When small business owners struggle to adapt, it’s often not just a tech issue—it’s a purpose and awareness issue. Larry Mandelberg explains that knowing what value you offer, who needs it, and how to deliver it is what truly positions you to pivot. Without clarity of purpose and vision, it’s hard to make strategic decisions under pressure.

Larry outlines key warning signs that a business is being undermined by its own success: resistance to change, duplicated work, roles shaped by personal preferences instead of organizational needs, and recurring problems that never get fully resolved. He stresses that these issues often stem from fixing symptoms, not root causes. Inconsistent treatment of clients is another red flag—one that demands clear, documented policies to ensure fairness and avoid confusion as the company grows.

As businesses grow, leaders must rely on middle management and shared vision to maintain alignment. Mandelberg presents a proven framework for sustainable growth, rooted in human behavior. He emphasizes self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and coaching as keys to unlearning habits that no longer serve.

About Larry Mandelberg:

Larry Mandelberg from Bordeaux, France, solves complex problems.

This consultant, speaker and author represents the 5th generation of his family’s business and 170 years of experience with organizational success.

Larry has launched four start-ups, led a merger, and performed a successful turnaround. (That’s evidence of six complex problems, solved.) A prolific writer, Larry has published more than 80 columns.

As a sought-after speaker, Mandelberg has delivered more than 60 business-changing keynotes and workshops. He has been a guest on television and radio programs talking about business and entrepreneurship.

His new book, Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide presents 23 years of primary research into why businesses fail from an entertaining and thought provoking perspective.

www.mandelberg.biz

www.linkedin.com/in/larrymandelberg/

www.studio.youtube.com/channel/UCupYf2iuvXbI4PIHORts_Ug/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564438141924

www.amazon.com/Businesses-Dont-Fail-Commit-Suicide/dp/1662438214

www.mandelberg.biz/category/podcast/

Filmmaker and adventurer Barry Walton shares how failure became a foundation for growth—and why the stories we tell ourselves are rarely the full truth. He explores the idea that truth isn’t something we own but something we test and refine in community. From early childhood setbacks to major film projects that didn’t go as planned, Barry reflects on reframing failure, pushing through doubt, and the courage it takes to truly listen.

Barry and I dive into the nuanced tension between persistence and knowing when to pivot. We explore how decision-making isn’t always logical—it’s often guided by heart, spirit, and the deeper questions we’re willing to ask ourselves. We also touch on how language shapes perception, and why shifting our focus change everything.

Barry shares his experience filming Empty America during the 2020 lockdowns—capturing a nation in eerie stillness. From deserted highways to ghost-town cities like Vegas and NYC, the compliance was staggering. What began as a trip to the Utah desert turned into a haunting cross-country quest for truth. The silence raised questions many were too afraid to ask. Many bonded over one key factor, and that bond makes it hard to look back and question. Barry likens it to unaddressed trauma: one moment can reshape a life, especially when no one wants to revisit it.

About Barry Walton:

Barry Walton from Florida is an Emmy Award-winning producer and author whose work spans documentary, commercial, and narrative storytelling. As the founder of Endless Media, he’s spent his career bringing impactful stories to life for brands, sports franchises, and networks like FOX Sports and IPG | Mediabrands. His documentary and branded content have earned multiple industry accolades, including the Golden Matrix Award. As an author, Barry has published two books — Empty America, a haunting exploration of the U.S. during the first global pLan-demic, and his latest, The Unknown Adventurer, a deeply personal journey that explores love, God, philosophy, and life’s biggest questions. Barry’s work — whether on screen or on the page — is driven by a commitment to truth, curiosity, and storytelling that connects us to something greater.

www.endlessmedia1.com

www.endlessmedia1.com/reel

www.facebook.com/WaltonBarry

www.linkedin.com/in/barry-g-walton/

www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3q2CEGwwmqaxoYOzVrC1A

www.endlessmedia1.com/free

In this episode with Rebecca Vickers from Georgia/U.S., we dive into the art of effective delegation and its powerful role in leadership growth. They explore why delegation isn’t just about offloading tasks, but about thoughtfully assigning responsibilities that challenge and develop team members. With a focus on communication, trust, and understanding individual strengths, they reveal how leaders can create environments where people not only take ownership but thrive through intentional guidance and clear expectations.

Rebecca shares practical ways to manage up effectively, like sending concise end-of-day reports that highlight key outcomes and next steps, ensuring transparency and proactive communication. She emphasizes improving existing systems rather than waiting for change, following through on commitments, and adapting communication to fit different leadership styles. Understanding your manager’s preferences and keeping messages clear and relevant builds trust and strengthens your leadership impact. Rebecca highlights that occasionally feeling overwhelmed is normal, but with the right tools and prioritization, you can stay focused despite distractions. She stresses prioritizing tasks aligned with company goals and being proactive with your time to avoid shiny-object syndrome.

About Rebecca Vickers:

Rebecca Vickers is a dynamic professional with experience in both digital marketing and operations. As VP of Operations at FMO Media, she thrives on coaching her team, cultivating client relationships, devising successful strategies, and developing effective systems. A firm believer in empowering others, Rebecca's goal is to foster stronger leaders, cohesive teams, and well-rounded individuals. Rebecca is a proud alumna of Loyola University Maryland (B.A.), Villanova University (M.A.), and Eastern University (M.B.A.).

www.greatleaderspodcast.com

www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccacuretonvickers

www.greatleaderspodcast.com

What happens when love becomes a radical act of leadership? In this moving episode, Amber Mikesell from Arizona shares the soul-stirring moment that led her to walk away from a high-level executive role in pursuit of something deeper—leading from the heart. We talk about the taboos around love in business, the courage it takes to live in alignment with your soul, and how true leadership starts with inner resonance. If you've ever felt the disconnect between success on paper and meaning in your heart, this conversation is for you.

Amber introduces “heartstorming,” an approach that taps into emotion and purpose before ever touching a whiteboard for a brainstorming process. She shares how leading with heart creates buy-in, drives creativity, and sparks passion in ways traditional leadership rarely can. We also dive into the risks of leaving heart out of decision-making—and why playing it safe might actually be the bigger risk.

When the inner critic gets loud, how do we hear the quieter truth of our hearts? Amber reveals how most people operate with just 2% positive thoughts—and offers simple tools to shift that pattern. We explore how to move from self-judgment to self-compassion, why one powerful question can shift everything, and how curiosity can prevent unnecessary conflict.

About Amber Mikesell:

Amber Mikesell is a globally recognized visionary leader and educator. The Founder and Chief Lead Minister of Suivera, a multi-faith nonprofit organization igniting a global movement of heart-centered leadership, her career spans 113 countries and has impacted over 1,000,000 lives. Amber blends ancient wisdom and modern science to empower human potential. She holds advanced certifications in traditional wisdoms such as Ayurveda and TCM, and modern knowledge with a Bachelors in Interpersonal and Organization Communication and a Masters in Quantum Sciences, allowing her to speak to the science and spirituality of love as the catalyst for healing and connection.

www.ambermikesell.com

www.facebook.com/AmberMikesellCoaching

www.linkedin.com/in/amber-mikesell

Instagram: @ammikesell22

www.suivera.org/silence-your-inner-critic

https://www.youtube.com/@TheHeartLeaderPodcast

What if the key to tomorrow’s leaders lies in yesterday’s playtime? When S.S. (Shannon Sue) Coulter told her stepkids to go outside and play, she didn’t expect them to come back five minutes later saying, “We don’t know what to do.” That moment kicked off a 16-year mission to help families reclaim play as a vital foundation for real-life skills. In this episode, she shares how unstructured, imaginative play naturally builds leadership traits—from collaboration and negotiation to critical thinking, creativity, and confidence—and why tech is quietly robbing kids of all of it.

S.S. explains how her app helps tired parents easily inspire kids to play by offering quick, fun activity ideas that build both body and mind. By tying activities to points and rewards, she taps into kids’ natural motivation while encouraging healthy habits. She emphasizes that play fosters essential soft skills like confidence, resilience, and problem-solving, which prepare kids to show up stronger as adults—and why it’s urgent to fix what technology has taken away.

S.S. highlights how play nurtures creativity, collaboration, and self-discovery, even indoors with simple items like pillows. She also shares how her The Fassa Tails book series models leadership through animal characters.

Each story includes activities and talking points to engage kids and parents in meaningful conversations about leadership traits.

About S.S. Coulter:

S. S. Coulter is here to play—and she’s your go-to for FUN. She helps busy parents feel extraordinary about their parenting. Her children’s book series, The Fassa Tails, creative activities, and the upcoming activity app offer screen-lite, easy ways to get kids playing, imagining, and moving. Her mission: to help the next generation build balance in mind, heart, and body—and develop a healthy relationship with technology—all while simply being kids and having fun.

www.SSCoulter.com

www.youtube.com/channel/UCGKODtab9_AgYA1Xqaj8kiA

www.linkedin.com/company/fassa-tails-books

www.facebook.com/SSCoulter7

x.com/SS_Coulter

www.instagram.com/s.s.coulter/

www.amzn.to/46QCACH

Chelsea speaks candidly about the illusion of leadership and the dynamics behind power. Some rise through integrity — but many are propped up by ego, fear, or a hunger for recognition. She unpacks how people can become “yes men,” not necessarily out of malice, but from the lure of status and acceptance. We explore the deeper cost of aligning with systems that reward compliance over character. And we touch on the idea that even those dynamics can be seen through a neutral, spiritual lens.

Chelsea reminds us that fear isn’t just fed to us — it’s something we often agree to carry. She speaks powerfully about personal responsibility and the unconscious ways we opt into societal programming. From her own experience overcoming addiction, Chelsea offers rare insight into true self-leadership — and how transmuting fear can radically shift our lives. She also shares what drew her to facilitating psychedelic experiences — not as an escape, but as a tool for integration, clarity, and authentic transformation. Sometimes deep shifts happen more easily when we allow playfulness and presence. So we’re not suggesting a specific path — just inviting curiosity about what’s possible.

About Chelsea Goucher

Chelsea Goucher from Tennessee is an intuitive coach and psychedelic facilitator interested in the intersection of consciousness expansion with personal development and collective evolution. A former corporate saleswoman who left her career to pursue Truth and a felt mission to liberate others, Chelsea is committed to the free exploration of ideas, non-hierarchical community, and assisting her clients to expand their perception of Self and become happier and more fulfilled individuals. Chelsea also teaches yoga, enjoys the performance arts, and is an open book on her experiences of overcoming addiction, co-dependency, and abusive relationships.

www.awakeningchandra.com

www.facebook.com/chelsea.goucher

www.facebook.com/onthetrailwithchelsea

www.instagram.com/awakeningchandra

Stefanie Carlstedt from Nebraska shares how moving away from cookie-cutter leadership transformed her approach to managing teams. She explains why understanding individual differences—through tools like Human Design—can shift team dynamics, reduce burnout, and improve results. You’ll hear how recognizing the different types – Manifestors, Generators, Manifesting Generators, Projectors, and Reflectors – can shape better roles, workflows, and communication. Stefanie also breaks down how decision-making styles vary by design and why honoring those differences matters for leaders and teams alike.

We explore how Human Design can support team growth and individual development. Stef shares how understanding your own design helps you lead more effectively—without trying to be someone you’re not. Stefanie unpacks how energy alignment influences leadership presence, and how self-awareness can prevent common leadership traps. You’ll hear practical examples of how honoring design differences fosters trust and smoother collaboration, and leads to smarter delegation.

About Stefanie (Stef) Carlstedt:

Stefanie from Nebraska helps individuals, leaders, and teams stop swimming upstream and start living in alignment with how they’re uniquely wired.

Blending practical coaching with energetic clarity, she guides people back to who they truly are—before the world told them who to be.

Whether she’s breaking down Human Design myths, decoding relationships, or uncovering the root of burnout, Stefanie delivers grounded insight and real-world tools that create peace, purpose, and momentum.

She’s supported parents, entrepreneurs, and teams alike—and has been featured on the top 50 podcast Women Inspiring Women. Stefanie’s calm, clear approach helps people feel seen, safe, and ready to reclaim their energy purpose.

www.stefcarlstedt.com

www.instagram.com/stefaniecarlstedt

www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8gakm-18b5cbc

www.stefcarlstedt.com/hdreport

Karen Gray’s path to coaching began in a rodeo arena, where helping her daughter build confidence uncovered Karen’s own need for healing. That journey grew into a passion for guiding others — from rodeo queens to corporate leaders — to find their voice and own the stage. Karen also shares how the stories we tell ourselves can distort reality — and how choosing better interpretations can shift everything. Confidence, she reminds us, starts with how you see yourself.

That moment of self-awareness Karen describes—seeing intimidation as a signal, not a stop sign—is powerful. It turns comparison into curiosity, and fear into fuel. By leaning into relationships that once felt daunting, she opened doors to growth and greater confidence. It’s a reminder that discomfort often points us toward expansion. And that insight naturally leads to a process: her VIP framework, which starts by reconnecting with what truly matters—our values, intentions, and purpose. In her upcoming book Chosen, Coach Karen Gray explores how childhood experiences—like being adopted and internalizing unspoken fears—shaped her and other people’s voice and their path back to self-trust and speaking up.

About Karen Gray:

Karen Gray from Texas is the CEO/Founder of Gray Legacy Coaching and President of Texas Business Women. Her journey—shaped by her adoption, trauma, and healing, taught her that our past doesn’t define our worth; it’s our choices that build our legacy. As a Professional Certified Coach, she is considered to be a secret weapon for executive women as she ignites unshakable confidence, empowering them to break through self-doubt and glass ceilings to claim their indisputable worth and value. Using her ViQ (Value Intelligence) Method and Energy Leadership principles, she intuitively guides women on a journey of mindset mastery. With over 30 years of leadership experience and 16 years of coaching, Karen helps women create lives and legacies filled with purpose, abundance, and joy.

www.CoachKarenGray.com 

www.GrayLegacyPartners.com

https://Facebook.com/KarenGrayCoach

https://Instagram.com/CoachKarenGray

www.linkedin.com/in/coachkarengray-confidence-and-leadership-coach

Podcast:  Rock Movers  (where ever you watch or listen to your favorite shows)

www.youtube.com/@coachkarengray

FREE SELF WORTH ARCHETYPE QUIZ: www.coachkarengray.com/self-worth-quiz

FREE E-Book “Unleash Your Inner Confidence” www.coachkarengray.com/free-resources

Greg Weinger from Oregon opens up about hitting a wall in senior leadership despite a stellar resume—and why achievement alone wasn't enough, especially as an introvert. He shares how executive coaching and Susan Cain’s Quiet helped him rethink what it means to lead. Introversion became not a weakness to fix, but a trait to understand and leverage. Greg describes mentoring introverts and learning to create space for their strengths. He highlights how engineering teams often process feedback differently—and why that matters.

Stillness isn’t weakness—it’s where power lives. Introverts can command a room without raising their voice. When silence is used with intention, it draws attention and earns trust. Presence—true, grounded presence—is a form of leadership that transcends volume. The real strength lies in responding, not reacting, even in tough conversations. This episode redefines power, and it may not be what you’ve been told. It will shift how you see leadership, personality, and team dynamics.

Greg shares communication strategies for introverts, highlighting the value of building one-on-one relationships and preparing in advance to earn respect and influence in group settings, and we also chat about the nuances of introversion, ambiversion, and personal growth.

About Greg Weinger

Greg Weinger has spent over 20 years proving that introverts and unconventional thinkers can thrive in leadership. A seasoned product and technology executive, he has helped scale startups 10X to $70M+ in revenue, leading teams that build market-leading digital products and drive business growth. A Stanford graduate, he studied English literature, creative writing, and software engineering—giving him a unique ability to blend technical expertise, storytelling, and strategic thinking to make complex ideas accessible and actionable.

Greg is the author and host of Powerful Introvert, a Substack publication and podcast dedicated to helping introverts unlock their leadership potential. A sought-after speaker, he challenges outdated leadership norms and explores how organizations can create inclusive leadership structures that embrace diverse working styles.

www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryweinger/

www.instagram.com/powerful_introvert

https://powerfulintrovert.substack.com/

www.youtube.com/@powerfulintrovert

Discipline doesn’t have to feel like a dirty word. In this energizing conversation, martial arts master Jason Flame from California joins me to explore what discipline really means –and how it can become a supportive structure rather than a source of pressure. We talk morning routines, personal "shoulds," belt systems, and Jason’s 75 Hard experience. We get into what it actually takes to follow through – especially when no one's pushing you. It's a real look at building discipline on your own terms, without the clichés.

Jason shares how an unexpected moment launched his lifelong teaching career—and how stepping up without overthinking shaped his path. We explore the balance between consistency and adaptability, especially when life throws curveballs. From teaching kids to leading teams, Jason highlights the importance of meeting people where they are. And yes, even martial arts instructors need a flexible mindset.

Jason’s journey from a young entrepreneur to a seasoned business consultant underscores the power of mentorship and community engagement. By investing in relationships and giving back, he has cultivated a thriving business that serves as a pillar in his community.

About Jason Flame:

Jason Flame, owner of Moorpark Karate & Krav Maga in Moorpark, California, began his martial arts journey in 1985 and opened his first school in 1996. He holds an 8th Degree Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, and Black Belts in both Ketsugo Ju Jitsu and Combat Hapkido. Since 2010, he has worked as a martial arts business consultant. At age 38, he pursued his dream of becoming a pro wrestler, competing with Millennium Pro Wrestling from 2013–2019, becoming a Triple Crown Champion and Hall of Famer. Jason is active in his community, serving on several boards and supporting local events. He and his wife Jackie became partners in Country Harvest Restaurant in 2021. He also hosts the Master Motivation podcast. Born and raised in the Conejo Valley, Jason moved to Moorpark in 1993, where he now lives with Jackie and their children, Madyson and Mason.

https://linktr.ee/JasonFlame

www.facebook.com/MasterJasonFlame?mibextid=wwXIfr

www.instagram.com/masterjasonflame

www.linkedin.com/in/jasonflame

www.youtube.com/@mastermotivationpodcast?si=izv9BGzhDHYp_Aiv