Smashing the Plateau

Jeannie Dougherty is a money expert and mental fitness guide who can help you rewire your money brain and make your money work for you.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to break free from stressful money cycles and harness a positive money mindset.

Jeannie and I discuss:

• The power of believing you are more than your money [00:00:24]
• Understanding the emotional aspects of financial decisions [00:03:03]
• The concept of the "money brain" and its impact on behavior [00:07:02]
• Practical steps to change your financial narrative [00:09:06]
• The importance of taking actionable steps to improve cash flow [00:10:28]
• Shattering your own glass ceiling in business [00:12:55]
• Building a supportive community for financial success [00:18:21]
• Jeannie’s mission with the caregiver conference [00:20:43]

Learn more about Jeannie at https://globalmoneycoach.com.

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Scott went from being gainfully employed to bankrupt to experiencing a breakthrough. In 2015, after 27 years of top-level leadership in a national multimillion-dollar family business, the door slammed shut, and Scott found himself a 50-year-old without a career. After a period of dark days and months, he knew he had to rebuild and rediscover his identity. Through trial and error, mistakes, and victories, Scott became proficient at problem-solving and executing a plan.

He began to experience the joy of his newly discovered freedom. He is doing what he loves and earning a living doing it. This experience has given Scott a unique vantage point to understand the life of business owners or executives who are facing a transition in their careers and don’t know what their next act looks like.

Scott has dedicated his hero's journey to helping others transition from executive to freelancer. He has honed the skills and methodology to reach clarity more quickly and accelerate progress.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to break free from living by default and design a fulfilling life.

Scott and I discuss:

• Scott's journey from gainfully employed to bankrupt to breakthrough [01:36]
• The impact of the 2008 financial collapse on his career [03:12]
• Discovering the importance of identity beyond career roles [05:45]
• How to transition from living by default to living by design [07:58]
• The six hallmarks of a fantastic fourth quarter [10:02]
• Strategies for iterating and executing a new life plan [12:34]
• The role of community in navigating transitions [15:10]
• Tips for finding the right support network [18:25]

Learn more about Scott at https://www.servingstrong.com/join.

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Jahmaal Marshall is a corporate wellness advocate and leader who reshapes work cultures to prioritize mental health. With a 12-year track record, he equips executives and HR professionals with strategies to combat burnout and stress, teaching them how to have more energy and increase their focus and drive to thrive both professionally and personally. 

Through consulting and coaching programs, Jahmaal addresses deep-seated challenges such as constant stress, feelings of doubt, worry, and work-life imbalance. His solutions foster healthier work environments, yielding more present, energized employees and a more robust bottom line for the company.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to create a supportive workplace culture that prioritizes mental health.

• His early career and the progression to a corporate wellness advocate [00:01:55]
• The impact of personal experiences on his professional mission [00:03:09]
• Transitioning from government work to in-depth counseling [00:04:10]
• The signs of overworking and its long-term effects on health [00:07:07]
• The development of his Rewire and Renew framework [00:08:39]
• How personal crises influenced his professional perspective [00:09:17]
• The transformative effect of setting boundaries in professional life [00:15:37]
• His approach to content creation and community building on LinkedIn [00:12:15]

Learn more about Jahmaal at:

(Burnout Mini-Course): https://jahmaalmarshall.podia.com/https-jahmaalmarshallpodiacom-the-burnout-mini-course?coupon=SMASHTHEPLAT2025

(Discovery Call): https://calendly.com/listenthenspeak/30min 

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Alison Ver Halen majored in English and Psychology without realizing she was obtaining the perfect degree for content marketing. It wasn't until a few years after she graduated, when a family friend asked her to write blog posts for his law firm, that she realized she could make money doing what she loves. 

Fast forward to today, and Alison is still writing blog posts, as well as website landing pages and emails. She also integrates SEO and marketing strategy into the content she writes to give her clients the best chance of attracting, engaging, and converting their ideal clients.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transform your passion for writing into a successful business.

Alison and I discuss:

• How Alison stumbled into content marketing as a career [01:54]
• The importance of talking about your passion [02:05]
• Finding your community and networking effectively [03:38]
• The evolution of Alison's business model [06:01]
• The significance of SEO and marketing strategy in content creation [09:11]
• How to track what works and what doesn't in your business [10:31]
• The role of consistent content creation in building trust [13:00]
• Tips for professionals struggling with content creation [14:54]
• The importance of distribution channels for your content [16:21]
• Alison's approach to leveraging YouTube and podcasts [18:00]

Learn more about Alison at:

https://avwritingservices.com/

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

https://www.amazon.com/Content-Marketing-Made-Alison-Halen-ebook/dp/B09YL7K6XY/ref=sr_1_9

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Tammy Gooler Loeb is an executive leadership and career coach, speaker, and facilitator with expertise in leadership, team development, organizational culture, communication, and career transitions. For over two decades, she has enjoyed supporting clients across a wide variety of sectors and industries.

Tammy is the author of the award-winning book, Work from the Inside Out: Break Through Nine Common Obstacles and Design a Career That Fulfills You. She hosts a biweekly podcast, Work from the Inside Out, featuring professionals who have transitioned their careers to more meaningful and satisfying work.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to redefine career success and find happiness in your professional life.

Tammy and I discuss:

• The evolving definitions of career success and happiness [02:34]
• The impact of remote and hybrid work on career fulfillment [03:29]
• How to find balance between personal and professional lives [05:10]
• The importance of control over work environments [06:51]
• Challenges faced by new leaders in today’s organizations [10:27]
• Strategies for finding support in leadership roles [13:15]
• The value of community in overcoming leadership challenges [19:00]

Learn more about Tammy at:

https://www.instagram.com/tammygoolerloeb/

https://www.facebook.com/TammyGL/

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John Neral is an executive and career transition coach who helps mid-career professionals find a job they love or learn to love the job they have. He is also an author, speaker, and host of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. When he’s not working, John is a professional bowler who continues to compete on the PBA Regional Tour.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the importance of storytelling and stability for career advancement in a rapidly evolving job market.

John and I discuss:

• The current challenges facing mid-career professionals [02:05]
• Why stability is a primary concern in today’s economy [04:48]
• The importance of telling your story effectively [06:30]
• How to use evidence-based metrics to demonstrate your value [08:15]
• Techniques for keeping interviewers engaged [11:10]
• Strategies for leveraging your network effectively [14:20]
• The significance of personal boundaries for professional well-being [17:35]

Learn more about John at:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnneral/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@johnneralcoaching

Instagram - https://instagram.com/johnneralcoaching

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Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant serving SMBs and entrepreneurs based in New Jersey, USA. As a thought leader, Philip shares his expertise in marketing, design, and entrepreneurship on YouTube to his 295k subscribers, in the Brand•Muse newsletter, the Bonfire mastermind community, and on the Brand Design Masters podcast.

Philip has led creative teams in both global branding agencies and global corporations — serving as VP of Design for PepsiCo and Old Navy, and as Executive Creative Director at the iconic branding firm Landor Associates. Past clients include a host of Fortune 100 companies.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will discover how to navigate significant career changes and master the art of branding from a seasoned expert. 

Philip and I discuss:

• His reflections on what he might have done differently in his career [00:00]
• How he transitioned from a corporate role to entrepreneurship [02:13]
• The concept of career being more like a web than a ladder [02:52]
• Starting out in branding and the progression to where he is now [03:42]
• The importance of experiential learning over formal education in some fields [04:58]
• Dealing with imposter syndrome and the fear of uncertainty [06:18]
• The shift from working in real life to digital environments and adapting to new technologies [08:42]
• Advice for corporate refugees transitioning to their ventures [10:02]
• Establishing credibility and authority when starting new [11:39]
• The vital role of community in supporting career transitions [12:35]
• The importance of visual branding and consistency across platforms [14:01]
• How to start building a personal brand even before fully defining your services [16:35]
• Exploring the potential of digital content to attract and retain clients [21:06]

Learn more about Philip VanDusen:

WEBSITE

https://www.philipvandusen.com

BONFIRE MASTERMIND:

https://philipvandusen.com.com/bonfire

BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER 

https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse

CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING

https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone

BRAND CONSULTING

https://philipvandusen.com/brand-consulting

LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/c/philipvandusen

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Jon Leland has been a media innovator for over 40 years, including serving as the founding director of creative services for the USA cable TV network. He has led video production and creative services companies for over 30 years. 

Currently, Jon is the host and producer of the Video Mojo video podcast and the creative director of the boutique marketing agency ComBridges, which delivers content, social media, and video marketing services, as well as AI creativity consulting. Jon's passion is supporting people in living more creatively and joyfully through his latest venture, the Creativity Sandbox Community.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn about the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the critical role of community and networking in sustaining a business, and how AI can be harnessed to fuel creativity and innovation.

Jon and I discuss:

• His journey from an employee to a media innovator and entrepreneur [00:21]
• How community and networking supported his career transition [03:48]
• The critical role of AI in creativity and marketing today [06:36]
• The evolution of his business and the multiple pivots over the years [08:01]
• The concept of "following the juice" and finding your passion [18:04]
• How to harness AI effectively for creative processes [18:29]
• Advice for corporate refugees looking to start their own business [24:08]

Learn more about Jon at https://play.combridges.com.

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Blair began his career in New York at the HarperCollins Speakers Bureau, a business he never knew existed. From there, he had the privilege of leading the Hachette and Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureaus for GTN (now UTA Speakers), before moving west to work with Keith Ferrazzi (author of "Never Eat Alone"). He served as his chief of staff for over three years and learned how keynote speaking can be strategically positioned for corporate coaching and consulting while also studying at UCLA Anderson.

After a few temporary roles during his last year of business school, he returned to the Speakers Bureau world post-graduation. However, after signing and establishing talent, growing and scaling valuable assets and businesses for bosses with nothing to show for it after leaving, he had had enough.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn about the intricacies of the speakers bureau industry and how to leverage speaking engagements for business growth and personal success.

Blair and I discuss:

• His journey from working at traditional speakers bureaus to founding his own firm [00:21]
• What initially drew him to the speakers bureau industry [01:49]
• The business model behind speakers bureaus and how they operate [03:00]
• His decision to pursue an MBA and how it influenced his career [04:11]
• The challenges of working under restrictive leadership and the push towards entrepreneurship [07:50]
• The strategic positioning of keynote speaking in business development [00:43]
• How his business model differs from traditional speakers bureaus and the focus on holistic client management [11:18]
• Advice for corporate refugees on leveraging speaking engagements [13:39]

Learn more about Blair at https://calendly.com/bbn-cm/new-client-call.

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Philippa Levenberg is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sable Strategy, a senior-level strategic communications firm specializing in PR and reputation management for corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. The firm was recently named to Inc. Magazine's 2024 "Best in Business" list. Philippa’s career has focused on leveraging digital, social, and paid media strategies to build employer brands, develop thought leadership programs, engage advocates, navigate crises, and shape policy outcomes. 

Prior to founding Sable, she led and grew digital media practices and products at several agencies, including a leading global public affairs firm within Publicis Groupe. She is based in the D.C. area.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to leverage your experiences to build a resilient business and lead with impact in the evolving landscape of public relations.

Philippa and I discuss:

• Why resilience is key in entrepreneurship [00:00]
• How Philippa's bi-continental life shaped her approach to business [02:12]
• Transitioning from journalism to PR and the evolution of media [03:07]
• The importance of digital and social media strategy in crisis communication [04:33]
• The flawed model of big agency PR and the creation of Sable Strategy [05:44]
• Empowering women in the workplace and the importance of senior-level consultancy [07:22]
• The role of partnerships in entrepreneurship and the support systems that matter [10:21]
• Lessons from the initial months of starting Sable Strategy and recognizing opportunities [10:59]
• The impact of COVID-19 on women in the workforce and entrepreneurship [21:44]

Learn more about Philippa and her work at https://www.sablestrategy.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippalevenberg/.

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