Guest:

Dr. Nathan Bryan

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug Episode

Overview:

Think aging is just a slow decline you can’t control? 
In this powerful episode of Executive Connect, Dr. Nathan Bryan a global leader in molecular medicine and nitric oxide research explains why that belief is outdated and how nitric oxide might be the hidden key to health, performance, and longevity. Dr. Bryan breaks down the science of nitric oxide in plain language, showing how it impacts energy, brain function, cardiovascular health, and even leadership performance. He reveals the surprising habits that silently deplete this essential molecule and shares practical steps you can take right now to restore it. Whether you’re leading a team, training like an athlete, or simply want to feel sharper and stronger at any age, this conversation is packed with science-backed insights you can immediately apply to extend your health span and live at your peak.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Rethinking Aging: Why It’s Not Just About Your Birthday
02:15 – Dr. Bryan’s Journey into Nitric Oxide Research
05:00 – What Nitric Oxide Actually Does in the Body
08:30 – The “Holy Grail” of Longevity & Human Optimization
11:00 – Habits & Lifestyles That Deplete Nitric Oxide
14:30 – Simple Practices to Restore Nitric Oxide Naturally
18:00 – Energy, Focus & Leadership: The Daily Benefits
21:45 – How Athletes Leverage Nitric Oxide for Performance
25:00 – Longevity vs. Health Span: What Really Matters
28:30 – Practical Takeaways for High Performers
32:00 – Final Insights & Where to Learn More

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

Worried that AI is coming for your job ?

This episode is a leader's guide to the truth about automation, job loss, and where humans still win.

We sit down with Ron Green, CTO of Kung Fu AI and a martial artist who builds cancer-predicting AI to pull back the curtain on the future of work.

Ron makes AI feel less like a mystery and more like a toolkit every leader should learn to use.

Learn how to turn data into a competitive advantage and prepare your team for the future without panicking.

This conversation delivers grounded insight and practical strategy.



Timestamps:

00:00 – AI’s Job Takeover? Long-Term Impact vs Now
01:38 – Ron’s AI Origin Story & Why He Chose This Path
05:00 – AI Isn’t Magic—It’s Learnable Software
07:00 – Breast Cancer Prediction Model Approved by FDA
08:40 – What Building Scalable AI Looks Like Today
12:30 – From Early Adopters to Enterprise Transformation
14:30 – Agentic AI: What’s Next and When to Expect It
18:30 – Will AI Replace Leadership and Coaching?
20:00 – The Power of Proprietary Data in AI Strategy
23:30 – AI vs Skeptics: Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore It
26:00 – Ethics & Bias in AI: How to Do It Right
30:00 – Final Advice: Experiment Small, Think Big
35:00 – Where to Find Ron & Learn More About Kung Fu AI


Guest: 

Ron Green

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug Episode


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

Struggling with communication in marriage? This episode offers a powerful masterclass on fixing relationship arguments using three core principles from the world of cybersecurity.

In this unforgettable episode of Executive Connect, cyber incident response manager turned marriage coach David Kiwimagi delivers the now-legendary “Lasagna Story” a hilarious and relatable tale of miscommunication, culinary betrayal, and emotional landmines.

What starts as a lasagna gone wrong turns into a powerful lesson on unspoken expectations and emotional intelligence.

David shares the exact cybersecurity frameworks that helped him repair his marriage and become a stronger leader.
Whether you’re leading a security team or navigating relationship minefields at home, this episode is packed with fresh, practical insights that hit close to home (and the firewall).


Timestamps:

00:00 – Episode Preview & The Lasagna Story Hook
01:25 – Sponsor Segment: David & Alexis Kiwi Coaching
02:05 – Podcast Introduction & Guest Welcome
03:15 – The Complete Lasagna Story: Unspoken Expectations
05:00 – How Silence Built Resentment in Marriage
07:30 – The Business Crisis & Coaching Transformation
11:30 – Three Key Principles for Relationship Success
12:15 – Principle #1: Turning Unspoken Expectations into Agreements
17:30 – Principle #2: His Business, Her Business, Not Your Business
24:00 – Principle #3: You & Me vs. The Problem
28:00 – Cybersecurity Meets Emotional Intelligence
31:30 – Leadership Advice for Tech Professionals
33:30 – The Lasagna Story Conclusion
36:00 – Final Thoughts & Contact Information


Guest:

David Kiwimagi

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug


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

Success in leadership isn't just about action or mindset, it's about emotional mastery.
In this episode, physicist-turned-coach Randy Lyman offers a refreshing take on how modern leaders can use emotional intelligence to shift from being performance-driven to truly people-powered.

Blending science, spirituality, and practical frameworks, Randy shares his personal transformation and breaks down how to handle emotional wounds with the clarity of quantum mechanics.

Whether you want to build a more connected team or master your own inner world, this conversation is packed with fresh, practical insights.


Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro
01:00 – From Left-Brain Physicist to Emotional Intelligence Coach
02:30 – The Leadership Epiphany: Breaking Down in a Workshop
04:00 – Why Emotions Drive Competence and Results
06:00 – Emotional Mastery vs Emotional Intelligence
07:20 – Simple Framework: Problem → Emotion → Resolution
09:00 – The Problem with Corporate Armour & Masking
11:30 – Why Emotional Clarity Inspires Team Performance
12:30 – Advice for Leaders Facing Doubt and Burnout
14:30 – Releasing Emotional Wounds Using Science and Love
17:30 – Why We Keep Attracting the Same “Toxic” Boss
19:00 – How Service-Based Leadership Transforms Culture
22:30 – The Three Universal Human Needs at Work
23:30 – Making Emotional Intelligence a Daily Practice
25:00 – People Drive Numbers, Not the Other Way Around
27:30 – How to Shift Engineers from Logic to Vulnerability
30:00 – How Judging Yourself Attracts Judgment
32:00 – Quantum Physics Meets Leadership Coaching
35:00 – Final Thoughts: You Are Worthy, You Are Enough

Guest:

Randy Lyman

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug


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

Looking for the best cybersecurity practices to protect your business? This episode reveals the real-world limitations of AI in cybersecurity and why human strategy and digital resilience are more important than ever.

In this episode of Executive Connect, Amar Singh delivers a hard-hitting perspective on everything from the psychological barriers to automation adoption to the threats posed by third-party vendors and hostile geographies.

You'll get practical frameworks for building a secure organization and eye-opening commentary on phishing, password managers, and access control.

Whether you’re a CIO or a security leader, this is a must-listen for understanding both the promise and peril of emerging tech.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
01:00 – The Fear of AI & Automation in Business
03:00 – Top Risks of Using AI in Cybersecurity
05:45 – Education & Human Behaviour in Cybersecurity
08:15 – AI vs. AI: The Battle for Digital Defence
10:45 – Third-Party Risk Management
14:00 – IoT & Innovation: Benefits and Blind Spots
16:30 – Operational Resilience & Earthquake Analogy
22:00 – Passwords, Passphrases & Password Managers
25:15 – ROI of Cybersecurity: Investment vs. Expense
29:30 – Building a Culture of Cyber Accountability
32:50 – Zero Trust: Buzzword or Backbone?
36:00 – Final Thoughts & Top 3 Takeaways

Guest:

Amar Singh

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug Episode


Connect With Us:

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

Social:

LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug | Amar Singh
Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
Facebook: Executive Connect

What is the one silent skill that separates good leaders from great ones? It's the art of active listening.

In this episode of Executive Connect, we break down why real listening starts with you and how mastering this skill can transform your team's performance, build trust, and solve your biggest communication challenges.

This isn't just about hearing words, it's about understanding the intent, emotion, and meaning behind them. We provide a simple, actionable framework to help you stop simply waiting for your turn to talk and start leading with clarity and empathy.


Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: You Think You’re Listening?
01:15 – Oscar’s Story: A Microsoft Meeting That Changed Everything
03:25 – The 3 Levels of Deep Listening
06:00 – "Three is Half of Eight": Why Perception Shapes Meaning
08:00 – The Power of Silence and Two Magic Phrases
11:00 – The Role of the Leader in Shaping Listening Culture
14:15 – How to Make Meetings Truly Productive
18:45 – Time-Boxing and Water: The Science of Showing Up Present
23:00 – Embedding Deep Listening into Company Culture
25:45 – Statements vs. Questions: The Trust-Building Ratio
27:55 – The Four Listening Villains: Which One Are You?
31:15 – Leading by Example: Put the Phone Away
35:40 – Technology Addiction & Taking Back Control
38:38 – Final Thought: The Real Meaning Lies in What’s Unsaid
39:41 – Outro: Where to Go Next

Guest:

Oscar Trimboli
Author, Speaker, and Host of the “Deep Listening” Podcast
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscartrimboli/

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Executive Connect
Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

Connect With Us:

Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect Social:
Melissa Aarskaug on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug

Looking for ways to invest your retirement funds beyond the stock market? A self-directed IRA is an often-overlooked financial tool that can unlock powerful investments in real estate, startups, and even crypto.

In this eye-opening episode, Mat Sorensen, the leading voice in SDIRAs, joins the show to explain how executives can break free from the limits of traditional brokerages and build real wealth on their own terms.

This conversation is a goldmine of actionable advice. You'll learn the key legal frameworks, how to navigate complex tax traps like UDFI and UBIT, and the strategy for taking full control of your financial future using structures like LLCs and checkbook IRAs.

Whether you're new to self-directed investing or ready to scale, this is your blueprint.



Timestamps:

00:01 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Mat Sorensen
00:21 – How Mat Entered the SDIRA Space
01:45 – What is a Self-Directed IRA? Explained Simply
03:45 – IRAs vs. 401(k)s: Where the Real Money Is
06:00 – When You Can Move 401(k) Funds to an IRA
06:34 – Self-Direction vs. Checkbook Control
08:30 – Using LLCs for Real Estate Investing via IRAs
10:00 – Can You Use Financing? (Non-Recourse Loans Explained)
11:58 – UDFI & UBIT Taxes: What You Need to Know
14:31 – Strategies to Minimise or Defer UDFI Tax
17:00 – The Real Goal: Maximise After-Tax Wealth
18:52 – Investing in Startups, Private Companies & Crypto
21:00 – Unusual IRA Investments (Racehorses, RV Parks, Cows!)
21:48 – Final Thoughts: Stop Letting Retirement Accounts Sit Idle


Guest:

Mat Sorensen
CEO of Directed IRA | Attorney | SDIRA Expert | Author of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook
LinkedIn

Host:

Bryan Hancock

Executive Connect | Website
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect


Connect With Us:

Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

Social:

Bryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanhancock/
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/

This episode is a masterclass in executive wellness for any leader feeling burnt out or out of balance.

We sit down with legendary wellness pioneer Udo Erasmus to rediscover what true health means and how to build resilience, not through hacks, but by tapping into daily stillness practices.

Udo shares the powerful story behind his lifelong journey, from surviving World War II to becoming a global advocate for holistic health.

He breaks down his revolutionary concept of "Total Health," rooted in 8 powerful pillars that cover everything from inner awareness and life energy to nutrition and emotional harmony.

This is your guide to beating burnout and achieving vibrant energy in your professional and personal life.

Timestamps:

00:00 – The Origins of Udo’s Journey
06:50 – The 8 Pillars of Total Health
19:20 – Stillness: The Missing Link in Leadership
24:20 – True Nutrition vs. Modern Diets
32:56 – Creating a Sustainable, Healthy Lifestyle
38:26 – The Practice That Changed Udo’s Life


Guest:

Udo Erasmus
Founder of Udo’s Choice | Wellness Pioneer | Author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill
LinkedIn

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Executive Connect | Website
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect


Connect With Us:

Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

Social:

Melissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug

What if you could rebuild your team's resilience and reduce burnout in just 10 minutes a day?

In this episode, leadership coach Skye Michaels shares his powerful, people-first approach to building thriving teams in chaotic, high-stress environments.

From identifying how ego undermines growth to leading with compassion without compromising performance, Skye delivers a blueprint for success.

You'll learn his 10-minute daily ritual to reset and recharge, the 80/20 rule of thriving under pressure, and why kindness combined with accountability is the ultimate leadership combo.



Timestamps:

00:00 – Skye’s leadership journey and mission-driven coaching philosophy
01:09 – How teaching, real estate, and COVID reshaped his path to coaching
04:28 – Why ego kills growth and how humble, confident leadership builds teams
10:49 – Strategies for thriving under ego-driven leaders using the 80/20 rule
14:56 – The overlooked power of leading with heart in a results-obsessed world
19:34 – Why continuous improvement beats hustle culture and how to apply it
25:10 – How to prioritize what matters when the world feels like chaos
29:43 – Fueling yourself first so you can lead with energy and clarity
37:03 – Reclaim your mornings, your mind and your leadership power
39:31 – Skye’s message to burnt-out leaders and where to connect with him


Guest:

Skye Michaels
Founder of With Heart Coaching | Former Head of Coaching at Compass
LinkedIn


Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Executive Connect | Website
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect



Connect With Us:

Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect Social:
Melissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug

Thinking about how to buy a franchise to escape the corporate grind and build real wealth?

Before you start, you need to know the #1 mistake that can derail your journey to financial freedom.

In this powerhouse episode, former Wall Street insider turned franchise empire builder Cliff Nonnenmacher shares the truth about franchising, the good, the bad, and the financially ugly.

Cliff dives into what actually works, why "passive income" might be the biggest myth of all, and how to approach franchising with realistic expectations.

You'll learn about booming franchise trends, the five winning categories to watch, what makes franchises fail (hint: it's not the economy), and crucial tips on funding and hiring.


Timestamps:

00:00 – The Harsh Truth About Franchising
01:18 – Meet Cliff: From Wall Street to Franchises
04:43 – First Franchise Win: Printer Cartridge Empire
07:21 – What Wall Street Taught Him About Scale
10:01 – Franchising Trends You Need to Know
14:25 – 5 Winning Franchise Categories (Tools, Pets, Aging, Biohacking, Education)
21:03 – Why Franchises Really Fail
25:11 – The 41 Principle of Hiring and Leadership
28:29 – Should You Quit Your Job to Franchise?
32:36 – Passive Income Myths and Airbnb Reality Check
34:04 – Franchise vs. Building From Scratch: Who Wins?
40:14 – Exit Strategy: Multiples & Liquidity Explained
45:11 – Eye-Opening Franchise Funding Strategy (ROBS)
49:34 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find Cliff


Guest:

Cliff Nonnenmacher
Franchise Consultant | CEO of Elite Franchise Advisors
LinkedIn

Host:

Melissa Aarskaug

Executive Connect | Website
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect


Connect With Us:

Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

Social:

Melissa Aarskaug LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
X (Twitter): https://x.com/melissaaarskaug