Have you ever felt like work was taking over your life, leaving you with little time for personal pursuits? Dr. Baktari knows the feeling, and he's here to guide us through the strategies he's learned in his journey. In this episode, we have Dr. Jonathan Baktari, the CEO of eNational Testing, e7 Health, and US Drug Test Centers, who shares his wisdom on achieving a harmonious balance between career and personal well-being. Dr. Baktari discusses the evolving nature of the workforce, emphasizing how each generation brings unique challenges and opportunities. From the industrial era to the digital age, one thing remains constant – change. Are you ready to adapt? Dr. Baktari also expounds on the role of a CEO, believing that it’s not just about profits but improving the lives of everyone in the organization. Find out how Dr. Baktari maintains balance in his life, from regular workouts to family time, hobbies, and a commitment to mindfulness. Tune in now!

Sarah Conger is the VP of Customer Experience at VGM Fulfillment. She joins Adam Markel in this conversation about the right way to deliver valuable feedback. They discuss the importance of creating a safe and caring environment to make feedback easier to digest and apply. Sarah points out why you should revisit the way you provide such comments to avoid initial responses centered on anger or defensiveness. They also talk about turning your problem-solver mode off when helping others to stop yourself from overreaching or overreacting. Sarah shares how she sets personal boundaries to help her decide when to act and when to listen.

Show Notes:

00:00 – Introduction

01:18 – Why Sarah love problems

03:34 – What to fix and not to fix

11:54 – How a leader came to Sarah’s help

22:04 – Giving valuable feedback

29:42 – Creating a safe workplace environment

37:05 – Today’s concept of resiliency

44:43 – Sarah’s daily ritual

The best leaders are often those that care about their people, seeing them as humans who seek growth in their personal and professional lives just as much as we want it for our business. Tom Peters, the co-author of the bestselling book, In Search of Excellence, believes this is one of the great foundations of creating excellence in business. In this episode, Tom reminds us of the value of managing people effectively in a way that facilitates their professional and personal growth. How do we do that? What kind of leadership style can help us lead our people? Tom answers this and more. At the end of the day, it’s 100% people’s business. Tune in and become a leader desperate for your people’s growth.

At the end of the day, business is all about the people. Its success hinges on the very individuals who give their best because they feel valued and empowered. This is what Shaw Industries, one of the largest flooring manufacturing companies in the world, believes. Mike Fromm, its Chief Human Resources Officer, sheds light on the company’s philosophy: “Our people and our business are not separate. They are one and the same. When our people thrive, our business thrives.” In this episode, Adam Markel interviews Mike to talk about the importance of creating an environment where people feel safe to challenge the status quo and develop. They discuss how leaders can work towards empowering their people, providing psychological safety for their voices to be heard. Mike also talks about humility in leadership, the current market cycle, developing a learning organization, and the difference between training and development. All of these topics show the vital role of leaders as they lead their people and business to overcome challenges and take hold of opportunities. 

Hope isn't just a feeling; it's a weapon we wield against life's challenges, forging resilience in the fires of adversity. Join us in this episode as we dive into an impactful conversation about mental health, resilience, and the power of hope. Our guest, Tom Campbell, former Army Sergeant Major and founding member of the US Army Drill Sergeant Association, shares his deeply personal journey through the challenges of PTSD, burnout, and the path to healing. Through his story, he reveals the pressures of maintaining a façade of invincibility while grappling with the burden of trauma. Tom highlights the pivotal moments and lessons he learned along the way such as finding resilience amidst adversity, using hope as a weapon, and shifting the narrative. Tune in and get inspired to view mental health, hope, and resilience in a new light.

Despite the changes we have seen in the world, being a woman of color remains challenging. Moving up the corporate ladder, for example, can feel like the odds are already stacked against you. International bestselling author Kelly Markey is well-familiar with the struggle. She is a Nobel Prize nominee for both literature and peace, a Woman Changing the World award finalist, and Top Executive of the Year 2023 - International Associations of Top Professionals. In this episode, she shares the challenges she faced across her journey—from living under the apartheid regime to moving to New Zealand and Australia, where she worked towards every corporate opportunity available. Kelly shares the challenges she faced along the way, tapping into psychological safety in the workplace and DEI. With her book, Don’t Just Fly, SOAR, Kelly provides inspiration and tools to find resilience and overcome life’s adversities. So follow this conversation and don’t miss out on the wisdom Kelly imparts and more!

Eddy Badrina is the CEO of Eden Green Technology, a company that pushes the boundaries of green technology to deliver fresh food to local communities. In this conversation with Adam Merkel, he explains how they utilize a groundbreaking concept called vertical farming technology, which revolutionizes how nutritious produce is grown and distributed to achieve food resiliency. He explores the benefits of turnkey greenhouse systems and why it is much better than traditional farming. Eddie also talks about his entrepreneurial journey, opening up about the power of shifting perspectives, reframing experiences, being present, and acknowledging personal struggles without judgment.

Dr. Richard Shuster (pronounced Shoe-Stir) is a clinical psychologist, TEDx speaker, CEO of Your Success Insights, renowned media expert, and the host of The Daily Helping podcast. In this replay episode, we look back on his insights about the future of work after it has been disrupted by COVID-19. He joins Adam Markel to discuss how to navigate the long-term impact of the pandemic both at home and at work. They talk about the necessary innovation every workplace must embrace to meet the ever-changing demands of employees and the entire market. Dr. Richard also shares the right approach to handle stress and anxiety, as well as the best way to build resilience during uncertain times.

Tough times are inevitable but what you can do about them is all within your choice. For Max Borges, life wasn’t always easy. But with optimism, he found countless opportunities and achieved more success than he has ever dreamed of. Helping others get through life, he wrote the book, How to Be Fan-f*cking-tastic!—a collection of wisdom, motivational quotes, statements and insights from his journey growing his namesake agency. In this episode, he shares some of them with us, leaving inspiration to face life’s curveballs. Particularly, Max tells his journey of growing his agency from a laptop on his kitchen table to generating $10 million in annual revenue. Through it all, his story highlights how we can always come back from difficulty. It's a matter of responding to it not with dread and fear but with optimism and action. Tune in to this conversation and be fan-f*cking-tastic!

Unlocking one's full potential through self-mastery is a transformative journey that can lead to profound rewards in life. However, it's unfortunate that we often overlook the significance of this inner exploration. It's time we change that. In this episode, Adam Markel engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the esteemed Consciousness Accelerator & Transformation Specialist, Kevin Russell. Kevin shares his inspiring story of rediscovering his energetic core, forging a deep connection with his inner self, and embarking on a remarkable quest towards self-enlightenment. Tune in to this transformative episode, and embark on a journey that transcends personal limitations, paving the way for a more empowered and enlightened existence. The secrets to self-mastery await those who dare to explore the depths of their consciousness. Start your journey now!