Lets Have This Conversation

Lets Have This Conversation

By Kevin McShanNewsDaily News
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Lets Have This Conversation episodes

  • Build with the End in Mind with Laurie Barkman

    Core Reasons for Being Trapped: The primary
    reasons owners cannot leave their businesses include strong emotional
    attachment (37%), financial dependence on the business income (25%), inability
    to sell at a profitable price (20%), and a lack of suitable buyers (19%). According
    to LinkedIn. Workload and Burnout: Many owners are forced to work
    longer hours, with 60% struggling to get time off and 54% having given up
    hobbies and personal activities, according to Medium.

    For Laurie Barkman: Growing up, I launched my first services

    business at age 10, mowing lawns, raking leaves, and babysitting. In high
    school, I leaned into leadership, learned how to address challenges head-on,
    and made a lasting impact on my community. That drive to build winning teams
    took me to Cornell University, where I studied Industrial and Labor Relations.
    I began my career at Ingersoll-Rand, a global engineering firm, working
    shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers and plant teams to reengineer operational
    processes for productivity and cost improvements. It was there that I first saw
    how analytical and technical leaders think.

     

    Later, I earned my MBA from Carnegie Mellon University,

    intentionally choosing a rigorous quantitative program to refine the analytical
    skills I knew I’d need to lead and advise in structured, technical
    environments. Over the years, I built a career spanning Fortune 500s and
    startups, leading teams through high-growth transformation, including time in
    logistics, SaaS, e-commerce, and operations, often in collaboration with
    engineers, data-driven founders, and technical teams.

     

    The search was part of a long-term succession plan. A

    third-generation family business and leading transportation and logistics
    company in North America sought a new divisional CEO. In the interview process,
    I was told, “We’re not interviewing you for the next 2 years…we’re interviewing
    you for the next 20.” Playing the long game excited me. Taking on this role was
    a perfect storm of high expectations, internal resistance, and every eye was
    watching. I wasn’t necessarily who they expected, but I knew how to create
    value. I steadied the ship and shifted mindsets towards transformation.
    Eventually, we guided the company to a successful sale to a Global Fortune 50
    company. After the acquisition was completed, I stayed on as a senior executive
    and served on the Integration Steering Committee, advising on the launch of new
    e-commerce fulfillment services.

    Back to the original notion of staying in the company for 20

    years. As things played out, my tenure was only three. Was I disappointed? Heck
    no. I realized that while we may have a plan, sometimes plans change for good
    reason. The acquisition “put some money in my jeans” and gave me the
    flexibility to pursue my entrepreneurial passions.

     



    For more information: https://lauriebarkman.me/

    LinkedIn: @LaurieBarkman

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    52 min
  • Empowers Men to Build Stronger Marriages, Families, & Fulfilling Lives with Eric MacDougall

    Considering Leaving: A survey of 18- to 60-year-old Americans found that about one in eight married men (roughly 12-13%) have thought about leaving their spouse in the past year.•


    Emotional Disengagement: Evidence suggests 77% of men have engaged in some form of emotional affair (which can be a symptom or cause of being checked out).•

    Generational Differences: Research shows that 29% of younger men (ages 18 to 34) view having a successful marriage as "one of the most important things" in their life, compared to 39% of women in the same age group.

    According to the Pew Research Center, the Institute of Family Studies, and Psychology Today.


    My name is Eric MacDougall. I've walked the tricky path from the "Roommate Stalemate" with my wife to rediscovering the spark through vibrant communication and deep intimacy. After over two decades with my wife and raising two fantastic kids, I've tackled the challenges of lost passion and emotional disconnection firsthand. As the founder and lead coach at EMCS Inc.,


    I empower growth-minded individuals and couples to build thriving, connected relationships. My approach combines practical tools and personal growth strategies tailored to the desires and needs expressed by my clients.

    After overcoming my own disconnection cycle, I am now driven to help intentional family men win at marriage the same way they win at business and ensure that the best years of their relationships are ahead of them.


    As a Master Relationship Coach, I focus on empowering men like you to become healthy, masculine leaders in your marriage.


    Stop approaching conversations in a way that pushes your partner further away. Instead, choose the courage to step into your power and revive the spark in your Relationship by learning new skills to lead your marriage in communication and intimacy.


    If you are struggling with a lack of passion, feeling distant, or just missing the fun, flirtatious marriage you once had, know it doesn’t need to continue this way.


    For more information: https://www.evolvedmarriage.com/ Listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/09hEVZekYy9NT5HweJ6atw

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    1 hr 7 min
  • Insightful Leadership Begins When the Interference Stops with: Edward Howard

    Resilience and Stress Management: While critical

    to 97% of executives, only 47% believe their organization is
    currently resilient. Additionally, only 18% of leaders
    surveyed in 2025 scored high in stress tolerance. Decision-Making Under
    Pressure: While 67% of leaders make critical decisions under
    significant time pressure, only 23% have systematic frameworks
    to do so effectively. Specifically97% of executives believe business
    resilience is important, and nearly 90% of executives in
    a 2022 survey identified improving their own well-being (a driver of resilience
    and focus) as a top priority.

     

    Ed Howard is the author of One Breath Leadership and the founder

    of Kokoro Business Performance.

    Based in Singapore, he works globally with senior leaders,

    executives, and organisations to improve focus, resilience, and decision-making
    under pressure.

    Before founding Kokoro, Ed spent more than 20 years in

    international investment banking, working at Merrill Lynch, Bank of America,
    SMBC Nikko, Société Générale, and Standard Chartered.

    Alongside his corporate career, he has practiced Zen for

    over 30 years.

    This combination of corporate experience and deep awareness

    training shapes his approach. At the centre of his work is a simple idea:
    performance improves when attention is stable, mental noise is reduced, and
    leaders learn to reset in the moment.

     

    For more information: https://www.onebreathleadership.com/

    LinkedIn: @EdwardHoward

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    1 hr 1 min
  • Helping Men Redefine Masculinity in the Pursuit of Happiness with Adam Tomlin

    Generational Shifts: A 2025 National Research Group study
    found that nearly 50% of men aged 13–30 desire to see men become more
    emotionally vulnerable, indicating a shift in perspective among younger
    generations. Mixed Opinions: Data from the Movember Foundation reveals that 31%
    of men surveyed view the ability to cry or be emotionally open as a strength,
    while 34% see it as a weakness.

     

    Adam Tomlin is the host of the ACT OUT podcast. Before

    embarking on his journey as a podcaster, he worked as an attorney, where he
    dedicated as much effort to avoiding his own emotions as he did to advancing
    someone else's dreams. After a couple of years of rewiring his mindset, he
    became frustrated with the narrative perpetuated by the "podcaster
    bro" culture, which suggested that compassion was a weakness incompatible
    with masculinity and the pursuit of a better world. This inspired Adam to create
    the ACT OUT podcast to change that perspective. He advocates for everyone to
    have the ability to pursue their happiness, allowing ALL individuals to make a
    life, earn a living, and make a difference.

     

    Adam's story reflects the American experience. At one point,

    I introduced myself with the line, "I began every attorney bio that
    way." In hindsight, that may have sounded more pretentious than charming,
    but ironically, it was more accurate than I realized. At the time, I felt
    stuck, empty, and like a bad person. Unfortunately, that feeling is a common
    narrative for many people, and I want to help change it.

     

    I was born and raised in a small rural town in northwest

    Georgia, where the accents were so strong that I didn’t realize I had one until
    I went to college in Atlanta. Growing up, I was taught that the only acceptable
    feelings were “positive” ones, and even those came with terms and conditions.
    As a result, I tried to suppress all my emotions, but I was wildly
    unsuccessful. Nonetheless, I didn’t seek help for my mental health until much
    later in life.

     

    For more information, visit: https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/

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    59 min
  • The Intersection of Business Growth, Innovation, and Reliability with Mike Konrad

    Business reliability refers to a company's consistent
    capacity to deliver products, services, or performance that satisfy customer
    expectations over time without failure. It represents trustworthiness,
    dependability, and operational stability, encompassing aspects such as
    availability (uptime), speed, and accuracy. Organizations that consistently
    uphold their commitments cultivate high customer satisfaction and support
    long-term sustainability.

    Mike Konrad is the founder and CEO of Aqueous Technologies,

    established in 1992 and recognized as a leader in post-reflow cleaning and
    reliability solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry. He hosts two
    acclaimed podcasts: Reliability Matters, which addresses electronics
    reliability, and The Reluctant Entrepreneur, offering insights into the
    experiences of business founders. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial and
    technical expertise, Mike brings a distinctive perspective at the intersection
    of business growth, innovation, and reliability.

    Upon founding Aqueous Technologies in 1992, Mike

    transitioned from product design to entrepreneurship out of necessity when his
    employer declined to pursue his innovative concept. Despite possessing strong
    technical proficiency, he lacked formal business education. Initially relying
    on traits such as determination, passion, and risk tolerance, Mike quickly
    understood the need to develop sound business judgment, implement prudent
    strategies, and adopt sustainable leadership practices. His journey reflects personal
    and professional development, including overcoming challenges and learning
    valuable lessons that shaped his approach.

    Mike also

    advocates for modern marketing strategies. He moved away from traditional
    promotional methods toward “conscious marketing,” prioritizing credibility and
    value provision. This approach resonates with younger decision-makers who favor
    research and substantiated claims over conventional advertising. As a respected
    speaker in both technical and academic domains, Mike delivers lectures on
    electronics reliability at industry events and discusses entrepreneurship
    candidly with engineering students at universities. He is also the author of
    The Reluctant Entrepreneur: Anatomy of a Business Startup, From Uncertainty to
    Unstoppable.

    For additional information: https://www.mikekonrad.com/

    LinkedIn: @MikeKonrad

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    1 hr 16 min
  • Human Engagement is the Engine of Business Performance with Stephen Baer

    Impact of Feedback: When employees believe their

    feedback is actually used to make improvements, they are 37% less likely to
    look for a new job. Pew Research Center

    On average, engaged employees see a 20% individual

    performance improvement and an 87% reduction in the desire to leave.

     

    A  2024 research Survey with The Harris Poll found

    that managers play a critical role in moving employees from burned out and
    checked out to thriving. For employees who say they are thriving,
    the top indicator is a manager who is "invested in their success."

    Employee thriving is driven by three key drivers:

       

      Stephen Baer is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of

      Engagency, a firm built on his core belief that human engagement is the engine
      of business performance. He leads a team of behavioral experts who help
      organizations build meaningful, measurable connections with their workforce and
      customers. With a 30-year career focused on the science of connection,
      motivation, and activation, Stephen brings a rare blend of behavioral insight,
      creativity, and operational discipline. He previously co-founded and led The
      Game Agency, a learning and engagement company acquired by ELB Learning, and
      held sales and marketing leadership roles at Atari and General Electric, where
      he was a Six Sigma Black Belt Certified and a recipient of GE’s Global
      Marketing Excellence Award. Stephen has served on the Board of ELB Learning and
      the Advisory Board of the Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network
      (LTEN), and was a contributing writer for the Forbes Human Resources Council
      for six years, sharing insights on engagement and organizational growth. The
      author of the book, "Stickology: How to Build Unbreakable Connections with
      Employees and Customers for Life," and two children’s books (Catastrophe
      in the City and The Doghouse), Stephen holds a BA from Oberlin College and an
      MBA from Columbia University.

        

       

      For more information: https://stephenbaer.com/

      Get the book: https://www.amazon.ca/Stickology-Unbreakable-Connections-Employees-Customers/dp/9699592532.

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      1 hr 1 min
    • Fighting to Secure the Disability Benefits You Deserve with Nancy Cavey

      According to the Pew Research Center, Income Impact: without Social Security, nearly 40% of seniors would

      have incomes below the official poverty threshold. Furthermore, the Office of
      Budget and Policy Initiative notes that Social Security benefits are more
      modest than commonly perceived; as of February 2024, the average monthly Social
      Security retirement benefit was approximately $1,862, equating to about $22,344
      annually. (Average payments for disabled workers and aged widows were lower.)
      For an individual with average earnings retiring at age 65 in 2024, Social
      Security replaces roughly 39% of previous income. This “replacement rate” has
      declined as the program’s full retirement age increased from 65 in 2000 to 67
      by 2022.

      Nancy L. Cavey is a distinguished attorney with over 39

      years of experience specializing in disability law. Recognizing the
      complexities and significant impact of filing for disability benefits, Cavey
      has successfully guided numerous clients through the process with expertise and
      sensitivity.

      Her practice, The

      Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey, possesses extensive experience in disability
      claims and has represented clients with medical conditions including heart
      disease, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, spinal injuries,
      post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury.

       Cavey's dedication to

      her work is informed by personal experience: during her late teens, her father
      was diagnosed with leukemia. This firsthand understanding of the emotional and
      financial challenges faced by individuals and families affected by disability
      informs her empathetic approach to client representation. Serving clients
      nationwide in Social Security and Long-Term Disability matters, she
      consistently advocates for individuals who have not received fair treatment or
      entitled benefits. Cavey has authored several consumer-oriented guides on
      disability, including *The Disability Insurance Claim Survival Guide for
      Professionals* and *Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits*. She is
      also a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claims
      Representatives (NOSSCR), and is licensed in Florida and the District of
      Columbia.

      For

      additional information, please visit:

      https://caveylaw.com/

      Phone:

      (727) 894-3188

      YouTube:

      @CaveyLaw

      Podcast:

      https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/winning-isnt-easy-navigating-your-social-security-disability/id1792485475

       

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      56 min
    • How to Start a YouTube Channel in 90 Minutes a Week with Jerry Potter

      Approximately 79% of small business owners and entrepreneurs

      believe they are working too much, according to the Alternative Board. Long
      hours are common, with around 33% of small business owners working at least 50
      hours per week, and 25% logging more than 60 hours per week.

       

      Jerry Potter is a highly-rated speaker with over 20 years of

      experience as a broadcast professional and content media educator. He
      specializes in creating high-leverage assets, focusing on platforms like
      YouTube, webinars, and business coaching for entrepreneurs. In addition to his
      own successful podcast and YouTube channel, he works joyfully with small
      business owners, groups, and organizations to enhance their results.

       

      One of Jerry's passions, aside from enjoying cheap pink

      frosted cookies, is introducing others to high-leverage assets (HLAs). He is
      also known as the host of "The Social Media Marketing Talk Show,"
      which is the longest-running weekly talk show dedicated to social media
      marketing. Jerry's collection of dad jokes and superhero t-shirts has been
      seemingly endless since 2010.

       

      For more information, visit:

      https://donebylunch.co/grow-on-youtube-in-only-90-minutes-a-week/

      YouTube: @mrjerrypotter

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      56 min
    • Business Health Market: Rethinking Employee Benefits with Brian Calvert

        In the United States, employers typically spend

      roughly 30% of total compensation on employee benefits, averaging between
      $12 and $15 per hour worked, or roughly $20,000–$30,000 per employee annually.
      As of June 2025, private industry benefits averaged $13.58 per hour, while
      public sector employers often spend significantly more, averaging over $24 per
      hour, driven by higher insurance and retirement costs, according to the Bureau
      of Labor Statistics.

      Brian Calvert is the owner of Business Health Market. We

      specialize in providing individuals and businesses with customized health
      insurance and employee benefits packages, working with all major carriers.
      Whether you're a solopreneur, a 1099 independent contractor, a small business
      with just two employees, or a large corporation with up to 2,000 employees, we
      have the expertise to create the perfect plan for your unique needs.

      We understand that a well-structured benefits package is crucial for staff
      retention and recruitment. That's why we design solutions tailored to your
      company's budget, size, and goals. By leveraging the latest technology, we help
      businesses offer competitive benefits that not only attract top talent but also
      enhance employee loyalty.

       

      For more information: https://businesshealthmarket.com/

      LinkedIn: @BrianCalvert  

       

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      47 min
    • Consistency and Repetition Lead to Prosperity in Real Estate and Life with Jaben Makings

      The "Zero Deal" Statistic: In early 2025,
      reports showed that over 70% of active agents (those with a license registered
      to a Multiple Listing Service) struggled to close any transactions. **Five-Year
      Failure Rate:** Approximately 87% of real estate agents leave the industry
      within five years, according to Yahoo Finance and LinkedIn.

       

      Jaben Makings is the President of Onnix Investments, where

      he leverages his expertise in real estate and negotiation to drive growth and
      deliver value. In this role, he focuses on fostering strong professional
      relationships and ensuring seamless collaboration to meet organizational goals.

       

      Having grown up in a small town, I struggled in traditional

      school and often jumped between ideas because I didn’t understand the
      importance of commitment. Everything changed when I stopped chasing shortcuts
      and focused on building one business properly. Today, I run a sales-driven
      company built around partnerships rather than advertisements. We work directly
      with real estate agents to navigate challenging deals, but the lessons learned
      apply far beyond real estate: how to design relationship-based sales systems,
      how to avoid "shiny object syndrome," how to build leverage instead
      of just relying on income, and how discipline outside of work directly impacts
      performance within the business.

       

      For more information:

      [onnixinvestments.com](https://onnixinvestments.com/) 

      LinkedIn: @JabenMakings

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      44 min

    About Lets Have This Conversation

    From the publisher's feed

    Multimedia Journalist and Motivational Speaker Kevin McShan brings you a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional YouTube Podcast called: “Let’s Have This Conversation. The intention is to provide a large…