The Matt Sodnicar Podcast

I sit down with Jessica Rae, VP of Account Management from Blackline to talk about leadership in business, but specifically how she recognized and admitted to fears as a leader - and the transformation that occurred in her teams from that candor and courage.  We also explore facing mortality as a breast cancer survivor; the concepts of neutral curiosity, assuming positive intent, and how her athletic background helped her feel comfortable failing, and forged a mindset of heading forward towards resistance - the dark cave of fear, and Casa Bonita! 

Links to her articles:

• Becoming More Heart Centered in Leadership
• Connections, Courage and Change Management

Books and podcasts: 

• The Price Of Tomorrow, by Jeff Booth, and 
• A Rich Life - Tim Ferris with Ramit Sethi

Christine Wzorek, CEO of White Label Advisors defines how marrying human capital, business strategy, and financial strategy through the lens of human behavior can truly affect the performance of a business.  

We also cover the origin of her personal brand deck inspired by Coco Chanel, leaving an abusive relationship and the many attempts to actually do it.  She then describes the elegant puzzle of human behavior, how an HR policy is only as good as the behavior, the right to dignity, fonts (yes, fonts), and how she designed her brother's memorial program to honor his design ethos and style.

Other links:

• Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind
• Helvetica Documentary
• Superheroes by The Script

Samtu Palouki takes me through his incredible journey from a nerdy tech kid in Togo, moving to the US without being fluent in English, joining the US Army, the added challenge of the language barrier during bootcamp, isolation & lonliness, to creating short films to boost his comrades' morale - and becoming a viral video star.  A story of perseverance, creativity, humor, and creating from the heart.

Here's his first viral video.

And see more of his work on Instagram.

Thanks to Chris Anthony for connecting us.  

Samtu and Chris met at Fort Drum,  on the promo tour for Chris's documentary, Mission Mt. Mangart, about the 10th Mountain Division in WW2. 

I sit down with Kelly Schexnaildre, founder and CEO of Merfs Condiments.  And this conversation is not about the hot sauce.  We talk about the journey to allowing yourself to be loved - and accepted, the spirit of forgiveness, defining grace as unearned favor, leaving the church, religion, and the guilt of being gay -  culminating her calling to ponder becoming a minister.

At a very young age, Ellen Busch was labeled dyslexic.  At the time, it was a death sentence in the educational system. 

With the unwavering support and love from her parents, she realized she's not broken and learned to thrive. 

We also talk about finding the courage to leave an abusive marriage, the transformation after attending Mark Divine's Navy SEAL Unbeatable Mind program, and the impact and gift of life demonstrated by her mom by being an organ donor, and her dad being a tissue donor.  

I also had the privilege of reading a powerful letter from the family member of the life saved. 

I sit down with my longtime professional mentor and career guardian angel, Carie Zoellner about how she got involved with Hagar International and their mission to end the cycle of trauma from human trafficking. 

Gartner will match your donation for the next month, at 200%: https://hagarusa.org/carie-hagar-fundraiser/

I chat with Marley Blonsky, Seattle-based bike advocate, bike adventurer and fat cyclist advocate.  We talk about how dealing with retailers assuming she's a beginner, cycling through a crumbling marriage, speaking up for fat cyclists and how this journey ultimately led to being featured in the Shimano documentary All Bodies on Bikes with friend Kailey Kornhauser.  Give them a follow at All Bodies on Bikes.

How you learn to accept that you're worthy of being loved - after addiction, physical trauma and transformation and divorce?

I sit down with Quinn Brett (@quinndalina) and Joshua Stevens, (@tumbleweedultra) in advance of the Wings of Life Relay, raising funds for spinal cord research.  Please join the team or consider a donation!

We talk about bravery, motivation, love, and naked men in saunas.

Adam Gamboa from Talnua Distillery in Arvada takes me through their Star Wars themed cocktails, including the Yoda Soda, Darth Tater, Wookie Crumbles, and why gravy didn't work in a cocktail - this time around.

We go through the history of Single Pot Still Whiskey, and but more importantly, Adam takes me through the leadership in Talnua, and the support for work, family and community - and explains why that magic blends into a wonderful experience for customers and employees.

Be sure to come by starting May 4 2021 to enjoy these great bevvys.

Thanks to Nick Sodnicar at SodFotog for the great distillery pics.

I sit down with friend and sales training consultant Teila Evans from Flockjay.  We talk about how she started her sales consulting business, more out of necessity than by choice, breaking through decision paralysis, impostor syndrome, the unconscious impact of being the only black person in the office, and helping create space to help another show their power.