Interview
1219: Build Your Brand and Empower Your Marketing Through Storytelling with Founder Laura Nespoli
Telling your brand’s story can be tricky, especially when you want to make a real connection. It’s about balancing what you offer with what your audience values and needs. Sometimes, it’s less about the exact words and more about how they’re delivered, making sure your message feels genuine. Building that story takes time, but it’s all about highlighting what makes your brand unique. Find what truly sets you apart, and your audience will listen.
Laura Nespoli is the founder of Meshin Movement, a strategic storytelling consultancy that helps startups, founders, and professionals articulate their brand's purpose and connect with their audience. As a seasoned storyteller, Laura has spent the past five years honing her craft and sharing her expertise through her work with various companies, including Fortune 100 brands. Today, Laura shares the power of strategic storytelling in business, emphasizing the importance of understanding the customer's needs, the competitive landscape, and the brand's unique value proposition. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Connect with Laura Nespoli on LinkedIn
- Meshin Movement: Sense, strategy, social impact, and story. Weaving strategic narratives to unite people and inspire movement.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:09 — 40.2MB) | Embed
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1218: Deliver Service Now: Drive Referrals and Retain Customers with Customer Service Speaker Vance Morris
Retaining customers while charging premium prices can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when expectations are sky-high. Customers need to feel like they’re getting more than just a product—they want an experience, value, and a relationship they can trust. When retention becomes a challenge, it’s often a signal to focus on deeper connections and delivering consistent quality. Premium pricing isn’t just about what you sell; it’s about how you make customers feel about choosing you.
Vance Morris is a seasoned business consultant with over a decade of experience working for the iconic Disney company. Drawing from his unique expertise, Vance has developed a concept he calls "system magic" – a strategy to create extraordinary customer experiences that attract affluent clients and justify premium pricing. Today, Vance talks about consistent customer retention strategies, including the implementation of a "customer retention system in a box" that combines print newsletters, postcards, and email campaigns to keep businesses top-of-mind with their existing customer base. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Deliver Service Now: Helping Established Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
- Vance Morris: Bring the Magic of Extraordinary Customer Experiences To Your Audience or Company
- Follow Vance Morris on Facebook
- Connect with Vance Morris on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:27 — 35.1MB) | Embed
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1217: The RESPECT Framework for C-Suite Leadership, Inclusion, and Business Growth to Earn Employee Trust and Engagement with Organizational Psychologist Gena Cox, Ph.D.
Toxic behaviors from top performers can create a tricky situation where individual success clashes with team well-being. While their results might stand out, the negative impact on workplace culture often ripples far beyond their achievements. Morale suffers, collaboration breaks down, and the long-term health of the organization takes a hit. Addressing this requires valuing the bigger picture over short-term wins, ensuring that success is measured by both results and how they’re achieved.
Gena Cox, Ph.D. is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, speaker, and author. Her book "Leading Inclusion" and her RESPECT ethos framework have been featured in prestigious publications like Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. Today, Dr. Cox discusses strategies for building a respectful work culture and shares her insights on the importance of respect in the workplace and how it can empower leaders to drive connection, collaboration, and innovation. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Gena Cox: 25 Ways to Help Build a Culture of Respect at Work
- Gena Cox, Ph. D.: Strategic Executive Coach & Speaker. Optimize your leadership impact and influence.
- Get a copy of Leading Inclusion: Drive Change Your Employees Can See and Feel by Gena Cox on Amazon
- Connect with Gena Cox on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:16 — 45.9MB) | Embed
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1216: Thrive Agency: Transform Your Website Into A Client-Generating Machine Through Video Content Strategy with Digital Marketer and TEDx Speaker Jimi Gibson
Many websites fail to reach their full potential because they don't effectively guide visitors toward becoming clients. Often, the issue lies in unclear messaging, poor design, or a lack of focus on the user experience. A website isn't just a digital business card—it's a powerful tool for building trust, showcasing value, and driving action. When visitors land on a site, they should immediately understand what the business offers and why it matters to them. Without that clarity, it's easy for potential clients to lose interest or move on to a competitor.
Jimi Gibson is an accomplished Digital Marketer, author, and TEDx speaker. As the Vice President of Brand Communication at Thrive Agency, he is passionate about helping businesses transform their websites into powerful client-generating machines. In his book “Chasing Carrots," Jimi shares how anyone can find their purpose. He is also the host of The Thumbody Show where he explores the zany world of entrepreneurship and personal branding. Today, Jimi talks about embracing video content and optimizing website performance. He provides tips on creating compelling headlines, using effective calls-to-action, enhancing readability, and using social proof to build trust and drive conversions. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Email Jimi at jimi@thriveagency.com
- Thrive Agency: Digital Marketing Agency driven by RELATIONSHIPS & RESULTS
- Watch Jimi Gibson's TEDx Talk on You Have Magic Power: Use It For Good
- Get a copy of Chasing Carrots: won't help you find your purpose if you were born to love bananas by Jimi Gibson on Amazon
- Subscribe to The Thumbody Show hosted by Jimi Gibson on Apple Podcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:09 — 41.6MB) | Embed
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1215: Through Blurred Vision: Overcome Your Obstacles through Resilience and Find Your Light with Author & Speaker Kurt Pangborn
Adversity often feels overwhelming, but shifting how we view it can reveal unexpected opportunities for growth. Instead of seeing struggles as purely negative, they can become moments to learn, adapt, and build resilience. It’s not always easy to find the silver lining, but reflecting on challenges can show us strengths we didn’t realize we had. Sometimes, it’s in those tough moments that we discover the tools and perspective needed to move forward.
Kurt Pangborn is a dynamic motivational speaker, author, and advocate who has turned his personal challenges into a mission to inspire others. Born with congenital glaucoma, Kurt has undergone over 40 eye surgeries and faced the challenge of growing up legally blind. However, instead of letting his disability define him, he has used it as a foundation for his message of faith, perseverance, and purpose, which he shares in his book "Through Blurred Vision." Today, Kurt speaks passionately about his journey, emphasizing the importance of shifting one's perspective on adversity and uncovering the hidden potential within personal struggles. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Kurt Pangborn Speaks: Claim Victory in All Aspects of Life
- Connect with Kurt Pangborn on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of Through Blurred Vision: Claiming Victory in All Aspects of Life by Kurt Pangborn on Amazon
- Email Kurt at kurt@kurtpangbornspeaks.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:58 — 41.3MB) | Embed
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1214: Ethercycle: Shopify Strategies to Own and Achieve Success in Your Sales Channels with Founder Kurt Elster
Growing an e-commerce business while managing distribution channels can feel like an uphill battle. You want to scale but run into roadblocks like limited reach, high fees, or lack of control over how your products are presented. Balancing growth with maintaining ownership of your brand and customer relationships isn’t easy. Finding the right mix of platforms and strategies often becomes the key to moving forward without compromising what makes your business unique.
Kurt Elster is a Shopify expert and the founder of Ethercycle, a boutique Shopify consultancy. He has been a Shopify partner since 2011 and is known for helping e-commerce brands thrive in the digital marketplace. In addition to his agency work, Kurt is the host of the Unofficial Shopify Podcast, which has amassed over 2 million downloads. Today, Kurt shares his insights on the evolution of Shopify, the importance of owning your distribution channels, and the strategies he has employed to build a successful lifestyle business. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Kurt Elster: Your new favorite resource for unbeatable ecom recon.
- Ethercycle: Turn Your Shopify Store Into A Revenue Generating Powerhouse Of Persuasion
- Connect with Kurt Elster on LinkedIn
- Follow Kurt Elster on Facebook
- Subscribe to The Unofficial Shopify Podcast hosted by Kurt Elster
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:47 — 50.7MB) | Embed
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1213: Scale Your Business through Strategic PR and SEO, and Measure Success Beyond Finance with Serial Entrepreneur Dmitry Dragilev
The constant grind can leave you feeling drained, like there’s never enough time to enjoy the life you’re working so hard to build. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, convincing yourself that balance is a luxury you can’t afford. But deep down, there’s a longing for more—more time, more peace, more connection. Sometimes, it’s less about working harder and more about rethinking what truly matters.
Dmitry Dragilev is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and scaled four SaaS businesses, all of which have been acquired by major tech companies like Google, SEMrush, and Slack. Known for his unique approach to work-life balance, Dmitry aims to work just 20 hours per week, focusing on the joy of building and problem-solving rather than chasing financial success. Today, Dmitry shares his strategic use of PR and SEO to drive business growth, focusing on the importance of setting clear goals and maintaining strong relationships with customers and partners. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Bookkeeply: Attention bookkeepers and accountants… we're got something cookin' for you.
- TopicRanker: AI-Powered SERP Analysis Tool
- Connect with Dmitry Dragilev on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:35 — 61.4MB) | Embed
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1212: Manifest Business Success, Identify Your Zone of Genius, and Leverage AI-Powered Guidance with Founder and CEO Kareen Walsh
Scaling a business can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure of the next step to take. The sheer number of decisions—hiring, processes, budgets—can quickly become overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to focus when everything seems equally urgent. Finding clarity often comes from stepping back and identifying what will truly drive growth, rather than trying to do it all at once.
Kareen Walsh is a business strategist, author of BE A BADASS: Six Tools to Up-Level Your Life, and host of the Your Badass Journey podcast. Today, Kareen discusses overcoming limitations, asking for help, and embracing a growth mindset. She highlights the importance of setting clear goals, breaking them into steps, and making adjustments along the way. Kareen also shares her work on the AI-based Hey Kareen app, offering personalized entrepreneurial guidance, and addressing challenges in hiring, performance management, and leading from your strengths and zone of genius. Stay tuned!
Resources
- You NEED the results of the C.E.O. | Take the Conundrum Quiz!
- Hey Kareen: Your Business Coach in Your Pocket.
- Follow Kareen Walsh on Facebook
- Connect with Kareen Walsh on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to the Your Badass Journey hosted by Kareen Walsh on Apple Podcasts
- Get a copy of BE A BADASS: Six Tools to Up-Level Your Life by Kareen Walsh on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:30 — 43.5MB) | Embed
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1211: Ask Ralph: Advocate Financial Evangelism Through Authentic Relationships and Biblical Principles with Ralph Estep, Jr.
Managing finances can feel overwhelming, especially when the details seem endless and confusing. It’s easy to feel lost, unsure of where to start or what steps to take next. With so many options, tools, and advice out there, it’s hard to know what really works. Taking control often starts with breaking things down into simpler steps and finding a system that fits your own needs, not someone else’s.
Ralph Estep, Jr. is a financial expert, entrepreneur, and the principal of Saggio Management Group, where he helps individuals and small businesses with tax preparation, financial management, and tech integration. With over 30 years of experience, including roles as a CFO and founder of Virtuale Success Inc., Ralph is passionate about helping others avoid financial pitfalls. When he’s not hosting the “Ask Ralph” show, he’s raising black angus cattle with his family on Estep Farm LLC. Today, Ralph shares his passion for empowering others to achieve financial freedom and break free from the bondage of debt. Stay tuned!
Resources
- Ask Ralph Podcast: Christian Financial Consulting
- Saggio Accounting: Tax Experts for individuals and businesses in Delaware
- Follow Saggio Accounting on Facebook
- Connect with Ralph Estep, Jr. on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of MASTERING YOUR FINANCES: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Personal Financial Plan by Ralph Estep, Jr. on Amazon
- Tune in to Ask Ralph Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:26 — 44.7MB) | Embed
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1210: TextTonality: Master Your LinkedIn Outreach to Convert Connections into Clients with Founders Mike and John Murphy
It’s frustrating when your LinkedIn messages just aren’t getting the response you hoped for. Generic outreach can feel impersonal, and it’s easy to see why people ignore them—there’s just too much of it. Crafting a message that stands out takes more than just sending a quick note; it’s about being genuine and offering value right from the start. A thoughtful, targeted approach can make all the difference in turning those ignored messages into meaningful conversations.
Mike and John Murphy are the father-son duo behind TextTonality, a proprietary messaging method that has generated over $900 million in new business for their clients in financial services, investment funds, and B2B consulting. Mike, a former journalist and startup marketer, developed the TextTonality approach after struggling with ineffective cold outreach on LinkedIn. Joined by his sales expert father John, the two have helped hundreds of clients, including a Merrill Lynch advisor who closed a $113 million deal using their system. Today, Mike and John share their insights on using LinkedIn to generate leads and book meetings with ideal clients. Stay tuned!
Resources
- TextTonality®: Converting Connections into Clients
- Connect with John Murphy on LinkedIn
- Connect with Mike Murphy on LinkedIn
- Follow Mike Murphy on Instagram
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:04 — 44.2MB) | Embed
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