If The Public Only Knew- Behind Every Success, a Story Worth Telling

If The Public Only Knew- Behind Every Success, a Story Worth Telling

By Gary SinderbrandBusinessEntrepreneurship
Download on the App Store

If The Public Only Knew- Behind Every Success, a Story Worth Telling episodes

  • Myles Powell: From Engineer to Comfort Food CEO

    About Myles Powell: Myles is a business leader and problem solver with 10+ years of experience scaling companies, managing multimillion-dollar projects, and coaching entrepreneurs. As Founder & CEO of Myles Comfort Foods, he built a national brand distributed in 700+ retail locations and raised over $1M in capital. His background also spans utility project management, financial services as a mortgage loan officer, and fitness coaching.


    Myles thrives in roles where every day is different—combining his analytical skills with his passion for people, business development, and strategy. Whether building growth playbooks, managing cross-functional teams, or supporting clients with financial and fitness goals, he brings energy, adaptability, and a proven track record of advancing quickly and delivering results.


    In this episode, Gary and Myles Powell discuss:

    • How Myles walked away from engineering to build Myles Comfort Foods from scratch
    • Turning a homemade barbecue sauce and food blog into a retail-ready CPG brand
    • The scrappy early days: shared kitchens, farmers markets, and bootstrapping into Whole Foods and Target
    • Why relentless learning, risk-taking, and “hunger for more” drive Myles’ vision for clean comfort food everywhere


    Key Takeaways:

    • You don’t need the perfect plan to start—just keep stepping into the next obvious move and learn the rest on the fly.
    • Side hustling can be the real MBA: from filing trademarks to renting kitchen space and hand-delivering product, the best CPG lessons often come from doing.
    • Listening to the market can change everything—the shift from sauce to frozen comfort foods came directly from real customer behavior at farmers' markets.
    • Being obsessed with progress and lifelong learning turns every job, failure, and pivot into a license to learn, not a finish line.


    "I always had this entrepreneurship spirit, and I wanted to figure out what to do with it, and I knew food had to be involved." — Myles Powell


    Connect with Myles Powell:  

    Website: https://www.mylescomfortfoods.com/ 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    30 min
  • David Carter: Waking Up the World with The Truth Contract

    About David Carter: David Carter is a serial entrepreneur, longtime CEO mentor, and founder of The Truth Contract, a platform created to challenge mainstream narratives and investigate the systems shaping our health, freedoms, and future. He began his career in high finance in the late ’70s and ’80s, working on leveraged buyouts and private equity across the US, Europe, and the Middle East before a blunt mentor told him he was “on the wrong side of the table,” pushing him into ownership and entrepreneurship. David went on to build and exit several ventures—including UK golf and country club businesses, one of which floated on London’s AIM stock market—and spent about 25 years mentoring CEOs of major companies, focusing on the leadership “performance X-factor.” 

    Today, through The Truth Contract, he channels that experience into deep-dive conversations and research aimed at helping people see through illusion, better evaluate “truth,” and safeguard the next generation.


    In this episode, Gary and David Carter discuss:

    • Leaving a successful career in finance to step into ownership, risk, and entrepreneurship 
    • The idea of a leadership “X-factor” and why intuition often outperforms spreadsheets when evaluating people 
    • Why handwritten letters still open doors in a digital-first world—and how intentional effort builds trust 
    • The origins of The Truth Contract and the motivation behind questioning mainstream narratives and information systems 


    Key Takeaways:

    • Career breakthroughs often begin with uncomfortable honesty. Being told you’re “on the wrong side of the table” can be the push that turns a high performer into an owner and builder.
    • Intuition isn’t mystical—it’s pattern recognition sharpened over time. Deep exposure to people, cultures, and decisions creates an internal compass that leaders ignore at their own risk. 
    • Effort signals intent. A handwritten letter, thoughtful outreach, or deliberate follow-up communicates seriousness in a way frictionless digital communication rarely does.
    • Questioning accepted narratives requires courage and discernment. The challenge isn’t just accessing information; it’s learning how to evaluate truth, bias, and motivation without falling into fear or apathy.


    "I don't want my grandchildren to end up being incapable of having their own children because I didn't do something on my watch." — David Carter


    Connect with David Carter:  

    Website: https://www.thetruthcontract.co.uk/

    https://www.spermegggeddon.com/ 

    X: https://x.com/truth_contract  

    Reddit- https://thetruthcontract.substack.com/


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    41 min
  • Lamell McMorris: The Power to Persist in Entrepreneurship and Public Service

    About Lamell McMorris: Dr. Lamell McMorris is a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of business, justice, and social impact, and the best-selling author of The Power to Persist: 8 Simple Habits to Build Lifelong Resilience. His work draws from his South Side Chicago roots to offer a practical, inspiring framework for turning challenges into purpose and momentum.


    Building on the book’s mission, he hosts The Power to Persist podcast, where he speaks with changemakers and leaders about resilience, justice, and transformational leadership.


    Dr. McMorris is the founder and CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, advising Fortune 100 executives, nonprofit leaders, and public sector decision-makers on aligning purpose with performance. He also founded Greenlining Realty® USA, a mission-driven development firm revitalizing underserved communities—including his childhood neighborhood of Woodlawn, Chicago.


    He serves as Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League Board of Trustees and sits on several nonprofit and academic boards, continuing his lifelong advocacy for civil, economic, and human rights.


    With degrees from Morehouse College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Northeastern University, Dr. McMorris remains committed to advancing a movement of resilience—one that strengthens communities, empowers leaders, and inspires people to persist with purpose.


    In this episode, Gary and Lamell McMorris discuss:

    • How being fired at age 27 became the catalyst that redirected his life toward entrepreneurship and advocacy 
    • What it really takes to break into lobbying with no connections, no political pedigree, and 40,000 competitors in Washington, D.C. 
    • Why childhood exposure to policy, politics, and community leadership shaped his life’s calling 
    • The meaning of resilience—on the individual level, within families, and across communities—and why it matters now more than ever


    Key Takeaways:

    • Major career pivots often begin with what feels like failure. Losing a job can become the moment that frees you to pursue the work you were actually meant to do. 
    • It’s not enough to have expertise—you need conviction, perspective, and the humility to build relationships that bridge communities, corporations, and public service.
    • Leaders who serve others first create impact that lasts. Advocacy, whether in public policy or business, is ultimately the act of showing up for people who rely on you.
    • Resilience isn’t just a personal trait; it’s a generational investment. The way we show up today shapes what young people learn, inherit, and believe is possible.


    "Resilience cuts across all sectors, not just for individuals, not just the habits that we need to embody as individuals, but frankly, the habits that we need to embody from an industry standpoint as entrepreneurs and for communities." — Lamell McMorris


    Connect with Lamell McMorris:  

    Website: http://www.lamellmcmorris.com/ | http://www.phase2-consulting.com/ | http://www.greenliningrealtyusa.com/ 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamellmcmorris 

    Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lamellmc 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088140180810 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    24 min
  • Rob Cromer: Rising from the Ashes and Building Mission-Driven Brands

    About Rob Cromer: Rob Cromer is the CEO of Aisle3, an Amazon-first agency built for founder-led brands that want real scale without losing their identity. He calls Amazon the Third Aisle of commerce, the place where volume lives, competition is real, and the details decide who grows. His background runs from capital markets to ad tech to performance marketing, which shapes how he thinks, part operator, part strategist, part sales floor analyst. Before Aisle3, he co-founded and scaled Adcade, a venture-backed ad tech company.


    Today, he leads a fully in-house team across creative, catalog, advertising, fulfillment, and strategy, all built around one idea: brands win on Amazon when the people doing the work sit close to the work. Aisle3 has been recognized by Adweek as one of the fastest-growing agencies and ranked on the Inc. 5000 list. Rob is an active voice in the conversations around marketplaces, brand strategy, and the future of retail. His focus is simple: help brands grow with clear thinking, sharp execution, and zero compromise on who they are.


    In this episode, Gary and Rob Cromer discuss:

    • How Rob went from a political science major to equities trading to entrepreneurship in New York City 
    • The rise and unraveling of his first venture-backed startup—and the painful lessons that followed 
    • Why Aisle Three exists, what “the third aisle” really means, and how marketplace strategy shapes modern commerce 
    • The emotional side of entrepreneurship: identity, ego, burnout, ayahuasca, and rebuilding trust in yourself after failure


    Key Takeaways:

    • Venture capital can accelerate growth, but misaligned incentives can just as easily derail a company. The people you partner with matter just as much as the capital itself.
    • Failure doesn’t end when a business closes; it lingers in identity, confidence, and self-worth. Finding your way back may require radical honesty, rest, or even stepping far outside your comfort zone to rediscover purpose.
    • Marketplace growth isn’t automatic or effortless. Success demands a targeted approach: real product-market fit, careful strategy, and making sure your marketplace push supports—not sabotages—your direct sales.
    • Forget the generic hustle advice. Big career moves are deeply personal. The best decision isn’t just about chasing growth, but balancing ambition with your life stage, family, and who you genuinely want to become.


    "I think that the key to life is taking those experiences and pivoting on them, right? If you're the same person at 40 as you were at 20, that's not a good thing, right?" — Rob Cromer


    Connect with Rob Cromer:  

    Website: https://www.aisle3.com/ 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aisle3/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcromer/ 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    35 min
  • Wombi Rose: From Ships to Magical Moments – Building LovePop’s Billion-Card Journey

    About Wombi Rose: Wombi Rose is the Co-Founder and CEO of LovePop, the innovative consumer brand creating intricately engineered 3D pop-up greeting cards designed to spark “magical moments” between people. A former naval architect turned entrepreneur, Wombi blends technical precision with emotional storytelling—building a product loved by millions worldwide.


    Originally trained in ship design at the Webb Institute and later earning his MBA at Harvard Business School, Wombi shifted from designing vessels to designing experiences after encountering slice-form kirigami in Vietnam—a discovery that would inspire LovePop’s signature engineering-meets-art approach. Today, LovePop has delivered more than 65 million magical moments, expanded into plush pops, bouquets, and holiday innovations, and grown into a beloved omnichannel consumer brand.


    In this episode, Gary and Wombi Rose discuss:

    • The moment in Vietnam that sparked LovePop’s founding idea and shifted Wombi’s career path 
    • How engineering principles from naval architecture translate into intricate paper art and manufacturing precision 
    • LovePop’s early hustle—craft fairs, Kickstarter, TechStars, and the Shark Tank pitch that changed everything 
    • Why LovePop remains laser-focused on “magical moments” and how that mission guides product innovation and long-term strategy


    Key Takeaways:

    • Founding ideas often emerge from unexpected intersections. For Wombi and his co-founder, the blend of ship-design geometry and Vietnamese kirigami unlocked a completely new consumer category—proof that creativity thrives at the edges of disciplines.
    • Early traction rarely comes from theory; it comes from hustle. Wombi and John spent weekends at craft fairs, selling for 12 hours straight without breaks, gathering real-world feedback that shaped their product and validated demand. 
    • Emotional resonance is a serious business advantage. LovePop’s cards stand out because they create visceral reactions—surprise, delight, and connection, which is something the traditional greeting card aisle has struggled to deliver for decades.
    • Focus beats expansion. Instead of chasing adjacent markets, LovePop concentrates on putting “the most magic possible into a card”—a constraint that fuels creativity, keeps the brand disciplined, and strengthens its mission-driven growth.


    “The world needs more magical moments. People are happier, people are healthier, and they feel less stress when they're spending more time appreciating and recognizing other people.” — Wombi Rose


    Connect with Wombi Rose:  

    Website: https://www.lovepop.com/ 

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wombi 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    32 min
  • Jim Martin: Working the Problem – Turning Business Challenges into Opportunities

    About Jim Martin: As founder and managing partner of ACM and an internationally recognized turnaround expert, James “Jim” Martin has created and restored more than $1 billion in value to private companies. In addition, Martin has raised half a billion dollars in capital and bought and sold companies in excess of $500 million.


    Mr. Martin specializes in turnaround advisory and has vast experience in the aviation and fast food industries.  Today, Martin serves ACM clients in various capacities, including financial advisory, strategic renewal, mergers and acquisitions, and synergistic opportunities.


    In addition to his turnaround success, Martin’s track record includes strategic renewal, organizational reform, debt restructuring, and raising capital. Martin is also well-versed in the world of bankruptcy as he has successfully guided companies through Chapter 11 filings. Martin earned an MBA from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.


    In this episode, Gary and Jim Martin discuss:

    • Jim’s unconventional path into restructuring—from early banking roles to navigating hyperinflation and the Russian mob in 1990s Poland
    • What really happens when companies enter distress, and the early warning signs most leaders ignore
    • Why success-based pricing changes the relationship between a company and its turnaround partner
    • The human side of restructuring—ego, family dynamics, difficult decisions, and the weight of safeguarding people’s livelihoods


    Key Takeaways:

    • Many companies fail long before the numbers show it. Early warning signs often come from tightened credit, slower collections, and lenders suddenly paying closer attention.
    • In a crisis, clarity beats comfort every time. Direct conversations, even when they’re painful, are what give organizations their best chance at survival and eventual recovery.
    • A success-aligned turnaround model forces everyone to row in the same direction. When the advisor has real skin in the game, trust deepens, and decisions become far more grounded.
    • Restructuring is fundamentally about people. Saving a company isn’t just a financial exercise—it’s about protecting jobs, families, and futures, and that responsibility shapes every leadership choice.


    [On early warning signs & crisis management]

    “One is when the bank starts to tighten their grip on their credit. So it doesn't necessarily mean you're in default. Doesn't even necessarily mean that you've done anything wrong, per se. But you have more scrutiny. You have workout guys that are all of a sudden hovering about, you know, because they anticipate problems. So that's one that, candidly, people miss.” — Jim Martin


    Connect with Jim Martin: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-martin-9592737/ 

    Website: https://acmcapitalpartners.com/ 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    26 min
  • Priya Nalkur: Becoming Who You’re Meant To Be – A Journey from Expectations to Empowerment

    About Priya Nalkur: Priya Nalkur, Ed.D., a psychologist with a genuine and authentic approach, has earned her educational stripes from Harvard and Yale. She is the heart and soul of the RoundTable Institute, a pioneering force in inclusive leadership and professional coaching. Her recent book, Stumbling Towards Inclusion: Finding Grace in Imperfect Leadership, offers an engaging and human narrative of her journey, beginning with her formative experiences as an outsider in a small Canadian town and evolving into a heartfelt mission to reshape leadership with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.


    At the RoundTable Institute, a new leadership philosophy is embraced under Dr. Nalkur's authentic and human-centered leadership. It's about being unapologetically yourself, tackling differences head-on, striving for equity, and creating brave spaces that unlock the potential in everyone. Leadership is about being an ally and doing the unimaginable while maintaining a solid bottom line. It's where leadership transcends traditional competencies, embodying bravery, imagination, and the constant evolution toward inclusive workplaces.


    Dr. Nalkur believes today's leaders must be allies, boldly pushing boundaries and nurturing inclusive environments that bring out the best in people. Living in Austin, Texas, with her two vibrant children, Dr. Nalkur finds her balance and inspiration in nature, family kitchen dance parties, and the joy of exploration.


    In this episode, Gary and Priya Nalkur discuss:

    • How early coaching shifted Priya’s life trajectory and awakened her purpose
    • The role of resilience, endurance, and focus in navigating uncertainty
    • Human-centered approaches to leadership, conflict, and collective wisdom
    • Building The RoundTable Institute and why courageous conversations change organizations


    Key Takeaways:

    • Endurance isn’t just physical stamina—it’s the willingness to stay in the work long enough to discover who you really are and what you’re capable of becoming.
    • Real growth comes from focusing on what’s actually within your influence: your attention, your beliefs, and the meaning you assign to challenges—instead of trying to control everything outside yourself.
    • Resistance in a room isn’t a threat—it’s an invitation. When leaders treat differing viewpoints as opportunities for connection, teams unlock deeper wisdom and stronger relationships.
    • Purpose tends to reveal itself over time. You don’t need all the answers at once; you just need a clear direction, the courage to take the next step, and the humility to keep learning along the way.


    “What you can control is what you focus on, and what you believe and how you approach it. So stop trying to control other people's reactions to you and the weather and the traffic and all these other things. It's a waste of your time and energy." — Priya Nalkur


    Connect with Priya Nalkur: 

    Website: https://www.priyanalkur.com/ & https://www.theroundtableinstitute.com/  


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    37 min
  • Patrick Donohue: Investing in Founders, Not Just Financials

    About Patrick Donohue: Patrick Donohue is the Founder and CEO of Hill Capital Corporation, an investment firm that reimagines the relationship between capital and entrepreneurship. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with roots in investment banking and private equity, Patrick brings a unique perspective to supporting vision-driven founders.


    Through Hill Capital, he has developed an innovative investment approach that prioritizes founder flexibility and partnership over traditional transactional investing. His strategy focuses on providing capital that empowers entrepreneurs to scale their businesses while maintaining their strategic independence. Drawing from his own entrepreneurial experience, Patrick understands that successful investments are built on mutual trust, adaptability, and a shared commitment to long-term value creation.


    In this episode, Gary and Patrick Donohue discuss:

    • How early career lessons in finance shaped Patrick’s entrepreneurial mindset
    • The disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street—and what founders can learn from it
    • Building fair, flexible investment structures that align investors and founders
    • The human element behind deal-making, valuation, and long-term partnerships


    Key Takeaways:

    • The foundation of good investing lies in relationships. When investors and founders see each other as partners rather than opponents, capital becomes a tool for mutual growth.
    • Adaptability trumps perfection. Founders who can navigate uncertainty are more valuable than those with rigid business plans.
    • Traditional financial metrics are just the starting point. True value creation comes from understanding a founder's long-term vision and potential for disruption.
    • The best investors meet founders where they are, helping them scale sustainably while preserving the spirit and independence that made their ventures possible in the first place.


    "Valuation at an early stage is extremely subjective, and an investor is right to say that the company is worth very little, and the founder is right to say it's worth a lot." — Patrick Donohue


    Connect with Patrick Donohue: 

    Website: https://www.hillcapitalcorp.com/ & https://www.breakoutvaluation.com/  

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickedonohue/ 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    20 min
  • Mark Rampolla: Systems Change Starts from the Ground Up

    About Mark Rampolla: Mark Rampolla is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, writer, and coach who inspires mission-driven leaders to build businesses that matter. As Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, he helps bold founders scale companies rooted in purpose and impact.


    Previously, Mark founded ZICO Coconut Water, pioneering the multibillion-dollar coconut water category and selling the brand to The Coca-Cola Company—before famously buying it back. Over his career, he has invested in more than a hundred companies, served on twenty boards, and helped create billions in enterprise value and thousands of jobs.


    A former Peace Corps volunteer, corporate executive, and author of High-Hanging Fruit, Mark is passionate about helping entrepreneurs break free from mental, emotional, and societal limits to live and lead with genuine freedom. Since losing his home in the 2025 Pacific Palisades fires, he’s been wandering—but not every wanderer is lost.


    In this episode, Gary and Mark Rampolla discuss:

    • The transformative path from corporate executive to purpose-driven founder of ZICO
    • Navigating the psychological challenges of startup success and post-acquisition life
    • The critical importance of understanding one's "zone of genius" and authentic leadership
    • Redefining entrepreneurial success beyond financial metrics


    Key Takeaways:

    • True success isn’t measured solely by profit margins—it’s about creating something that genuinely improves lives and strengthens communities.
    • When founders lead with authenticity, they attract the right people—employees, investors, and customers who believe in the same mission. That alignment fuels long-term growth far better than short-term wins ever could.
    • Scaling a purpose-led company demands both resilience and humility. You’ll make mistakes, but the key is learning fast and staying rooted in your values even when growth tests them.
    • Businesses that blend purpose with performance are no longer the exception—they’re setting the new standard for how the next generation will define leadership and impact.


    "The vast majority of reality is happening within us because we create our own experiences from the way we interact with the outer world." — Mark Rampolla


    Connect with Mark Rampolla: 

    Website: https://www.markrampolla.co/  & groundforcecapital.com/ourfirm/ 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla/ 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    51 min
  • Candice Ammori: Systems Change Starts from the Ground Up

    About Candice Ammori: Climate Vine brings together Founder Candice Ammori’s 10 years of experience and learnings in community strategy building.

    After reading the 2018 IPCC report, Ammori realized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing climate change. She made a career transition from ethics of AI to climate, starting On Deck Climate Tech to help diverse experts meet, connect, and build together.

    She brought together 650+ people across the climate ecosystem in multiple cohorts. Fellows raised over $350 M+ in venture funding, more than two dozen companies emerged, and hundreds of emerging contributors transitioned to the climate innovation space. She maintains deep vertical knowledge as an active investor and advisor to emerging climate tech companies.


    In this episode, Gary and Candice Ammori discuss:

    • AI ethics intersecting with global sustainability
    • Systemic and political forces shaping climate responsibility
    • Public perception and misinformation in environmental action
    • Localized collaboration as a catalyst for global change


    Key Takeaways:

    • Feedback loops in both artificial intelligence and climate systems reveal how unchecked processes—whether digital or environmental—can rapidly amplify harm when human oversight and accountability are absent.
    • Public consensus around the urgency of climate change remains strong, yet outdated systems built on profit-driven incentives and political inertia continue to obstruct collective action and meaningful progress.
    • Corporate power, reinforced through decisions like Citizens United, has reshaped political and economic landscapes in ways that prioritize influence over integrity, leaving environmental policy vulnerable to manipulation.
    • Sustainable transformation depends on localized empowerment, where communities strengthen resilience, prioritize clean energy, and rebuild civic trust from the ground up despite federal or institutional resistance. 


    "There’s a lot happening in the world that feels big and scary and impossible to do anything about, and that’s true… and when all of us do all of these small local things, those big scary problems actually get solved much better." — Candice Ammori


    Connect with Candice Ammori: 

    Website: www.climatevine.co 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candiceammori/ 


    For more great content, sign up for Gary’s free Patreon channel- https://www.patreon.com/FA_Masterclass/home 


    Or his LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7206743428141895681/


    To get in touch with Gary:

    Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

    39 min

About If The Public Only Knew- Behind Every Success, a Story Worth Telling

From the publisher's feed

If the Public Only Knew is a podcast that takes you beyond the headlines and surface-level success stories to uncover the real journeys behind today’s most influential CEOs, founders, and…