Recent Updates
1462: What the Hell Just Happened: Navigating Grief and Finding Strength After Loss with Author Tamara L. Miller
Tamara Miller returns to share insights from her life after losing her husband of 58 years, a journey she chronicles in her book, “What the Hell Just Happened.” She speaks openly about how grief forced her to manage everything from daily household tasks to deep, existential questions. Along the way, she discovered unexpected strength, humor, and purpose. Tamara highlights the healing power of storytelling, the support of community, and the value of being prepared, offering guidance that has helped many navigate their own losses.
Blending practical advice—such as estate planning and basic home maintenance—with candid emotion and wit, Tamara reminds listeners that grief can linger. Staying active, reinventing yourself, and supporting others are essential steps forward. Whether you are grieving, planning for the future, or seeking inspiration, her insights provide comfort, connection, and hope.
Quotes:
“You’re going to grieve forever, and that’s okay. But don’t make that your life—this is your journey now.”
“I threw humor in because I didn’t want someone to read my book and say, ‘Boy, is that depressing! ”
"No matter how much you prepare, you’ll never be fully ready for loss."
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:47 — 50.5MB) | Embed
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1461: Ignite the Gift You Are: Core Strategies to Activate Your Passion, Influence, and Prosperity, with Author and Coach Gary Acevedo
Most people doubt themselves, get stuck in self-criticism, or underestimate the gifts they have to offer. What if your most significant “problem” was actually your greatest strength? What if inner transformation could unlock hidden gifts, boost your success, and help you change the lives of those around you? Meet Gary Acevedo, acclaimed retreat leader, best-selling author, and creator of The Awakening. In this episode, Gary reveals how to break out of old habits, rewire your subconscious, and realize that “there’s nothing wrong with you”—only untapped gifts waiting to shine.
Gary shares breakthrough experiences from his decades of leadership retreats, stories of Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 leaders, and transformative strategies you can use today. You’ll discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones, why emotional safety is the key to growth, and the “sweetheart message” behind every so-called negative behavior.
Whether you’re a coach, executive, parent, or someone seeking more joy and purpose, this episode will inspire you to ignite the gift you are.
Quotes:
“Our greatest struggles are doorways to our greatest gifts.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you—only gifts you haven’t awakened yet.”
“True change happens when you feel safe enough to try something new.”
Resources:
- Connect with Gary Acevedo on LinkedIn
- Follow Gary Acevedo on Facebook
- Ignite the Gift You Are: 7 Master Keys to Awaken Your Passion, Power and Profits on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:34 — 43.4MB) | Embed
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1460: Marketing Domination: The Proven Framework for Attracting and Converting Customers with Brand Narrative Coach Sean Garner
Sean Garner, a marketing expert for local service businesses, helps companies dominate their industries through a combination of strategy, sales funnels, SEO, and StoryBrand messaging. He emphasizes that success requires both mastery of your craft and a growth mindset, not just flashy marketing tactics. Garner uses a “Marketing Domination Framework” to build, fill, and optimize sales funnels, turning skilled professionals into recognized industry leaders while capturing and nurturing leads effectively.
In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Garner advocates for service-based businesses to leverage video podcasts as a content strategy, repurposing them into blogs, social posts, and emails to maximize reach and authority. He emphasizes that strong marketing starts with the right words and messaging that address customer needs, rather than relying on logos or superficial branding. By highlighting the importance of systems like sales funnels and SEO, he shows how proper implementation can turn skilled professionals into recognized industry leaders. Garner stresses taking action, noting that knowledge alone is useless without execution, and invites businesses to work with his agency at seangarner.co for tailored, high-impact marketing support.
Quotes:
"Marketing doesn’t start with logos or flashy visuals. It starts with words that speak directly to your customer’s needs and problems. When you master that, everything else becomes easier."
"Knowledge alone won’t grow your business. You need systems, execution, and consistency. Without action, even the best ideas stay useless."
"A strong sales funnel is more than a tool—it’s a framework that turns skilled professionals into recognized leaders in their industries while capturing and nurturing leads effectively."
"Video podcasts are a goldmine for service-based businesses. Repurpose them into blogs, emails, and social posts to expand reach, build authority, and connect with your audience in multiple ways."
Resources:
- Connect with Sean Garner on LinkedIn
- Follow Sean Garner on Facebook
- Marketing Agency for Local Service Business Owners Who Want to Dominate Online
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:26 — 44.6MB) | Embed
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1459: Turning AI into ROI: How to Unlock Creativity and Scale Through Smart Automation with Innovation Strategist Pete Sena
Pete Sena, founder of Digital Surgeons and a tech strategist with experience at Lego, Microsoft, and Unilever, shares how service businesses can become AI-first and achieve SaaS-like margins. He emphasizes starting with existing business practices, leveraging AI to automate repetitive tasks, and using experimentation to understand AI’s capabilities. Sena introduces practical strategies to integrate AI without disrupting operations and highlights the mindset shift needed to see AI as a productivity and growth catalyst rather than a threat.
In this episode of The Marketer of the Day Podcast, Pete shares practical strategies for applying AI in everyday business operations. He covers ways to automate research, streamline content creation, and prototype new ideas quickly. Pete emphasizes hands-on experimentation and iterative learning, showing listeners how even small teams can use AI to improve efficiency, increase quality, and free up time for strategic decision-making. His approach highlights clarity, alignment, and human oversight, helping businesses turn ideas into actionable workflows.
Quotes:
“AI can either replace you or unlock new levels of success—mindset matters.”
“Start with what your business already does well, then layer AI to amplify it.”
“Clear communication with AI is key—avoid ‘work slop.’'
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:00 — 50.8MB) | Embed
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1458: Chaos Is a Gift: Transforming Conflict into Growth Through Leadership and Emotional Intelligence with Leadership Expert Dr. Andrew Campbell
Dr. Andrew Campbell, retired senior military strategist and peace leadership pioneer, shares insights on transforming toxic organizations and leading with emotional intelligence. He emphasizes that conflict is unavoidable, and the way leaders respond—rather than react—shapes organizational culture. Through his PACT framework, he teaches how to pinpoint root causes, acknowledge perspectives, collaborate on solutions, and take accountability to prevent recurring disputes. Leaders set the tone for a healthy or toxic environment, and understanding others’ perspectives is key to resolving conflicts effectively. He also shares personal experiences of being a toxic leader early in his career and how 360-degree feedback and perspective exercises helped him transform his leadership style.
In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Dr. Campbell highlights how a leader’s character, values, and principles shape their influence and legacy. He stresses the importance of listening to understand, acknowledging mistakes, and stepping outside personal perspectives to manage conflict effectively. Leaders must embrace growth, apply practical strategies to prevent disputes, and foster healthier organizational cultures. He explains that structured conflict management can save hours of wasted arguments and prevent employee turnover caused by toxic workplaces.
Quotes:
"Every relationship has conflict; how you manage it shapes your culture."
"Leaders often react rather than respond, and that determines how people will follow or resist."
"We focus on symptoms, but the real issue is often what is not being said."
"Your character determines whether you inspire trust or create toxicity in your organization."
Resources:
- Connect Dr. Andrew Campbell on LinkedIn
- Global Leadership Education and Training Institute
- Chaos Is a Gift – available on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:24 — 40.4MB) | Embed
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1457: Single Women and Money: Empowering Women to Thrive Financially and Live with Confidence with Author Margaret Price
Single women often face unique financial challenges, from earning less than men to navigating life on a single income.
In this episode of the Marketer of the Day podcast, Robert Plank sits down with Margaret Price, co-author of Single Women and Money, to break down the invisible emotional and psychological barriers women face with money. They explore budgeting, investing, insurance, and long-term planning, offering practical strategies to take control of finances and live well.
Margaret Price shares insights from her book, offering tailored checklists for widows, divorcees, and never-married women. She emphasizes budgeting for what matters most, building emergency funds, investing wisely, and using social support to stay financially accountable. Listeners will learn actionable steps to feel empowered, avoid debt, and make financial decisions confidently.
Quotes:
“It’s more expensive to be single than married, and single women have it especially hard.”
“You can afford the things you most want in life; budget for these priorities and leave out what you don’t need.”
“Money isn’t scary. It’s just about what you do in life and how much it costs.”
Resources:
- Follow Margaret Price on Twitter
- Connect with Margaret Price on LinkedIn
- Purchase Single Women and Money: How to Live Well on Your Income by Margaret Price and Jill Gianola.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:34 — 44.7MB) | Embed
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1456: Middle East Crises: Navigating War, Peace, and Power in American Diplomacy with Global Affairs Expert and Author James Franklin Jeffrey
Ambassador James Franklin Jeffrey takes listeners inside the world of U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East in his book Middle East Crises: Expeditionary Diplomacy with the Bush, Obama, and Trump Teams. He shares firsthand experiences negotiating with world leaders, managing conflicts, and making split-second decisions that shaped American foreign policy. From Iraq to Syria to Turkey, Jeffrey reveals how diplomacy, strategy, and careful decision-making prevent crises from escalating.
In this episode, Jeffrey discusses lessons from his decades-long career, including serving under three presidents, bridging military and diplomatic efforts, and guiding U.S. policy in some of the world’s most volatile regions. Listeners will gain insight into crisis management, leadership under pressure, and the personal habits that contributed to his success. This conversation offers both an insider’s view of diplomacy and practical decision-making strategies.
Quotes:
“Presidents make all the hard decisions, but we can give them advice, and most importantly, we can give them confidence that we can carry out whatever they decide.”
“Try lots of base runs and walks… you make the outage very slowly. You do base runs, not home runs, to make it on the margins better.”
“Even the most powerful country can only influence what other nations decide to do with their lives; progress happens at the margins.”
“Your decisions of any consequence… you rationally look at the options, quickly review the situation, compare alternatives, communicate, and execute vigorously.”
Resources:
- Connect with Ambassador James Jeffrey on LinkedIn
- Get the book Middle East Crises: Expeditionary Diplomacy with the Bush, Obama, and Trump Teams by James Franklin Jeffrey on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:51 — 32.8MB) | Embed
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1455: Observations at the Speed of Life: Insights on Resilience, Wisdom, and Personal Growth with Leadership Mentor, Consultant, Lifelong Learner Ed Doherty
Discover the extraordinary in everyday moments with Ed Doherty, a leadership mentor, consultant, and author of Observations at the Speed of Life: Lessons in Every Moment. From running his first Boston Marathon at 70 to publishing his first book at 72, Ed has spent decades leading thousands of employees across multi-million-dollar restaurant organizations. In this episode, he shares insights on persistence, leadership, and planning ahead, showing how to embrace challenges, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful impact in both your professional and personal life.
Drawing on his experiences as a restaurant executive, nonprofit leader, and marathon runner, Ed provides actionable guidance for anyone seeking growth. From setting ambitious goals to mastering time management and embracing feedback, his lessons inspire you to lead with integrity and purpose. Whether you’re pursuing career success, personal development, or motivation to tackle life’s obstacles, this conversation delivers timeless advice grounded in real-life stories.
Quotes:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence… Pressing on has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
“Employees don’t quit companies. They quit managers. Managers get the employees they deserve.”
“Feedback is a gift.”
“Buy umbrellas before it rains.”
“Ask yourself, ‘What’s the best use of my time right now? ”
Resources:
- Connect with Ed Doherty on LinkedIn.
- Get the book Observations at the Speed of Life on Amazon
- Explore Ed Doherty’s coaching services to build high-performing, people-first cultures
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:49 — 34.1MB) | Embed
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1454: Productized Education: Transform Your Courses Into High-Impact, Scalable Programs with Business Growth Expert Ray Blakney
Ray Blakney, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Live Lingua, explains how losing everything became the catalyst for building multiple seven-figure education businesses from scratch. Beginning as a computer engineer, he launched one of the first live-teacher online schools and scaled several ventures without outside funding. Ray shares how resilience, discipline, and purpose allowed him to turn setbacks into lasting success. Through his Productized Education model, he shows how experts can transform their skills into scalable online schools that create real impact and freedom.
In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Ray dives into rebuilding after failure, designing systems that allow businesses to operate independently, and leading with authenticity. He illustrates overcoming challenges through real-world examples, emphasizes the value of bootstrapping, and explains how to build structures that amplify human potential. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, learning from mistakes, and creating ventures that endure.
Quotes:
“Success isn’t about what you make. It’s about what you build that keeps working when you stop.”
“I lost everything in a single night, and that’s when I learned how to build something that lasts.”
“Systems don’t replace people. They free people to do what only humans can do—teach, inspire, and connect.”
“Defeat the self of yesterday—that’s how you grow as a leader and as a person.”
“Bootstrapping forces you to build real value because every mistake costs you personally.”
Resources:
- Follow Ray Blakney on Facebook
- Connect with Ray Blakney on LinkedIn
- Turn Your Skills into Scalable Online Schools with Ray Blakney
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:53 — 52.0MB) | Embed
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1453: How Can They Hear Without a Preacher: A Journey Reconciling Faith, LGBTQ+ Identity, and Authentic Living with Dr. Renee M Scott
Dr. Renee M. Scott, author of How Can They Hear Without a Preacher: Intersectionality of Gender, Sexuality, and Faith, shares her journey of reconciling her Christian faith with her LGBTQ+ identity. After decades in higher education as a college president and VP of Student Success, Renee returned to the classroom to teach the next generation of leaders. In this episode, she discusses the evolving landscape of higher education, the importance of social and emotional skills, and how young people navigate work-life balance in a hyperconnected world.
Renee opens up about her personal story of realizing her sexuality while maintaining a meaningful relationship with God, exploring the tension between church teachings and her authentic self. She discusses the challenges of coming out, ending a marriage, and facing societal judgment, while emphasizing that faith and authenticity can coexist. Through her book and her experiences, she highlights lessons in empathy, leadership, and personal growth, encouraging listeners to live authentically and take small, deliberate steps toward a fulfilling life. Renee also offers actionable advice, including reflecting daily on wisdom from the book of Proverbs to build character, resilience, and meaningful relationships. This episode is a deep, honest conversation about identity, faith, leadership, and living authentically.
Quotes:
“90% of what we worry about never happens. The other 10% is never as bad as we imagine.”
“God knew me before I was even formed in the womb; understanding that changed how I live my faith and my truth.”
“Leadership is everywhere. You don’t have to be a VP to lead; you can lead through example and empowerment.”
“Be true to yourself, no matter the consequences; authenticity is the path to real happiness.”
Resources:
- Connect with Dr. Renee M Scott on LinkedIn
- How Can They Hear Without a Preacher: Intersectionality of Gender, Sexuality, and Faith on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:26 — 33.6MB) | Embed
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