Have you ever felt like you're not what meets the eye, with a deep, complex backstory hidden behind a seemingly successful exterior? What if the most difficult parts of your past, the ones you tried to escape, are actually the secret ingredients to your greatest triumphs and your most powerful message?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with Adam Tanaka, a founder and speaker who has built and sold companies and now teaches others how to unlock their most creative selves through the power of play. Adam's journey is far from linear and his seemingly picture-perfect success story is built on a childhood filled with trauma and chaos, where a game of hide and seek was an act of survival.

He opens up about his "normal," which included a mother struggling with addiction, his heroic act of saving her from a house fire at age 15, and how that trauma unknowingly followed him into adulthood. Adam shares how his success led to one of his darkest moments, what truly saved his life, and the powerful framework he created to ensure he and others always have a community to fall back on.

Tune in for:

• The childhood trauma that led Adam to seek control and stability by building his own businesses.
• How Adam learned to stop waiting for permission to play and why he believes play is a crucial tool for both creativity and healing.
• The moment a sheep farmer in Iceland changed Adam's perspective on overcomplicating life and rigid goals.
• The importance of building your community before you need it.
• The "Community Tag" framework, a powerful and simple system for checking in on those around you that Adam created after a near-fatal moment.
• Why Adam's mission as a speaker is to help people bring play into the workplace and life.

About Adam Tanaka:
Adam Tanaka is a founder, speaker, and advocate for the power of play. With a background in building and selling companies, Adam's mission is to help people move from rigid, "hustle culture" to a more creative and connected way of working and living. He is the founder of a kids' brand, cavehousesupply.com, and an author.

Resources & Links:

• Cave House Supply: https://cavehousesupply.com
• Adam Tanaka's Website: https://adamtanaka.com
• Follow Adam Tanaka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-tanaka-7b43a85b/
• Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Have you ever felt completely lost in your career, only to find that your most challenging experiences became your greatest assets? And how can AI, often seen as a threat to creativity, actually unlock your most authentic stories?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with Patrice Poltzer, co-founder of My Story Pro AI, a storytelling and AI strategist, and a former award-winning producer for The Today Show. Patrice has a somewhat non-linear journey - from the grit of door-to-door book sales and navigating a toxic startup culture after leaving her dream job, to more unexpected pivots and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Plus Patrice talks about her "lost twenties" - and why they were foundational to her success.

Tune in for:

• Why embracing non-traditional career paths and "being behind" can be your unfair advantage.
• The unexpected "grit" and "hustle muscle" developed through challenging early career experiences.
• Patrice's jarring experience transitioning from a dream corporate job to a toxic startup, and what she learned about knowing when to walk away.
• How a personal crisis (her husband losing his job, moving to a new country) became the "fire energy" that fueled her entrepreneurial leap into AI.
• Why Patrice, as a seasoned storyteller, initially resisted AI but was "jolted" into embracing it.
• Her revolutionary approach to AI: using it as a "mirror" to uncover your deepest insights and understand your audience, rather than just generating content.
• The crucial difference between soulless AI-generated content and emotionally connective storytelling.
• How Patrice’s tool, My Story Pro AI, acts as a "third-party" coach, helping founders overcome self-censorship and unleash their authentic voice.
• Why small business owners and solopreneurs now have access to "six-figure marketing research insights" through AI, a previously unattainable advantage.
• How AI can help you "get out of your own feedback loop" and broaden your perspective on what truly resonates with your audience.
• Patrice's advice for the "AI-shy" or "AI-resistant" creative, ensuring your unique voice and tone are amplified, not replaced.

About Patrice Poltzer:

Patrice Poltzer is the co-founder of My Story Pro AI, a storytelling and AI strategist, and a former award-winning producer for NBC's Today Show. With a unique blend of media expertise and entrepreneurial grit, Patrice empowers individuals and businesses to leverage AI as a tool for deeper self-discovery and more authentic, impactful storytelling.

Resources & Links:

• My Story Pro AI, free for 7 days: https://patricepoltzercreative.com/story-pro-for-business
• Follow Patrice Poltzer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricepoltzer/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Do you sometimes feel like your creative well has run dry? In a world increasingly dominated by AI and efficiency, how do we protect and cultivate our unique human spark?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with Natalie Nixon, PhD, a renowned creativity expert, innovation strategist, and author, famously dubbed the "Creativity Whisperer to the C-Suite." Natalie shares profound insights on how to reclaim your inherent creativity, understand its real-world ROI, and navigate the evolving relationship between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

Drawing inspiration from childhood wonder, Natalie and Jess explore how our natural creative impulses often get "disciplined" by traditional education and societal norms. You'll learn why "getting lost on purpose" can be a powerful catalyst for new ideas and how leveraging AI can actually amplify, rather than stifle, your human creativity.

We tackle:

• Why children are the ultimate "wonder mentors," modeling the pure, uninhibited creativity we often lose.
• The profound impact of educational systems on stifling or cultivating creativity, drawing from Natalie's diverse schooling experiences.
• The importance of striking a balance between "wonder" and "rigor" in fostering creative thinking.
• Natalie's pragmatic and optimistic view on the relationship between AI and human creativity.
• Why intentionally "getting lost" (literally and figuratively) can unlock serendipity and new ideas.
• The concept of a "human revolution," not just a tech revolution, and how AI creates "spaciousness" for deeper human connection and thought.
• The value of liminal space and embracing ambiguity—just like artists do.
• How to use AI to ask better questions and prompt deeper reflection.
• The power of incorporating "daydream breaks" into your daily routine to activate your brain's default mode network.
• Why allowing for boredom (especially for kids!) is an invitation to imagination.
• A brilliant hack for overcoming creative blocks when the "stakes" of getting paid influence your work: "role-playing with your past self."
• Why "plenty of ideas end up on the cutting floor" is not failure, but "flow."

About Natalie Nixon, PhD:

Natalie Nixon, PhD, is a global expert in creativity, innovation, and the future of work. She advises leaders on how to make their organizations more nimble and innovative through her unique approach to applied creativity. As a speaker, strategist, and author of The Creativity Leap, Natalie empowers individuals and teams to unlock their creative potential and drive tangible results. She is also launching her new book, Move, Think, Rest, in 2025.

Resources & Links:

• Pre-order Move, Think, Rest by Natalie Nixon: https://www.amazon.com/Move-Think-Rest-Productivity-Relationship/dp/0306835584
• Download Natalie's Wonder-Rigor Tip Sheet: https://www.figure8thinking.com/wonderrigor-tip-sheet/
• Figure 8 Thinking: figure8thinking.com
• Follow Natalie Nixon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/
• Follow Natalie Nixon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natwnixon/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Are you tired of feeling like you have to be inauthentic to be liked? Do you struggle with setting boundaries and advocating for yourself, fearing it might damage your relationships?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her dear friend, Kwame Christian, a top-booked negotiation keynote speaker and host of the #1 podcast, Negotiate Anything. 

Kwame shares a deeply personal and formative childhood story that shaped his journey from people-pleaser to negotiation expert, revealing how his early experiences led him to compromise himself for the sake of being liked. He explains how this common "people-pleasing pressure" can actually damage the very relationships we're trying to protect.

You'll discover:

• The surprising link between childhood experiences and our adult people-pleasing tendencies.
• How the "big five personality traits" (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability) influence our negotiation style.
• Why being overly agreeable can lead to an "emotional hangover" and resentment.
• The profound impact of unspoken boundaries on relationships, both personal and professional.
• Kwame's simple "yes-no-yes" framework for setting and maintaining effective boundaries.
• Why the definition of negotiation is often warped, and how redefining it can empower you in daily life.
• The concept that "assertiveness is teaching the person how to treat you."
• How to navigate the "assertiveness penalty" that women (and other groups) often face in professional settings.
• Why overthinking is your "kryptonite," and how a "shot clock" can help you make better decisions faster.
• The psychological insight that you'll never truly "get over" stage fright, and why that's a good thing.
• How Kwame uses AI daily to amplify his humanity, manage emotions, identify blind spots, and create cohesive negotiation strategies.
• The power of mirror neurons and how our tone and attitude can unconsciously impact others.

About Kwame Christian
Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A. is the CEO of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI) and a leading voice in the field of negotiation. He hosts the #1 negotiation podcast, Negotiate Anything, and his TED Talk has garnered over 600,000 views. He is also a LinkedIn Top Voice and the author of Finding Confidence in Conflict and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race. Kwame's mission is to make the world a better place, one difficult conversation at a time.

Resources & Links:

• American Negotiation Institute: americnnegotiationinstitute.com
• Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristian/
• Listen to the Negotiate Anything podcast: https://negotiateanything.com/
• Finding Confidence in Conflict by Kwame Christian: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Confidence-Conflict-Negotiate-Anything/dp/0578413736
• How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race by Kwame Christian: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Difficult-Conversations-About-Race/dp/1637741308
• TEDx, Finding Confidence in Conflict: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Zg65eK9XU

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

 I recently had the opportunity to step onto the red dot at TEDx Sugar Creek Women, and I was surrounded by so many amazing speakers.

For eight years, I've been refining my thoughts on public speaking, and it really just all culminated in this eight minute talk - The Secret to Great Public Speaking (No, It's Not Confidence). 

Here's a sneak peek, and for the full video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT2q1YKZQPE. And of course I'd love it if you left a review and comment!

Are you struggling to maintain relationships with people you love, even when you disagree on fundamental issues?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her good friend, Brit Barron, a speaker, DEI consultant, and author of Do You Still Talk to Grandma? 

Brit's work offers a much-needed guide for navigating the increasingly polarized world we live in, helping us find common ground and connection even when perspectives diverge.

Brit and Jess discuss our divided society, examining why it feels harder than ever to see eye to eye. They challenge the tendency to categorize people into "good" or "bad" boxes and instead champion the power of nuance, where love and disagreement can coexist. 

We also explore:

• The difficulty of separating institutions from individuals in our current polarized climate.
• Why Brit's work focuses on the people already in our lives, not strangers.
• The concept of "progressive amnesia" and its impact on our interactions with others.
• The power of asking "Help me understand" in difficult conversations, especially in the workplace.
• How to be a better ally without falling into the "hero" trap.
• The "take the meat and leave the bones" metaphor for consuming information.
• The crucial "both/and" philosophy: how to hold deep love and deep disappointment in the same relationship.

About Brit Barron:
Brit Barron is a speaker, DEI consultant, and author of the book Do You Still Talk to Grandma?, which offers a compassionate framework for navigating difficult conversations and maintaining relationships across differences. Her work encourages empathy, nuance, and genuine connection in an increasingly divided world.

Resources & Links:

• Do You Still Talk to Grandma? by Brit Barron: https://www.amazon.com/You-Still-Talk-Grandma-Problematic/dp/0593594347/
• Find Brit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barronbrit/
• Find Brit on the web: https://britbarron.com/
• Find Brit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britbarron/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed by the endless "shoulds" and unsolicited advice coming your way?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her good friend, Dr. Sarah Glova, a keynote speaker, writer, researcher, and unapologetic truth-teller. Her viral talk, "Stop Giving Women Advice," is backed by science, and when Jess saw the title, she knew she had to have her on the show.

Sarah thoroughly examines why unsolicited advice isn't just annoying – it can actually reinforce power imbalances, stifle confidence, and make women feel like they’re always playing catch-up. She reveals how her personal experience as a new wife, new mom, and new business owner led her to research the power dynamics of advice-giving. You'll hear about the fascinating studies showing who gives and receives advice, and how the act of giving advice can fuel a sense of power in the giver, often at the expense of the receiver.

We also explore:

• The "vitamin metaphor" for advice: good in moderation, toxic in excess.
• Why "women don't need more mentorship, they need more sponsorship."
• How to offer feedback that genuinely helps, not harms.
• The surprising reason why receiving no feedback is worse than tough feedback.
• Why the idea that you "need a team" to be a "real" entrepreneur is a myth.
• How to develop "advice literacy" and "eat the fish, spit out the bones."
• Turning negative comments and internet trolls into evidence of your reach.
• The power of asking "Do you want to talk about this, or do you want me to hate your enemies?"
• How to stay rooted in your values and beliefs, even when the world is throwing "always" and "never" at you.

About Dr. Sarah Glova:
Dr. Sarah Glova is a keynote speaker, writer, and researcher known for her insights on communication, leadership, and personal development. Her work challenges conventional thinking and empowers individuals to navigate complex professional landscapes with confidence and clarity. Her TEDx talk, "How to Achieve Your Goals with a Single Page," has garnered over 200,000 views, offering a powerful framework for focus and simplification.

Resources & Links:

• Watch Sarah’s TEDx Talk – "How to Achieve Your Goals with a Single Page": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeXSrEMXvQk&pp=ygULc2FyYWggZ2xvdmE%3D
• Find Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sglova/
• Find Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahglova/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

For bestselling author Sarah Hoover, motherhood wasn’t blissful. It was brutal. Her postpartum depression hit like a tidal wave, pulling her into the darkest year of her life - and no one had warned her.

Today, Jess sits down with Sarah to talk about the abrupt whiplash of parenthood—from the identity crisis, the rage, the silence, and the slow process to recovery. Sarah’s book The Mother Load has been resonating with women across the country,  because it tells the truth so many are scared to say out loud.

Jess and Sarah talk about:

• The myth of “having it all” and how it's wrecking women
• The pressure to feel instant joy in motherhood—and what it’s like when that doesn’t happen
• Sarah’s career, identity, and the raw unraveling that led to her writing this book
• Why speaking the truth, especially when it’s messy, is a revolutionary act
• How can we stop pretending, start listening, and actually support each other better

Resources & Links:

The Mother Load by Sarah Hoover: https://www.amazon.com/Motherload-Episodes-Brink-Motherhood/dp/1668010135
Watch Sarah on the Today Show: https://www.today.com/video/sarah-hoover-talks-the-motherload-postpartum-depression-more-229965381509

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

If you’ve ever looked at confident people and thought, “That could never be me,” this episode might flip your whole narrative.

This week, Jess sits down with Selena Rezvani a LinkedIn Top Voice, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Quick Confidence, to dismantle the myth that confidence is something you’re born with.

Spoiler: it’s not. It’s something you build, one rep at a time.

Selena shares the uncomfortable story of being pushed into public speaking before she was ready and how that terrifying blur of a moment unlocked a career she never saw coming. She talks about the hard truth of over-preparing, why winging it is a form of self-sabotage, and how to turn stage fright into fuel.

You’ll also hear:

• How to make friends with your nerves instead of fighting them
• Why theatrical body language can skyrocket your stage presence
• The unexpected power of your most embarrassing stories
• What it really means to be your own best friend before a big moment

About Selena Rezvani

Selena is a speaker, author, and leadership consultant whose work focuses on helping women and marginalized professionals show up with more confidence and self-advocacy. She’s the author of Quick Confidence, Pushback, and a LinkedIn Learning instructor, reaching millions with her content on leadership, confidence, and communication.

Resources & Links:

Read Selena’s Book – Quick Confidence: https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Confidence-Authentic-Connections-Yourself/dp/1394160941
 Watch her TEDx Talk – "Interrupting gender bias through meeting culture": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX3GuacF6l8
Catch her daily content – Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn @selenarezvani

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

 In this episode, Jess Ekstrom is joined by Molly Fletcher, a former top sports agent and now one of the world’s most sought-after keynote speakers, to talk about what confidence really looks like behind the scenes. From protecting your energy to saying “yes” to the stage, Molly shares practical advice on how to step into your power and show up with purpose. (even when self-doubt creeps in!) 

Molly Fletcher is a trailblazing former sports agent who spent nearly two decades negotiating contracts for the world’s top athletes and coaches, earning her the nickname "the female Jerry Maguire." Today, she’s a keynote speaker, author of The Energy Clock and Dynamic Drive, and host of Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Known for her powerhouse presence on stage, Molly speaks globally on peak performance, leadership, and building confidence through action. 

Resources & Links:

• Read Molly’s Book – Dynamic Drive: Achieve More by Doing Less
• Molly’s Podcast: Game Changers with Molly Fletcher
•  Watch Molly’s TED Talk
• Watch the LinkedIn Live 

Connect with Molly:

• Website: mollyfletcher.com
• Instagram: @mollywfletcher
• LinkedIn: Molly Fletcher
• Twitter/X: @MollyWFletcher
• YouTube: Molly Fletcher

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.