Knoodle Founders Hour

We sit down with advertising veteran Jos Anshell, founder of Marketing Forensics and the strategic mind behind the iconic former agency, Moses Anshell.

In this episode, host Rosaria Cain peels back the curtain on a career that spans from the disciplined halls of Unilever to the high-stakes world of airline marketing. Jos shares his philosophy on why branding is about the "benefit to the consumer" rather than just selling a product, and why he believes the best strategic breakthroughs happen on a basketball court rather than in a boardroom.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Power of Consistency: Why a "red Yankee hat" is a branding sin and how subconscious cues like the "Golden Arches" define market leaders.
• The Human Element: Jos reflects on his legendary partnership with Louie Moses at his former agency, and why mutual respect is the foundation of great work.
• The Challenger Mindset: Lessons from Peter Piper Pizza, America West Airlines, and how to take on industry giants like Procter & Gamble.
• Marketing Forensics & The Future: How Jos’s current focus on management and succession planning is helping legacy companies thrive, plus his candid thoughts on how COVID-19, remote work, and AI are reshaping the agency world.
• A Surprising Finale: Stick around until the very end to hear Jos reveal a hidden talent that leaves Rosaria—and our listeners—speechless.

Whether you're a marketing student, a business owner, or an advertising enthusiast, Jos’s insights on running a business and maintaining brand integrity offer a masterclass in longevity.

In this episode of The Knoodle Founder's Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Dr. Howard Farran, the visionary founder of Dentaltown. Howard shares his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, from launching a pioneering online community for dentists back in 1999 to his current investments in artificial intelligence.

Operating at the crossroads of dentistry, technology, and media, Howard explains how Dentaltown was built on a simple but powerful premise: no dentist should ever have to practice solo again. Beyond technology and business strategy, Howard brings a refreshingly candid perspective to the realities of healthcare, the necessity of customer empathy, and his own personal transformation from struggling with high blood pressure to completing three consecutive Ironman triathlons.

Whether you are a seasoned business owner or an aspiring founder, Howard's insights offer a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and prioritizing what truly matters.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• Spotting the Next Big Thing: How Howard recognized the massive potential of the early internet through AOL and Amazon, and why he believes AI will completely define the next 20 years.
• The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Why building a successful business relies heavily on sheer persistence and intellectual curiosity rather than just innate brilliance.
• Leading with Empathy: The importance of understanding that customers (or patients) are often scared and anxious, and why simply listening to them is the best way to predict the future of your industry.
• Health is the Ultimate Wealth: Howard's wake-up call regarding his physical health, his journey to rewire bad habits—like swapping out his Rocky Road ice cream addiction for Greek yogurt—and the importance of taking care of your body to maintain a sharp mind.
• Conquering Fear: Why taking the leap into business ownership is best done before you let fear hold you back, and why we shouldn't live our lives guided by anxiety.

Tune in for an engaging, high-energy conversation that reminds us all that business, just like life, is a marathon, not a sprint!

Joy Seitz is redefining what leadership and ethical business mean in the renewable energy sector.

In this episode, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Joy Seitz, Matriarch of American Solar and Roofing, to explore her powerful advocacy for women's rights, corporate diversity, and clean energy.

This conversation goes far beyond just installing solar panels. Joy explains the deep interconnectedness of women’s equality, community building, and environmental protection. She breaks down the realities of the modern energy landscape, the massive power consumption of new data centers, and why she firmly rejects predatory solar leasing models in order to protect consumers.

You’ll also hear Joy’s remarkable career journey, from her early work in lobbying and venture capital to stepping up as Matriarch to right-size her company during difficult times. She shares how navigating childhood trauma fueled her visionary drive, and how she balances that energy with deep humility to build an employee-first company culture.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How empowering women with rights and equality directly leads to stronger communities and a focus on Mother Earth.

• Why Joy took a brave stance against solar leasing models to protect low-income and elderly homeowners from predatory sales tactics.

• The growing energy demands of data centers and why citizen-owned home solar and storage are critical for grid resilience.

• How implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and Traction methodologies completely changed her world and gave her a life back.

• The distinct difference between a visionary leader and an integrator, and why a company absolutely needs both to thrive and scale.

• Joy’s personal reflections on the importance of self-love, setting strict boundaries with customers, and protecting employee weekends.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an advocate for clean energy, or someone passionate about building diverse and ethical corporate cultures, this episode is packed with insights.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to buck industry trends, lobby Congress for consumer protection, and scale a business with unwavering conviction, this episode is a must-listen.

Kristi Kay May is redefining what dog training really means.

In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Kristi Kay May, founder of Legend Acres, to explore a powerful approach to dog and horse behavior built on positive reinforcement, force-free methods, and fear-free training.

This conversation goes far beyond sit, stay, and obedience. Kristi explains why many behavior issues, including barking, overstimulation, reactivity, and destructive habits, are often rooted in emotional regulation, not disobedience. She breaks down how animals learn, why so many owners unintentionally miss critical early development windows, and what it really takes to build trust, communication, and lasting behavior change.

You’ll also hear Kristi’s remarkable founder journey, from growing up with horses and starting her first business as a kid, to serving in the Army, working in veterinary medicine, and eventually building a business centered on helping both animals and their humans thrive.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What positive reinforcement really means, and what most people get wrong about it
• Why many dog behavior problems are not obedience issues
• How dogs use behaviors like barking, digging, spinning, and chewing to self-soothe
• The critical puppy development gap most owners never realize exists
• Why communication with your dog must go both ways
• How Kristi built a one-of-a-kind business blending animal behavior, veterinary insight, and entrepreneurship
• The lessons she learned from horses, military service, and building a business from the ground up

Whether you’re a dog owner, animal lover, entrepreneur, or someone fascinated by behavior and communication, this episode is packed with insights that will completely change how you think about training.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog is being stubborn, misunderstood, or simply trying to tell you something, this episode is a must-listen.

Why do so many smart, capable people struggle with sales—and what’s actually holding them back?

In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Connie Kadansky, a globally recognized sales expert and coach specializing in call reluctance and prospecting psychology—the hidden barriers that stop even experienced professionals from picking up the phone and growing their business.

Connie breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in modern business: that content, automation, or inbound leads can replace the fundamentals of selling. Spoiler—they can’t.

Instead, she reveals what truly drives sales success—and why it starts with mindset, not tactics.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why prospecting is still the #1 driver of sales growth—and why most people avoid it
• The real reason behind call reluctance (and how to overcome it)
• How “untrue assumptions” quietly sabotage your ability to sell
• Why content marketing alone will never replace direct outreach
• The 5 characteristics of a truly qualified prospect
• How to use simple but powerful techniques like “no questions” and labeling to improve conversations
• Why sales is really just negotiation—and how to master it
• The mindset shift that turns prospecting from fear into a repeatable system

Connie also shares her own unexpected journey—from becoming call reluctant herself to building a decades-long career helping others break through the same barriers.

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, salesperson, or business leader, this episode will challenge how you think about selling—and give you practical tools to start closing more deals immediately.

If you’ve ever hesitated before making a call, avoided outreach, or felt stuck trying to generate new business—this episode will change how you approach sales forever.

Listen now and learn how to get your “ask” in gear—and finally turn opportunity into revenue.

More Info and Full Transcript:

https://knoodle.com/podcast/exceptional-sales-performance-founder-connie-kadansky/

What if a bakery wasn’t just about desserts—but about creating unforgettable experiences?

In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Danielle O’Day, founder of Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop, to explore how creativity, storytelling, and relentless execution turned a passion for baking into a thriving, multi-dimensional brand.

Danielle isn’t just a pastry chef—she’s a creator in every sense of the word. From cactus-shaped macarons flavored with roasted corn and mesquite honey to interactive desserts you can paint or dip, her work blends art, flavor, and emotion into something customers don’t just eat—they remember.

In this conversation, Danielle shares how her process starts not in the kitchen, but in a journal—where ideas evolve into fully immersive experiences, seasonal pop-ups, and completely original creations that keep customers coming back.

You’ll hear:

• How Danielle transforms creativity into a repeatable business system
• Why her goal is to create a full sensory experience—not just a dessert
• The power of “whimsy” and originality in standing out in a crowded market
• How interactive and customized desserts create emotional connections with customers
• The story behind building Sweet Dee’s during one of the most pivotal moments in her life
• Why mastering gluten-free, vegan, and inclusive baking became a competitive advantage
• What it really takes to be a founder—from mindset and discipline to managing chaos and creativity

Danielle also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—early mornings, long days, and the mental discipline required to turn vision into execution—while staying grounded in purpose and creativity.

Her superpower?
“I can create my way into anything—and out of anything.”

If you’re a founder, creative, or anyone trying to turn passion into a business, this episode is a masterclass in building something people don’t just buy—but feel.

Listen now and discover how creativity, intention, and a little bit of whimsy can turn a simple idea into an unforgettable brand.

What would you do if your child was given two weeks to live?

In this deeply moving episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Anthony Conti, founder of The Purple Society—a grassroots nonprofit born from a father’s fight to save his daughter’s life.

After his 12-year-old daughter Nitalia was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, Anthony entered a world most parents never imagine—navigating broken healthcare systems, searching global clinical trials, and refusing to accept “there’s nothing more we can do.” What followed became a mission that’s now helping families across the country fight pediatric cancer with better tools, better information, and—most importantly—hope.

This episode reveals:

• The raw, behind-the-scenes reality of a pediatric cancer diagnosis
• How one father built an early AI-powered system to track global clinical trials
• Why most families are forced to navigate life-or-death decisions alone
• The critical role of advocacy, network, and second opinions in survival
• How The Purple Society directly impacts families—not institutions
• The truth about what’s broken in the healthcare system—and how to fight back

You’ll also hear the powerful story of how a young girl’s compassion sparked a movement—one that now provides research, financial relief, and emotional support to families in the trenches.

This is more than a founder story. It’s a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and what it really means to show up when everything is on the line.

If you’ve ever wondered how one person can turn unimaginable pain into impact—or how to navigate crisis when the stakes couldn’t be higher—this episode is one you won’t forget.

Listen now and discover how hope, technology, and human connection are changing the fight against pediatric cancer.

More info and full transcript available here:

https://knoodle.com/the-purple-society-founder-anthony-conti-on-the-knoodle-founders-hour-podcast/

Moving your life across borders is hard. Moving your pets? Even harder.

In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, Marisa Hoskins—founder of Paws Abroad—breaks down the hidden chaos behind international pet travel and how she’s building the first true infrastructure layer for a fragmented, outdated industry.

After spending thousands of dollars and navigating confusing, inconsistent regulations just to move her own dogs, Marisa realized something shocking: there was no centralized system to manage global pet travel. What followed is a startup redefining the space—think “Expedia for pet travel”—with digital pet passports, personalized compliance plans, and a growing global platform designed to give pet owners clarity, control, and peace of mind.

This conversation goes beyond logistics. You’ll hear how Marisa:

• Turned personal frustration into a multi-billion-dollar opportunity

• Built a global platform now operating across 14+ countries

• Applies systems thinking to scale complex, personalized experiences

• Leverages customer data to continuously refine and future-proof her product

• Balances technology with a deeply human, trust-first customer experience

Whether you're a founder, a frequent traveler, or someone who refuses to leave their pet behind, this episode reveals the untapped potential in solving real-world friction—and what it takes to build something people genuinely need.

If you’ve ever wondered why pet travel feels so broken—and what it takes to fix it—this episode is for you.

More Info and a Full Transcript:

https://knoodle.com/podcast/paws-abroad-founder-marisa-hoskins

What does it really take to lead change inside a business? In this episode of The Knoodle Founder’s Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Joe Pusz, founder of PMO Squad, to uncover the hidden power of project management—and why it’s becoming one of the most critical business disciplines in the modern economy.

Joe explains why every major business transformation—from launching new products to entering new markets—is actually a project, and why companies that master project management gain a massive competitive advantage.

From his early career managing complex initiatives at major organizations to launching his own consulting and staffing firm, Joe shares the entrepreneurial journey behind PMO Squad, including the risks, setbacks, and breakthrough moments that shaped his success. He also reveals how a simple push from his wife inspired him to build the company from scratch—and why persistence through uncertainty ultimately paid off.

Along the way, Joe and Rosaria explore:

• Why project management drives innovation and change in every industry
• The biggest misconceptions companies have about project managers
• How talent shortages and staffing challenges are reshaping the field
• The role of marketing and brand awareness in scaling a consulting firm
• How AI and emerging technology could transform project management careers
• Why the next decade may require millions of new project managers worldwide

Joe also opens up about leadership, company culture, and what many people misunderstand about entrepreneurs: behind every successful business is a founder who deeply cares about their team and clients.

If you’re a founder, executive, or leader navigating growth, innovation, and change, this conversation offers practical insights on building teams, leading transformation, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Keywords:
project management, leadership, entrepreneurship, business transformation, PMO Squad, project manager careers, AI and project management, business innovation, consulting business growth, talent acquisition, change management, business strategy

Read more and a full transcript:

https://knoodle.com/pmo-squad-founder-joe-pusz-on-knoodle-founders-hour-podcast/

How many people are quietly stuck, unfulfilled, or running on empty at work—even if they look successful on paper?

In this episode of The Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Derick Brownell, co-founder of TTR Executive Coaching, to unpack what’s really behind underperformance and burnout—and how leaders can turn it around with a coaching framework that’s both structured and human.

Derick shares the four pillars he and his team use to pinpoint what’s holding people back:

• Technical expertise: Is confidence getting crushed by imposter phenomenon?

• Tactical awareness: Are you actually in the role you think you’re in—or serving a different job than you signed up for?

• Energy management: What routines (exercise, spirituality, habits) restore confidence and performance—and what drains it?

• Social + cultural behaviors: How workplace norms and relationships impact engagement, resilience, and results

Rosaria and Derick also connect coaching to sales performance and resilience—including why rejection is part of the game, and how routines (like athletes use) help people come back stronger after failure.

You’ll hear:

• Why “skills” often aren’t the real problem—and what is

• How to build routines that boost confidence and execution

• What coaching uncovers that leaders don’t always expect

• The mindset shift that helps people perform in tough business climates

• A personal, unexpected story about identity, adoption, and self-discovery

If you’re a founder, leader, sales leader, or high performer who feels stuck—or you manage people who are—this episode will give you a clear, actionable way to diagnose what’s happening and move forward.