Here's how you can get a meeting with anyone.

I sat down with my good friend Katie McCormick Lelyveld—founder of MELD and former press secretary to Michelle Obama—to talk about authenticity, networking, and the real work of building lasting relationships.

We also touched on intergenerational conversations, women in leadership, and how small moments lead to big connections.

Fractional work looks simple – and exciting – from the outside. 

You leave corporate, land a client, and price your time. 

You breathe easier because you do the work you’re passionate about. 

In many ways, it’s wonderful. 

But here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough: 

The real challenge of fractional life shows up in about six months. 

In a bonus episode of The 2x2 Podcast, Anna Wondany – founder of Hey CMO – walked me through the network she built to support fractional leaders. 

👉 Join Hey CMO here: https://hey.heycmo.com/a/2148165011/4NwoMab9

👉 Watch the FREE Demo here: https://youtu.be/Jem1f7y3tCY

How many tools and platforms do you use in your practice? 

Do you have a graveyard of unused subscriptions, or do you still do everything manually? 

I think you only need four essentials – every one of them useful for everyday tasks. 

Anything else you add should pass the ultimate efficiency test: 

Reach the least number of clicks to get sh*t done. 

The most successful fractional works have tells. 

Amanda Nizzere is a fractional CMO who has reached full capacity in just two years (impressive, right?). But she’s spent that time doing more than just client work for AN Strategy. 

As the host of the Female Fractionals podcast, Amanda has had dozens of candid conversations with fractional executives about what works (and what doesn’t) in a fractional practice. 

If you’re building a fractional or independent consulting practice, this conversation offers a clear framework – and some hard-earned insights – for what actually makes fractional work work. 

The most successful fractional works have tells. 

Amanda Nizzere is a fractional CMO who has reached full capacity in just two years (impressive, right?). But she’s spent that time doing more than just client work for AN Strategy. 

As the host of the Female Fractionals podcast, Amanda has had dozens of candid conversations with fractional executives about what works (and what doesn’t) in a fractional practice. 

If you’re building a fractional or independent consulting practice, this conversation offers a clear framework – and some hard-earned insights – for what actually makes fractional work work. 

What can real estate brokers teach consultants?

A LOT.

So I sat down with Luisa Mauro to trade notes on building trust, earning referrals, and staying authentic in a competitive market.

We talked about prospecting, team building, and why genuine care—not just strategy—is what keeps a business growing.

Every consultant can build a deck. But only a few can run the room. 

Ryan O’Toole spent his entire career inside rooms a lot of us only hear about – PE board rooms and PE-backed leadership teams. 

He’s been the consultant, the operator, and the advisor. 

This makes him unusually good at explaining how boards actually work. 

In this interview, we’re talking about everything you and I need to know about boards. 

How long does it take to reach true mastery?

Johan Sauer is an experienced independent consultant who worked with over 200 companies over. the course of his career. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of brand management and the importance of creativity and mentorship in consulting.

We also discuss the challenges faced in the consulting industry, the significance of continuous learning, and the path to achieving true mastery.

Can we actually trust AI outputs?

I sat down with Usman Lakhani, an AI governance expert, to talk about what responsible AI looks like — and why independent consultants need to get literate fast.

We covered practical frameworks for aligning AI with strategy, the role of data governance, and how trust, ethics, and risk management all show up in real-world implementation.

This 2026, I have a challenge for you: take home $400K in revenue. 

Did that number scare you? Or does it sound like a piece of cake? 

I think $400k is the mark of a successful consulting practice – it means you live a financially comfortable lifestyle without burying yourself with work. 

Are you up for the challenge?