The Human Connection Podcast

"Everybody has a story. You just never know who needs that connection at that moment." - Steve Fales

In this heartwarming episode, host Karl Pontau sits down with Steve Fales, founder of AD Services, Inc., to explore the art of building genuine friendships in the workplace. Steve shares his refreshingly simple philosophy: ask questions, actually listen to the answers, and avoid the dreaded "conversation poker" where people just try to one-up each other's stories.

Discover why the barista at your local coffee shop isn't just "the barista," how a simple compliment can change someone's entire day, and what happened when Steve asked his office maintenance worker about his life (spoiler: the answer involves a tire tube and 93 miles of open ocean).

Steve introduces his favorite conversation starter—"What's got your attention?"—and explains why dedicating just ten minutes of non-business chat can actually boost team productivity more than hyper-efficient meetings ever could. Plus, learn about the "treasure hunt" approach to human connection and why treating every interaction as an opportunity to discover someone's story makes work (and life) so much richer.

Perfect for leaders, team members, or anyone who wants to transform superficial workplace relationships into meaningful connections—without the awkward interrogations.

Key Takeaways:

• The power of follow-up questions in building relationships
• Why being interested beats trying to be interesting
• Simple daily habits that create lasting connections

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You can connect with Steve Fales here:

www.stevefales.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733144625/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

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"How can you buy a company that's been around for 70 years, and you're selling one day and you're closing the door the next day? That means you're a business. You don't care about people."

When a beloved 70-year-old Minnesota window company sold to a PE firm and shut down overnight—leaving customers with unfulfilled $50K contracts—it sparked an important conversation about what really matters in business.

This week, Karl sits down with Kevin Juza, a succession planning consultant on a mission to help family businesses beat the 70% failure rate when passing the torch to the next generation. Kevin shares why succession planning isn't a two-month sprint but a three-year journey of elevating authority, transferring trust, and protecting community connections.

You'll hear an inspiring story of a 30-year-old family business that never broke $1 million in revenue—until they properly elevated their son and created a real succession plan. Now they're growing 45% and he's building his own family, all while keeping the business local and thriving.

Whether you're planning your exit, bringing in new leadership, or just trying to scale sustainably, this episode reminds us that true business success isn't about profit margins—it's about the human-to-human relationships that keep communities strong.

Key Takeaways:

• Why succession planning takes 3+ years, not months
• How to transfer trust and authority to the next generation
• The difference between executives and true leaders
• Why keeping businesses local matters for communities

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You can connect with Kevin Juza here:

www.thetenaciousleader.com

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"I want to ask all the questions that people are generally scared of asking. And it's not that scary, honestly, when people ask to step up and say the answer." - Jake Wells

Ever feel like you're running a business on accident instead of on purpose? Jake Wells, EOS implementer and serial entrepreneur, joins host Karl Pontau to shake up the victim mentality that's holding too many leaders back.

In this episode, Jake shares how he helps leadership teams break free from the "foregone conclusion" mindset—that feeling that revenue, profit, and growth are just happening to them rather than being intentionally created. He walks through a powerful story of challenging a client to think bigger: "What's impossible? What would be asinine and ludicrous?" The result? A team that shifted from incremental thinking to planning for exponential growth.

You'll hear about:

• Why 10X goals might actually be easier than 2X
• The "undercover business therapy" that happens when leaders get real
• How personal growth directly impacts business growth
• The difference between reacting to the market versus responding with intention

Whether you're leading a high-growth startup or a lifestyle business, this conversation will challenge you to look in the mirror and ask: Do you actually want to be here? And if so, what are you really building?

Connect with Jake Wells and learn more in the show notes. Remember: business is human to human!

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You can connect with Jake Wells here:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/jake-wells

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"It's the humans driving the process, not the processes driving the humans." - Sulay Thompson

Join host Karl Pontau for an energizing conversation with healthcare operations expert Sulay Thompson, who brings nearly 20 years of experience transforming chaos into clarity in the healthcare industry.

In this episode, Sulay shares her unique perspective on balancing efficiency with empathy—a challenge every growing company faces. She dives into why so many healthcare technologies fail (hint: they're not designed with the actual humans using them in mind!) and tells the fascinating story of how electronic medical records went from exciting innovation to a source of burnout for clinicians.

You'll discover:

• Why "humans first, employees second" creates better business outcomes
• The real reason 70% of tech rollouts fail
• How to bridge the gap between brilliant engineering and practical operations
• Why diversity of thought beats forcing everyone into the same mold

Whether you're in healthcare, tech, or any human-centered business, Sulay's insights on creating sustainable relationships and finding that "healthy middle ground" between different stakeholders will resonate with you.

Remember: Your business isn't B2B or B2C—it's H2H. Human to human.

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You can connect with Sulay Thompson here:

www.linkedin.com/in/sulaythompson

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"In so many organizations, there's this 'for one to win, someone else must lose' mentality. And it creates this conflict where we should be kind of collaborative, we end up being competitors to one another and that creates all kinds of dysfunction."

Former Fortune 10 executive Kyle McDowell joins The Human Connection Podcast to share how he transformed a $7 billion organization by replacing corporate apathy with his game-changing "Ten Ways" framework. After nearly 30 years climbing the corporate ladder while losing his passion along the way, Kyle discovered a revolutionary approach to leadership that turned territorial bosses into genuine leaders.

In this inspiring conversation, Kyle reveals how simple behavioral principles—from "we pick each other up" to "we challenge each other"—created massive cultural shifts and record-breaking results. He shares why most mission statements fail, how to build real accountability across all levels, and why obsessing over the right details separates excellence from mediocrity.

Whether you're battling silos in your organization or searching for a better way to lead, Kyle's authentic approach to human-centered leadership will reignite your purpose and give you practical tools to transform your team today.

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You can connect with Kyle McDowell here:

Kyle's book:

https://a.co/d/63pyKFK

Kyle’s Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/kylemcdowellinc/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kylemcdowellinc

https://www.youtube.com/@kylemcdowellinc

https://www.facebook.com/KyleMcDowellInc

https://twitter.com/KyleMcDowellInc

www.linkedin.com/in/kylemcdowellinc

And lastly Kyle McDowell Inc:, https://www.kylemcdowellinc.com

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"It's not personal, it's just business? Well, my experience working with leaders around the world in all sorts of industries is that that is B.S."

In this episode, workplace relationship expert Morag Barrett proves why human connection isn't the "soft, fluffy stuff"—it's your competitive advantage. As founder of SkyTeam and bestselling author, Morag has transformed workplaces across 20 countries, and she's bringing the receipts.

Discover how one oil and gas company reduced reportable injuries by 18% in six months—not with more rules, but with relationships. Learn why "fine" might be the most dangerous four-letter word at work, and how five minutes of banter can revolutionize your company culture (spoiler: it actually worked for a defense contractor with secret-badged PhDs).

Whether you're navigating hybrid work, quiet quitting, or just trying to build a team that actually shows up for each other, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. Because at the end of the day, it's not B2B or B2C—it's H2H: Human to Human.

About Morag Barrett: Keynote speaker, bestselling author of You, Me, We and Cultivate, and reigning Scrabble champion against her three towering sons. When she's not transforming workplace relationships, you'll find her on the ballroom dance floor.

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You can connect with Morag Barrett here:

Learn More: SkyeTeam.com

Connect with Morag: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moragbarrett/

Complete your complimentary Ally Mindset Profile: skyeteam.cloud/youmewe

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"Once you're in a position where you're not smart enough, you don't have enough money in the bank... you have to humble yourself and rely on others and realize that you need help to make it happen."

Join host Karl Pontau for an inspiring conversation with Carl Sharperson, a leadership innovation strategist who transformed adversity into his superpower. As a two-time cancer survivor, former Marine Corps pilot, and leadership coach, Carl shares how humbling experiences—from battling stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to managing a union manufacturing plant—taught him the most powerful leadership lesson: we all need each other.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why 90% of executives identify work-life balance as their biggest leadership challenge
• The myth of the "self-made" leader and why vulnerability is strength
• How understanding your team's lives outside work unlocks their full potential
• Carl's "join up process" for building authentic relationships with employees

Whether you're leading a team, starting a business, or simply navigating life's challenges, this conversation reminds us that success isn't about having all the answers—it's about building genuine human connections.

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You can connect with Carl Sharperson here:

www.carlsharpersonjr.com

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"People care about their own motivations, not what you have to sell, not what you want to say, not your brand's why." Kevin Perlmutter gets straight to the heart of why so much marketing today falls flat.

In this episode, Kevin—chief strategist at Limbic Brand Evolution and author of Brand Desire—joins host Karl Pontau to explore why fear-based marketing is losing its grip and what actually builds lasting customer relationships. Spoiler: it's not about scarcity tactics or FOMO.

Kevin reveals the shift from the old "persuasion era" to what he calls the shared emotional motivation—that sweet spot where what your brand cares about overlaps with what your customers truly want. Through stories ranging from law firms to IT service providers, he shows how the real differentiators aren't features or price points, but the emotional connections that keep people coming back.

If you're tired of marketing that feels manipulative and want to build a brand people actually love, this conversation is your roadmap. Because at the end of the day, business isn't B2B or B2C—it's H2H: human to human.

Key takeaways:

• Why positive future states motivate better than fear in today's stressed-out market
• How to uncover what your best customers really value (hint: ask them)
• The danger of chasing "white space" with inauthentic brand promises

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You can connect with Kevin Perlmutter here:

BrandDesireBook.com

LimbicBrandEvolution.com

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

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"I've gotten to the point now where I can listen and understand what you explicitly have shared with me. But I've also gotten to a point where I can pick up on things that you didn't explicitly say." – Brian Kurian

In this episode, host Karl Pontau sits down with Brian Kurian, a premium ghostwriter who's mastered the rare intersection of sales and copywriting. Brian shares how he helps busy CEOs and founders tell their authentic stories without the sanitized, press-release feel that so often disconnects leaders from their audiences.

Discover why the best ghostwriters are expert researchers who dig deep into both the founder's mission AND their audience's pain points. Brian reveals the green flags (and red flags!) to look for when hiring a ghostwriter, plus an inspiring success story about transforming a tech-averse multi-millionaire's decades of wisdom into compelling content.

If you've ever wondered how to build genuine human connections at scale—or how to avoid being "just another transaction"—this conversation is for you.

Remember: No matter if your business is B2B or B2C, it's really H2H—human to human.

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You can connect with Brian Kurian here:

https://www.briankuriansbusinessservices.com/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

"The act of asking my team was an act of engagement, and I never thought of that before."

This week, Karl sits down with James Warren, founder and CEO of Share More Stories, for a refreshingly honest conversation about the real power of storytelling in business. Spoiler alert: it's not about making your company look good—it's about making your people feel seen.

James breaks down why employee engagement surveys keep telling leaders the same thing year after year (hint: they're asking the wrong questions), and shares how one health and wellness organization discovered their employee trust levels were literally mirroring their customer experience. Mind. Blown.

From the myth of the "self-made" entrepreneur to why vulnerability is actually a leadership superpower, this episode challenges the bootstrap mentality that's quietly killing company culture. Plus, James reveals the surprisingly simple shift that transforms storytelling from self-congratulatory noise into genuine human connection.

Whether you're leading a team of 5 or 500, this conversation will make you rethink who the real hero of your company's story should be.

Remember: No matter if your business is B2B or B2C, it's really H2H—Human to Human.

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You can connect with James Warren here:

www.sharemorestories.com

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

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

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUbf_bDWwB9KVrFn5Sj3u2w?sub_confirmation=1

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!