The podcast is filled with advice, tips, and many real-life examples demonstrating what can go wrong (and what can go right), depending on whether or not families plan accordingly in advance, communicate clearly with one another, and are willing to put petty and selfish differences aside. No one likes talking about death and inheritances before they absolutely have to, but as I have learned from personal experience, having these conversations earlier, rather than later, will save a lot of ti ...
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Successionplanning Podcasts
Join global keynote speaker, author, and business leadership advisor Pamela S. (“Pam”) Harper, Founding Partner and CEO of Business Advancement Inc., and her business partner/husband D. Scott (“Scott”) Harper, a global innovation advisor, for thought-provoking conversations with visionary leaders who are changing the face of business. Established in 2015, Growth Igniters® Radio is ranked in the top 5% of global podcasts by the podcast database Listen Notes. It has also been named a top busin ...
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Love, Legacy, and Legalities: Purposeful Planning for Blended Families
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28:04In this episode David Edey has a conversation with Emily Bouchard, an expert on family dynamics in estate planning. She is co-author of Estate Planning for the Blended Family. They discuss the complexities of estate planning for blended families—covering everything from updating beneficiaries to navigating difficult family conversations and making …
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When Leading With Humility Can Ignite Growth
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36:33As uncertainty and ambiguity have become the norm, one thing is clear. The needs of employees, customers, partners, investors, shareholders, and other stakeholders will keep changing in unpredictable ways. This is when leading with humility can ignite transformational growth. In this week’s “Fan Favorite” episode, we discuss the opportunities and c…
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What Will Matter: Preparing for Life’s Transitions and Leaving a Legacy
19:32
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19:32If tomorrow was your last day, what would matter most? Join David and guest Peter Christman on This Best Of: Executor Help Podcast for a heartfelt episode exploring business exits, personal epiphanies, and the importance of living—and leaving—a life of value. Peter opens up about his own mortality, the power of honest conversations, and the poem th…
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Grief, Trauma, and Sex: The Conversation You’ve Never Heard Before
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38:32Grief isn’t just about death—it’s woven into the fabric of everyday life, and we often wear masks to hide it. On this episode, join David and grief expert Edy Nathan author of It's Grief for an open, compassionate conversation about navigating loss, honoring your feelings, and finding small ways to move forward. Edy brings empathy and hope to a sub…
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Making Game-Changing Decisions When the Signs Are Ambiguous
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9:54These days, it can be difficult to know which signs are most important to consider when everything changes so quickly. This applies whether you’re faced with situations of evolving technology, emerging competitors, workforce change, environmental issues, or other challenges of transformational growth. So, what’s the key to making game-changing deci…
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What does it take to consistently “show up” as a leader who can engage employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders? And how can this impact innovation and long-term business Success? Our Fan-Favorite guest this week, Dave Wendland, was recently featured in an article as an example of a leader who consistently “shows up” for others.Read Mo…
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“Why Not Me?”: A Widow’s Journey Through ALS, Loss, and Healing
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30:38If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate the darkest moments of life, this episode is for you. Join David as he has a conversation with Rachel Schneider author of The Widow Chose Red. Rach recounts her experience of losing her husband to ALS, raising young sons as a single mother, and discovering ways to celebrate life amid heartache. It’s a convers…
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What to Agree Upon Before Increasing Business Transparency
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12:44Maybe you’ve noticed that with greater levels of complexity and uncertainty, more customers, employees, and other stakeholders are calling for even more business transparency around the decisions that impact them professionally and personally. We believe this trend is only going to grow. At its best, increasing business transparency can foster the …
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Forget the Money: The Real Reason Family Empires Crumble
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32:23Have you ever wondered why some families lose their wealth—and their connections—after just a generation or two? On this episode, David has a conversation with wealth psychology coach Shayla T Locklear , as she peels back the curtains on what really keeps a legacy alive. It’s not just about smart investments or ironclad wills; it’s about trust, pur…
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The Future of the American Board in a Changing Environment
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36:30What does it take to lead into the future when everything seems so uncertain? Of course, it’s critical to pivot and adapt in response to emerging technologies like AI, dramatic market shifts, and other changes in the rapidly changing world. However, if you’re like the visionary top leadership teams we work with, you also believeRead More The post T…
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The One Conversation That Will Change How You See Death Forever
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33:39When life pushes you to the edge—career changes, family illness, overwhelming responsibility—how do you find your way back to what makes you happy? David has a conversation with Minnelle Williams from Ending Well with Minnelle. Hear how a journey from funeral homes to international travel led her to help others write their legacy stories and live w…
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Rediscovering the “Upside of Disruption” with Terence Mauri
35:39
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35:39In a business environment filled with disruptive forces, we need to keep discovering ways to thrive – even as we’re adapting to the unknown. Yes, we’re hearing from CEOs that AI and other emerging technologies, fluctuating economic conditions, and many other kinds of disruptions are setting up major challenges for moving their companies into theRea…
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How One Sugar Bowl Tore a Family Apart: Unbelievable Inheritance Stories
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30:26Ever thought settling an estate was just paperwork? Think again. In this episode, David has a conversation with author Gina Brown reveals the tangled web of grief, family drama, and even pet dilemmas that unfolds when a loved one passes away. Drawing from her own experience—and a hundred stories she gathered from friends. You will laugh, cry, and t…
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Reimagining a Legacy Business Model for Transformational Growth
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40:46What does it take to reimagine a legacy business model so your company can stay relevant in a world that never stops changing? This can be especially challenging for a company that’s been part of people’s lives for many decades. It takes vision and courage to lead your company for transformational growth without losing sightRead More The post Reima…
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How a Daughter Found Peace in Her Father's Final Moments
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24:38In this episode David has a conversation with Julie Sager Nierenberg, the author of "Daddy, This Is It." In her heartfelt book, Julie opens up about her emotional journey of being with her father during his final days. It's a touching and genuine portrayal of saying goodbye to someone you love. For David's book, other resources and more visit www.d…
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Let’s face it – leading a business in the face of uncertainty has always required courage. But the constant torrent of outside forces we face now, with extraordinary tariffs heading the list, requires even more courage. This environment isn’t just uncertain; it’s volatile and complex. And all this can be exhausting when so much isRead More The post…
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How a Voicemail from Dad Sparked a Healing Revolution!
27:39
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27:39In this episode David has a conversation with Estrella Quiroz, the cofounder of Last Farewells—a platform that helps people leave lasting, meaningful messages for loved ones after they're gone. Estrella shares the deeply personal story that inspired this venture and talks about finding joy and purpose in the face of life's toughest moments. So Tune…
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Look at Your Challenges from a Fresh Angle
38:57
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38:57As every day is filled with unprecedented realities, it may be time to look at your challenges from a fresh angle. In previous episodes, we’ve explored a range of tools to reimagine what’s possible —from ‘wishing’ exercises to pattern-bending games and “everyday adventures” that stretch your habitual thinking, feeling and actions. But expanding you…
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In this episode David has a conversation about the complexities of family, money, and legacy with Ruschelle Khanna author of Inherited Trauma and Family Wealth. They discuss the impact of inherited trauma on how families handle wealth and the importance of having open conversations about money. Learn how early experiences shape our money habits and…
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What’s the secret of continuing to transform and grow your company when the rules keep shifting? Here’s our advice: change your frame, change your future. The real challenge isn’t just leading through the chaos; it’s how you look at the chaos. Changing your collective frame of reference about a situation can literally change how youRead More The po…
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Don't Regret Your Last Words: A Heartfelt Journey with Robin Nathaniel
32:47
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32:47In this episode David's guest is Robin Nathaniel, a TEDx speaker and social media leader. Robin shares his personal journey through family trauma and loss, emphasizing the importance of leaving conversations on a positive note, whether with close loved ones or strangers. Listen in as Robin highlights the dangers of pride and the need for reconcilia…
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Increase the ROI of High-Stakes Communication in a Volatile World – with Diane DiResta
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29:08Does this sound familiar? You regularly engage in high-stakes communication, where even a single conversation can influence millions or even billions of dollars of value. You already carefully prepare for presentations that can impact your company’s reputation and relationships with employees, customers, investors and other stakeholders. But in a v…
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Why Embracing Death Could Be the Most Beautiful Part of Life!
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34:05In this episode David has a conversation with Dr. John Horton, co-author of "Good to Go." Dr. Horton shares compelling stories from his 50 years of medical practice. They discuss the five key understandings that can guide us to a dignified departure. How nurturing our relationships and finding inner peace can transform our final moments into someth…
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The Power of Wishing to Reimagine Your Company’s Future
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10:01How often are you giving yourself and others permission to wish— without limits — about what’s possible for you and your company’s future? It might sound “woo-hooey” at first, but the power of wishing is real. This is the launching pad for reimagining transformational business growth. In this Quick Take episode, we discuss how wishingRead More The …
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The Surprising Power of Legacy Planning for Entrepreneurs!
22:41
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22:41In this episode David learns about the essence of legacy, business planning, and leadership. His guest is Steve Ramona, a passionate entrepreneur who learned from his father the profound impact of serving others. They explore the significance of having a solid plan for business growth, the importance of mentorship, and fostering a team-centered cul…
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How to Laugh Your Way Through Death and Taxes
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31:14In this episode of The Executor Help Podcast, David has a conversation with Barb Amsden, the author of How to Laugh at Death and Taxes. Barb shares her journey from becoming an executor for her godparents to writing a book filled with humor and practical tips for handling wills and estates. They explore the unexpected challenges, the therapeutic po…
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Top Leadership’s Role in Unlocking the Promise of Innovation – with Robyn Bolton
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33:53Did you know that according to multiple studies, over 80% of top leaders in established companies rank innovation among their top three areas of focus? Yet, around 60% of innovation efforts fall short of expectations or never launch. The good news is that around 40% of innovation efforts do succeed. What makes the biggest differenceRead More The po…
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Lead From Consensus to Commitment for Transformational Growth
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12:57
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12:57Like many of you, we’re seeing that leadership teams across industries are increasingly focused on transformational growth. Maybe you’ve decided to enter an emerging market. Maybe you’re using AI to offer new services to customers, and so on. It’s common to believe that the consensus of employees and other stakeholders is enough to achieve aRead Mo…
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Is Joy the Answer to the World's Negativity? Steven Petrow Weighs In!
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39:03In this episode David welcomes back award-winning journalist and author, Steven Petrow, to discuss his latest book, "The Joy You Make." Building on their previous conversation about aging and loss, David and Steven explore the concept of joy and its vital role in our lives, particularly during these challenging times. They discuss the differences b…
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Mastering Leadership in the “Emotionally Charged” Workplace
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39:04In the face of an unrelenting torrent of unexpected and unprecedented changes in the business environment, it’s natural for people to have emotions that impact their work. While it can be tempting to push down emotions as mere “distractions” and just focus on “the real work,” research shows there can be a real top andRead More The post Mastering Le…
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The Surprising Truth About Transformational Leaders – with Dr. Gloria Burgess
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39:01What does it mean to you to be a “transformational leader”? This is not just a philosophical question. In the face of unprecedented complexity and uncertainty, it’s time to consider a surprising truth about transformational leaders that can profoundly impact both your top and bottom line decisions, actions and outcomes. That’s why we’re revisiting …
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The Child-Free Approach to Legacy and Wealth
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23:54In this episode David has a conversation relating to the unique challenges faced by individuals without children and the issue of estate planning with expert Bri Conn of ChildFreeWealth. Whether you're single or in a child-free partnership, listen in to discover actionable insights on making meaningful legacy decisions that will reflect your values…
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Preserving Family Legacies with Life's QR
28:37
28:37
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28:37Grief affects us all differently, but what if there was a way to celebrate and remember our loved ones' lives beyond a newspaper obituary? In this episode David has a conversation with Jennifer Blakely from LifesQR. Jennifer shares the story behind Life's QR, an innovative platform that helps families create digital legacies for their loved ones. H…
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Turn Crisis Into a Springboard For Growth – With Luis Velasquez, MBA / PhD
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30:20One of the toughest tests of leadership—both for yourself and others—is rising above an unprecedented crisis. How can you go beyond mere survival and turn crisis into a springboard for extraordinary growth? This week, we revisit our fan-favorite conversation about this question with Luis Velasquez, MBA /PhD, Founder and Managing Partner of Velas Co…
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Leadership and AI – Maximizing Potential and Minimizing Risks
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10:37These days, AI technology is ubiquitous. Since 2023, we’ve seen that conversations about leadership and AI have evolved from “Should we use AI?” to “What is the best way to leverage AI to maximize potential while minimizing risks? While it’s natural to consider this as a technology question, in reality, it’s a leadership question. InRead More The p…
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Unlocking the Secrets of Selling Dead People's Things!
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29:40In this episode David welcomes a fascinating guest, Duane Scott Cerny, a master of estate sales, collector, and author of "Selling Dead People's Things." Cerny dives into his 35 years of experience in the vintage business, sharing how he turned a passion for collecting into a thriving career. Duane talks about some of the most interesting and pecul…
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Why You’re Making Downsizing Harder Than It Needs to Be
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43:00David explores the world of downsizing and estate management with expert Barry Gordon, CEO of Gordon's Downsizing and Estate Services. Barry shares tips for making the tough decision to downsize and offers guidance for executors handling estates. From the emotional challenges of leaving a cherished home to the practicalities of managing property an…
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Leveraging Capitalism to Change Our World – With Ben Erwin
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37:58Find out how one CEO has led his organization to break the status quo and create transformational value in their industry. Join us for our eye-opening conversation with Ben Erwin, CEO of CharityBuzz. He shares his passion and bold vision of leveraging capitalism to change our world and create a positive social impact. We alsoRead More The post Leve…
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How to Avoid Family Drama During Illness and Loss!
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33:31David has a conversation Tracy Heath, an author Before Goodbye. Tracy shares her journey of turning personal grief into a guide for others. It is written to assist families in preparing for terminal illnesses and avoiding future regrets. They explore grief management, and navigating family complexities during illness. Tune in as Tracy offers practi…
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Burst Decision-Making Bubbles to Accelerate Growth
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10:49Even as 2025 is just beginning to unfold, many leadership teams are already making it a high priority to also look beyond this year and into the future. Not only that, they’re bursting their “decision making bubbles” to accelerate transformational growth. How can you maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges of doing this? That’sRead More T…
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Helping Others Feel Respected Can Be a Game-Changer
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37:19Are you looking for new ways to increase the impact of your leadership to accelerate profitable growth? The good news is that there’s growing evidence that fostering a culture of respect can measurably improve innovation and collaboration among employees and other stakeholders in the rapidly changing business environment. That’s why this week, we’r…
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How Skateboarding Unlocked the Secrets to Life and Death
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26:17David welcomes Michael Brooke, a lifelong skateboarder and author, who shares his journey from the world of skateboarding to becoming a funeral director's assistant. At 60, Michael finds himself exploring the unexpected parallels between the energy of skateboarding and the deep realities of life and death. Through his experiences in the skate indus…
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The Art of Grandparenting: How to Transform Love and Values into a Lasting Legacy!
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38:12In this season 5 episode debut David learns about the heartwarming world of grandparenting with Shirley Hershey Showalter, co-author of "The Mindful Grandparent." Explore the unique superpower of being a grandparent, the joy of creating special moments, and the profound connection across generations. Shirley shares insights on embracing mortality, …
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New Year, New You; Seizing 2025 With Purpose – with Kuda Biza
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38:09Happy New Year! Maybe along with celebrating, you’re also thinking about leading yourself to new levels of success and growth in 2025. After all, it’s a New Year; why not a New You? For inspiration and some immediately useful ideas for moving beyond resolutions, listen to our Fan-Favorite New Year’s conversation with guest Kuda Biza.Read More The p…
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Happy Holidays! Wishing you peace, connection, good health, and abundance! Along these lines, what if there were ways to predictably increase your luck and create even more abundance in the year ahead? This week, we revisit our Fan Favorite conversation with Monica Laurence, a TEDx speaker, global entrepreneur, business strategist, and mentor. We d…
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Grief and Paperwork: The Untold Struggles of an Executor!
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20:00In this Best of Episode, David has a conversation about the emotional journey and challenges of being an executor with Debbie Buehler. Discover her heartfelt story of managing her mother's estate—unexpected hurdles, the surprising demands of an executor's role, and the emotional toll it took on her journey. Whether you're an executor dealing with a…
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Unlocking the Secret Power of Handwritten Letters for Lasting Family Bonds
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29:24In this Best of Episode, David revisits his conversation with Lynette M Smith about writing special letters to say thank you to the important people in our lives. A special gift any time of the year especially during the holiday season. Lynette shares how her children inspired her dreams and why saying thank you with a handwritten note means so muc…
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While we don’t have a crystal ball, it’s already clear that 2025 is going to be a year of unprecedented changes. Of course, if you’re like many of the top leaders we work with, you have a can-do attitude that enables you to take on tough issues and do what it takes to exceed expectations.Read More The post What is Your Resilience Plan for 2025? app…
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What Your Loved Ones Are Trying to Tell You from the Afterlife!
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46:28In today's "Best of" episode David revisits a conversation with the incredible Hospice Nurse Julie. This is all about the world of end-of-life care, Julie talks about the transition many of us fear but often feel too awkward to discuss. Spoiler alert: it's not all doom and gloom! Think of this episode as your go-to guide on how to be present for th…
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Juggling Work-Life Balance at the Holidays – with guest Jen Slaw
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31:39During the holidays, so many of us feel the need to create more work-life balance. Year-end meetings and deadlines are often mixed with holiday parties. And this can be mixed with travel for business and vacation. The fact is that juggling all of this – even when it’s for enjoyment- – can feel like extraRead More The post Juggling Work-Life Balance…
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