Alex invites Tom Jackson, current candidate for the Ohio State Senate to come on the show and explain to us why we should vote for him. They discuss what made him decide to run, the problem of government corruption, and how his plans to challenge the status quo will change the lives of Ohio’s residents for the better.  Notes: Kids keeping you up all night and why on earth someone would voluntarily choose to run 100 miles  Comparing silent training to meditation and the flow state Tom’s bio and how he lost his accent How he went from the insurance business to politics and what led him to run for the Ohio State Senate Why should we vote for him? Discussing the issues of inequality, education, and women’s reproductive rights Why not Matt Dolan? What will Tom Jackson do to challenge the status quo? Is Tom Jackson anti-business? The problem with politics today House Bill 6 and the corruption in Columbus Running against a big name Campaigning in the age of social media Systemic vs. institutional racism Links:  Tom Jackson for OhioTom’s FacebookTom’s TwitterRegister to Vote in OhioHouse Bill 6Article about what happened with House Bill 6 Sign up for Alex’s “Insider Fix”CORONAVIRUS LEGAL SURVIVAL GUIDE

Alex interrogates criminal defense attorney Ashley Jones and together they examine the ins and outs of criminal law, starting your own law firm, the challenges facing small business owners, cults, and much more. Notes: Turning phones on silent, newbie court fails, and getting chastised by judges The case Ashley is the most proud of and the one that still haunts her Representing people Ashley thinks may be guilty Difficult cases and clients Deal emotionally with an unfair criminal justice system Why Ashley started her own firm and the challenges of a business owner Recognizing burnout, learning your limits, and how to be ruthless with your time “A-ha” moments in business ownership The importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded business owners Links: Ashley Jones LawAlex’s Insider FixJoin the Gertsburg Lawfirm

In this freewheeling conversation, Alex and Paul tackle the world’s problems, from pandemics to elections to media bias. They discuss how different businesses, sectors and industries have reacted and adapted to COVID, and how local government helps or hurts the process, and they both make predictions on how it will all play out. Notes: ·  Paul’s recent promotion and the importance of calling people by their proper title ·  Hot button issues in the City of North Royalton ·  How businesses and industries both big and small have reacted and adapted to COVID ·  How COVID has affected the arts, the artists, production, tech, and related industries as well ·  Predictions on how this will all play out ·  If Alex was a dictator… ·  The loss of credibility in the media ·  Extinction level events and evolution ·  Traveling through history ·  Exercising emotional intelligence ·  Fixing election issues Links: Ep 15 – Meet Paul MarnecheckCity of North RoyaltonGreater Cleveland PartnershipEp 123 – How Bow Ties can Save the World – Meet John ChmuraH-Bomb TiesAfter Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake NewsPlease God Save Us by Derek Hess & Kent Smith Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr by Ron Chernow Chris Ronayne’s Twitter AccountIndomitable Will: LBJ in the Presidency by Mark Updegrove The Passage of Power by Robert A. Caro Special Episode – Truth to Power – Meet Ian FriedmanOhio Association of FoodbanksAmerican Red Cross’s Donate Blood Page

Join Alex and Traction Lab founder, Gene Roberts as they dive deeply into the entrepreneurial mindset to explore how to go from incremental to exponential. They also discuss learning how to let go and delegate, the common frustrations of entrepreneurs and how to get rid of them, accountability hacks, and so much more. Notes Gene’s journey from entrepreneur to EOS Implementer How does failure lead to credibility? The importance of bringing experience, not advice to the table Why you should spend more time with entrepreneurs The common frustrations of entrepreneurs and how to get rid of them The key components to every business, which one entrepreneurs have the most issues with, and how to fix it Gene’s accountability hack Update on Believe in Dreams Links The Traction LabBelieve in Dreams Ep 69 – How a Business Operates – Meet Ron KaminskiEOS Self-Implementers Unite!EOS WorldwideTraction by Gino Wickman Get a Grip by Gino Wickman and Mike Paton The E-Myth Series by Michael Gerber Good to Great by Jim Collins Drive by Daniel Pink

Alex catches up with returning guest John DiJulius, five-time author, customer service ninja, head of The DiJulius Group, John Robert’s Spa and Believe In Dreams, and modern day renaissance man. They discuss the importance of empathy, understanding both customer and employee needs, inspiration and effective communication with your team, positive energy, and so much more. This episode is full of powerful tips, philosophy, and humor. Notes Recent wins CX Executive Academy, EO, and the importance of peer discussion and coaching Why and how to be empathic and understanding of both your customers’ and employees’ needs How to effectively communicate with employees How re-opening has gone with John Robert’s and what they are doing to meet demand That one time John got arrested… Creative positive energy moments Leadership, creativity, and flow John’s hacks to shift negative to positive energy Why you should binge learning Updates on Believe in Dreams Links The DiJulius GroupJohn Robert’s SpaBelieve in DreamsThe Customer Service Revolution by John DiJuliusEntrepreneurs’ OrganizationMoonshots podcastThe Tim Ferriss ShowShoe Dog by Phil KnightThe Splendid and the Vile by Erik LarsonMy Customer Experience Trainer

Alex gets moving with certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, nutritional and wellness consultant, founder, and co-founder of multiple businesses including Kijia and the Brain Ops Group, Ali Hively. They discuss how achieving small wins through having the right mentality, building a strong foundation, and proper stress management techniques can build to much greater wins later on. This episode is as jampacked as your favorite (or least favorite depending on how you look at it) HIIT workout. You don’t want to miss it!  Notes: Alex asks selfish personal questions about getting back into regular fitness habits during the quarantine and Ali gives some quarantine fitness tips How to get over not wanting to answer to others  How the “how much do you want it” mindset may be harmful and what to do to change it How Ali connects with her clients and how her framework helps them decide what works for them while identifying their goals and creating solid foundations Ali’s #1 hack for getting immediate results How quarantine has changed Ali’s business  Ali’s tips for managing stress and the importance of developing good stress management techniques The importance of achieving “small wins” on your journey to success Ali’s entrepreneurial journey and how she overcame failures both personally and professionally Links: Kijia - Your Path to Feeling Great Brain Ops Group Mission Beautiful Brain Ali’s Instagram Account Evernote You Are a Badass®: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

What are we really disagreeing about? A special message from Alex Gertsburg. https://youtu.be/ZIFcULcvX_w

After an introduction about protests, riots and police brutality, Alex grills Brandon Chrostowski, President and Founder of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, to find out how he managed to achieve 52% revenue growth during these trying times. They also discuss all the new things happening at EDWINS, how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected poorer communities, how to increase minority management and presence in fine dining restaurants, what we can do to help, and much more. https://youtu.be/lw1K3GsmWMM   Notes Recent personal and professional wins How Brandon's purpose-driven mission generated 52% revenue growth during the pandemic Updates on what's going on at EDWINS    How COVID-19 has affected his students/employees The power and value of strong support systems and promoting good self-esteem How to increase minority management and presence in fine dining restaurants  What the community can do to help and how a special spoon represents the importance of details and “leveling the playing field” Speaking, consulting, and moving his model to other industries How to get political support Overcoming fear and stigma Links Ep 46 – Cooking up a Better Future – Meet Brandon ChrostowskEDWINS Leadership & Restaurant InstituteDespite the terrible coronavirus price paid by marginalized communities of color, nothing will change if we do not make it change: Brandon E. Chrostowski Op-Ed: Heeding the Humanity of Former Prisoners

After taking part in the protests in Chagrin Falls, Alex sits down with attorney and president of the Cleveland Bar Association, Ian Friedman to discuss the George Floyd murder, the resulting protests, riots, and the changes that need to happen within the criminal justice system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsoJDsoR_X8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIDSANIEv-4 Notes Introducing Ian and what led him to give a speech during one of the protests in Cleveland What makes George Floyd’s case and the events surrounding it different from all of the others Ian and Alex discuss what should vs. what will happen moving forward What has the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association done in the past and what is it planning to do to for criminal justice reform The difficulty of breaking through the “blue wall” Protesting vs. Rioting, what really happened in Cleveland, and how to encourage younger people to let their voices be heard. Links Friedman & Nemecek, LLCCleveland Metropolitan Bar AssociationThe Future State of Justice - Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s page outlining their involvement with the reform of the Justice Center. (Lots of great articles, updates, etc on this page) Black Lives Matter Cleveland Facebook Page

What do swimming with horses, making fresh pasta, and recycling computers have in common? Tune in as Alex chats with entrepreneur and life coach Mellissa Hathaway and find out! They cover escaping from difficult relationships, imposter syndrome, the power of being an underdog, learning how to quiet negative inner voices, and so much more.   Notes Personal and professional wins Melissa shares how she and her young son escaped an abusive relationship and what it’s like to start over in your forties How she went from driving trucks to selling fresh pasta, to becoming a partner in the computer recycling business How swimming with horses changed her life Dealing with impostor syndrome and the power of being an underdog Tony Robbins, quieting the negative voices, meditation, Mindvalley, and the importance of creative outlets Links Melissa’s Website Melissa’s Facebook page Melissa’s Instagram Alex’s Guest Interview on “The Daily Bread Podcast” Mindvalley’s “6-Phase Meditation Quest - Learn How To Meditate in Just A Few Minutes A Day” Jen Jones Donatelli National Domestic Violence Hotline Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s Domestic Violence Resources Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services’ Domestic Violence Resources Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus: A practical guide for improving communication & getting what you want in your relationships by John Gray The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron Official List of Tony Robbins’ books