Sharissa Sebastian Deppen is the CEO of Leadership Mastery Alliance; a company specializing in supporting introverted servant leaders who are women in corporate leadership. She's a leadership and executive coach with an MBA, MSc in Technology Leadership and her PCC Certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as well as a Myers Briggs Certified Practitioner. She has 15+ years of corporate leadership experience in addition to coaching several Fortune 100 leaders and executives.

In this episode, host Rick Meekins interviews Sharissa Deppen about making a massive impact as an introverted servant leader. Sharissa shares her background in the tech industry and how she transitioned into coaching and leadership. She discusses the struggles introverted leaders face and how they can excel by embracing their strengths. The conversation also covers the definition of introversion and servant leadership, the importance of setting boundaries, and navigating difficult conversations as a leader. Sharissa emphasizes the need for self-awareness and seeking external help when necessary. In this conversation, Sharissa Deppen discusses the challenges and strengths of introverted leaders. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-care for introverts, as well as the need to reach out for help when needed. Sharissa also highlights the superpowers of introverted leaders, such as empathy, deliberate communication, and strong personal connections. She encourages introverts to embrace their unique qualities and not minimize their value. Additionally, she addresses the identity of being a servant leader and the importance of defining it for oneself. Sharissa also discusses the specific struggles and needs of women introverted servant leaders. The conversation concludes with a giveaway of a TED Talk on finding happiness in the workplace and ways to get in touch with Sharissa for coaching support.

• Introverted leaders can make a massive impact by embracing their strengths and aligning with their purpose. Introversion is about where you get your energy from, and introverts tend to recharge by being alone and reflecting.
• Servant leadership is about valuing others, empathy, and focusing on service. Setting boundaries is crucial for introverted servant leaders to avoid burnout and prioritize their well-being.
• Difficult conversations are a part of leadership, and it's important to focus on the best interest of everyone involved while maintaining respect and empathy.
• Recognizing the need for external help and seeking coaching or mentorship can provide valuable guidance and support for introverted leaders. Introverted leaders need to be self-aware and honest with themselves about what is and isn't working for them.
• Self-care is crucial for introverted leaders to recharge and maintain their well-being. Introverted leaders have superpowers such as empathy, deliberate communication, and strong personal connections. It's important for introverted leaders to embrace their unique qualities and not minimize their value.
• Defining one's identity as a servant leader is personal and can help guide one's actions and values.
• Women introverted servant leaders often struggle with self-doubt and questioning their value, and they need support and encouragement. Finding happiness in the workplace is possible by bringing joy, purpose, and connection back into one's work.
• Introverted leaders should reach out for coaching or mentorship to gain clarity and find fulfillment in their careers.
• It's never too late to find a career path that aligns with one's passions and strengths.

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 05:11: Understanding Introversion
• 07:51: Defining Servant Leadership
• 09:14: Balancing Boundaries and Services
• 13:07: Overcoming Perceptions and People-Pleasing
• 21:13: Embracing the Superpowers of Introverted Leaders
• 23:16: Defining Identity as a Servant Leader
• 26:11: Supporting Women Introverted Servant Leaders
• 36:48: Seeking Help and Support as an Introverted Leader
• 37:44: Finding Fulfillment in Your Career as an Introverted Leader

Keri Cooper, LCSW, is the owner of Keri Cooper Holistic Therapy in northern New Jersey. In her private practice, she counsels teens and works to give them the tools they need to navigate life. Keri takes a holistic approach to therapy, looking at the whole person, not just their symptoms. 

In this episode, Rick Meekins interviews sleep coach Keri Cooper about the importance of sleep for mental health and overall well-being. They discuss the impact of sleep deprivation on various aspects of life, including physical health, mental health, and productivity. Keri explains the recommended amount of sleep for different age groups and the benefits of taking short naps. She also shares tips for improving sleep quality, such as creating a conducive sleep environment and establishing a bedtime routine. Keri highlights the importance of prioritizing sleep and making it a non-negotiable part of daily life. In this conversation, Keri Cooper discusses the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being. She emphasizes the need for quality sleep and provides tips for improving sleep hygiene. Keri also highlights the impact of sleep on mental health and the negative effects of sleep deprivation. She shares strategies for managing stress and anxiety, such as disconnecting from social media and practicing mindfulness. Keri encourages individuals to prioritize self-care and find activities they enjoy. She also discusses the benefits of establishing a regular sleep schedule and the potential risks of using sleep aids. Keri concludes by recommending her books on mental health and sleep.

• Sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on mental health, physical health, and productivity.
• Adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep, while teens need 9-10 hours.
• Taking short naps of 20 minutes or a full sleep cycle of 90 minutes can provide a reboot and improve focus and problem-solving skills.
• Creating a conducive sleep environment, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, and establishing a bedtime routine can help improve sleep quality.
• Prioritizing sleep is crucial for overall well-being and should be a non-negotiable part of daily life. Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being.
• Disconnecting from social media and practicing mindfulness can help manage stress and anxiety.
• Prioritizing self-care and engaging in activities you enjoy is important for mental health.
• Establishing a regular sleep schedule can improve sleep quality.
• Using sleep aids should be a last resort, and the goal should be to wake up without an alarm.

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 01:13: The Link Between Sleep and Mental Health
• 06:16: The Benefits of Napping for Rebooting and Focus
• 08:11: Tips for Improving Sleep Quality
• 13:28: Balancing Sleep and Entrepreneurship
• 14:54: Establishing a Rhythm and Daily Routine
• 19:24: Factors Affecting Sleep Quality
• 19:52: The Importance of Quality Sleep
• 20:19: Managing Stress and Anxiety
• 22:20: Prioritizing Self-Care and Enjoyable Activities
• 24:00: Establishing a Regular Sleep Schedule
• 27:52: The Risks and Benefits of Sleep Aids

Mark Sloan (he / him / his) is an executive level Problem-Solver. He has served both as a CEO and in various Senior Leadership positions. He has led startups, executed for private equity, and built and transformed large P&Ls. He is a change agent with proven experience operating across settings and roles.

In this conversation, Mark Sloan shares his expertise in optimizing performance and profitability in consulting and professional services organizations. He emphasizes the importance of strategic staffing and resource management to ensure the right people are in place at the right time. Mark also discusses the significance of building strong client relationships and effective communication to maintain customer satisfaction. He highlights the value of scenario planning and proactive problem-solving to navigate challenges and deliver successful projects. Mark offers a complimentary two-hour workshop to help professionals optimize their professional services.

• Strategic staffing and resource management are crucial for consulting and professional services organizations to optimize performance and profitability.
• Building strong client relationships and effective communication are key to maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Scenario planning and proactive problem-solving help navigate challenges and deliver successful projects.
• A complimentary two-hour workshop is available to professionals interested in optimizing their professional services.

• 00:00: Introduction and Relocation
• 02:21: Mark Sloan's Background and Consulting Experience
• 03:40: Passion for Consulting and Helping Companies Improve
• 06:27: Strategic Staffing and Resource Management
• 09:45: Creating Demand and Leveraging Third-Party Resources
• 15:02: Maintaining Customer Experience and Tracking Success
• 23:23: Managing Project Delays and Scenario Planning
• 27:37: Reducing Attrition and Improving Company Culture
• 35:46: Words of Wisdom and Complimentary Workshop

Dr. Dorothy Martin-Neville, an executive leadership coach, discusses the importance of staying true to oneself and maintaining personal values and motivation in the pursuit of success. She emphasizes that success loses its meaning if it comes at the expense of personal relationships and well-being. Dr. Martin-Neville shares her own journey of rediscovering herself and her passion after realizing that she had become unhappy despite her professional success. She highlights the need for individuals to reconnect with their true selves and bring their whole selves to their careers and relationships. Dr. Martin-Neville suggests that working with a coach can help individuals gain a broader perspective and make the necessary mindset shifts to prioritize personal fulfillment alongside professional success.

In this conversation, Dr. Dorothy A. Martin-Neville discusses the importance of self-awareness, values, and personal leadership in living a fulfilling life. She emphasizes the need to align one's actions with their values and to be discerning when taking on new commitments. Dr. Martin-Neville also highlights the role of a coach in helping individuals identify their strengths and vulnerabilities, and in holding them accountable. She believes that life is a journey of continuous growth and evolution, and that each person has a unique superpower to contribute to the world. The conversation concludes with a discussion on gratitude and the importance of living life authentically and powerfully.

• Success loses its meaning if it comes at the expense of personal relationships and well-being.
• Reconnecting with one's true self and personal values is essential for a fulfilling life and career.
• Working with a coach can provide a broader perspective and support in making mindset shifts.
• Prioritizing personal fulfillment alongside professional success leads to a more balanced and meaningful life. Align your actions with your values and be discerning when taking on new commitments.
• A coach can help you identify your strengths and vulnerabilities and hold you accountable.
• Life is a journey of continuous growth and evolution.
• Each person has a unique superpower to contribute to the world.
• Practice gratitude and live life authentically and powerfully.

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 03:01: Dr. Maten-Neville's Personal Journey of Rediscovery
• 07:52: The Challenges of Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 10:01: The Dangers of Over-Identification with Success
• 13:05: The Importance of Recognizing the Fullness of Self
• 19:22: Living in Alignment with Your Values
• 23:26: Embracing Life as a Journey
• 27:57: Discovering Your Superpower
• 34:05: Gratitude and Authentic Living

As The Motivational Firewood® Guy, Steve Gamlin blends back-to-basics Positivity, Visualization & Humor, teaching his clients to SEE their desired outcomes, understand their WHY, and build ACTION PLANS to achieve them.

In this episode of the Relentless Pursuit of Winning podcast, host Rick Meekins interviews Steve Gamlin, the vision board guy. They discuss the concept of vision boards and how they can help individuals achieve their goals. Steve explains that a vision board is like a wall-mounted GPS for your life, helping you visualize and manifest your desired outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with your why and aligning your goals with your core values and mission. Steve also discusses the role of intentionality and taking consistent action towards your goals. He encourages listeners to break down their goals into smaller steps and to regularly review and update their vision boards. In this conversation, Rick and Steve Gamlin discuss the importance of honoring oneself and surrounding oneself with positive energy. They emphasize the need to prioritize personal happiness and well-being, rather than chasing external markers of success. They also explore the concept of legacy and how it can be defined differently for each individual. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the role of relationships in one's vision board and the importance of creating the best version of oneself in those relationships.

• A vision board is like a wall-mounted GPS for your life, helping you visualize and manifest your desired outcomes.
• Connect with your why and align your goals with your core values and mission.
• Take consistent, intentional action towards your goals, breaking them down into smaller steps.
• Regularly review and update your vision board to stay focused and motivated. Honor yourself and prioritize your own happiness and well-being.
• Surround yourself with positive energy and people who lift you up.
• Define legacy in a way that is meaningful to you, rather than focusing on external markers of success.
• Create the best version of yourself in your relationships.
• Tap into the childlike wonder and joy that you had as a kid.
• Start your day on a positive note and with a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.
• Visualize your goals and create a vision board to help manifest them.

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 02:59: The Power of Vision Boards
• 06:30: Connecting with Your Why
• 13:57: Taking Intentional Action
• 16:27: Staying Focused and Motivated
• 25:02: Defining Legacy on Your Own Terms
• 29:52: Tapping into Your Inner Childlike Wonder
• 34:48: Starting Your Day with a Positive Vision
• 41:51: Visualizing Your Goals with a Vision Board

Karim Abouelnaga, founder of education company Practice, shares his journey of starting the organization and the growth it has experienced over the past 15 years. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose and mission and being open to evolving and shifting as an entrepreneur. Karim also discusses the role of faith in his work and how it helps him navigate challenges and stay focused on serving others. In this conversation, Karim Abouelnaga discusses the importance of wisdom and pattern recognition in entrepreneurship, the value of continuous learning and personal growth, and the need for representation and diverse perspectives in solving societal problems. He also talks about his books and the process of removing limiting labels and replacing them with empowering ones.

Takeaways

• Starting with a clear purpose and mission is essential for any organization.
• Entrepreneurs need to be resilient and expect adversity, but also have faith that things will work out.
• Being resourceful and having a background of overcoming challenges can give entrepreneurs an advantage.
• Faith can play a significant role in an entrepreneur's journey, providing guidance, strength, and a sense of purpose.
• As an organization grows, it's important to be open to evolving and shifting to better serve the mission.
• Perspective and understanding change over time, and what may seem simple in hindsight was a result of years of learning and experience. The difference between novice entrepreneurs and successful entrepreneurs lies in their wisdom and pattern recognition, not just their ideas.
• Continuous learning and personal growth are essential for entrepreneurs to adapt and make better decisions.
• Representation and diverse perspectives are crucial in solving societal problems, as people with different experiences can bring unique insights and solutions.
• Removing limiting labels and replacing them with empowering ones is a process that can lead to personal and professional growth.

Chapters

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 02:52: Starting with Purpose
• 06:05: Resilience and Faith
• 10:01: The Advantage of Overcoming Challenges
• 13:57: The Role of Faith in Entrepreneurship
• 17:57: Evolving and Shifting as an Organization
• 22:59: The Changing Perspective of an Entrepreneur
• 26:25: Continuous Learning and Personal Growth
• 28:20: Representation and Diverse Perspectives
• 36:36: Solving Societal Problems
• 40:55: Removing Limiting Labels and Embracing Empowering Ones

Henry Wong, the author of Telling Your Story, discusses the importance of branding and how it relates to personal and company success. He emphasizes the power of authenticity and finding one's unique position in the marketplace. Wong explains the process of developing a brand, including understanding one's purpose and mission, and aligning it with the core values of the company. He also highlights the significance of having a strong brand in attracting the right employees and customers. Wong advises companies to hire a branding consultant early on to shape their brand and increase its value. In this conversation, Henry Wong discusses the process of distilling your brand story into a concise and impactful message. He emphasizes the importance of expressing yourself in a few words, like a billboard, to capture people's attention. Wong shares an exercise inspired by Ernest Hemingway, where he challenges people to express themselves in six words, similar to Hemingway's famous six-word story. He also highlights the significance of owning a single word that represents your brand and using it as a foundation to build your story. Wong explains that aligning your team with your brand mission is crucial for success and discusses the importance of holding both the team and leadership accountable. He shares examples of successful brand turnarounds and emphasizes the power of design in reinvigorating a brand. Wong concludes by discussing his book, which provides a step-by-step approach to bringing your brand to life.

Takeaways

• Branding is more than just getting known; it is about establishing a position and meaning to people.
• Authenticity is key to building a successful brand; it is important to be true to yourself and bring out the best part of who you are.
• Understanding your purpose and mission is fundamental to a company's success and can help attract the right employees and customers.
• Having a strong brand can add value to a company, with some attributing up to 25% of the company's value to its brand.
• Developing a brand requires an outside perspective and input from others to gain a comprehensive understanding of how you are perceived.
• Crafting a compelling brand story involves distilling it into different lengths, from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the audience and context. Express yourself in a few words, like a billboard, to capture people's attention.
• Challenge yourself to express your story in six words, inspired by Ernest Hemingway's famous six-word story.
• Own a single word that represents your brand and build your story around it.
• Align your team with your brand mission to ensure success.
• Hold both the team and leadership accountable for living out the brand.
• Successful brand turnarounds often involve reinvigorating the brand through design.
• Henry Wong's book provides a step-by-step approach to bringing your brand to life.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Background

06:24: Understanding Purpose and Mission

13:30: Reinforcing Purpose and Mission in a Company

25:37: Aligning Your Team with Your Brand Mission

35:03: Bringing Your Brand to Life: A Step-by-Step Approach

Ethan Mayers discusses the concept of servant leadership and its benefits to organizations. He emphasizes the importance of creating a winning culture, ensuring people are in the right roles, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity. He also highlights the need for businesses to effectively respond and adapt to changing situations in the marketplace to avoid becoming irrelevant. The conversation focuses on empowering technical founders and the importance of staying ahead of rapid changes like AI and COVID. It emphasizes the need for networking, mentorship, and maintaining a future mindset. Planning and asking the right questions are key to navigating uncertainty. The discussion also touches on the role of leaders in protecting the organization and making strategic decisions. Delegation, creating a culture of trust, and being fair and equitable are highlighted as important aspects of leadership. The conversation concludes with information on how to get in touch with the guest and where to find his book.

Takeaways

• Servant leadership involves putting the objectives of the organization ahead of individual objectives and empowering employees to act and innovate.
• Creating a winning culture requires leaders to be transparent and lead by example.
• Matching people with the right roles based on their skill sets is crucial for organizational success.
• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity helps organizations stay ahead in a rapidly changing business landscape.
• Businesses must effectively respond and adapt to changing situations in the marketplace to avoid becoming irrelevant. Technical founders need to stay ahead of rapid changes and react to them effectively.
• Networking and mentorship are crucial for empowering technical founders.
• Maintaining a future mindset and asking the right questions are essential for success.
• Leaders should focus on protecting the organization and making strategic decisions.
• Delegation, trust, and fairness are key aspects of effective leadership.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Enthusiasm for Success

08:36: Creating a Winning Culture

26:49: The Importance of Planning

🔥 Excerpt

“Most people treat their podcast like a side hustle or a vanity project. We treat it like a high-conversion sales system—with a seven-figure guarantee.”

⚡ TL;DR

Sheryl Plouffe joins Rick Meekins to flip the script on podcast monetization. If you think the money comes from sponsorships or ad reads, think again. Sheryl reveals the real strategy: how founders can use their podcast to build high-trust relationships, drive enrollment into high-ticket offers, and build seven-figure businesses—without spending all day dancing on TikTok.

📄 Show Notes

Most founders launch a podcast with good intentions—and zero strategy. They chase downloads, hope for sponsors, and end up with a costly content treadmill. In this episode, I sit down with Sheryl Plouffe, co-founder of Icon Maker, to break down how podcasting really fuels revenue for expert-based businesses.

Sheryl brings decades of broadcast experience and a strategic lens to the podcasting game. She walks us through the “3P Monetization Model” (partners, platforms, patrons) and explains why most entrepreneurs are thinking too small. Instead of turning podcasts into profit directly, she teaches founders to use them to enroll high-ticket clients and build recurring revenue by design.

We unpack how to structure your business for sustainable growth, build workshops that convert 40% of attendees, and why risk-reversal guarantees force you to deliver excellence.

Whether you're launching a show or sitting on 200 episodes that haven’t done a damn thing for your bottom line—this conversation will help you rethink the play.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Sponsorship is not the model—relationship-building is.
• Your podcast is a sales tool, not a product.
• High-ticket offers must come before podcast production.
• Strategic workshops with philanthropic hooks convert at 14–40%.
• Monetization comes from leveraging three key pathways: partners, platforms, and patrons.
• Risk-reversal isn't risky—it builds credibility and closes high-ticket deals faster.
• Done-for-you systems reduce overwhelm and drive predictable results.

🧭 Chapters

📍 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Icon Maker

📍 02:05 Using Podcasts to Generate Revenue

📍 04:58 Building High-Trust Relationships

📍 07:14 Designing a Strategy for Podcasting

📍 08:12 Ideal Clients for Icon Maker

📍 09:54 The Three Stages of the Seven Figure Podcaster Program

📍 12:29 Getting Started with Icon Maker

📍 17:16 Workshop Attendance and Progression

📍 20:53 Leveraging Partnerships to Attract Attendees

📍 22:57 Screening and Qualifying Clients

📍 24:24 Implementing a Strategic Risk Reversal

📍 27:21 Leveraging Podcasts to Sell High-Ticket Offers

📍 38:06 The Power of Video in Podcasting

📍 39:31 The Potential of AI Technology in Podcasting

👤 Bio

Sheryl Plouffe is a former broadcast executive turned business strategist, co-founder of Icon Maker, and creator of the Seven-Figure Podcaster Program. With decades of media and marketing expertise, Sheryl helps entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants monetize their message, enroll high-ticket clients, and become iconic leaders in their space. Her team guarantees results—and she’s not afraid to prove it.

Faris Aranki is the CEO of Shiageto Consulting, an innovative consulting firm blending strategy and emotional intelligence. Faris and his team work with companies of all sizes to improve their strategic effectiveness.

In this episode, Rick Meekins interviews Faris Aranki, the founder of Shiageto, a company that helps sharpen other companies and make people and strategies more effective. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and how it impacts leadership and idea generation. Faris introduces the concept of FQ, which stands for focus quotient, and explains how distractions can hinder productivity. He also shares techniques for prioritizing strategic initiatives and creating a focused work environment. In this conversation, Faris Aranki discusses various strategies and tools for prioritizing projects, improving communication, and managing time effectively. He introduces the concept of using Pokemon cards to prioritize projects based on data and emotional attachment. He also highlights the importance of transparency in communication and simplifying messages for better understanding. Faris explores the use of AI and ChatGPT for ideation and enhancing emotional intelligence. He shares insights on using tools for time management and focus, as well as the significance of data in assessing personal productivity. The key takeaway is to ask more questions and listen actively to improve decision-making and achieve better outcomes.

• Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for effective leadership and idea generation.
• FQ, or focus quotient, is the ability to maintain focus and eliminate distractions.
• Creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas is essential for innovation.
• Prioritizing strategic initiatives and focusing on a few key goals can lead to greater success.
• Use wise (why) statements to guide decision-making and action.
• Erin's book on strategy is a valuable resource for business improvement.

• 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction
• 00:02 - Introduction of Faris Aranki
• 00:52 - Faris Aranki's Background and Company Overview
• 02:12 - The Importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
• 04:17 - Generating and Prioritizing Ideas
• 09:15 - Emotional Intelligence in Decision Making
• 11:22 - Understanding Team Members' Needs
• 18:17 - Introduction to Focus Quotient (FQ)
• 20:23 - Prioritizing Tasks and Initiatives
• 39:57 - Final Advice for Founders and CEOs