The Manage 2 Win Podcast

Will AI assistants replace Executive Assistants in 2026?

No, unless you ignore the transition.

AI is changing executive support forever.

The question isn't whether it's coming, it's whether you're ready.

AI should be used as a tool, not a takeover.

Monique Helstrom, leadership coach and former Executive Assistant to Simon Sinek, shares how AI tools for Executive Assistants can elevate the role instead of replacing it. After building a successful career as an assistant, Monique now teaches executives and teams how to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness working with their executive assistants.

One BIG change in 2026: How to integrate AI strategically into your leader-executive assistant workflow.

Monique breaks down her AI + Executive Assistant Course, including 68 practical AI prompts and modules covering business management, travel coordination, email strategy, communication, executive support systems, and more.

Key insights:

· #1. - Why AI won't replace Executive Assistants, but ignorance might.

· #2. - How executives should properly onboard and train EAs.

· #3. - How AI improves prioritization, productivity, and communication.

· #4. - Why shadowing, feedback, and partnership are critical.

· #5. - The power of keeping a "human in the loop".

"AI is a tool. There should always be a human in the loop." – Monique Helstrom

🎙 Featured Guest: Monique Helstrom 🔹 Website: https://www.moniquehelstrom.com/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquehelstrom/

If you're an Executive Assistant, business owner, or leader navigating AI in the workplace, this conversation will change how you think about the future of executive support.

#ExecutiveAssistant #AIForBusiness #MoniqueHelstrom #ArtificialIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessProductivity #Onboarding #AItools #Manage2Win #DavidRussellPodcast

What does it take to lead with clarity when the world feels louder, faster, and more chaotic than ever?

The answer: Return to truth, rebuild critical thinking, and master self-leadership, because real leadership isn't a title, it's a sacred responsibility practiced daily.

John Krotec, U.S. Army veteran, author, speaker, and founder of NeoMasculinity Solutions, joined us for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and thinking clearly in the digital era. John is the creator of The Sentinel Handbook, and he equips purpose-driven men and women to lead with inner authority, courage, and conviction, especially when truth feels under siege.

John shares how leaders can rewire how they think, handle conflict with maturity, and build movements rooted in character and competence. David and John also connect the dots between modern leadership habits and timeless frameworks, from Atomic Habits (James Clear) to The Daily Stoic (Ryan Holiday) covering everything from etiquette and humility to the importance of knowing and loving yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Why leadership is a sacred duty, not just a title or position.
• How to return to critical thinking in a world flooded with misinformation.
• Why humility is strength: the courage to admit errors and keep learning
• How to lead naturally (not forced) and become a real role model
• The hidden downside of social media—and how it impacts leadership and life
• What NeoMasculinity actually means (and why women can embody it too)

Join us to learn how to lead with more confidence, clarity, and truth. Tackle the reality of today's information overload, including why so much of what we consume isn't reliable and why leaders must learn to communicate with facts, respect different perspectives, and model the standards they expect from their teams.

🎙 Featured Guest: John Krotec

🔹 Neo Masculinity Website: https://www.neomasculinity.solutions/

🔹 John's Website: https://johntkrotec.com/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkrotec/

#Manage2Win #JohnKrotec #NeoMasculinity #LeadershipPodcast #CriticalThinking #SelfLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TruthAndClarity #LeadershipMindset #DigitalAgeLeadership #AtomicHabits #DailyStoic #TeamLeadership #ConflictResolution #Leadership2026

What if your introversion isn't a limitation… but one of the your most powerful leadership strengths?

Introverts aren't "less social." They're just wired differently. They actually become incredibly influential communicators, relationship builders, and calm, steady leaders people trust they learn to leverage their unique strengths.

Greg Weinger, author of The Powerful Introvert, is on a mission to break down the myths, advantages, and hidden strengths of introverted professionals. His work centers on communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, and building strong relationships without compromising who you are.

Greg shares how he went from feeling ashamed of being an introver to embracing it as a superpower - one that transformed his communication style, his relationships, and his leadership ability.

Key Takeaways

• Why introversion is not a flaw, and how to start owning it.
• Common introvert characteristics that become leadership strengths.
• How introverts can navigate social discomfort with preparation and sincerity.
• Top 3 weaknesses introverts face.
• Top 3 strengths introverts bring.
• Practical strategies to build relationships while honoring your introverted nature.

Join us as Greg unpacks practical tools for dealing with social discomfort, preparing for conversations, managing energy, building authentic relationships, and asking better open-ended questions.

Featured Guest: Greg Weinger

🔹 LinkedIn: @gregoryweinger 🔹 Website & Podcast: Powerful Introvert Podcast

Whether you're introverted yourself or lead introverts on your team, this episode will help you understand how introversion can be a strategic advantage in work and life.

#Manage2Win #GregWeinger #PowerfulIntrovert #IntrovertStrengths #IntrovertLeadership #DavidRussell #LeadershipPodcast #CommunicationSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #RelationshipBuilding #WorkplaceSuccess #IntrovertTips #CalmLeadership #PerformanceCoaching #PersonalGrowth2026

How do you solve challenges so complex that even your best people feel stuck?

The answer: you untangle them, not with guesswork or force, but with a structured, human-centered methodology that brings clarity, alignment, and momentum back into your business.

Reuven Shelef, Founder & CEO of OUT OF THE BOX Consulting and creator of the groundbreaking Untangling Complex Challenges® methodology. With over 30 years of experience across engineering, technology, business transformation, and human behavior, Reuven has helped Fortune 500 companies, startups, and executive teams solve the challenges others couldn't, from broken processes to cross-functional misalignment to organizational bottlenecks.

Key Takeaways

• How the Untangling Complex Challenges® methodology works and why it's so effective.
• How engineering logic + human dynamics create precise transformation.
• The role of emotional intelligence in technical problem-solving.
• How Reuven's personal life challenges shaped his methodology.

🎙 Featured Guest: Reuven Shelef

🔹 Website: https://reuvenshelef.com/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reuvenshelef/

Join us as Reuven shares his personal experience on how leaders can think clearer, lead better, and solve bigger problems than ever before.

#Manage2Win #ReuvenShelef #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessTransformation #ComplexChallenges #ExecutiveCoaching #OrganizationalHealth #SalesforceConsulting #ProcessImprovement #SystemsThinking #HumanDynamics #OperationalExcellence #Leadership2025 #Manage2WinPodcast #DavidRussell

What separates the best salespeople from everyone else?

It's not luck. It's structure, persistence, and knowing exactly how to interact, when to connect, and why the small details matter.

Glenn Poulos, award-winning author and entrepreneur, built and sold an $80M company, leads high-performing teams, and helps business owners master the art of influence, negotiation, and authentic communication. His book, Never Sit in the Lobby: 57 Winning Sales Factors to Build Relationships, Close Deals, and Create Clients for Life, breaks down practical strategies that turn salespeople into trusted advisors.

From reading the room to crafting presentations that stick, Glenn reveals his personal "cheat codes" for building trust and closing deals, including why you should open with the truth, not your résumé.

Key Takeaways

• What to look for when hiring top sales talent.
• The mindset and habits that separate great sellers from average ones.
• Why salespeople are the hardest (and most important) hires to get right.
• The importance of building structure before hiring. Process before people.
• How to leave lasting impressions and tell stories that stick.
• How to value your time and sell with confidence in a distracted world.

🎙 Featured Guest: Glenn Poulos

🔹 Website: https://glennpoulos.com/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-poulos-45bab86/

Join us as Glenn uncovers the mindset, structure, and daily habits behind top-performing sales professionals.

#Manage2Win #GlennPoulos #SalesPodcast #LeadershipPodcast #DavidRussell #EntrepreneurMindset #NeverSitInTheLobby #SalesTraining #BusinessGrowth #NegotiationSkills #Influence #TeamBuilding #SalesLeadership #PresentationTips #GrowthMindset2025

What if the secret to unlocking your success isn't working harder… but flipping your "life switch"?

Everyone already has the switch inside them. Most just forget how to turn it on.

Entrepreneur, author of Life Switch, and financial advisor, Joel Steele, reveals how to turn your light switch on to live with purpose, passion, and power. He has guided thousands toward wealth, health, and purpose. Rising from personal adversity, he transformed his struggles into lessons of resilience, gratitude, and self-mastery. Through his Life Switch movement, Joel helps others discover how they're wired, and how to turn that awareness into action, success, and impact.

Joel's story is proof that transformation begins the moment you decide to face yourself. Once standing on the edge of failure, he chose to rewrite his life through discipline, purpose, and a mindset focused on giving rather than getting.

Join us as Joel dives deep into what it means to live ON, to rediscover your potential, overcome self-doubt, and embrace the process that leads to lasting success.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• How to identify and flip your life switch to live intentionally.
• The mindset shift from getting to giving, and how it multiplies success.
• Why gratitude and self-honesty are the foundation of fulfillment.
• How to face rejection, learn from bad days, and redefine success.
• Why your WHY determines how far you'll go, and how to find it.
• How to make decisions that minimize regret and maximize growth.

If you're ready to flip your switch and live ON, don't miss this episode!

Watch now, subscribe to Manage 2 Win, and turn on notifications for more interviews with leaders transforming adversity into purpose.

Learn more about Joel Steele and his new book Life Switch at

🔹 Website: https://bookjoelsteele.com/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-steele-9685888/

#Manage2Win #JoelSteele #LifeSwitch #DavidRussell #LeadershipPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #SuccessTips #PersonalDevelopment #PurposeDriven #Motivation2025 #Gratitude #GrowthMindset #BusinessLeadership #SelfImprovement #LiveOn

Is growing your business worth losing your marriage, health, and peace of mind?

Most entrepreneurs don't realize they're chasing success at the cost of everything that truly matters… until it's almost too late.

James Riley, CEO of JNR Networks, shares his powerful journey of redefining what success really means. From facing a heart attack to rediscovering balance through faith, family, and purpose, James reveals how he shifted from burnout to breakthrough, learning that money isn't the answer:

The answer is alignment.

Pressure to grow is real, but long-term priorities matter more than short-term profits.

Key takeaways: ✅ Balance isn't perfection, it's the average of what truly counts ✅ Communication and accountability strengthen both business and relationships ✅ Set a team culture where failure drives learning, not fear

🎙 Featured Guest: James Riley

🔹 Website: https://jnrnet.com/ 🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnrjamesriley/

Join us as James shares his insights on how to overcome pressure, set clear priorities that help set a foundation for growth, and prove that success and family don't have to compete, they can grow together.

#Manage2Win #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessGrowth #FaithAndWork #EntrepreneurMindset #WorkLifeBalance #DavidRussell #JamesRiley #SuccessStartsAtHome #BusinessLeadership #MarriageAndBusiness #PurposeDrivenLife #AccountabilityCulture #IntentionalLiving

Why do most press releases fail, and how can you be in the 3% that actually drive media coverage, ROI, and long-term business growth?

PR expert Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, reveals the strategies small businesses, entrepreneurs, and executives can use to gain real media attention, without spending thousands on advertising.

For over 26 years, Mickie has empowered small business owners to stand out in crowded markets with authentic, highly targeted press releases. He's helped clients generate $132M+ in earned media with campaigns that cost as little as a few hundred dollars.

From crafting bold, newsworthy stories to leveraging case studies and email marketing, Mickie shares how to turn visibility into credibility, conversions, and leadership influence.

📌 Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Why most press releases fail and how to write one that lands.
2. The power of storytelling over numbers (think Shark Tank pitches).
3. Why people buy from people, not companies, and how to build trust.
4. How to use AI as a tool to support your process.

Join us and master press releases to grow your business and learn the must-have structure of a successful press release…

#Manage2Win #MickieKennedy #PressReleases #PRTips #MediaCoverage #SmallBusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #EarnedMedia #BusinessLeadership #DavidRussellPodcast

What does it really take to scale a business from $0 to over $30M while building a strong company culture and embracing AI?

It takes integrity. You have an edge if you grew up in a healthy family and one or more parents gave you good advice… But you can learn wisdom if you choose your mentors carefully.

What fuels growth from there?

Consistent integrity, developing more wisdom, and two key pro sport team disciplines: Total commitment to a strong company culture, and systems.

Ephraim Ebstein, Founder & CEO of Fit Solutions, turned a startup into a $30M IT and cybersecurity powerhouse by combining strong leadership systems with innovative automation strategies. Ephraim reveals how AI "employees" now handle over 15,000 customer interactions daily, why hiring for values and drive beats résumés, and how embedding culture into every process makes teams unstoppable.

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Why company culture is THE fuel for growth.
• The role of mentorship, and why you don't need a "perfect" mentor.
• Work ethic and culture match vs. qualifications: What really matters in hiring.
• How AI tools are reshaping customer service and sales processes.
• The importance of daily team alignment on mission, vision, and values.

Join us as Ephraim shares practical lessons on mentorship, leadership, and how business growth brings freedom, not just financial success.

🎙 Featured Guest: Ephraim Ebstein

🔹 Website: https://fitsolutions.biz

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ephraim-ebstein-5a2a1a10/

🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingspear/

#Manage2Win #EphraimEbstein #FitSolutions #BusinessGrowth #MSP #Cybersecurity #AIinBusiness #CompanyCulture #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Automation #Podcast

Are your leadership habits unknowingly driven by fear?

Are your reactions, team dynamics, or communication patterns really what they seem? Or are they being shaped by your internal defenses?

In this episode, we welcome back organizational psychologist and executive coach Dr. Laura Gallaher to explore how self-deception, fear-based behaviors, and emotional triggers sabotage leadership even when intentions are good. We go deeper into the psychology behind leadership, culture, and emotional intelligence.

If you're leading people and still feel like something's off, this conversation will hit home.

🧠 Laura breaks down:

• How to spot fear-driven decisions vs love-based leadership
• The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Theory (FIRO): significance, competence, and likability
• Why what irritates you in others may actually be about you
• The step-by-step process to move from awareness → comprehension → transformation

Joins us and learn how this episode will challenge and inspire you to stop leading from fear and start leading from a deeper sense of self-awareness.

🎙 Featured Guest: Dr. Laura Gallaher

🔹 Website: https://www.gallaheredge.com/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gallaher-phd/

🔹 Assessment: www.Selfacceptancequiz.com

🔹 Quiz: https://www.gallaheredge.com/sa-quiz-lp

#LeadershipDevelopment #SelfAwareness #EmotionalIntelligence #PsychologicalSafety #LauraGallaher #FearVsLove #CompanyCulture #ExecutiveCoaching #Manage2Win #SelfAcceptance