What happens when you stop playing it safe and start pursuing the story you were meant to tell?

Host Dr. Shanda Gore sits down with Ms. Sylvia Jones, two-time Emmy Award winner, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and Founder & CEO of Sounds Like Joy Productions, Inc.

Sylvia shares how she made the leap from journalism to screenwriting, what it takes to stay persistent in a competitive industry, and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways to connect with people.

This episode is sponsored by Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning and The PinLeader Press.

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, make decisions, and navigate everyday life. But with rapid innovation comes important questions about trust, safety, and human judgment. Host Dr. Shanda Gore sits down with Mr. Greg Walker, a Senior Systems Administrator and System Engineer who contracts with NASA. He shares his perspective on the advances he has seen in AI, where the technology may be headed, and how organizations can prepare for what comes next.   

This episode is sponsored by Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning and The PinLeader Press.

How can listening to your community lead to better decisions and stronger plans for the future? Host Dr. Shanda Gore sits down with Ms. Erika Buri, Executive Director of Outdoor Sylvania, to talk about the power of feedback and the role it plays in effective planning. Erika shares how community surveys can help organizations better understand needs, set priorities, and make informed decisions. They also discuss the important role parks play in creating healthy, connected communities. 

This episode is sponsored by Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning and the M&A Culture Building Institute.

What can leaders learn from an investigative reporter? Host Dr. Shanda Gore sits down with Mr. Jason Knowles, Emmy Award Winning Consumer Investigator for the ABC 7 Chicago I-Team, to talk about the importance of asking tough questions, following the facts, building trust, and communicating clearly under pressure.

This episode is sponsored by Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning and the M&A Culture Building Institute.

What happens when leadership is tested in front of the cameras? Host Dr. Shanda Gore welcomes back Ms. DeAnna Emborski for an exciting update on her journey since her first appearance on the show. From her recent experience as a featured charter guest on Bravo's Below Deck Down Under to her continued work as a speaker, actress, and advocate, DeAnna shares what she's learned about staying authentic, communicating under pressure, and leading with confidence when the spotlight is on.

This episode is sponsored by Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning and the M&A Culture Building Institute.

What can leaders learn from the metal recycling and trading industry? More than you might think. Host Dr. Shanda Gore talks with Mr. Patrick Richardson, a senior trader with Kripke Enterprises, about finding value where others may see waste. He shares how Kripke’s value of “doing what we say” shows up in daily decision-making, why strong relationships can create solutions and opportunities, and how recycling connects to larger conversations around sustainability, strategy, and leadership.  

This episode is sponsored by Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning and the M&A Culture Building Institute.

What does it really take to succeed in executive leadership? Host Dr. Shanda Gore sits down with Dr. Aparna Joshi, Professor of Management at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and a top 2% world scientist according to Stratford University. Hear about the qualities that consistently appear among successful CEOs, why the path to executive leadership may differ for women and men, and how organizational culture shapes long-term success.

This episode is sponsored by Mavillino Custom Homes and the MANE™ Intelligence Network.

What can leaders learn from the game of golf? Golf requires patience, focus, strategy, emotional control, and the ability to recover from setbacks. These same qualities are essential for effective leadership. 

Host Dr. Shanda Gore welcomes golf professional Nick Graf and his father, David Graf, a PGA Master, for a conversation about the power of golf and the lessons it teaches beyond the course.  

This episode is sponsored by Mavillino Custom Homes and the MANE™ Intelligence Network.

What does it mean to lead through service? Host Dr. Shanda Gore sits down with Ms. Candice Harrison, the new President of the Rotary Club of Toledo. From honoring Rotary’s long-standing legacy to building new momentum for the future, this conversation is a great reminder that leadership is not only about influence… It's also about service, purpose, and bringing people together to make a difference.

This episode is sponsored by Mavillino Custom Homes and the MANE™ Intelligence Network.

Many people believe they have a book in them, but knowing where to begin can be the hardest part. Host Dr. Shanda Gore talks with PinLeader™ Press Publishing Associate Ms. Katie Gilliland, who is also the Owner of Finch & Fern Book Co. 

Learn how authors can turn meaningful ideas, leadership lessons, and professional expertise into nonfiction books that can have an impact on leaders who need it.

This episode is sponsored by Mavillino Custom Homes and the MANE™ Intelligence Network.