Power & Impact

On today's Power & Impact, I sit down with Dr. Chloe Carmichael, licensed clinical psychologist and author of the upcoming book Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly. Together, we explore how fear, censorship, and cancel culture are reshaping how we communicate, and how we can reclaim authentic dialogue in a divided world.

From writing a viral blog about child masking that prompted her move to Florida, to speaking at Fortune 500 companies and global law firms about "cancellation anxiety," Dr. Chloe shares her personal journey and professional insights on the psychology of free expression, self-censorship, and the loneliness epidemic.

We unpack the difference between healthy self-restraint and harmful repression, the risks of avoiding "real talk" in workplaces and friendships, and how groupthink and fear of disagreement can quietly erode mental health. Dr. Chloe also shares the surprising ways homeschooling and open dialogue have deepened her own thinking and her family's life.

If you've ever felt unsure whether you're allowed to speak your mind, this episode is your permission slip to ask the bigger questions.

Aging isn't a decline, it's an opportunity. One of Fortune's top health reporters is here to prove it.

On today's Power & Impact, I sit down with Alexa Mikhail, health and wellness reporter at Fortune, to explore how longevity, connection, and conscious living are transforming not just how we age, but how we thinkabout aging.

From growing up in a health-focused family in Ann Arbor to leading global health coverage alongside the Gates Foundation, Alexa shares her journey from theater dreams to bylines at one of the world's most respected business publications.

We unpack the rise of the longevity economy, why social connection might matter more than supplements, and how media narratives are finally embracing a more empowering view of aging. Alexa also shares her own wellness routines, including running, boxing, and navigating balance, as well as the deeper reasons behind today's wellness movement.

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to live a longer, fuller life, this episode is your starting line.

On today's Power & Impact, I sit down with Harriette Cole, journalist, bestselling author, coach, and professor to talk about how to live with purpose, grace, and vision. From modeling runways at 13 to shaping Essence magazine's editorial voice, Harriette has spent her life crafting a message of excellence rooted in her family's legacy of service, style, and strength.

We unpack the power of upbringing, the value of historically Black institutions like Howard University, and how legacy, discipline, and dreaming big can shape a remarkable life. Harriette opens up about her parents' influence, her journey to entrepreneurship, and what it means to manifest your vision, whether through a syndicated advice column, coaching music icons, or her transformative 100 Day Plan.

If you're looking to unlock your next chapter, this episode is your first step.

On today's Power & Impact, I sit down with Dr. Uma Naidoo, Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, and author of This Is Your Brain on Food and Calm Your Mind with Food, to talk about how what we eat profoundly shapes how we feel. From growing up in South Africa with a garden-tending grandmother to founding the first hospital-based nutritional psychiatry clinic at Harvard, Dr. Uma shares her journey and the science behind why food truly is medicine.

We break down the gut-brain connection, explore the rise of anxiety and what foods help soothe it, and examine how ultra-processed diets are silently sabotaging our mental health. Dr. Uma reveals what it really means to "eat whole, be whole," why sugar-laced foods are marketed as healthy, and how something as simple as drinking water can shift your emotional state.

Plus, hear how one reader overcame lifelong anxiety using her protocol, what foods she would order at dinner, and why gut testing might soon become a routine part of your check-up. If you have ever wondered how to eat for better focus, calmer moods, or fewer prescriptions, this is the conversation for you.

On today's Power & Impact episode, I sit down with Greg Licciardi, professor, marketer, and now author of Holy Grail of Marketing, to talk about what it really takes to connect with consumers in a fast-evolving digital world. From his classroom at Fordham and Seton Hall to the frontlines of martech consulting, Greg shares how a decade of teaching inspired a framework that simplifies marketing without losing its soul.

Greg walks us through the five-part formula he's coined as the "Holy Grail," covering how the right person, message, time, environment, and outcome must align for modern marketing to resonate, emotionally and measurably. We dive into how AI is reshaping personalization, why brand purpose still matters more than ever, and what Wendy's taught him about timing, targeting, and temptation.

Plus, hear how a conversation with his wife sparked the launch of the book, why CMOs need to think more like CROs, and what career advice he's giving the next generation of marketers in a world where AI is the new creative partner.

What does it take to make someone feel like royalty every time they walk through your doors?

On today's Power & Impact, I sit down with Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, to talk all things global luxury. From his roots in Istanbul to leading two of the most iconic hotel brands in the world, Omer shares the values that drive his leadership: deep cultural curiosity, emotional intelligence in service, and the power of small gestures to create unforgettable guest experiences.

Omer opens up about balancing global travel with family life, how he instills a people-first culture across continents, and why creating a "home away from home" is more than just a tagline, it's a mission. Plus, a surprise Diet Coke moment that perfectly captures what luxury hospitality is all about.

Ever walked away from a sale wondering, 'What just happened?' So did Dr. Robert Cialdini and it sparked a revolution in psychology.

On today's episode of Power and Impact, I sit down with Dr. Robert Cialdini, psychologist and author of Influence, to unpack the universal principles that drive human behavior and persuasion. From growing up in a multicultural Milwaukee neighborhood to infiltrating sales and marketing organizations undercover, Dr. Cialdini shares the fascinating journey that shaped his groundbreaking research on influence.

Together, we explore the powerful stories behind the seven principles of persuasion—reciprocity, authority, scarcity, consistency, liking, social proof, and the most recent addition, unity—and how they show up in everything from political campaigns to online reviews to handwritten notes. You'll hear how a well-timed compliment and a ticking clock once convinced a broke college student (Cialdini himself) to buy a magazine subscription he didn't want—and how that moment became the spark for a lifelong career.

Whether you're a marketer, a leader, or just curious about what makes people say "yes," this episode is full of insights that will change how you see the world and how you communicate within it.

In today's episode of Power and Impact, Jim sits down with Tom Williams, a former Naval officer turned financial expert, to unpack a remarkable life journey filled with service, strategy, and reinvention. Tom reflects on his early life in small-town Arkansas, his transformative experience at the U.S. Naval Academy, and his front-line role in the first Gulf War, where he launched the first Tomahawk cruise missile and conducted a dramatic helicopter rescue.

From nuclear engineering to high-stakes decision-making under pressure, Tom shares how military discipline shaped his transition to Wall Street, where he carved out a niche in the emerging world of derivatives. From complex financial tools to insight into global markets and geopolitical risks, Tom reveals how calm under fire has guided both his military and civilian success.

In this episode, we sit down with Jessie James Decker and Eric Decker, multitalented entrepreneurs, parents of four, and partners in both life and business. Hosted by Jim McCann, founder of 1-800-Flowers.com, and ReShon Anderson, General Manager of Things Remembered, this conversation dives into the Deckers' journey from NFL stadiums and concert stages to raising a young family and building brands with meaning.

Jessie shares her evolution from singer-songwriter to fashion founder, opening up about the challenges of launching and growing her brand Kittenish, balancing creativity with motherhood, and staying grounded through faith. Eric reflects on life after football, the impact of a simple gesture for a young fan, and how he's rediscovering purpose through family, community, and service work.

We explore their approach to parenting, creating meaningful family traditions, and raising kids with strong values in a tech-saturated world. They talk candidly about navigating marriage, managing ambition, and finding joy in the everyday moments. From bedtime rituals and birthday blowouts to entrepreneurial hustle and shared growth, this episode is an intimate portrait of a couple devoted to doing life together.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Somi Javaid, a board-certified OB/GYN, surgeon, and founder of HerMD, a groundbreaking healthcare platform redefining how women receive care. Dedicated to closing the gender gap in medicine, HerMD specializes in menopause, sexual health, and gynecology, offering a patient-first approach that is long overdue. Dr. Javaid is not only a medical leader but also a trailblazer in FemTech. She is among the fewer than 0.4% of women of color in the U.S. to secure venture capital funding. Her bold vision and relentless advocacy have earned her recognition on Inc.'s Female Founders 250 list as she continues to transform women's healthcare nationwide. In our conversation, Dr. Javaid shares her powerful journey, from her early days as a pre-med student to becoming a national voice for change in women's health. She opens up about the personal experiences that inspired HerMD, the systemic barriers she's fought to overcome, and the innovations reshaping care as we know it. From the concept of "medical magic" to her mission of expanding access through digital platforms, Dr. Javaid offers a candid and inspiring look at what it truly means to reimagine healthcare for women, by women.