Red Light, Green Light

Cindy reunites with Miles Kailburn (CEO), Val Kailburn (Chief Creative Officer), and Keri Luginbill (Chief Growth Officer) of OTM (formerly Old Town Media) to discuss the firm's evolution from a high-volume web development shop to a B2B-focused sales and marketing consultancy serving professional services and SaaS clients nationwide. They reflect on early work with Cindy that helped define core values, mission, and culture—elements they say still guide hiring, client relationships, and operations more than a decade later. The conversation covers adapting through industry "S-curves," growth during COVID due to high-lifetime-value sectors, and how AI is shifting work toward deeper strategy, data foundations, and managed infrastructure. They also address "AI slop," the need for humanized design, and the rising premium on authentic storytelling and presentation skills.

Erika Hecht, author of "The Leader Effect: How to Grow Faster by Leading the Market" and leader of Market Ascent, discusses replacing outdated sales and marketing playbooks with growth through industry leadership. Hecht also explains how companies stuck chasing leads and quarterly numbers can become magnets by defining a bold leadership stance, aligning teams, and demonstrating market leadership daily to build trust and shorten the path to senior decision makers. She outlines her trademarked framework—Accelerate (define the market and energize go-to-market), Elevate (co-create value through collaboration and co-innovation), and Dominate (advance the industry for greater impact, not ego). Examples include a space-industry organization that achieved $125M economic impact and grew a 6,000-person community, and energy leaders convened to drive digital co-innovation around safety and risk. Hecht shares her personal "don't be vanilla" story, emphasizing proactive leadership, authenticity, and matching tech innovation with go-to-market innovation.

Cindy interviews Reamonn Soto, CEO of Sensatek Propulsion Technologies, which develops passive wireless (radio-frequency) temperature and strain sensors—high-temperature "stickers"—for measuring rotating machinery like jet engines where conventional instrumentation is difficult. Soto explains how earlier, more accurate data reduces uncertainty, accelerates design-test loops, improves engine efficiency, durability, and reliability, supports root-cause analysis for fielded industrial engines, and enables continuous monitoring to help predict failures, including in recreational aircraft where many accidents are engine-related. He recounts struggling in math and science in high school, joining the Marine Corps after 9/11, a turning point through faith, then studying physics at Florida A&M, building a low-cost antenna project, and pursuing aeronautics research at Embry-Riddle. Soto shares a major red-light moment: after a 2019 $2M raise, the pandemic and venture "nuclear winter" led to near-cash exhaustion and major team reductions; a green-light followed when strategic investments from Invenergy and Constellation validated his adaptable, problem-first approach. He discusses being selected for DOE lab-embedded programs (including West Gate), gaining funding, access to lab equipment, and communication/storytelling coaching, and previews upcoming sensing technology releases and growth opportunities amid new aviation standards, electric propulsion, and expanded partnerships across OEMs and airframers.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

01:14 Meet Reamonn Soto

02:48 Sensors For Jet Engines

04:57 Sticker Sensor Benefits

09:36 Finding His Path

10:09 From Marines To Physics

12:57 Jet Lab Breakthrough

16:13 Faith And Leadership Shift

20:41 Red Light Cash Crisis

25:26 Green Light Strategic Backing

28:27 West Gate Program Wins

30:39 Communication As Advantage

33:33 Whats Next For Sensatek

37:17 Final Thanks And Wrap

Drawing Out Your Genius with Lisa Rothstein | Smile, Slide, Sketch & Visual Storytelling

Host Cindy Skalicky welcomes Lisa Rothstein, CEO and founder of Drawing Out Your Genius, a cartoonist and visual artist whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and author of the award-winning book Drawing Out Your Genius. Lisa recounts her early love of comics, a long advertising and copywriting career, and how drawing in client sessions helped people understand complex ideas through visualization. She describes pivoting into graphic recording and virtual visual note-taking during COVID to combat "Zoom hell," improve engagement, and help teams remember key points. Lisa explains how advertising honed her ability to distill and extract value from technical detail, shares her "three Cs" framework (character, concepts, context), and introduces "smile, slide, sketch" for keeping presentations engaging. She outlines her book's SKETCH structure, where to buy it, and a free bridge-sketch download.

In this episode, Cindy interviews Chris McGuire, an executive producer and writer with 20+ years in late-night TV who now produces "high-stakes live moments" like keynotes, annual events, and founder pitches. McGuire explains how he helps presenters look natural by optimizing teleprompter use, camera placement, briefing, and format so events don't feel scripted or like a "hostage video." Drawing from stand-up and comedy writing, he stresses preparation through extensive reps, obsessing over the opening, and tailoring messages to the specific audience rather than relying on credentials or canned talks. He shares tactics for building trust and engagement, including using humor rooted in audience "Wednesday frustrations," visuals that do the comedic work, and prompts that let the audience generate jokes. McGuire describes his process of reviewing prior events, rebuilding openings, and aligning emotional arcs, and previews work on a large SaaS event plus his four-week "Be a Pain Point Detective" group coaching program.

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Paul Melnychuk, Chief Commercial Officer, and Deric Frisch, VP of Business Development for North America at Clayens, a global CDMO for engineered polymers with 28+ plants across nine countries. They explain the company name, core capabilities across thermoset and thermoplastic manufacturing, and how Clayens' parts support critical, high-stress applications in electrical infrastructure, data centers, aerospace and defense, healthcare, industrial, and automotive. The conversation covers North American growth through acquisitions, fast integration and culture alignment, cutting-edge thixomolding for magnesium parts, and the importance of value-add quoting and listening to customer needs. They share leadership and communication lessons on audience alignment, confident wording, transparency during disruptions like COVID, oil price shifts, and currency changes, and outline goals to expand brand recognition and reach $1B by 2030.

#RedLightGreenLight #CindySkalicky #Clayens #CDMO #EngineeredPolymers #Thermoset #Thermoplastic #InjectionMolding #Manufacturing #BusinessDevelopment #CommercialStrategy #Leadership #StrategicStorytelling #Communication #Presentations #CustomerRelationships #Transparency #Trust #Acquisitions #Integration #Aerospace #Defense #Healthcare #DataCenters #ElectricalInfrastructure #Innovation #Thixomolding #Magnesium #BrandBuilding #GrowthStrategy #1Bby2030

In this episode of Red Light, Green Light, host Cindy Skalicky interviews Paul Melnychuk, Chief Commercial Officer, and Deric Frisch, VP of Business Development for North America at Clayens, a global CDMO for engineered polymers with 28+ plants across nine countries. They explain the company name, core capabilities across thermoset and thermoplastic manufacturing, and how Clayens' parts support critical, high-stress applications in electrical infrastructure, data centers, aerospace and defense, healthcare, industrial, and automotive. The conversation covers North American growth through acquisitions, fast integration and culture alignment, cutting-edge thixomolding for magnesium parts, and the importance of value-add quoting and listening to customer needs. They share leadership and communication lessons on audience alignment, confident wording, transparency during disruptions like COVID, oil price shifts, and currency changes, and outline goals to expand brand recognition and reach $1B by 2030.

In this episode, Cindy Skalicky interviews Mark Roberts Schwartz, who shares insights on the significance of core values in storytelling and business. Mark emphasizes that core values serve as the foundational DNA of an organization, guiding its mission, vision, and overall culture. He discusses the importance of aligning hiring practices with these values and how they should be integrated into daily operations. The conversation also explores the concept of the 'Red Apples Way,' which articulates core values in a memorable way, and the necessity of consistently communicating these values to ensure they resonate within the organization. In this engaging conversation, Cindy Skalicky and Marc Robertz Schwartz explore the significance of repetition in learning, the journey of publishing a book, and the importance of core values. Marc shares insights from his experiences in television and how storytelling can captivate audiences. They also reflect on personal growth and the impact of core memories, particularly in relation to significant events like 9/11. The discussion emphasizes the power of storytelling and the importance of understanding one's values in both personal and professional contexts.

I hope you enjoy this episode! 
Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.

Cindy

#redlightgreenlight #onpoint #podcast #podcastshow #newepisode #foryou #foryoupage
#business #advice #success #leadership #podcast #fyp #redlightgreenlightpodcast #businessleadership #storytelling #mentorship #effectivecommunication #mindsetshifts #navigatingchange #podcastforleaders
We explore business and leadership, helping you spot red light behaviors that create risk and doubt while embracing green light strategies that drive success. Learn about the power of silence in communication, storytelling for impactful presentations, and the importance of mentorship. Discover why your ability to learn is more important than what you know, how walking the circle in leadership builds trust, and why you are in charge of your calendar. Plus, we cover mindset shifts, navigating change, and podcast coaching for leaders to help you grow.
#Leadership #WildfireResponse #EmergencyManagement #Innovation #FirstResponders #Technology #PublicSafety #Entrepreneurship #SatelliteCommunications #DisasterResponse #RedLightGreenLightPodcast

In this episode, Cindy Skalicky interviews Mark Roberts Schwartz, who shares insights on the significance of core values in storytelling and business. Mark emphasizes that core values serve as the foundational DNA of an organization, guiding its mission, vision, and overall culture. He discusses the importance of aligning hiring practices with these values and how they should be integrated into daily operations. The conversation also explores the concept of the 'Red Apples Way,' which articulates core values in a memorable way, and the necessity of consistently communicating these values to ensure they resonate within the organization. In this engaging conversation, Cindy Skalicky and Marc Robertz Schwartz explore the significance of repetition in learning, the journey of publishing a book, and the importance of core values. Marc shares insights from his experiences in television and how storytelling can captivate audiences. They also reflect on personal growth and the impact of core memories, particularly in relation to significant events like 9/11. The discussion emphasizes the power of storytelling and the importance of understanding one's values in both personal and professional contexts.

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.

Cindy

#redlightgreenlight #onpoint #podcast #podcastshow #newepisode #foryou #foryoupage #business #advice #success #leadership #podcast #fyp #redlightgreenlightpodcast #businessleadership #storytelling #mentorship #effectivecommunication #mindsetshifts #navigatingchange #podcastforleaders We explore business and leadership, helping you spot red light behaviors that create risk and doubt while embracing green light strategies that drive success. Learn about the power of silence in communication, storytelling for impactful presentations, and the importance of mentorship. Discover why your ability to learn is more important than what you know, how walking the circle in leadership builds trust, and why you are in charge of your calendar. Plus, we cover mindset shifts, navigating change, and podcast coaching for leaders to help you grow. #Leadership #WildfireResponse #EmergencyManagement #Innovation #FirstResponders #Technology #PublicSafety #Entrepreneurship #SatelliteCommunications #DisasterResponse #RedLightGreenLightPodcast

In this episode, Liz Szporn shares her journey from education to becoming a Profit First Professional, highlighting how behavioral cash management transforms businesses and personal lives. Discover practical insights on pricing, storytelling, and building confidence to thrive in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

Liz Szporn's career transition from education to Profit First The core principles of Profit First and behavioral cash management How storytelling influences business growth and client engagement Pricing strategies and overcoming confidence barriers The impact of authentic communication on business success AI's role in bookkeeping and the future of financial advisory The importance of sharing personal success stories to inspire clients Building relationships and trust in financial services

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.

Cindy

#redlightgreenlight #onpoint #podcast #podcastshow #newepisode #foryou #foryoupage #business #advice #success #leadership #podcast #fyp #redlightgreenlightpodcast #businessleadership #storytelling #mentorship #effectivecommunication #mindsetshifts #navigatingchange #podcastforleaders We explore business and leadership, helping you spot red light behaviors that create risk and doubt while embracing green light strategies that drive success. Learn about the power of silence in communication, storytelling for impactful presentations, and the importance of mentorship. Discover why your ability to learn is more important than what you know, how walking the circle in leadership builds trust, and why you are in charge of your calendar. Plus, we cover mindset shifts, navigating change, and podcast coaching for leaders to help you grow. #Leadership #WildfireResponse #EmergencyManagement #Innovation #FirstResponders #Technology #PublicSafety #Entrepreneurship #SatelliteCommunications #DisasterResponse #RedLightGreenLightPodcast