“If you’re not doing anything with AI yet—trust me, your competitors are. Start small, solve one real problem, and build from there. But don’t sit this one out.” - Olga Topchaya

TL;DR

Rick Meekins talks with AI strategist Olga Topchaya about how companies are misusing AI—and what they should do instead. Learn how to identify real AI opportunities, avoid common mistakes, and build solutions that actually make your team more effective.

📝 Show Notes

When it comes to AI, too many business leaders are either running headfirst into the hype or sitting on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Both are losing strategies.

In this episode, I sat down with Olga Topchaya—founder of Lapis AI and a rare mix of strategic thinker and generative AI operator. She’s not a coder. She’s not a futurist. She’s a business pro who dove deep into AI, built a team of elite engineers, and is helping companies get real about how they use AI to solve real problems.

We talk about why most AI projects fail before they start, how to find your first real AI use case (hint: start small), and what it means to evolve your team alongside your tools. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “figure out” AI or are wondering whether now is the time to dive in, this one’s for you.

📌 Key Takeaways

• AI isn’t magic—and it’s not plug-and-play. Start with a business problem, not a shiny tool.
• Generative AI creates content—text, images, video, and audio—based on patterns, not understanding. It still needs a human brain in the loop.
• Don’t try to automate everything. Build in layers and solve one problem at a time.
• Prompt engineering isn’t just for developers. Your admin team can 10x their impact if they learn how to talk to AI tools effectively.
• Success isn’t about eliminating people—it’s about elevating them. AI is a multiplier, not a replacement.
• Competitive edge belongs to those who start now. If you’re waiting, your competitors aren’t.
• Guardrails matter. Security, privacy, and ethical use need to be baked into every AI solution you deploy.

Guest Bio

Olga Topchaya is the Founder and CEO of Lapis AI Consults. She leads the way in assisting companies to leverage the transformative power of AI and gain a competitive edge. Having over a decade-long vibrant marketing and product career across various industries has given her deep insights into the practical challenges and opportunities companies face.

  She approaches AI innovation with a business-first mindset and ensures clients are making the right decisions in implementing AI – building solutions that are both innovative and pragmatic. Olga is a proud boy mom and founded her AI company on the same philosophy with which she views parenting: the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and contextual understanding.

Giveaway:

Guests who listen to the show can receive a free 1-hour consultation, normally offered at $325 per hour.  Just click the link below to contact Olga for details.

Click Here

Company Website: Lapis Consultants

"Referrals are the new résumé. And in a world where AI can fake credentials, the only thing that still carries weight? People who’ve actually worked with you. That’s the foundation of Narwhal Network—and the future of fractional work." - Arti Istrefi

📝 Show Notes:

When we talk about the future of work, most people throw around buzzwords and remote-first philosophies. Arta Istrefi? She’s building the infrastructure for it. In this episode, I sat down with Arta to unpack what she and her team at Narwhal Network are doing to completely reimagine how high-performing professionals—especially fractional executives—connect, collaborate, and build careers that work for their lives.

We hit everything from how AI is shaping the job market to why referrals are becoming more powerful than résumés. Arta breaks down why full-time roles are losing relevance, what it actually means to build a career portfolio, and why women in particular are finding new freedom in the fractional model. We also dig into Narwhal’s ARC (Accelerated Relationship Cultivation) platform—a new approach to relationship management that’s rooted in community, authenticity, and purpose-driven referrals.

Whether you’re a founder trying to build a team of elite talent or a seasoned exec trying to make sense of your next career move, you’re going to want to hear what Arta has to say.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Referrals > Résumés: In a world increasingly driven by AI and automation, authentic referrals are becoming the most valuable currency in hiring.
• Fractional Work is the Future: Professionals want flexibility, companies want expertise without overhead, and the fractional model bridges that gap.
• ARC > CRM: Narwhal Network’s new ARC platform focuses on meaningful relationships, not transactions.
• The Rise of the Portfolio Professional: One job is no longer the standard. Executives are curating multi-role careers that align with both purpose and profit.
• Empowering Women in the Workforce: Fractional roles are helping women balance family, career growth, and impact—without compromise.
• Time Management is King: Success as a fractional depends on your ability to manage time, energy, and priorities across engagements.

🔍 TL;DR

Discover how Arta Istrefi and the Narwhal Network are redefining the future of work with fractional roles, referral-based opportunities, and a new relationship-driven career platform called ARC. A must-listen for founders and professionals navigating the modern workforce.

You want to know what derails businesses, even the well-intentioned ones? Communication. Or more accurately, the lack of it. I sat down with Matthew P. Hoffman—author, coach, and co-host of the Kickass Couples Podcast—to unpack how communication isn’t just a soft skill, it’s a survival skill.

Matthew brings the heat with insights drawn from his time leading large teams in senior living communities, writing his book Kickass Husband, and helping couples and companies alike navigate the messiness of human interaction.

We talk about the invisible breakdowns that sabotage culture, the power of empathy in leadership, why “open door policy” isn’t enough, and how trust is built (and broken) one moment at a time. If you’ve ever wondered why your team doesn’t tell you the truth—or your spouse doesn’t feel heard—this one’s for you.

You’ll walk away with practical ways to build a culture of clarity, set healthy boundaries, and create real psychological safety in your organization. And trust me—it’s not about adding another meeting. It’s about owning your responsibility as a leader and learning to actually listen.

• Communication is strategy. If people aren’t clear on what success looks like, you don’t have alignment—you have chaos.

• Culture isn’t what you say—it’s what you tolerate. Leaders must model the behavior they want to see.

• Empathy is a leadership skill. People don’t need you to fix everything—they need to know you get it.

• Boundaries create trust. Agreements aren’t just for couples—they belong in your business, too.

• Praise is free. If you’re not celebrating wins—big or small—you’re starving your team of momentum.

Bio:

Matthew P. Hoffman is a kickass relationship and business/professional coach- a national speaker, trainer, and author. Matthew is a widely respected authority on relationships, radical communication,  and conflict resolution. He specializes in presenting these critical concepts in a fun, entertaining and empowering way that give his clients specific strategies to employ that will drive their business success and elevate their most important human relationships. With a diverse background in business, people and systems thanks to a Liberal Arts degree from Middlebury College and a Masters in Business from Cornell University, Matthew is prepared to meet his clients where they are and help them soar in their critical business and personal relationships.  His work has been featured on ABC, Fox and he is a regular expert contributor on relationships for NBC's "Bloom," in the Florida major market.

“Your brand is what you say about yourself. Your reputation is what people say when you're not in the room. The fastest way to ruin both? Leading with a sales pitch instead of a real relationship.” - Mark J. Carter

What if the secret to growth, referrals, and real influence wasn’t your pitch—but your people?

In this episode, I sit down with Mark J. Carter—interviewer, author, and relationship marketing strategist—to unpack what it really means to build meaningful relationships. Spoiler: it’s not about handing out more business cards or sending cold DMs. It’s about how you show up, who you choose to help, and how you become unforgettable by actually giving a damn.

Mark shares how he built a career around intentional networking and curiosity, why “no like and trust” is still undefeated, and how your brand and reputation are created in the moments you’re not in the room. We talk LinkedIn outreach that doesn’t suck, how to ask the right questions, and what it takes to build a reputation worth talking about.

If you're tired of transactional networking and ready to build a business on trust, alignment, and authenticity—this one’s for you.

• Transactional vs. Meaningful: Building long-term, value-driven relationships takes time—but the return is exponential.

• The 90-Day Ask: Instead of pitching, ask: “Where do you want to be in 90 days—and how can I help?”

• Brand vs. Reputation: Brand is what you say. Reputation is what they say when you're not around. Align both.

• LinkedIn Done Right: Start with curiosity—“What exciting projects are you working on?”—and skip the sales pitch.

• Build in Public: Interviews, podcasts, and informational outreach are some of the fastest ways to create authentic connections.

Mark J. Carter began facilitating mastermind experiences for entrepreneurs when he moved to Chicago in 2022 and never looked back. His unique brand of focusing on meaningful dialogue and action-oriented outcomes stands out from most mastermind groups that don’t set clear expectations and don’t provide a proven structure.

Mark has always been curious about how successful people got where they are in life. He has been interviewing and researching successful people for 25 years, in the last few years he’s published over 100 podcast and radio show interviews.

Mark still enjoys interviewing people and posts many of the interviews on his YouTube station (https://www.youtube.com/@markjcarter).

In 2022 Mark’s interviews culminated in his book, “Idea Climbing: How to Create a Support System for Your Next Big Idea”.

Learn more about Mark at www.MarkJCarter.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjcarter/

"We can get in our own way by thinking it has to be all or nothing or that it has to be immediate. But if you slow down, realign with what you actually want, and take small, intentional steps, you’ll get to where you need to be." – Alyssa Gioscia

Transitions are scary—whether it’s shifting from a stable corporate career to entrepreneurship, redefining personal success, or breaking free from limiting beliefs. Executive coach Alyssa Gioscia knows firsthand how daunting these changes can be. But she also knows that clarity, alignment, and intentional action make all the difference.

In this episode, Alyssa shares hard-earned insights on navigating professional and personal transitions, aligning your work with your values, and overcoming the subconscious mental roadblocks that keep you stuck. If you’ve ever struggled with saying “no,” felt overwhelmed by change, or questioned whether you’re on the right path, this conversation is for you.

We’re talking about:

✅ The reality of career transitions—what it actually takes to pivot successfully

✅ Identifying and overcoming limiting beliefs that sabotage your growth

✅ Why values alignment isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for long-term success

✅ How small shifts in mindset and language create massive professional breakthroughs

✅ The power of self-reflection and journaling in unlocking clarity

Alyssa doesn’t sugarcoat the work it takes to transform, but she does offer a roadmap that makes the process clearer and more achievable. If you’re serious about stepping into the next level of your career or business, hit play.

Key Takeaways

🔹 Transitions require clarity and commitment. Don’t expect instant success—map out a plan, understand the trade-offs, and adjust your expectations.

🔹 Values alignment drives fulfillment. The work you do should reflect what actually matters to you, not just what you’ve been told you “should” want.

🔹 Mindset and language shape reality. If you’re telling yourself a limiting story, it’s time to rewrite the script.

🔹 Overwhelm is often a product of saying “yes” too much. Learning to pause before committing is a superpower.

🔹 Self-reflection is a game-changer. If you don’t take time to process your thoughts, you’ll struggle to make decisions that truly serve you.

Alyssa Gioscia is a highly regarded Executive Coach who partners with high-performing executives and entrepreneurs to achieve exceptional results. With over a decade of experience, Alyssa brings a unique combination of leadership development, performance psychology, and personal growth strategies to help her clients excel. Her coaching style is deeply empathetic yet results-driven, creating a safe, collaborative space for clients to explore challenges, develop self-awareness, and build resilience. Alyssa is known for her ability to inspire and challenge her clients while providing the guidance needed to navigate complex professional landscapes.

Before transitioning to coaching, Alyssa held leadership roles in prominent organizations, giving her firsthand knowledge of organizational dynamics and strategic decision-making. This experience equips her to help clients tackle the intricacies of leadership and innovation with confidence. Outside her practice, Alyssa is a lifelong learner, staying at the forefront of research in leadership, psychology, and performance optimization. If you’re an executive or entrepreneur looking to elevate your performance and overcome obstacles, Alyssa is the partner you need to unlock your potential and achieve your goals.

“You can’t just say you’re making the next great game—investors don’t care. You have to show them how you’ll bring value beyond just a product.” – Vincent Bitetti

How do you go from garage to NASDAQ, building a business from scratch and scaling it to a publicly traded company? What does it take to navigate the high-stakes world of intellectual property licensing in entertainment? And in an era dominated by AI, why does human capital still reign supreme?

In this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning, I sit down with Vincent Bitetti—an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in interactive entertainment, gaming, and business strategy. From his early days as a musician to leading major licensing deals with Hollywood and running a NASDAQ-listed company, Vincent’s journey is a masterclass in adaptation, negotiation, and strategic execution.

We dive into:

• The Power of Human Capital – Despite the rise of AI and automation, Vincent argues that business success is still fueled by people, relationships, and creativity. Whether you’re working in a junkyard or developing immersive 3D environments in Unreal Engine, human ingenuity remains irreplaceable.
• From garage to NASDAQ – Vincent shares his firsthand experience of building companies from the ground up, securing funding, navigating corporate politics, and the hard lessons learned from leading a public company through economic shifts.
• The Explosive Growth of Gaming – The video game industry has skyrocketed from an $8 billion niche market to a $250 billion global powerhouse. Vincent breaks down why this happened, where the industry is headed, and why differentiation is critical for securing investment.
• Licensing & Intellectual Property Battles – What does it take to secure major Hollywood licenses for video games? Vincent takes us behind the scenes of negotiating likeness rights for Star Trek’s original cast, working with Shrek, UFC, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the real challenges of IP licensing.
• The Reality of Public Company Leadership – Raising capital, managing investors, and weathering economic downturns—Vincent shares what most entrepreneurs don’t realize about running a publicly traded company and the strategic decisions that determine survival.
• The Future of Gaming & Entertainment – AI-generated content, Web3 gaming, and beyond—Vincent discusses where the industry is heading and what new game developers need to do to stand out in an oversaturated market.

This episode is packed with hard-won wisdom for founders, creative professionals, and anyone looking to scale their business from garage to NASDAQ. If you’re interested in gaming, entrepreneurship, or the business of entertainment, don’t miss this one.

✅ The Power of Human Capital – No matter how advanced AI becomes, businesses still thrive on people, relationships, and creativity. ✅ Licensing Lessons – Navigating intellectual property rights is a minefield, but Vincent’s experience with Star Trek, Shrek, and UFC shows how it’s done. ✅ The Evolution of Gaming – From an $8B industry to a $250B+ behemoth, gaming is now bigger than music and film combined. ✅ Innovation and Differentiation – If you want to secure funding, don’t just pitch another game—bring real value beyond the product. ✅ Hard Lessons in Business – The importance of understanding corporate politics and how companies pivot during economic downturns.

• 00:00 The Value of Human Capital
• 08:37 Vincent's Musical Journey and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
• 15:46 Innovations in Children's Educational Software
• 17:15 The Explosive Growth of the Gaming Industry
• 18:31 Navigating Corporate Dynamics at TDK
• 20:18 Challenges in Game Development and Licensing
• 24:09 Negotiating Licenses and Building Relationships
• 29:44 Transitioning to New Ventures and Lessons Learned
• 35:35 The Future of Gaming: Innovation and Differentiation

“For a company to win and to succeed and to endure, if you don’t have the right team, you will not make it.” – Marci Schnapp

In this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning podcast, I sit down with Marci Schnapp, the founder of CollabGenius, to explore the power of role-based assessments in building high-performing teams. Marci shares her journey from recruitment to behavioral science-driven consulting, offering insights into how Collab Genius helps businesses strategically hire, develop, and retain the right people.

We dive into how understanding team dynamics can transform organizational success and prevent costly hiring mistakes. consulting, revealing how Collab Genius helps companies hire the right people, align team functions, and drive sustainable growth. If you want to optimize team dynamics and avoid costly hiring mistakes, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

• 00:00 Introduction to Winning Mindsets
• 01:48 Understanding Team Dynamics
• 02:54 Marci’s Journey and Background
• 06:39 The Birth of Collab Genius
• 09:14 Role-Based Assessment Explained
• 12:04 Personal Insights from Assessments
• 15:04 Building Effective Teams
• 18:36 Recruiting for Success
• 19:26 Personal Branding and Team Roles
• 23:28 Real-Life Success Stories
• 27:08 The Importance of Fit in Teams
• 28:24 Dynamic Teams and Future Trends
• 33:26 How to Connect with Marci

In this episode, I sat down with Monty Fowler, co-founder and managing partner of Aspire 6—a boutique consulting firm that worked with founder-led startups, mid-market companies, and large enterprises. Monty shared his fascinating journey, from military service to network engineering and eventually to becoming a sales leader and mentor. For those who wondered how mentorship, sales strategy, and leadership debt impacted business growth, this conversation delivered compelling insights.

What Listeners Gained from This Episode:

• Why mentorship mattered: Monty explained how a mentor transformed not only his career but also his perspective on leadership.
• The science and art of sales: We broke down what separated average salespeople from top performers by discussing the importance of understanding key metrics and focusing on problem-solving.
• The concept of Executive Debt: Monty introduced the idea that short-term leadership decisions could lead to long-term operational costs, urging leaders to think beyond quick wins.
• The rise of AI in decision-making: We discussed how AI was beginning to reshape sales and leadership strategies, and why many companies were at risk of falling behind.
• A personal career journey: Monty recounted his transition from a sales engineer to a successful founder and mentor, highlighting the role of continuous learning and self-reflection.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mentorship was transformational: The most significant career moves often came from honest, sometimes tough, feedback from someone who cared about your success.
2. Sales was about helping: The best sales professionals weren’t just closing deals—they were solving real problems for their clients.
3. Understanding the business cockpit: Great salespeople mastered the art of focusing on the metrics that truly mattered, much like a pilot who knew every dial and gauge.
4. Executive Debt was real: Leaders learned that short-term decisions could incur long-term costs, making it crucial to balance immediate needs with future impacts.
5. AI was a game-changer: Embracing AI early was key, as those who didn’t adapt risked being left behind.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Monty Fowler and His Journey

02:42 The Importance of Mentorship

05:21 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development

07:51 Success Stories from Mentorship

10:57 The Process of Becoming

13:39 Sales as a Helping Profession

16:02 Understanding the Science of Sales

19:07 The Characteristics of Successful Salespeople

21:36 Commitment to Lifelong Learning in Sales

23:59 Understanding the Diagnostic Assessment Process

28:53 The Concept of Executive Debt

33:08 The Importance of Decision-Making in Leadership

42:55 Personal and Professional Goals for the Future

"Doctors told me I had two years to live. That was 13 years ago. I realized then—my job wasn’t to worry about dying. It was to focus on living."

I’ve always believed that life isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about how we respond when they show up. In this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning, I sit down with Terry Tucker, a man who knows a thing or two about resilience. From serving as a SWAT hostage negotiator to battling a rare form of cancer for over a decade, Terry’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, mindset, and finding purpose through adversity.

We talk about what it really means to sustain excellence—not just achieving success, but maintaining it over the long haul. Terry shares the lessons he’s learned from speaking on over 700 podcasts and writing Sustainable Excellence, breaking down how to push past fear, redefine what success means for yourself, and keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way.

• Fear is a Roadblock—Until You Challenge It – The worst-case scenario is rarely as bad as we imagine. Identifying and confronting fear head-on is the first step toward growth.
• Excellence is Personal – There’s no universal definition of excellence; it’s about defining and pursuing what it means for you.
• Sustainable Success is About Continuous Growth – Staying at the top requires ongoing adaptation, innovation, and learning—resting on past wins leads to stagnation.
• Find Meaning in the Struggle – Hardships don’t define us—how we respond to them does. Adopting a mindset of resilience turns adversity into an opportunity.
• Connection is Everything – Deep, meaningful conversations and relationships fuel success. Being genuinely curious about others can open unexpected doors.

Terry doesn’t just talk about resilience—he lives it every day. If you’re someone who’s hit a plateau, faced setbacks, or just needs a reminder of why you started in the first place, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to keep going.

• 00:00 Introduction and Background of Terry Tucker
• 03:06 Terry's Journey Through Life and Career
• 05:56 Facing Cancer: A Personal Battle
• 08:57 Finding Purpose and Values
• 11:51 The Evolution of Purpose
• 15:02 Connection and Deep Conversations
• 17:26 The Power of Curiosity and Connection
• 18:54 Understanding Sustainable Excellence
• 22:30 Resilience: Handling Life's Challenges
• 30:05 Faith as an Anchor in Life
• 35:21 The Importance of Sharing and Connection

📢 Terry is also giving away a free PDF copy of his book, Sustainable Excellence! Visit motivationalcheck.com to connect with him and request your copy.