Lets Have This Conversation – Details, episodes & analysis

Most Americans carry some form of credit card debt. A recent Clever Real Estate survey found that 3 in 5 Americans (61%) are in credit card debt, with an average debt of $5,875. Additionally, 23% of respondents reported that they incur more credit card debt each month, and 14% indicated that they have missed a payment in 2023.

Here are some more staggering statistics about the state of credit card debt in America:

- **28% of Americans Believe It Will Take 5 Years to Pay Off Their Credit Card Debt** 

Although 49% of Americans believe they can pay off all their credit card debt within the next year, a significant portion thinks it will take five years or longer. According to the Clever Real Estate survey, 28% believe they will be debt-free within five years, 11% expect to pay it off within ten years, and 6% think they will never be able to pay it off.

- **Nearly Half of Americans Need Credit Cards to Cover Essential Living Expenses** 

The survey revealed that 48% of Americans rely on credit cards to manage essential living expenses. This trend is particularly prevalent among younger generations, with 59% of millennials using credit cards for their living expenses. In contrast, only 29% of baby boomers depend on credit cards for essential costs.

Jason Saltzman is the founder of Relief, a transformative platform that revolutionizes debt management for everyday people. With two successful business exits, over a decade of mentoring founders through Techstars, and experience teaching entrepreneurship, Jason possesses a wealth of expertise and a passion for empowering others in the realms of business and innovation. As Co-Chair of MIT’s REAP program, he is actively shaping the future of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

For more information: https://www.relief.app/ 

Instagram: @jasonsaltzman 

X: @SaltzmanJason 

Collaboration is the most significant driver of cohesion in the workplace. It encourages everyone within the organization to give their best efforts and become engaged and attentive to the overall health of the organization.

According to a study by Stanford University, teams that work well together are 50% more productive. This statistic underscores the strong connection between effective teamwork and increased productivity. When team members collaborate efficiently, they can complete more tasks and projects in less time. However, the degree of improvement varies based on team dynamics and the nature of the tasks.

**Improved Decision-Making** 

The Harvard Business Review found that teams make better decisions 87% of the time compared to individuals. Collaboration brings diverse perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to more informed decision-making. This statistic suggests that group decision-making is often more accurate and well-rounded.

Kenneth Hester has 22 years of leadership and pastoral experience. Before entering ministry, he managed corporate franchises and coached high school basketball. His goal is to help leaders realize their full potential and ensure that their teams thrive. Ken resides in Austin, TX, with his wife, Ashley, and their children, Isaac (7) and Madelyn (5). They celebrated 17 years of marriage in June this year. With a passion for excellence and hands-on experience in building strong, dynamic, and flexible organizations, Ken offers a unique combination of pastoral and leadership skills. He has been a public speaker for non-profit churches for 20 years, averaging 25 talks per year for audiences ranging from 25 to 5,000.

Ken's expertise includes business analysis and cross-functional team leadership, supported by certifications in The Six Types of Working Genius and SCORRE Communication. These skills help organizations create dynamic environments that promote spiritual and personal flourishing. Ken is recognized for his collaborative spirit and dedication to transformative leadership.

LinkedIn: @KenHester 

Instagram: @kdhester

It seems that everyone is eager to live longer these days. Wealthy individuals are taking extreme measures to reach the age of 100 and beyond, while ordinary Americans are seeking advice from the world's longest-lived individuals on how to extend their lifespans.

However, a recent survey revealed that Americans are shifting their focus from simply living longer to prioritizing health as well. In a poll conducted by Medtronic and Morning Consult with 2,200 American adults, participants were asked if they would prefer to live a shorter, healthier life or a longer life filled with health issues. The majority—66%—chose the shorter, healthier option.

These findings suggest that many Americans believe longevity should also consider a person's health status in old age. Specifically, 62% of respondents expressed concern that living longer might result in declining health or pain. Additionally, more than half believe they could become a burden to their loved ones if they live for a long time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 73.5 years for men and 79.3 years for women. Although most respondents indicated a desire to live to at least 90 years old, nearly 60% doubt they will reach that age.

As someone passionate about longevity, Kimberly Verbeke specializes in helping people optimize their health through personalized, cutting-edge strategies as a Naturopathic Practitioner. I utilize methods such as peptide bio-regulators, IV therapy, and fitness to empower my clients to improve their overall well-being, enhance organ function, and slow the aging process. My approach combines decades of clinical research with practical, real-world solutions to create individualized health plans targeting key pillars of longevity, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. I implement these strategies while working with patients both in our clinic and virtually.

I am dedicated to educating others on how small, actionable changes can lead to significant transformations. Whether discussing the benefits of lifting heavy weights for graceful aging or explaining how proper nutrition supports longevity, I bring a dynamic, science-backed perspective to every conversation.

For more information: https://www.avitabydrv.com/ 

Instagram: @kimberlyverbekewellness

As per CNBC, while there may be a shortage of homes to buy, there are numerous examples of individuals who have amassed significant wealth by investing in real estate. From big names like Barbara Corcoran to smaller-time investors like a couple in Michigan who earn $11,000 a month from their properties, real estate has proven to be a lucrative investment for many. According to a survey by LendingTree, real estate is the most popular way to build wealth, with 45% of respondents choosing it as their preferred investment option. The stock market came in second at 32%, followed by savings bonds, cash, and tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Axel Meierhoefer , a retired Air Force officer, started his first company in 2005, focusing on consulting, employee skill development, and program management. These areas remain his focus today and have expanded internationally. He has always had a passion for education and helping people become successful. As a business owner, he realized the importance of saving for retirement and researched the best ways to do so. He found that owning tangible assets, particularly residential real estate, was the most advantageous and government-supported investment option. This led him to develop a residential real estate portfolio worth around $2.6 million, and he continues to grow it. Along his journey, he has gained valuable insights, made many relationships, learned about the pitfalls of property purchases, and made both good and bad decisions that ultimately led him to achieve economic independence. He now coaches, mentors, and teaches others based on his experience.

For more information: https://idealwealthgrower.com/

According to a financial literacy survey conducted by Schwab Financial, 89 percent of American adults believe that lack of financial literacy contributes to bigger social issues like wealth, racial, and gender inequality. Stoy Hall is a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, and pursued a BSBA in finance with a minor in business law and insurance from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. During his college years, he was a four-year letter winner for the Bulldogs and worked as a professional teen development officer at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa. This experience led him to pursue a career in financial planning and wealth management, and he is determined to rid the world of financial illiteracy. Stoy believes that financial literacy should not be restricted to the ultra-wealthy and has made it his mission to end financial illiteracy in the general population. He is an active member of the community and participates in events and seminars such as Females & Finance and the Black and Brown Business Summit. Stoy Hall is a forward-thinking individual in the field of financial planning and wealth management. He emphasizes inclusivity and holistic client well-being as the CEO and founder of Black Mammoth and Kālā Capital, respectively. He is also a dedicated father who advocates for the importance of family and personal growth. Stoy Hall believes that emotional intelligence and the psychological facets of wealth management are essential and embodies this in the Modern Family Office approach of his work. He has a passion for culinary diversity and parallels his zest for food with a rich, experience-focused view of wealth. He hosts the NoBS Wealth Podcast and fosters transparent dialogues on financial literacy and empowerment, connecting with thought leaders to explore wealth beyond the numbers. For more information, visit https://www.blackmammoth.com/. Follow @StoyHall.

Employers are now looking for different things in the recruiting process, as per a July 2023 Survey of 5,000 employers conducted by LinkedIn. Instead of just focusing on traditional resumes, they are more interested in evaluating candidates on their soft skills such as leadership, listening, and their ability to demonstrate a positive direction of purpose. In other words, having good people skills is more important than ever before. Additionally, LinkedIn reports that hiring managers typically choose only 5 to 10 resumes for interview out of hundreds of applications received. This means that only about 10-20% of resumes make it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to get an interview, while 80-90% are screened out through human review.Picsume is a platform that eliminates the need for traditional resumes and instead creates live dynamic work profiles for candidates. These profiles contain only relevant, pertinent and verified information. The platform's proprietary technology extracts current job postings, curates opportunities across Canada, and pairs candidates directly with employers. With their Applicant Tracking System (ATS) optimized specifically for small and medium-sized businesses, Picsume plans to revolutionize recruiting and staff management in the 21st century. Jordan Goure is the President and CEO at Picsume, and he recently spoke about how the platform is changing the way we approach work.For further information, please visit https://picsume.ca/ or email [email protected].

A recent study by the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative found that small business owners who receive mentorship are more successful than those who don't. In fact, 70% of mentored business owners successfully make it through the first five years, which is twice the rate of those without mentoring. Benjamin Brown, a sales coach, expert, author, and father of two young children, has over 23 years of experience in sales. He works with small businesses to help them resolve sales issues and increase sales. Brown has developed a 10-step process, based on his two decades of sales experience, to help businesses get more clients and increase sales. "I can sell anything, from stock brokerage style cold calling to gym memberships, to medical devices," he says. This week, Brown joined me to discuss his process. For more information, visit https://www.360salesconsulting.com/. To meet with Benjamin, visit https://ben360sales.as.me/schedule/f1c4827c/appointment/11780624/calendar/1560273?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=11780624. To get the book, visit https://www.amazon.ca/Master-Art-Closing-Sale-Game-Changing/dp/0692660054.

According to the Financial Post, hiring managers consider several soft skills as important for job applicants. These include a willingness to learn (85%), dependability (84%), problem-solving (78%), and adaptability (78%). Kolby Goodman, a seasoned hiring coach and keynote speaker, has a decade of experience in talent acquisition. He provides expert guidance on recruiting strategy, onboarding, and employee retention to empower individuals and organizations to make better hiring decisions. If you are struggling to attract high-quality candidates and identify your next star performer, Kolby can help you with his proven strategies and personalized coaching support. Having placed over 5,000 high-achieving professionals in their dream roles, Kolby has experienced the full spectrum of interview horror stories. He understands the countless ways in which well-meaning leaders unintentionally drive away top talent. While many leaders are experts in their field, few were taught an effective recruiting, interviewing, and hiring strategy. This has led to high turnover rates, poor customer experiences, and endless headaches and frustrations. In his interview with me this week, Kolby shares more about his approach. You can find him on LinkedIn @KolbyGoodman.

CEOs are increasingly focused on improving company culture to boost employee engagement, according to a recent survey by PRNewswire. The number of responses citing this as the top motivator more than doubled from 26% in 2021 to 54% in the beginning of this year. The next two most important reasons for focusing on culture were to increase innovation and improve diversity and inclusion.

Hope LeNoir is an award-winning author, international career coach, and inspirational speaker. She is the owner of Rise and Fly LLC, which helps professionals advance their career journeys by uniting career and spiritual purposes. Hope is passionate about helping her clients identify their career challenges, achieve great results, and develop beyond their expectations.

For more information about Hope LeNoir, visit https://www.riseandfly.net/. You can follow her updates by following @HopeLeNoir. To get her books, visit https://www.amazon.com/stores/Hope-LeNoir/author/B00Y5PMVTO?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true.

Have you ever heard a great entrepreneurial story that inspired you to take action and buy the product, service, or offering the entrepreneur was promoting? In today's digital age, is there still a place for written content and its effectiveness with consumers? According to Mailchimp, the answer is yes. Entrepreneurs who use storytelling to connect with their customers increase their sales conversions by 30%.

Quentin Super is a copywriter and sales consultant who specializes in creating articles that generate revenue for entrepreneurs. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Master's degree in 2017 and has published two novels - The Long Road North in 2017 and The Long Road East in 2021. In addition to his literary pursuits, Super enjoys traveling and has lived in Beijing, China from 2018-2019, as well as visited over 15 other countries. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with him to learn more about his work.  You can follow him  @quentinvsuper or visit https://quentinsuper.com/ for more information.