In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Vivian Kong-Doctora. She is an entrepreneur, restaurateur, and author of "Life of Bao". Her new restaurant is the Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar. 

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with Sara Schulting Kranz.  Sara is an authority in resiliency and leadership. She is the founder and guide of life-changing wilderness retreats in the Grand Canyon and Alaska. As a motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, TedX speaker on forgiveness, author, and executive producer of a documentary in production, Sara found herself "starting again" at age 40 after experiencing multiple traumas. At 49, she's built a thriving business, sharing her story while inspiring others to live on purpose.

Link to her book: Walk Through This
https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Through-This-Harness-Forgiveness/dp/0785238654/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JFAERC9X1XKG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zAP1OlaQ6BWS_tn8LaeCIg.Gg_-jbDja2P5xUOCr8T4Vhg4mtQzzbUg8klKuokJHbA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Sara+Schulting+Kranz&qid=1728596215&sprefix=sara+schulting+kranz%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1

In this episode, Mark and Sam ask Derek Story if AI will kill us all. 

Derek is a thought leader on the use of AI in HR. He is currently the Director of HR Systems, Training, and Communication at Illinois State University. During his time at ISU he has been responsible for continuity of HR technology, learning and development for campus, and staff recruiting and orientation.

Before joining Illinois State University, Derek had experience as a professional recruiter at the global staffing firm TEKSystems. He is a two-time Illinois State University alum, having received both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from ISU. He teaches courses at Illinois State University and Illinois Central College in message design, public speaking, and business information systems. He is also a board member of the Bloomington/Normal Human Resources Council and an active member of the Higher Education User Group for Oracle Technologies and the College and University Professionals Association.

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with best selling author, Jen Ruiz.
Jen Ruiz is a lawyer turned full-time travel blogger and author. She is a 3-time TEDx speaker, 6-time bestselling author, and multi award winning travel journalist. Jen has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and ABC News and is the solo female traveler behind Jen on a Jet Plane.
 
You can find her blog here:
https://jenonajetplane.com/

Buy her book here: 12 Trips in 12 Months

https://www.amazon.com/12-Trips-Month...

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk to professor Jim Jawahar about his new bool "Thrive!: The Phycology Behind Achieving Professional Success."  If you want to jump start your career, you need to read this book.  

Dr. Jim Jawahar ([email protected]) received his Ph.D. degree from Oklahoma State
University in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior. Jim served in several
administrative leadership positions including as Associate Provost at Illinois State University. He
is currently serving as Chair of the Department of Management at the University of New
Mexico. He served as the Editor of Career Development International (2007-2022) for fifteen
years and continues to serve on editorial boards of several journals. He has received several
awards (e.g., SHRM Research Award) and Professorships (e.g., University Professor, Jack &
Donna Rust Professor) for his accomplishments.
Jim’s research interest areas include performance appraisal, job performance, and career issues.
Jawahar has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and some of his research has
appeared in journals, such as the Academy of Management Review, Journal of Applied
Psychology. Personnel Psychology, Journal of Management, Journal of Business and
Psychology, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Human Relations, Group
and Organization Management, Journal of Managerial Psychology. Career Development
International, and Journal of Vocational Behavior.

You can contact Dr. Jawahar at: Department of Management, Anderson School of Management, 3070 MCM, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk with the CEO of the Children's Home Association of Illinois and the author of Nonprofit Game Plan. 

In Nonprofit Game Plan, Matt reveals the real story of nonprofits, the one no one talks about: they are the world's best defense against the gnawing grind of social decay, poverty, homelessness and crime.

Whether he's breaking tennis world records, partnering with star athletes or making deals with Fortune 500 companies, George demystifies nonprofit management while inspiring a new generation to take up the mantle of social service. What emerges is a strong case that non-profits ought to run like businesses, not charities. Though it might ruffle some feathers, the message is a wake-up call that's sure to radicalize the nonprofit world.

In this episode, Mark and Sam talk to Sam's friend Dave Moravec who has just published a new book called Echoes Across the Track.  

Dave Moravec is an accomplished business leader with over 40 years of experience in a variety of industries, including educational technology and printing. A Chicago native transplanted in Cincinnati, Dave’s consultative approach to fractional sales management and chamber of commerce growth has him in high demand as a respected speaker, storyteller, and entrepreneurial therapist. Dave currently serves as President and CEO of the Colerain Chamber of Commerce and consults with clients as Sales Manager for Rent.

Link to Dave's book.
https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Across-Tracks-Unexpected-Connections/dp/1506911870/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SS80HRCPE9U6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7BEojK7gLQREuDVlbv1Kja4CgQy11I6KnJk8-hzPJjBy14GJjv-NFlYTbni5SagiUZRsABNsl0W5d0q1Od-dVAHjWSZMVebR-c3bT-yN2MBUehbM7_MMHqe2ZR7UmuQRlYhvbnxFC_bOwEv9wbnqnYizaYOjvZNZdQnxOubtEtQRIWX3EPZ5A2oszR_6HIvt978-KYlT48RH5s1SCahTwsGwo7J9n01pP_RoQXQLeOs.rncKiBehLGZzsM_On899_0umVjf-iwWrDGPBnkJCmuM&dib_tag=se&keywords=echoes+across+the+tracks+moravec&qid=1712955877&sprefix=echoes+ac%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1

In this episode, Sam and Mark talk to Paul Allman about his book, The Journal: Memories of Addis.  
Based on a True Story from the journal Paul kept while on his adventures.  The Journal begins in the caves of Matala on the Island of Crete, made famous by Joni Mitchell's song Carey from her Blue album. Paul's cave was three caves down from hers.
The story details his quest to visit the churches of Lalibela in the Gondor region of Northern Ethiopia. He journeyed, alone, up the Nile River and across the Nubian Desert to Khartoum where he faced unexpected challenges entering Ethiopia from Sudan.  He finally, with luck, arrives in Addis Ababa only to be involved with the Mengistu Coup on February 3, 1977 - the beginning of the Red Terror. The Journal explores the political landscape of Eastern Africa which was dramatically changing.  And Paul found myself in the heart of those transitions, finally escaping Ethiopia on a dried-up riverbed into Kenya.

In this episode, Mark and Sam interview James Laing the author of Circumstance.  James H. Laing was born in Toronto, Canada on 1965.  He found a passion for reading and writing creative literature early in life and took his artistic journey to Los Angeles in the early 90s.  in 2015 he moved to Washington state where he and his wife started a CBD business and experienced first hand the prevalence of mental illness, PTSD and addiction among their clients and recognized their widespread occurrence weaved into the fabric of society.  This and the rugged beauty of the PNW became the inspiration for this story.  

James and his wife now live in Scottsdale AZ.  

Here is the Amazon description of his book:  

Two young boys living on a military base in the Pacific Northwest become friends and forever partners in crime. After joining the Navy Seal program and being deployed in Iraq, the boys become separated through circumstances out of their control. From crooked cops to illegal drug manufacturing in the mountains of the small coastal town of Aberdeen, WA, Circumstance takes you on a journey of unforeseen hurdles and the dedication and perseverance to overcoming staggering adversity that binds true friendship.

Link to the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Circumstance-James-H-Laing/dp/B0CSXL4Z35/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1R6GKZ0HMAH5X&keywords=James+Laing&qid=1707755473&sprefix=james+laing%2Caps%2C307&sr=8-1

In this episode, Mark and Sam start the year off right with a visit from their friend Tara Desmond.  They try to answer the comic question:

Will AI kill us all?