This episode is raw, real, and essential. I sat down with Maya Chylinski, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, who’s made it her mission to expose what’s quietly chipping away at workplace morale and productivity. Her personal story is a wake-up call for every leader and team member who wants to create a workplace where people feel supported and heard.

We talk about the unspoken struggles many employees face, how trauma (even when unseen) impacts performance, and why companies can’t afford to ignore mental health anymore. Maya offers straightforward ways leaders can foster a healthier work environment and tackle these issues head-on.

If you’re tired of business-as-usual and ready to rethink how your workplace supports its people, this conversation will hit home.

If your workplace isn’t where it needs to be, this episode is a great place to start.

Learn more about Maya’s mission and insights at Alley424.com and ManyaChylinski.com.

Jody Durand, a highly experienced sales trainer, author, and community leader, is our special guest this week on the Author Your Brand Show. He shares insights from his impressive 20-year career in agricultural sales. Known for his strong relationships with farm families and his passion for agriculture, Jody has built a reputation for delivering customized solutions that truly meet his clients’ needs.

Jody is also the author of Country Boy Soul: Pasture to Prosperity, a book that explores the principles of trust, persistence, and community in building a successful career in sales. In our conversation, we explore his journey in the agricultural industry, his approach to leadership, and the valuable lessons from his book that resonate far beyond the sales world.

Key Takeaways:

If you’re inspired by Jody’s story and want to learn more, check out his book Country Boy Soul: Pasture to Prosperity on Amazon [ https://amzn.to/4g7snqA ] to uncover the values and strategies that have shaped his remarkable story.

David Orban, a futurist, entrepreneur, and advisor to Beyond Enterprises, joins me on the Author Your Brand Show to explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and what it means for our future. As the founder of Network Society Ventures, David has been a leader in the conversation about how technology is reshaping our lives. He’s also the author of Something New, where he explores the rapidly changing landscape of AI and how humans will need to adapt.

In our conversation, we cover big ideas like technological singularity, transhumanism, and the potential for AI to surpass human capabilities. David shares his thoughts on how AI is revolutionizing industries like healthcare and science and why we need to start asking serious questions about empathy, consciousness, and the role of humans in an AI-driven world.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is evolving at an incredible pace, especially in fields like medical diagnosis and scientific research.

To learn more, visit davidorban.com or check out Something New on Amazon.

Joe Pici brings over three decades of sales training expertise as the co-founder of Pici & Pici Inc. He's dedicated to enhancing business sales performance with practical, hands-on techniques. Joe’s approach is direct and results-focused, with an emphasis on mastering phone communication and making lead generation a daily discipline.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Joe covers the key elements of effective sales training and explains why accountability is critical for driving sales success. He also shares advice on how to keep remote teams engaged and why practicing in real-world scenarios is more effective than role-playing.

Key Takeaways:

• Sales is a learnable skill that anyone can develop with the right approach.

Looking to boost your sales skills? Visit Pici & Pici Inc. for free downloads and webinars, or check out SellMoreVirtually.com for a free 45-minute webinar. Text "SalesEdge" to 59925 for more resources. For personal advice, call Joe at 407-947-2590 for a complimentary chat.

Carma Spence, best-selling author of Public Speaking Super Powers and an expert in book marketing, knows exactly how to make a mark in the crowded world of publishing. With years of experience and a successful cookbook under her belt, Carma has helped countless authors use their books to build credibility and authority.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Carma talks about why so many authors struggle with marketing their books and offers practical advice on how to avoid those pitfalls. She also introduces her Author Diagnostic System, a tool that helps writers figure out where they’re strong and where they need to focus more attention to get the best results.

We also cover how speaking engagements can boost book visibility and the growing influence of AI in publishing. While AI can be helpful for brainstorming, Carma makes it clear that the creative process and editing are best left to the human touch.

Key Takeaways:

• Publishing a book builds authority and credibility, but you have to market it right.

If you’re looking for practical, step-by-step advice on book marketing, be sure to read Carma’s latest book, Serve Up Your Book: How to Market Your Book To Attract Clients and Leads in All Five Phases of Book Marketing (The Authorneer's Journey Series 4) on Amazon.

Randy Peyser, founder of Author One Stop, Inc., is a trusted name in the publishing world with over 20 years of experience helping authors land book deals with top literary agents and publishers. Her clients' works have appeared in Oprah Magazine, TIME Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal, and some have even been optioned for Hollywood films. Randy is also the author of Crappy to Happy and The Power of Miracle Thinking.

Key Takeaways:

• Relationships Matter: Building connections with agents and publishers is key to landing book deals.

Randy’s guidance provides a clear path for authors looking to enter the publishing world. Learn more through Author One Stop, Inc., or check out her books Crappy to Happy on Amazon.

How you lead can have a greater impact on your team’s productivity than any strategy you implement.

Amy L. Riley is a respected speaker, author, and leadership development consultant with over 20 years of experience helping leaders at all levels build more effective teams. Having worked with leading organizations like Deloitte, Cisco Systems, and Aon Hewitt, Amy shares her expertise on improving team performance by tackling behaviors that often go unnoticed.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Amy explains how leaders may unknowingly limit their team’s success and offers practical, actionable steps to overcome these challenges. Her insights focus on understanding individual learning styles, setting clear expectations, and modeling the behaviors that lead to stronger, more productive teams.

Key Takeaways:

Tackle Unseen Barriers: Leaders often overlook behaviors that hinder team success.

For more on leadership success, check out Amy Riley’s book The Courage of a Leader on Amazon.

What if the secret to crushing it in sales is not the tactics but the energy you bring to every interaction?

Best-selling author, speaker, and sales expert Joe Nunziata, author of Spiritual Selling, has transformed countless careers by teaching the power of aligning your energy. His rise from bartending to becoming a top sales leader proves that when your energy is in sync, everything else falls into place.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Joe explains how emotions fuel your energy and why being honest with your feelings is key to aligning that energy for success—not just in sales, but in life.

If you're ready to take your career to the next level, Joe’s practical insights and personal experience will give you the tools to make it happen.

Key Takeaways:

• Energy Drives Success: Your emotional state impacts your energy, which directly affects your sales performance.

Ready to transform how you approach sales? Tune in for Joe Nunziata’s powerful insights, and if you’re looking to learn more, check out his book Spiritual Selling on Amazon.

Mike Tighe, co-founder of Takeoff Capital, traded in managing air traffic for mastering real estate. Starting with rental properties and moving up to commercial real estate, Mike shows that with the right strategy, you can make a successful transition to a new field and thrive.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Mike also pulls back the curtain on his approach to real estate development—from finding the right properties to raising capital and getting investors on board. Whether you’re interested in transforming rundown spaces or figuring out how to pitch deals, Mike’s got the insights you need to make it happen.

Key Takeaways:

• Real Returns: Real estate can beat traditional retirement plans hands down.

If you’re ready to flip real estate challenges into opportunities, don’t miss this episode with Mike Tighe. It’s packed with real-world advice to take your game to the next level.

Dr. Axel Meierhoefer spills the beans on how turnkey providers do the heavy lifting—buying, renovating, and managing properties—so you can skip the headaches and focus on stacking up that real estate portfolio.

But here’s where it gets real: On this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Dr. Meierhoefer lays out the critical moves to protect your assets and shows why real estate beats the pants off other investments when it comes to control and flexibility. Ready to up your game? Head over to IdealWealthGrower.com for the full scoop.

Plus, you'll hear some real talk about the long-term benefits of owning real estate and why it’s not just about the money—it’s about building a legacy that lasts. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with insights that could be the key to your next big move in the world of real estate.

• Turnkey Providers: Simplify your entry into real estate—let the pros handle the work.

If you’re serious about real estate success, head over to IdealWealthGrower.com and learn from Dr. Meierhoefer