I was privileged to see how our culture robs males of access to the full range of emotions necessary for a healthy sense of self and healthy relationships with others.

As I continued to work with men and help them to access feelings that have been blocked from early childhood, I began to write about their stories and examine how our culture has systematically limited the emotional development of males. I am writing a book about the developmental dangers of being a male in this culture and how fathers can help their sons avoid the trap of the emotional desert.

My therapy work focuses on helping men develop broader, healthier relationships with their spouses and families. Many of the blogs I write weekly are designed to help men and women better understand their emotional selves and the dynamics of relationships.

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Is the gap between your vision and your reality widening? Do you feel powerless in the face of the changes wrought by artificial intelligence, generational friction, and quiet quitting? In today’s fast-changing business world, the list of challenges is seemingly endless and courageous. Adaptable leadership is mandatory for success.

If you’ve read the books, taken the tests, and completed all the courses but are still left wondering why you’re not getting the results you want, you may be missing one vital component: actionable empathy.

Leaders who successfully model empathy have been shown to achieve higher levels of innovation, productivity, AND bigger profits.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller reveals the true power of empathy and emotional intelligence. Don’t be fooled, this is not the fluffy, emotional kind of empathy, but the strategic, actionable kind that will help you improve your leadership, your business, and secure your future.

The Empathic Leader will help you to unlock not only your own true potential but also that of your teams.

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