Explore every episode of the podcast High Octane Leadership
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inclusive Leadership Strategies for Thriving in a Changing World | 17 Oct 2024 | 01:00:59 | |
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald and co-author Kurt Meriwether join Roderick Lewis to explore the insights behind the Inclusive Leadership Handbook. Donald and Kurt discuss the challenges leaders face today, from navigating cultural intelligence to fostering collaboration in an increasingly complex and volatile world. They explain the impetus for writing the book, emphasizing the need for actionable leadership strategies and offering real-world examples of how inclusive leadership can drive success. Learn how to build stronger teams, break down silos, and lead with empathy—without sacrificing business results. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Managing Your Time Like a Corporate Athlete: The High Cost of Overscheduling | 05 Sep 2024 | 00:07:37 | |
In this episode, Donald delves into the hidden costs of a relentless schedule packed with back-to-back meetings and non-stop demands. Far from a badge of honor, overscheduling can erode your effectiveness as a leader, harm your mental health, and stifle your ability to innovate. Donald discusses the mental strain of constant context switching and how it can lead to burnout and decreased creativity. By prioritizing high-intensity work, embracing rest and recovery, and making time for continuous learning, you can not only survive but thrive as a leader. Tune in to learn how to protect your mental bandwidth, foster innovation, and lead with renewed energy and focus. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Reframing Failure: Transforming Setbacks into Stepping Stones | 02 May 2024 | 00:53:50 | |
Donald and Zach Nunn delve into the nuanced relationship between failure, feedback, and growth. They emphasize the importance of contextualizing critiques, reframing setbacks as learning opportunities, and aligning team efforts with the organization's overarching goals. Plus, they call out the need for leaders to provide constructive feedback that empowers their teams to reach new heights. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson, is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Living Corporate Network. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Losing a Job, Finding Entrepreneurship, with Courtney Canfield | 09 Sep 2020 | 00:48:54 | |
In April 2020, Courtney Canfield saw a layoff coming a mile away. Like many, she lost her job because of COVID-19. But instead of sitting around, Courtney made something out of nothing - and now she's running a successful business while becoming a pet influencer (yes, a pet influencer!). On the show today, Courtney talks to Don about her journey, then starts asking Don questions about how to build a successful marketing agency. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| How Virtual Reality Can Identify Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, with Lucid Dream's Mike McArdle | 02 Sep 2020 | 00:30:56 | |
How can virtual reality (VR) be used to identify unconscious bias in the workplace? How can it be used to enhance empathy for patients and have a better understanding of their symptoms? Mike McArdle is the founder and Chief Product Officer of Lucid Dream VR, based in Durham NC, and today he talks about how virtual reality has gone way beyond just being an amazing experience.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| From Homeless to Global Tech Executive: Kendrall Felder's Path to Greatness | 26 Aug 2020 | 00:38:00 | |
Kendrall Felder is a former Duke football player, has an MBA from Duke, and is now the Global Head of Centralized Services (IT) at Cisco. Impressive right? But Kendrall faced long odds to get to this point. Teenage mother. Drug dealer father. Abuse in the home. At 15, Kendrall was out on his own trying to find a place to live. And despite his odds, Kendrall forged his own path to greatness. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Inn Flow CEO John Erhart's Commitment to Constant Improvement | 19 Aug 2020 | 00:31:18 | |
Sometimes the journey to success means getting knocked down and figuring out how to get back up again. And for today’s guest, it means navigating the hotel industry in the middle of a worldwide pandemic that has devastated the market. John Erhart is the founder and CEO of Inn Flow, a hotel management platform that consolidates all hotel operational needs into one comprehensive solution. Obviously, the hotel industry isn’t in a great spot right now, but Inn Flow is handling this situation the way that John handles everything – by committing to constant improvement.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| TLS Agency: The New Entourage | 12 Aug 2020 | 00:41:54 | |
The TLS Agency represents entertainers and athletes, and they'll do what it takes to provide their clients with the best direction for their careers. On the show, Cicero Leak, Tristian Turner, and Chuck Stinson talk about how it all got started, what it's like to work with celebrities, representing athletes in the new landscape where amateurs can profit off their likeness, being black in America, and what it's like to have "the talk" with your kids - and that doesn't mean about the birds and bees. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Gen Z Notes with Ciera Thompson, Episode 2: Diana Garland, Cassidy Leovic, and Taylor Oleson | 07 Aug 2020 | 00:35:37 | |
On episode 2 of Z-Notes, Ciera Thompson is joined by three genz-ers to discuss the importance of diversity in the workplace, new ideas on brand loyalty, and why their generation is more fiscally responsible than millennials. Cassidy Leovic (21) is an RBT for children with Autism and will be starting a graduate program in the fall for applied behavior analysis. Diana (18) was a nationally-ranked, state champion track and field athlete and the founder and President of her high school's Black Student Association. Diana Garland is an equality advocate most recently featured in Substantial Magazine. T.J. Oleson (22) recently graduated from Appalachian State University where he majored in Electronic Media and Broadcasting and minored in Marketing. He specializes in creative copywriting, video production and marketing. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| How to Reinvent Yourself and Pivot Your Career (Solo Episode) | 05 Aug 2020 | 00:12:11 | |
It's not as complicated as you think. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| From Statement to Strategy, with JUST Podcast's Jes Averhart and Rob Shields | 30 Jul 2020 | 00:42:01 | |
We've seen the statements. Black Lives Matter. What has happened in the past is not ok. Diversity is important to our work culture. That's all great, but how do we move from statement to strategy? Jes Averhart and Rob Shields are leading that conversation forward through their work at Recity, the Reinvention Roadmap, and the JUST Podcast, which tackles race relations in our country and what we all can do to improve them. Recity Coworking
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| How to be Ruthlessly Efficient with Your Time (Solo Episode) | 28 Jul 2020 | 00:22:22 | |
As a leader, from the moment you wake up, you already feel like you're behind. So how can we be ruthlessly efficient to get the job done effectively while not taking away from family and life outside of work? The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| 721 "Cups of Coffee" in Six Months, with Kelaca CEO Keith Langbo | 23 Jul 2020 | 00:31:28 | |
Keith Langbo just celebrated the 8th anniversary of his talent acquisition firm Kelaca, and today Keith talks about recruiting and finding the right talent, especially in our work-from-home environment today. But what's remarkable about Keith is that 8 years ago, Keith and his family decided to move down from Michigan to Raleigh, a place where they didn't know a single soul. Keith set a goal of having 600 cups of coffee in the first six months to meet people and grow his business - and he ended up far exceeding that goal and planting the seeds for his company's success. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Strategies for Thriving in the Boundaryless World of Entrepreneurship | 25 Apr 2024 | 00:39:50 | |
Donald and Zach Nunn, founder of Living Corporate, share their insights on navigating the challenges of work-life balance as passionate entrepreneurs. They delve into the importance of work-life integration, the seasons of career growth, and the power of building a strong professional network to maximize efficiency and achieve long-term success. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson, is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Living Corporate Network. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Selling through the Storm (Solo Episode) | 21 Jul 2020 | 00:11:51 | |
How do you sell through this COVID-19 storm? How do you continue to build your business, or even just survive? Donald Thompson has led through crises before, and in this solo episode, he talks about what it was like during the Recession in 2008 and what you should be doing to build relationships and make your company stronger. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Unlocking the Power of Social Media, with Holderness Family CMO Ann Marie Taepke | 16 Jul 2020 | 00:45:26 | |
Ann Marie Taepke has produced some of the most amazing, hilarious, and memorable videos for brands like Velcro, Chrysler, and AstraZenaca. She’s a social media savant who has taken her talents from Ignite Social Media to Walk West, and now she’s the CMO of Holderness Family Productions. Today she talks about what it’s like to have a viral hit, lessons she learned from watching the great Kobe Bryant, and social media strategy we can all implement today. Also, Ann Marie has partnered with Walk West to offer a social media course that provides the philosophy and tools needed to have a successful brand on social media. Through a combination of lectures, worksheets, and expert interviews, with this course you'll be able to master the art of crafting an effective social media strategy. And if you go to social.walkwest.com before the end of July, you’ll get 30% off.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| From Pitt County to The White House: Tonya Williams' Career Journey | 09 Jul 2020 | 00:52:19 | |
Born and raised in Eastern North Carolina, Tonya Williams' incredible career path took her all the way to the Obama White House, where she was the the Director of Legislative Affairs for Vice President Joe Biden. On the show today, Tonya talks about that journey - which included UNC Law School, the North Carolina General Assembly, GSK, and the office of Congressman GK Butterfield where she served as Chief of Staff. Tonya is now with SoftBank, as the Director of External Affairs for the Opportunity Growth Fund, a fund that will invest $100M in American minority owned businesses.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Competitive Excellence with 22-Time National Champion Anson Dorrance | 07 Jul 2020 | 00:40:15 | |
Anson Dorrance is quite possibly the most successful coach of any sport all-time, having led the UNC Women's Soccer program to an astounding 22 national titles. On the show today, Anson talks about how he quantifies competitiveness, lessons learned from watching Dean Smith run practice, his perspective on the Black Lives Matter protests, and why he's much more focused on human development than athletic development. Coming Soon - Anson's Book, Vision of a Champion, will be available on audiobook and adapted into a podcast series. For more information including sponsorship opportunities, check out the Vision of a Champion website.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Gen Z Notes with Ciera Thompson: Ben Codrington and Kaia Counter | 02 Jul 2020 | 00:42:47 | |
We have a guest host for this bonus episode, as Ciera Thompson sits down with two generation z-ers based in Canada. Kaia Counter is pursuing her Master's degree in International Affairs and Ben Codrington is a recent Queen's University graduate who is breaking into the tech industry. These three young professionals discuss what they look for when choosing a place to work, the importance of diversity, and what makes generation Z unique. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Being the Only One in the Room, with Akinwole Garrett | 30 Jun 2020 | 00:30:20 | |
Akinwole Garrett has been super successful in his education and career, having gone to the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and leading divisions of ABC, CBS, SheKnows Media, and now Lenovo. As a black man, Aki is no stranger to being the only one in the room. Today he talks about what that's like, the value of higher education, networking, what it's like to build a podcast network from scratch, and why if he had a magic wand with one wish, he'd choose to eliminate white privilege.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Joe Colopy on Entrepreneurship, Family, and Why He Kept Bronto in the Triangle | 25 Jun 2020 | 00:38:31 | |
Joe Colopy is the founder and former CEO of Durham-based Bronto, which sold to NetSuite in 2015 for $200M. Joe is now involved in the Triangle startup scene, running both Colopy Ventures and Jurassic Capital, and he has an online tech startup newsletter – Grepbeat – which a lot of you probably read in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday. With a $200M exit, you might expect Joe to have a huge ego, but that’s not him at all. He’s all about community, family, and helping other entrepreneurs.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| CEO to CEO: NC Chamber's Gary Salamido Asks Critical Diversity and Inclusion Questions | 18 Jun 2020 | 00:42:10 | |
Gary Salamido is the CEO of the NC Chamber, and he wants to know why Donald Thompson created The Diversity Movement, how NC businesses can create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, what can be done about white guilt, and how he can sign up to be a Certified Diversity Executive. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| HIRE Strategies CEO Sonya Hopson on Overcoming Racism, Mistakes, Imposter Syndrome, and Bias to Grow as a Leader | 16 Jun 2020 | 00:41:19 | |
Sonya Hopson is "The Lady with The Pink Hard Hat", but she's so much more than that. She's an African American woman working primarily in the construction industry, and she's overcome so many challenges - bias, mistakes, imposter syndrome, racism, and her own personal struggles - to build HIRE Strategies into one of the preeminent job recruitment firms in North Carolina. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| 7X Founder Turned Venture Capitalist David Gardner Invests in the Entrepreneur, Not the Idea | 10 Jun 2020 | 00:29:11 | |
David Gardner is a serial entrepreneur (7X founder, exits over $100M) turned angel investor (FilterEasy, Archive Social) turned venture capitalist (Cofounders Capital, raised over $40M for NC tech companies). At this fireside chat at American Underground in Durham NC, David talks about his book, "The Startup Hats: Master the Many Roles of the Entrepreneur", what North Carolina can do to help the startup community, why he invests in founders rather than ideas, and why retirement isn't as great as it sounds. Startup Hats on Audible The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Managing Up: Strategies for CEO-Level Leadership | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:27:34 | |
Learn how to align your efforts with corporate goals, leverage leadership access, and understand the deeper dynamics of your organization with Donald Thompson. Through the power of asking high-quality questions, understanding communication preferences, and fostering true collaboration across teams, this episode will help you take the next steps to become an influential CEO, executive, and leader. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson, is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Living Corporate Network. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| A Life Altering Diagnosis Led Ashlyn Sanders to Entrepreneurship - and an Investment from Charles Barkley | 27 May 2020 | 00:33:21 | |
Ashlyn Sanders was super successful academically and on track to become a doctor. She graduated from UNC a year early, interned in the Obama White House, and went to grad school at Duke. But while at Duke, a life altering diagnosis steered her to the path of entrepreneurship and an eventual investment from NBA legend Charles Barkley. NeuroVice The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Gen Z Roundtable: What are the Leaders of Tomorrow Looking For? | 20 May 2020 | 00:46:14 | |
What are the leaders of tomorrow looking for in companies they're working for? What brands to they admire (or not)? What do they want Boomers and Gen X to know about them? Join us in our virtual roundtable discussion with 4 future leaders from Gen Z - Tea Blumer, Gaven Kerr, Ciera Thompson, and Jalen Hatton. The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Cancer Warrior Jen Hoverstad, Kay Yow Cancer Fund Director of Community Engagement | 13 May 2020 | 00:41:22 | |
Jen Hoverstad is a cancer survivor, attorney, Tedx speaker, marketer, mom, wife, podcaster, all around amazing person, and now the Director of Community Engagement at the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. On the show, Jen talks about her cancer journey, what it truly means to be an influencer, how she does it all, and her new role with Kay Yow. Jen's Tedx Talk, How to Change the World by Being an Influencer The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Hassan and Meleata Pinto Raised 3 D1 Student Athletes - What's the Magic? What's in the Pinto Water? | 06 May 2020 | 00:54:11 | |
Hassan and Meleata Pinto are rockstar parents and professionals. All three of their children are on full scholarships playing soccer - at Elon then transferring to Duke, at UNC to play for the legendary Anson Dorrance, and at Princeton - all elite schools both academically and athletically. Hassan is now the Senior VP of Business Development at Creative Allies, and Meleata is the Global Marketing Director at Lenovo. So while chasing their dreams professionally, how did they raise such great talent? What's the magic? What's in the Pinto water? The Donald Thompson Podcast is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on how to engage your community or build your personal brand through podcasting, visit Earfluence.com. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Pressure on Women in the Workplace, with Loren Shumate | 15 Apr 2020 | 00:36:08 | |
As my company was getting used to this new work-from-home reality, I noticed that some people on the team – and it was usually women – were opting not to show their faces. And it got me to wondering, why do we put so much pressure on women in the workplace to look a certain way? I wrote about it in a LinkedIn post, and I hit on something that people wanted to talk about. My guest today, Loren Shumate, commented right away, “I had this exact realization this week. I honestly think it is more how women feel about themselves. It’s a need to be perfect that many women struggle to overcome. Understanding this about women is critical to inclusion strategies.” And so I asked her to share her insight as a professional woman in the workplace. Loren referenced several books in the show:
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. The Donald Thompson Podcast is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Now Available on Audiobook: The Startup Hats, by David Gardner | 16 Mar 2020 | 00:21:36 | |
The Startup Hats: Master the Many Roles of the Entrepreneur, by serial entrepreneur turned venture capitalist David Gardner, is now available on audiobook. On this feed is Chapter 1: The Entrepreneur Hat. The entire audiobook is available on Google Play. David is a 6X successful startup founder who now runs Cofounders Capital, which has now invested over $40M in North Carolina tech startups. In Startup Hats, David provides an easily digestible resource to growing your company based on the many different hats you need to wear every single day. The Startup Hats is a production of Earfluence. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Implementing a Diversity and Inclusion Plan, with D&I Consultant Donald Thompson | 02 Dec 2019 | 00:19:10 | |
We wrap up Season 2 by talking about a topic that all professional leaders need to have knowledge of and take action on if they want employees to be happy, if they want to have the best ideas, and if they want their companies to grow the right way; diversity and inclusion. Hosted today by Jason Gillikin with guest (and normal host) Donald Thompson is extremely passionate about Diversity and Inclusion. He is the CEO of Walk West, which is the fastest growing marketing agency in North Carolina, but he is also an angel investor involved in several companies in the Triangle area. More importantly for this conversation, he's a a diversity and inclusion consultant, identifying how companies can start or change their diversity and inclusion initiatives. And he’s working on a diversity and inclusion online course PLUS a podcast which will both by launching in the Spring of 2020. On the show today, we talk about why it’s so important to him, what inclusivity means, we talk about the diversity you can’t see, and how Don implements D&I in the companies he’s working with.
Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Risk, Mental Toughness, and Dressing Up Like the Black Jon Snow: Having Fun with Success | 25 Nov 2019 | 00:28:19 | |
Donald Thompson talks to guest host Meghan Hockaday about what it takes to succeed in business, who his mentors are and what they taught him, why he doesn’t like the term work-life balance, some of the strategic partnerships at Walk West, and the craziest thing he’s done for a client. Hustle Unlimited is (usually) hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| The Rising Tide of the Triangle Startup Ecosystem, Grepbeat.com's Pete McEntegart | 18 Nov 2019 | 00:28:09 | |
Pete McEntegart, managing editor of Grepbeat.com has had quite the windy career path, starting as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, then going back to college, then writing at Sports Illustrated – if you ever read SI.com in the 2000’s, Pete was the guy who wrote The Ten Spot, which was a daily column on 10 funny things in sports that day. During his time there, he was rudely interrupted by a six-month trial of the Tyco CEO and CFO who were accused of embezzling millions from the company – and he wrote about it for Time Magazine. He then went out to LA to be a film and sitcom writer, and then to Chicago where he co-founded a company called CharacTour, which is kind of like a Netflix algorithm that tells you what shows and movies you should be watching. That ended up not working out, and so in July of 2018, he started working for Bronto founder Joe Colopy’s passion project, Grepbeat.com, which is an online publication that supports the tech startups in the Triangle. On the show today, Pete talks about lessons learned in his windy path, what he sees from successful entrepreneurs, and what’s different about the Triangle ecosystem. Such an interesting guy, and the only one of our guests so far who has a Wikipedia page. Subscribe to Grepbeat's twice-a-week newsletter at Grepbeat.com. And be sure to read his article in Time, One Angry Man, about his time as a Tyco trial juror. Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| How LaunchMyCity Caught Fire, and What It Really Means to be an Entrepreneur, with Wake Tech's Katie Gailes | 11 Nov 2019 | 00:40:52 | |
As Director of Entrepreneur Initiatives at Wake Tech in Raleigh NC, Katie Gailes has been able to help thousands of entrepreneurs with networking, funding, mentoring, and training. But she also says that entrepreneurship does NOT necessarily mean starting a business. On today's episode, Katie talks about what being an entrepreneur actually means, some of the amazing things she's doing with Wake Tech AND Launch Wake County, diversity in entrepreneurship, and so much more in this inspiring episode! Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Scaling from Zero to 1M: The CEO's Role | 11 Apr 2024 | 00:56:47 | |
Last week, Donald and Kurt Merriweather talked about growing your business from concepts to customers. This week, they're back to talk about the CEO's leadership role in startup transformation, from defining the compelling vision to building high-performance teams, all while balancing innovation with scalability. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson, is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Living Corporate Network. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| From Poverty to Philanthropy: Raleigh Rescue Mission's John Luckett | 04 Nov 2019 | 00:34:45 | |
Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| What Shopping Local Means to Your Community, with Jennifer Martin from Shop Local Raleigh | 28 Oct 2019 | 00:30:43 | |
“Any time you shop local and independent and you spend money in our community, more of that money recirculates back here. And that means money for roads, money for schools, you know, money for general infrastructure. And it just helps create more jobs here.” Jennifer Martin is the Executive Director of Shop Local Raleigh, and she comes on the Hustle Unlimited Podcast to talk about why it’s so important to shop local, the incredible events (like Brewgaloo) that they’re running to support the community, why businesses should join Shop Local Raleigh, and the advice she has to up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Advice to New CEOs with Donald Thompson | 21 Oct 2019 | 00:47:37 | |
“A lot of people become a CEO for the first time with no experience. It’s kinda like becoming a parent. There’s not really qualifications to be a CEO. You can print a business card, you can start a business, then you are in charge of something and really responsible for taking something from a concept to a commercial being. And a lot of times when people start a brand new company, they have an idea, they have a certain perspective. But running a business and creating something that gives you value to the point where you can survive in the marketplace is a totally different thing.” Donald Thompson learned from the mistakes he made as a young CEO, and he shares some of his wisdom in an interview with Amie Thompson, CEO of Creative Allies, and Jason Gillikin, CEO of Earfluence. The book referenced in this episode is Startup Hats by David Gardner. Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Advice for Startup Entrepreneurs from Venture Capitalist Tim McLoughlin, Partner at Cofounders Capital | 14 Oct 2019 | 00:43:24 | |
Tim McLoughlin is a Trianlge native and partner at Cofounders Capital, a Cary NC based venture capital firm that has raised over $30 million to invest in tech startups. On the show today, you’ll hear how Tim and David Gardner (founder of Cofounders Capital) got connected, why the Triangle is such a special place for Tim and his family, why not all businesses are investable businesses, and why the only way that your investors can help you is if you’re honest with them. Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provided by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| The Diversity You Can’t See & Becoming a Leader, with American Underground GM Molly Demarest | 07 Oct 2019 | 00:44:19 | |
Molly Demarest is the General Manager of American Underground Startup Hub in Durham NC. Throughout her career, she has grown into leadership of the American Underground team and mentorship of aspiring entrepreneurs. But when she was growing up, she could never have guessed she’d be this successful. With a learning disability and ADHD, Molly knew she had a different way of learning. But unfortunately, many of her teachers didn’t embrace the difference, so she also thought she was dumb. On today’s episode of Hustle Unlimited, Molly talks about neuro-diversity and other types of diversity you can’t see, how she became a leader, why personal health is so important, and the mission of American Underground. Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provide by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| How Pretend’s Javier Leiva Turned a Side Hustle to One Million Podcast Downloads | 30 Sep 2019 | 00:39:27 | |
Javier Leiva is a creative director at Red Hat and former Emmy winning TV producer. But today, we talk to Javier about his podcast side hustle, Pretend, which now has over a million downloads. We talk about how Pretend started, its successes and opportunities, sacrificing sleep, keeping priorities straight, and advice for all the side hustlers and podcasters out there. Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provide by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Former Fortnite Senior Producer Heather Chandler on Being a Trailblazer in Gaming and Her New Hustle | 23 Sep 2019 | 00:35:08 | |
Heather Chandler literally wrote the book on how to make a video game, and was the senior producer on the most popular game in the world, Fortnite. She chats with Donald Thompson on this episode of Hustle Unlimited about her career as a trailblazing woman in gaming, why she wrote the book on how to make a game, her time at Epic games making Fortnite, mentorship, and now transitioning into entrepreneurship with her new company, Whole Brain Escape, in Apex NC! Hustle Unlimited is hosted by Walk West CEO, mentor, investor, and hustler himself, Donald Thompson. Music for this episode provide by Jensen Reed from his song, “You Can’t Stop Me”. Hustle Unlimited is edited and produced by Earfluence. For more on the Earfluence Podcast Network, visit @EarfluenceMedia on any social media platform. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| The Competitive Edge in Communication, Decision Making and Problem Solving | 22 May 2019 | 01:02:14 | |
In this episode, your host, Donald Thompson is interviewed by podcaster and producer, Max Trujillo, about his second recently released eBook, All Hats On Deck. Max and Donald discuss his journey to success and this eBook, where Donald shares his perspective on using the Six Thinking Hats methodology in multiple businesses to get a competitive edge in communication, decision making and problem solving. If you are craving ways to be more productive, tune in and then download All Hats on Deck here. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: D&I Consultant Donald Thompson | 15 May 2019 | 00:38:04 | |
In this episode, the host becomes the guest as podcast producer, Jason Gillikin, interviews Donald Thompson on the first of two recently released eBooks, Driving Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace which tackles this topic from both sides providing insights for c-suite leaders and minority professionals. Learn what inspired Donald to write this book and what he hopes to impart on its readers. You can download this eBook now for free by clicking here. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Understanding Your Why and The Power To Lead Others To Success | 18 Mar 2019 | 00:43:42 | |
Hailing from Durham, NC, Greg Boone has gone from being a leader as a college athlete to becoming the 2018 NC Technology Executive of the Year. Greg leads a growing technology firm, he shares his wisdom with you on getting the best from his team and how he identifies exceptional talent. Overcoming some personal health issues in the past gave him the hunger to fight even harder for others around him – his family, his teammates, and his company. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| Scaling from Zero to 1M: The Blueprint for Entrepreneurial Success | 04 Apr 2024 | 00:47:14 | |
In this episode, Donald and Kurt Merriweather dissect the pivotal phase of growing a business from a concept to a million-dollar revenue generator. Dive into actionable strategies for market validation, cultivating a growth mindset, and leveraging frameworks like the Six Thinking Hats for innovation to establish credibility in a competitive landscape. Tune in to uncover the blueprint for entrepreneurial success and unlock the keys to sustainable business growth. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson, is a production of Earfluence and is part of the Living Corporate Network. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| The Recipe For Success: Clients, Culture, and Community. | 11 Mar 2019 | 00:27:24 | |
North Carolina native, James Forrest left his role at one of the largest corporate law firms in the state to strike out on his own almost ten years ago. That leap of faith is something to be admired and with his personal relationships, grit, and hustle, James Forrest has built one of the largest single owner firms in our area, boasting almost 2,500 clients, over 50 attorneys, and 7 offices across North Carolina. If you think listening to a lawyer for 40 minutes wouldn’t be that interesting, you haven’t met one of the coolest guys on the planet in James Forrest. In this episode, you will learn what he focuses on for success – clients, culture, and community.
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| The Farce of Finding Work-Life Balance, with Sharon Delaney McCloud | 04 Mar 2019 | 00:34:11 | |
Sharon McCloud has a lot of stories to tell about her dreams of being on Broadway, her career as a news anchor, all the way to becoming an entrepreneur in North Carolina. She is driven by the sound advice of her late father, the inspiring fight of her late daughter, and the courage she has after beating cancer. When you are faced with so many challenges in life, balance is something that may never be achieved. Sharon talks about how she instead integrates her work and life as a way to choose where she focuses her time to find happiness, peace, and motivation to charge forward. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||
| From Homeless to Hustler, David Pratt's Amazing Journey | 25 Feb 2019 | 00:27:11 | |
David Pratt is the definition of a hustler and his success comes from being hungry. After being let go from his civil engineering job in Atlanta, David fell on hard times where was living out of his car and squatting in empty homes. He was relentless though, and always knew he would find a away to make it. In this episode, you’ll understand that your current situation doesn’t have to be your destiny. David talks about what inspired him to start his own video production company that he wants to become the biggest production studio on the east coast. And by the way, if you’ve never tasted his pies from his other company, David’s Dream Pies, you are really missing out! High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence. Order UNDERESTIMATED: A CEO’S UNLIKELY PATH TO SUCCESS, by Donald Thompson. | |||