What if the best way to become better at sales is to stop trying to sell?

On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov break down why so many founders and entrepreneurs struggle with sales and why the most effective approach starts with empathy, listening, relationships, and giving people something of value before asking for anything in return.

Brian shares practical strategies from his own experience building businesses and developing clients, including why sales is ultimately a volume game, how to think about the sales funnel, why your existing customers can become your best source of new business, and how genuine relationships can lead to opportunities you never expected.

They also explore how AI and automation are changing business development, allowing entrepreneurs and sales professionals to identify prospects, personalize outreach, test new strategies, and dramatically increase the volume of their prospecting.

Brian and Elizabeth discuss:

• Why great products don't simply sell themselves
• Why sales is really an exercise in empathy
• The importance of giving value before asking for business
• How trust and relationships drive long-term sales
• Why founders need to embrace volume and experimentation
• Using AI and automation for prospecting and outreach
• How to identify and fix problems in your sales funnel
• Why referrals from happy customers are so powerful
• How serving others can ultimately create opportunities for you

The episode closes with a guided practice centered on a simple intention: “May I serve.” It connects successful selling with the larger Give & Receive philosophy of creating value, reducing suffering, and contributing something meaningful to the people around you.

Give & Receive explores the intersection of success, happiness, generosity, business, and personal growth with Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov.

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What happens when you spend a lifetime giving without expecting anything in return?

On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with music industry pioneer Ed Steinberg for a fascinating conversation about success, money, generosity, relationships and what it really means to live a happy life.

Ed shares stories from an extraordinary career that helped shape the modern music video era, including directing Madonna’s early music video for “Everybody,” working with artists including Prince and Queen Latifah, and building Rock America into a groundbreaking music video distribution and promotion company.

But some of Ed’s most powerful stories have nothing to do with celebrity or the music business.

After spending decades helping friends, artists and people around him, Ed now finds himself on the receiving end of that generosity. He explains why friends have repeatedly opened their homes to him, how relationships built over a lifetime can become more valuable than money, and why learning to receive can sometimes be harder than learning to give.

Brian, Elizabeth and Ed also explore the complicated relationship between money and happiness, why trust can be one of the most valuable assets in business, the danger of transactional relationships, and whether people actually become more successful when money isn’t their primary motivation.

It’s a funny, candid and unexpectedly moving conversation about the music industry, friendship, generosity, success and building a life you actually like living.

In this episode:
• How Ed Steinberg helped pioneer the modern music video business
• Directing Madonna’s early “Everybody” music video
• Working with Prince, Queen Latifah and other major artists
• Why Ed never made money his primary motivation
• How decades of generosity came back around later in life
• Why receiving is just as important as giving
• The importance of trust and reputation in business
• Why money alone rarely creates happiness or fulfillment
• Brian Potts’ philosophy on money, security and defining “enough”
• Elizabeth Pyjov on compassion, purpose and choosing fulfilling work

Subscribe to Give & Receive for more conversations about success, happiness, compassion and creating a more meaningful life.

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What if one simple principle could improve your business deals, your relationships, and even your happiness?

On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the power of aligning incentives and why understanding what people truly want can completely change the way you approach business and life.

Brian explains why misaligned incentives can cause even promising business relationships to fall apart, sharing real-world examples involving investors, lenders, advisors, salespeople, marketing firms, and even his own experiences inside large law firms.

He also explains why understanding someone else's incentives can be a powerful form of empathy and help you negotiate, communicate, and make better decisions.

Elizabeth takes the idea beyond business, exploring what it means to surround yourself with people whose values and goals align with your own. They discuss negativity, personal responsibility, the "Eeyore" mindset, happiness, and why the people around us can have such a powerful influence on the direction of our lives.

Brian also shares a personal "Give & Receive" story about how helping someone with no expectation of getting anything back eventually led to one of his favorite legal projects.

The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice centered on a powerful question: If there is something you haven't yet received, what is something you haven't yet given?

In this episode:

If Give & Receive has helped you, share the podcast with someone who could benefit from it and help grow the community.

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How do you recognize a narcissist before it's too late? What are the warning signs of manipulation, gaslighting, and love bombing? And if you can't avoid a narcissist, how can you protect yourself?

In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome entrepreneur, branding expert, and advisor Dian Oved for an honest conversation about narcissistic personalities, toxic relationships, and the journey back to confidence and self-worth after emotional abuse.

Drawing from her own experiences surviving years of narcissistic abuse and litigation, Dian explains how narcissists operate, why they manipulate others, and the common patterns of love bombing, gaslighting, devaluation, and discard. She also shares practical strategies for recognizing narcissistic behavior early, setting healthy boundaries, and protecting yourself in both personal and professional relationships.

Brian and Elizabeth add their own perspectives on building self-worth, developing self-compassion, and creating the confidence that makes manipulation far less effective. The discussion also explores how to navigate difficult workplace dynamics, deal with narcissistic bosses or business partners, and why trusting your instincts can be one of your greatest strengths.

In this episode:

If you've ever questioned whether someone in your life is manipulating you or wondered how to recover from a toxic relationship, this conversation offers practical insights, hope, and actionable advice.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from these insights.

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What if the biggest key to success isn't networking, self-promotion, or chasing opportunities, but simply giving without expecting anything in return?

In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome attorney Dave Marcus to explore how generosity, authentic relationships, and a willingness to help others can create extraordinary opportunities in both business and life.

Dave shares the incredible story of traveling to Morocco to compete in a grueling 250-mile mountain bike race across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. What started as a personal adventure became a fundraising mission for Big City Mountaineers, helping underserved youth experience the outdoors while creating unexpected friendships and lifelong connections around the world.

Brian explains why the world's most successful people consistently embrace a "give first" mindset, while Elizabeth highlights fascinating research showing how your own happiness can positively influence the people around you, even if you never speak to them. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you cultivate more joy and share it with those around you.

In this episode:

If you're looking to build stronger relationships, live with more intention, and discover how generosity can transform your career and personal life, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, mindfulness, leadership, happiness, generosity, and living a meaningful life.

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Are you a people-pleaser, or are you simply a compassionate person?

In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the critical difference between healthy compassion and unhealthy people-pleasing. Elizabeth explains why constantly seeking approval from others can leave you feeling drained, disconnected from your values, and stuck in fear, while authentic living creates greater peace, confidence, and stronger relationships.

The conversation covers:

Brian also shares an incredible real-life legal battle involving Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources that highlights the importance of standing by your principles, even when facing pressure from powerful institutions.

The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice designed to help listeners reconnect with their values, quiet their inner critic, and make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear.

If you've ever struggled with saying "yes" too often, worried about disappointing others, or wondered how to live more authentically, this episode offers practical tools that can change the way you approach your relationships and your life.

Subscribe to Give & Receive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations on mindfulness, resilience, gratitude, and personal growth.

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In Episode 17 of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov tackle a feeling so many people are struggling with right now: overwhelm.

From nonstop headlines and uncertainty in the world to stress about work, politics, finances, and the future, how do we stay grounded when everything feels unpredictable?

Brian and Elizabeth explore why today’s news cycle can leave us anxious, exhausted, and emotionally drained, while offering practical ways to respond without shutting down. Elizabeth shares a simple framework for processing difficult news, finding meaning in uncertainty, and turning anxiety into positive action. Together, they discuss how energy, compassion, relationships, and small acts of kindness can help us regain a sense of control in a chaotic world.

Plus, Elizabeth leads a calming guided meditation to help you reconnect with your values and move through uncertainty with greater peace and clarity.

If you’ve been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted by the state of the world, this episode is for you.

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How do you resolve conflict without losing your mind... or your energy?

In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into the art of mediation, conflict resolution, and navigating difficult conversations in relationships, business, and everyday life.

Brian shares real-world experiences mediating disputes in both his legal practice and personal life, while Elizabeth brings research-backed insight into how tone, emotional intelligence, and human connection can completely change the outcome of disagreements.

The conversation explores:

Plus, Elizabeth shares a simple but powerful mindfulness exercise to help you approach conflict with more empathy, clarity, and compassion.

If you’ve ever struggled with difficult people, workplace tension, family disagreements, or simply want to communicate better, this episode is packed with practical wisdom you can use right away.

Listen now and learn how to turn conflict into connection.

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How do you set healthy boundaries without feeling guilty? When should you say no? And how do boundaries actually help you give more to the people you care about?

In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into one of the most important (and hardest) life skills: setting healthy boundaries. From work-life balance and difficult personalities to family time, emotional energy, people-pleasing, and self-care, they explore how boundaries shape our happiness, relationships, and personal growth.

Elizabeth shares practical ways to create boundaries that protect your energy without cutting people off, while Brian opens up about struggles with overcommitting, work demands, and balancing career with family life.

They also discuss:

✔️ Why saying “no” is really saying “yes” to what matters most

Whether you struggle with overworking, overgiving, people-pleasing, or simply protecting your peace, this conversation will help you rethink boundaries in a healthier, more compassionate way.

Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, giving, relationships, happiness, and living with intention.

#HealthyBoundaries #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #MentalWellness #Relationships #WorkLifeBalance #PeoplePleasing #SelfCompassion #Boundaries #GiveAndReceivePodcast

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What does it really take to succeed at work?

In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with Chris Simmons, Harvard Business School graduate, former PwC executive, and bestselling author of Nobody Told You, to break down the unwritten rules of career success that most people never learn.

From navigating corporate politics to building powerful relationships, Chris shares the strategies that helped him rise to the top, and how you can apply them immediately.

🚀 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why “friendship comes before favors” (and how it pays off long-term)

The Respect, Protect, Project framework for winning with your boss

How to position yourself for promotions before you’re ready

Why “smart people don’t always win," and what actually matters

How to overcome bias and control your professional narrative

The real power of giving without expecting anything in return

Chris also shares unforgettable real-life stories - from bringing pillows to work on day one to reshape perceptions, to helping others succeed and seeing it come back in unexpected ways.

This episode blends career advice, psychology, leadership, and real-world experience into a conversation that will change how you approach your work and relationships.

👤 About the Guest: Chris Simmons is a former PwC leader, executive coach, speaker, and author of Nobody Told You: What Black, Asian, and Latino Professionals Must Know to Succeed at Work.

He has led thousands of professionals and is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to career growth.

🎯 Who This Is For:

Professionals looking to get promoted faster

Entrepreneurs and leaders building influence

Anyone navigating corporate environments

People interested in leadership, mindset, and personal growth

🔔 Don’t Forget:

Subscribe for more conversations on success, mindset, leadership, and personal growth.

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