Guest:

George Dubec

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug


Episode Overview:

Networking is not about luck, it is about building a system. In this episode of Executive Connect, master connector George Dubec shares his step-by-step approach to turning relationships into real opportunities. From his early career at General Motors to building one of Florida’s largest networking groups, George has proven that consistent, persistent, and relentless follow-up beats small talk every time.

You will learn:
 - How to build and segment a database of valuable contacts.
 - Use events and promoters to create warm introductions.
 - Balance online networking with in-person strategy. 

George also reveals why fortunes are in the follow-up, how to find someone’s preferred communication channel, and why referrals multiply your influence faster than anything else. Whether you want more clients, funding, or influence, this conversation gives you the playbook.

Timestamps:
 00:00 | Be consistent persistent and relentless
 00:26 | Why networking beats solo grind and self help mantras
 01:22 | From GM engineer to community builder and teacher of networking
 02:04 | It is who you know and who knows you
 03:34 | Step one build a database and capture contact info early
 04:49 | Segmenting contacts investors founders service pros podcasters
 05:55 | The ask muscle and The Aladdin Factor
 06:37 | Daily list building email opt ins and the spam bot tactic
 06:54 | The conversation piece box and how to start talks at events
 07:54 | The clipboard move visible notes and promised follow up
 08:06 | Take a selfie send it that night fortunes in the follow up
 08:41 | When people ghost you numbers game and staying persistent
 09:12 | Grant Cardone story persistence and timing
 11:25 | Choose the right rooms and contact the host for intros
 12:31 | Exit strategies do not eat or drink work the room in one hour
 13:42 | Follow up and follow through drip until timing is right
 14:51 | Match their channel text WhatsApp Messenger email
 16:41 | Timing story why a warm referral beats a cold approach
 17:59 | You can network your way into anything example list to friends
 19:27 | Lead with value how can I help you and who do you need to meet
 20:24 | Tools for non founders Constant Contact AWeber GetResponse Talk Fusion
 21:14 | Build reach with podcasting Podbean studios books manuals blogs Substack
 24:21 | Inside Ultimate Networking performance test and five easy steps
 25:47 | Improve your own score stay on your game
 27:28 | Teaching kids and family to network
 29:05 | Family networking monthly Zooms and a family site
 30:28 | Where to get the book and George’s free PDF offer

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
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Guest:

Dr. Christie McMullen

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Episode Overview:

Most team trainings fail because they are not designed to stick. In this episode of Executive Connect, best-selling author and adult learning expert Dr. Christie McMullen explains why flooding people with information leads to wasted time and how leaders can instead make every message safe, logical, fun, and memorable.

Christie introduces her AIM model (Analyze, Improve, Move) and the sprinkle splash flood drip follow up method that keeps information top of mind long after the meeting ends. You will learn how to boost retention, build psychological safety, and design interactions that people actually remember. If your team struggles to translate training into action, this conversation gives you the playbook.

Timestamps:

00:00 | Why great coaching often bounces off and nothing sticks
01:01 | Meet Dr. Christie McMullen adult learning expert and podcaster
01:29 | Why everyone at work is a teacher and few are taught how
02:44 | Why most training fails people retain only 10 percent
02:54 | Sprinkle splash flood drip drip drip explained
04:08 | The three drip follow ups that cement accountability
04:55 | The AIM model Analyze Improve Move
05:29 | Define the target for every meeting who does what by when
05:44 | Safe Logical Fun Memorable the delivery framework
06:49 | How leaders create psychological safety by modeling vulnerability
07:45 | Logical equals share the plan scripts one pagers and timeboxes
09:20 | Why fun drives memory and prevents quiet quitting
10:33 | Making learning memorable with spaced repetition
13:41 | Clear is kind how vague leadership kills productivity
16:21 | Fixing death by slides simplify to five points and visuals
18:33 | Fun without forced happy hours value voice and talents
21:25 | Paperclip teddy bear magnifying glass slinky the four team types
24:25 | Productive Joy where fun meets action and flow
28:09 | Why leading yourself first makes you a better educator
31:40 | Final challenge make work fun or expect turnover
32:10 | How to connect with Dr. Christie and Intentionality Group

Guest Links:

Book: Learning Can Stick → https://a.co/d/3kbGfuQ
Course: Women Who Lead
Website: www.aimwithus.com

Guest Bio:

Dr. Christie McMullen is a best selling author, podcaster, and educator turned entrepreneur who helps people create and harness productive joy. She builds opportunities for people to improve human interactions and knows how to cultivate fun in every environment.

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

Guest:

Dr. Janet Polach

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Episode Overview:

Leadership resilience and executive coaching are more critical than ever. In this episode of Executive Connect, retired Marine and executive coach Dr. Janet Polach shares the neuroscience of resilience and the practical tools leaders need to go from chaos to calm. From brain health and tiny habits to negotiating deadlines and building stronger teams, Janet reveals how to stay sharp, grounded, and effective in a world of constant fire drills and uncertainty.

You will learn: 

 - Why sleep, nutrition, and movement are the foundation of executive clarity.
 - How to rewire your brain to embrace change instead of resist it.
 - Why coaching provides the accountability most leaders need to thrive. 

If you are feeling reactive, burned out, or stuck, this episode shows you how to reset and lead with calm confidence.

Timestamps:

 00:00 | Do something not everything start small
 00:29 | The no manual feeling at the top and why resilience matters
 01:14 | Marine Corps roots and developing leaders by design
 02:30 | Eleven leadership principles and promotion by leadership
 04:10 | What got you here will not keep you here
 05:07 | Executive shift from solving tasks to assigning and thinking long term
 05:46 | The fatigue problem tabs open uncertainty and burnout
 07:28 | Sleep movement nutrition the base of brain health
 09:18 | Brain energy and resistance to change even good change
 12:21 | Building team resilience negotiate deadlines and clarify urgency
 13:33 | Take real vacations and ask how are you really in one on ones
 15:55 | Daily brain hygiene walking meditation and sensory awareness
 18:47 | Desk reset breathing with longer exhale and quick tension breaks
 22:13 | Why behavior change fails start tiny and stack habits
 23:04 | Coaching for reflection feedback and accountability
 27:39 | Final advice do one small thing and make it consistent
 28:06 | Free resiliency assessment invitation and how to connect

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

Guest:

 Collin Graves

Host:

 Melissa Aarskaug

Episode Overview:

Generative AI is not just another tech wave. According to Collin Graves, founder of North Labs and former U.S. Air Force air crew member, it is a shift bigger than the internet itself. In this episode of Executive Connect, Collin shares why winners in the AI era will not be the companies chasing every new tool but those who anchor technology strategy in human connection, disciplined leadership, and a strong data foundation. From NATO Special Operations missions to building one of the top fractional data and cloud advisory firms, Collin reveals why mid market companies cannot afford to spray and pray with AI. Instead, they must consolidate tools, create accountability loops, and align culture with execution to scale with clarity and confidence.

Timestamps:

 00:00 | Why human connection matters in the AI era
 00:41 | Military precision meets cloud data strategy
 02:00 | From Air Force missions to early cloud obsession
 04:28 | First startup and the Dropbox before Dropbox
 06:05 | Launching North Labs and advisory first model
 08:44 | Fractional data teams explained
 09:36 | Why spray and pray AI investments fail
 11:41 | AI engineers vs data engineers two disciplines
 14:31 | Building a data culture that drives real decisions
 16:29 | From rear view reports to windshield visibility
 21:47 | Consolidating tools and using AI for automation
 25:58 | Mid markets acting like startups with AI agility
 28:03 | Leadership lessons from high stakes missions
 30:02 | In brief and out brief building accountability
 34:16 | Delegation and empowerment as growth drivers
 39:39 | Why cross training builds resilience and profit
 41:35 | Removing fear of training your replacement
 44:34 | Where to start with AI and data modernization
 46:43 | How to connect with Collin

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

Guest:
John Martinka
Host:
Bryan Hancock

Episode Overview:
Thinking about buying a company, selling your own, or breaking through a growth plateau in the lower middle market This conversation with John Martinka, known as The Escape Artist, gives you a practical blueprint. John shares timeless deal wisdom from 31 years in the trenches: why relationships drive outcomes, how to de risk owner dependency, what great buyers actually pay for, and the simple systems that boost valuation. You will learn what to prepare years before a sale, how to avoid concentration risk, when earn outs and rollover equity show up, and the mindset that gets stalled deals across the finish line.

Timestamps:
00:00 | The three most important parts of a deal are not price or terms
00:27 | Meet The Escape Artist and the mission behind buying, selling, and growth by acquisition
01:12 | Why John trademarked the brand and what it really means for owners
02:13 | Five books, conversational lessons, and learning from mistakes
03:22 | Timeless advice for buyers and sellers do the right things and good outcomes follow
04:01 | What buyers really want a well run machine with strong financial systems
05:08 | Do not make accounting Cinderella how clean books raise confidence and price
06:01 | Readiness checklist highlights owner dependency as a major red flag
07:01 | A 70 million example even big companies can depend too much on the owners
07:48 | Earn outs and rollover equity when and why they appear
09:19 | Sponsor David and Alexis Kiwi support for power couples
09:30 | Succession planning and digital transformation start six years out not five
11:45 | Reduce single points of failure customer concentration and key supplier risk
12:53 | A stalled deal saved by focusing on people and fit relationships rule
14:14 | You are buying people not just assets why culture and team matter
15:23 | Action steps grow delegate protect IT and IP to increase value
16:25 | Perspective taking evaluate a target as if you were on the other side
19:56 | The big three for any deal relationship motivation education about the process
22:16 | How to find the right advisor referrals strategic partnerships and writing beat cold searches
24:28 | Coaching a founder to hire and systemize the path to tripled income
26:02 | Where to reach John and get the book offer

Connect With Us:
 Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
 Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:
 LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
 Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
 TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
 Facebook: Executive Connect

Guest:

Scott Stirrett

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Episode Overview:

Executives do not fear uncertainty, they master it. In this conversation, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Scott Stirrett, author of The Uncertainty Advantage, to unpack how leaders can turn volatility into a competitive edge. From boardroom confidence and self compassion to adaptability, generalist skills, relationships, and smart risk taking, Scott shares a practical playbook for thriving in a VUCA world. If you want clear tactics to lead with calm, build resilience, and make better decisions amid constant change, this episode is your guide.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why uncertainty can be your biggest advantage
01:10 – Scott’s path: Nova Scotia to Goldman to social entrepreneur
01:45 – Launching Venture for Canada and raising $80M
02:14 – How leaders project confidence in uncertain times
03:33 – Preparation, public speaking, and mindset for confidence
04:31 – Why self compassion fuels resilience and leadership
05:34 – Burnout, balance, and building life “pillars”
06:33 – Adaptability as the new leadership superpower
07:54 – Why long term plans fail in a rapidly changing world
08:23 – Scott’s resilience story: pandemic challenges and OCD
10:12 – Why generalist skills matter in an AI-driven future
11:44 – Breaking silos and collaborating across functions
13:02 – How strong relationships drive career and well-being
14:25 – Risk taking: leaving Goldman Sachs to found a nonprofit
15:57 – Training your risk-taking “muscle” without recklessness
17:05 – Advice Scott would give his 22-year-old self
19:16 – Six pillars from The Uncertainty Advantage
20:29 – How to thrive by embracing chaos, not avoiding it
21:49 – Where to connect with Scott and preorder his book

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

Guest:

Lori Mazor

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Episode Overview:

Feeling behind on AI? This episode is your roadmap to catching up fast—without losing the human touch. Melissa Aarskaug sits down with architect and educator Lori Mazor, who lays out her practical 30-day plan to build real AI fluency. From classrooms to customer service, Lori explains why banning AI in schools misses the point, and how leaders can treat AI as a teammate rather than a threat. Packed with relatable examples and step-by-step guidance, this conversation shows you how to adapt, stay creative, and use AI responsibly in work, leadership, and daily life.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why banning AI in schools misses the point
00:36 – Meet Lori Mazor: architect, educator, and AI innovator
01:08 – From campus design to AI leadership
02:48 – Discovering MidJourney and creative AI communities
04:23 – Systems thinking and applying design skills to AI
05:30 – The reality of job loss and adaptation
06:57 – Teaching AI with a human touch
08:11 – Why chatbots ruin customer service experiences
12:14 – Using AI to remove friction and serve people better
16:54 – How kids, parents, and schools can approach AI responsibly
17:24 – Advice for leaders who feel they are falling behind
19:09 – A simple 30-day plan to build AI fluency
20:12 – Real-life use cases in healthcare and family decisions
26:11 – How AI is reshaping education and workforce skills
34:06 – Final thoughts: doing human things in the age of AI

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

Most agencies chase growth with endless hustle. Seth Greene discovered that the real secret to building a seven figure marketing agency was not working harder, it was creating scalable systems.

In this episode of Executive Connect, Seth reveals how he went from making 300 cold calls a day out of pure frustration to building a multi million dollar agency with consistent, trackable results. He shares the three biggest challenges every agency faces: generating quality leads, converting them into paying clients, and keeping them long term without burning out.
Seth also explains why so many agencies underdeliver, how his podcast first method flips the script, and why podcasting is not about chasing viral hits but about building profitable, lasting relationships.

If you run a professional practice or agency and want real results instead of empty promises, this conversation is for you.



🎧 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/the-executive-connect-podcast/id1816477167

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1zggDnblvD9Pa0Nn37o1TD?si=JVvZfm5rTryxJZh6nlO6yQ

CONNECT WITH  

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

Website: https://www.marketdominationllc.com/

🔗 MORE FROM EXECUTIVE CONNECT:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/



Episode Highlights

(0:40) How Seth turned 300 cold calls a day into a steady stream of high value clients

(2:38) The three struggles keeping most agencies from scaling profitably

(4:00) The overlooked mistake that causes firms to lose clients and how to prevent it

(6:39) Why podcasting can outperform ads for real business growth

(9:21) The truth about vanity metrics vs. revenue that actually matters

(10:34) How to identify your ideal clients and design systems that scale

(12:16) The three universal problems every business owner must solve

(13:33) Where to connect with Seth and grab his best selling book

(14:25) Final takeaways and outro


Guest

Seth Greene
 Founder and CEO of Market Domination LLC | Author of The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Business With a Podcast

Seth Greene is the Founder and CEO of Market Domination LLC, a direct response marketing agency recognized by Forbes as a top podcast marketing firm. He is the author of multiple books on marketing, including The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Business With a Podcast, and has helped hundreds of agencies and professional practices scale with measurable, repeatable systems.

Guest:

Nicholas Spezio

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Episode Overview:

In today’s high-stakes M&A market, fortunes are made—or lost—in the fine print. Nicholas Spezio, Head of Transaction Services at Expo Group, joins Executive Connect to reveal the deadly mistakes and red flags that derail deals before they even close. From churn misclassifications to aggressive EBITDA add-backs, Nicholas breaks down the subtle traps that erode trust and value, and explains how both buyers and sellers can safeguard the purchase price. Whether you’re a founder preparing for acquisition, a CFO navigating due diligence, or an investor seeking clarity, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you spot the pitfalls before it’s too late. What You’ll Learn:

• The #1 red flag: churn and misclassified recurring vs non-recurring revenue
• The Adjusted EBITDA gap—and why aggressive add-backs kill credibility
• What great financial, tax, and operational due diligence actually looks like
• A smarter approach to working capital that saves time, cost, and conflict
• How SaaS/FinTech founders and AI startups should prepare for a deal
• The seller’s playbook for protecting the purchase price

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

Failure isn’t the enemy of progress, it’s the foundation of great product leadership and true psychological safety. In this episode, Chief Product Officer Brooke Huling shares what it really takes to build high performing teams, guide people into roles where they thrive, and create a culture that celebrates learning from mistakes. From balancing billion dollar strategies with the human side of leadership to grounding innovation in real world customer needs, Brooke offers rare insights from her journey in the C suite. You’ll hear how she leads remote teams with trust and connection, stays grounded under executive level pressure, and empowers others to grow into authentic, resilient leaders.

Episode highlights:

(1:00) Meet Brooke Huling: A product leader’s journey
(3:11) Building products customers love
(4:40) Leading remote teams with trust and safety
(11:02) AI hype vs. real-world use
(15:05) How Brooke stays grounded in high-pressure roles
(21:56) Leading with authenticity
(27:07) When a team member is in the wrong role
(28:40) Advice to her younger self and fellow leaders
(33:10) Final thoughts: Pay it forward and lead with heart

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast