Square Stories

With a stated goal to become a master of curiosity, Oakland, CA-based executive coach David Gerber helps people traverse one of the most difficult journeys on the planet: their own life. This deeply personal, highly emotional and wildly interesting conversation provides insights everyone can benefit from. 

David explains how personal growth begins by utilizing one of the most untapped resources of our minds: curiosity. He uses this in his own life to ask better questions, while searching to understand people, without judgment, with hopes of honoring and respecting them. 

A man of much achievement, David believes if you aren’t stretched to your limits, you probably don’t know where your limits are. And he should know! Whether it’s completing an Iron Man triathlon or purposefully plunging into neck-deep ice water for 10 minutes, David Gerber is a man intent on making a dent in the universe.  

Of course, he’s quick to tell you that the secret to making that dent is to first and foremost ‘be a person unto yourself’. As David states convincingly, you are worthy of your love, first. 

Yes, this episode features some deep thinking, but it’s also chock full of fun. Listen as the question “where did you go to school” turns into a circuitous journey inclusive of meteorology, biblical studies, throwing grapefruits and a fighter pilot call sign that’s not Goose. 

David Gerber proffers all of us the wonder and awe of finding out what we’re fully capable of. It’s about flipping the paradox in our comfort zones to find the most energizing, fulfilling, life-loving possibilities. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what it’s all about?

You’re entitled to your opinion, but Doug Sandler believes being nice in business and life is the only way to be. And this isn’t just a passing whim for him. Using positivity as his internal compass, and a series of career journeys that seem right out of a Hollywood script, Doug has crafted a framework for success. 

His best-selling book “Nice Guys Finish First”, paved the way to his wildly successful podcast, the “Nice Guys in Business” podcast. His combination of practical wisdom and effortless storytelling has added up to over 3 million downloads and a line-up of guests including Ariana Huffington, Gary Vaynerchuk and many more. 

Doug posits a notion that’s so simple and brave, you wonder why anyone strays from it. He says “stay in your zone of genius”. This, he believes, is where your personal financial success comes easy. It doesn’t have to be a grind! Listen in as Doug provides real-world examples of how getting incredibly specific in your niche will create a lucrative market for your services.  

Working from the cozy environs of his Southern California home studio, Doug Sandler says you’ll be successful if you can consistently do five things:

1. Return your phone calls
2. Return your emails
3. Be on time for every appointment
4. Stop overpromising and under-delivering
5. Actually reach out and communicate to people in your life

Doug's honest and nice approach leads to better engagement and overall happiness. Get ready to learn from the rare nice guys who are not finishing last!

From a very early age, Robert Blackwell Jr. has always seen the world in numbers. Think of the Fibonacci Sequence, he’s able to see patterns and create actionable data. At the core, Robert is an entrepreneur. Always evaluating opportunities to make money, Robert combines his unique skill set to stand out from the rest.  

As an eight-year-old, he collected empty soda bottles for change. As a twelve-year-old, he washed dishes at a restaurant. And for Robert, school wasn’t about academics. For him, school was great for one thing; the large customer base for his bustling chewing gum business. 

He has written code for stock trading algorithms. He’s sold exotic foreign cars. And because it makes no obvious sense whatsoever, this martial arts trained technical wiz got into real estate and developed neighborhoods. Of course that all led to his world-class ping-pong business and friendship with corporate counsel, an unknown Chicago attorney named Barack Obama. 

You read all that correctly. And yes, this is a non-fiction story. 

Robert believes that in business you need to create a strategy that makes you unique. Why? Because if you’re not unique you’re just a commodity. In this episode of Square Stories, we’ll learn the science of how time equals money, how being a millionaire in Zimbabwe isn’t such a big deal and how formulas can exist for almost anything.

Elyse Guidas is a deep thinker and always has been. She’s moved and grooved, in and out of her hometown of Phoenix, all while being focused on the well being of others. As the CEO of Farm Express, a fleet of former city buses transformed into mobile produce markets built to serve communities in food deserts, she’s focused on creating an even playing field for all. 

Armed with a truly unique revenue model, an inherent passion for the work and a seemingly endless supply of energy, Elyse is the perfect person for the job. 

She believes in the equity of choice, equity of resources and equity of humanity. Working with corporate supporters, amazing customers, and an incredible team, Elyse works to help people make better choices to ensure better health outcomes. 

In this fast-paced, fact-filled episode, listen as Elyse makes a compelling case that all people, regardless of affluence, deserve the opportunity to make healthy choices.

Lauren Bailey has always been comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Where others would wither away or tremble in fear, Lauren thrives. From picking and paying for college to building restaurant concepts, her creative problem solving has led to massive success. She’s a powerhouse; equipped with boundless energy, a deep wanderlust to experience the world and brains equal to her brass fortitude, Lauren makes things happen. 

Armed with a strong belief that this is the best time to be a woman in business, Lauren is an artist, an entrepreneur, a visionary, a risk-taker and a generous leader within her community.  

She explains why it’s okay to ask for help in life and business and implores all of us to get super comfortable with engaging a mental health professional on the regular. 

In this episode of SquareStories, Brian Burkhart and Lauren Bailey engage in a fast-paced, albeit a touch meandering, discussion chock-full of lessons for life, love, and business. And likely for the first and last time on SquareStories, be sure to listen to the phrase “a tinge of the ginge”.

Haley Rushing believes that discovering your life’s purpose is perhaps the most important thing you’ll ever do. But she also understands that’s not an easy task — for both individuals and organizations… That’s where her purpose comes in. 

Join us as Brian talks with Haley about how traveling as a child shaped her worldview, how not having a plan can be the best path, why having a purpose should drive brand creation, and how important it is to refuel yourself, especially when your work is purpose-driven, and how doing what you love isn’t cliché; it’s vital.

Sentari Minor believes in the power of doing good. No, not doing “well” — doing good, as in changing the world. He also believes in the power of relationships. Sentari leverages those two beliefs to lead his mission as a social-impact advocate and passionate relationship builder. 

Join Brian Burkhart as he talks to Sentari about his Phoenix roots, life at a small liberal arts college, Arby’s Jamocha shakes and his perfect gig. Oh, and they get in a little fight about the movie Armageddon.

Brad Farris believes business founders are control freaks who need to learn to let go. His purpose is to help the founders and owners of various firms do just that — let go so their businesses can grow and their people can thrive. 

As the founder and principal advisor of Anchor Advisors, Brad has served as a small business advisor to more than 100 companies. He and the team at Anchor believe in the power of the four P’s — purpose, people, process and performance measures. They believe that if business owners get those four things right, their businesses will undoubtedly grow. 

Pearl Chang Esau believes that access to an excellent education is transformational for individuals, families and communities. Deeply committed to improving life prospects for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity or disability, she champions educators, students and disadvantaged populations so that they can reach their full potential.

Pearl is a BIG DEAL. She’s received tons of community recognition, including the ATHENA Young Professional Award by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce; she was named one of Arizona's 50 Most Influential Women by Arizona Business Magazine; and one of the 25 Most Admired CEOs by Phoenix Business Journal.  

She’s also a special needs mom of three, an autism advocate, and is working hard to bring enlightened leadership to the Valley.

Tune in as Brian and Pearl talk Pearl Chang Esau talks about her immigrant family’s history, why education is so important to her, and why diversity, and getting involved, matters.

Tom LaMantia believes in making things happen. He’s the managing director and co-founder of Magenium Solutions, where he helps clients implement technology in order to grow their businesses, be more productive and stay competitive. With over 30 years of experience in global, high-tech digital transformation, Tom truly is a strategic thinker and innovator. And he’s one hell of a leader. Before starting Magenium, he was the co-founder and CEO of Intrinsic Technologies, a Chicago-based Microsoft National Systems Integrator. With Tom at the helm, the company grew to be one of the nation’s premier Microsoft service providers. Oh, and get this — he holds several patents, trademarks and copyrights; he’s on the National Board of Advisors for the Eller College of Management at his alma mater, the University of Arizona; he’s a member of the Economic Club of Chicago; and he’s a faculty member at Northwestern University’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Tune in as Tom discusses his “mischievous” childhood, why it’s so important to “play chess, not checkers” and the four Ps everyone should live by.