What if leadership wasn’t about having the answers—but about asking better questions? On "I Have Some Questions…", Erik Berglund – a founder, coach, and Speechcraft evangelist – dives into the conversations that high performers aren’t having enough. This isn’t your typical leadership podcast. It’s a tactical deep-dive into the soft skills that actually drive results: the hard-to-nail moments of accountability, the awkward feedback loops, and the language that turns good leaders into great on ...
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Erik Berglund Podcasts
Breaking The Quantity Myth
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Welcome to "Her First Million" - the empowering podcast designed exclusively for women business owners in manufacturing, construction, and the trades! I’m your host, Amanda Bedell, Your Business Chaos Sorter. Here's a breakdown of the segments to come: 🔴 Love Your Numbers: In this segment, we demystify the world of business finance, helping you confidently track and optimize your numbers for greater profitability. Join me as I share my own experiences, failures, and successes in understandin ...
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Soft Skills and Authentic Leadership Communication with Erik Berglund
38:16
38:16
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38:16In this episode, Jake talks with Erik Berglund, founder of Language of Leadership and expert in sales leadership and communication. Erik shares how focusing on soft skills, listening actively, and leveraging AI-powered role play can transform difficult conversations and boost leadership effectiveness. You’ll learn: Why traditional training often ne…
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069: "How Parental Presence Intersect Across Sports And Leadership" (lessons from Sandy Cohan)
9:51
9:51
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9:51🧠 Erik’s Take In this follow-up to his powerful interview with Sandy Cohan, Erik reflects on how grit, standards, and parental presence intersect across sports and leadership. With stories from the soccer field and frameworks from the professional world, he distills the conversation down into three big insights that matter just as much at home as t…
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068: "The Dangerous Difference Between Expectations And Standards" ft. Sandy Cohan
1:10:04
1:10:04
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1:10:04In this powerful conversation, Erik sits down with mindset coach and author Sandy Cohan to dig into what grit really is—and what it definitely isn’t. From youth sports to corporate leadership, Sandy breaks down the habits, standards, and mental frameworks that shape resilient, high-performing individuals. Whether you're raising a gritty kid or tryi…
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Why 90% of Entrepreneurs QUIT - How Brian Lofrumento Beat the Odds
38:11
38:11
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38:11In this episode, Jake talks with Brian Lofrumento, podcast host of Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur, about the power of persistence, faith, and passion in the entrepreneurial journey. They explore how early struggles, consistent reps, and learning from failure lay the groundwork for long-term success. You’ll learn: How Brian built a multi-million visit…
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067: How to Build Rock Star Teams (Even If You Didn't Hire One)
10:36
10:36
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10:36In this solo episode of Leadership Unplugged, Erik breaks down the myth that great teams are hired—and reveals the truth that they’re built. If you’ve ever felt stuck with an underperforming team or unsure how to level up your people, this is your blueprint. Erik lays out the three types of “team-building work” every leader must master, challenges …
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066: "Is Loyalty Enough to Keep Someone From Leaving?" (lessons from Alan Bell)
6:41
6:41
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6:41🧠 Erik’s Take In this personal reflection on the interview with Alan Bell, Erik unpacks the hidden dynamics behind one of the boldest career moves he’s heard: a 14-person walkout, where nearly 80% of a team left a company at once. But this isn’t just about a big exit—it’s about the leadership patterns that cause them, the people-centered values tha…
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065: "What Happens When a Whole Team Quits Together?" ft. Alan Bell
1:23:50
1:23:50
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1:23:50In one of the most gripping interviews yet, Erik sits down with Alan Bell—mortgage expert, former film lab engineer, and team-builder extraordinaire—to dissect a rare and bold professional move: the collective exit of 14 team members from one company to another. This episode explores leadership, loyalty, team dynamics, and how to know when it’s tim…
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Emotional Contagion - How Mood, Mirroring, and Messaging Drive Sales Success
32:25
32:25
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32:25In this episode, Jake unpacks the powerful concept of emotional contagion and how it influences every sales and business conversation. You'll discover how mirroring posture, tone, and cadence builds rapport, and why shifting your mood before interactions can transform your results. You’ll learn: What emotional contagion is and why we naturally mirr…
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In this solo episode, Erik confronts the quiet crisis of preparation—or more often, the lack of it. He takes listeners through a bold reframing of how to prioritize prep time, not based on urgency or frequency, but on consequence of failure. This is a mindset shift episode: provocative, clear, and full of systems-thinking strategy for anyone lookin…
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063: "Is Your Company Ready for AI, or Just Excited by the Hype?" (lessons from Tulio Siragusa)
10:41
10:41
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10:41🧠 Erik’s Take This conversation with Tulio Siragusa left a deep imprint. Here’s a guy who’s both deeply competent in business and deeply rooted in service, and that rare blend made this conversation one of the most fulfilling I’ve had on the show. This reaction dives into three standout themes: The tension between who we are and who we think we are…
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062: "Why Most Leaders Aren’t Self-Aware (and How to Change That)" ft. Tulio SIragusa
1:16:13
1:16:13
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1:16:13Tulio Siragusa has led in New York, London, Silicon Valley, and Latin America—and his leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy, not ego. In this conversation, Tulio and Erik dive into the real mechanics of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, intention-based design, and how adversity reshapes who we become. From losing it all in the 2008 crash…
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In this episode, Jake talks with Ely Delaney, an email marketing strategist passionate about helping clients create evergreen follow up systems that build real relationships... not just sales pitches. You’ll learn: Why many people miss the middle ground in follow up, connecting consistently without being annoying or too scarce. The power of the “ma…
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061: What’s the Best Way to Change Your Culture (Without Faking It)?
17:38
17:38
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17:38In this episode, Erik tackles one of the most frequently asked leadership questions he gets in coaching: “How do I change my company’s culture?” Drawing from real stories, industry frameworks, and his own systems-thinking approach, he breaks down the four-part process every leader needs to architect intentional culture—without fluff or jargon. This…
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060: "Are You Coaching Your Team or Just Saving the Deal?" (lessons from Kim Willis)
8:54
8:54
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8:54🧠 Erik’s Take In this post-interview reflection, Erik breaks down his conversation with Kim Willis, exploring what makes someone truly excellent at sales—and why that matters for leadership. Rather than glamorizing charisma or relying on old tropes, Erik digs into the deeper attributes: curiosity, storytelling, feedback loops, and the relentless pu…
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059: "Can Storytelling Be Your Most Underrated Leadership Skill?" ft. Kim Willis
1:17:31
1:17:31
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1:17:31In this episode, Erik sits down with Kim Willis, a speaker coach and story mentor who helps founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs reclaim their voice by getting radically honest about the stories they tell—and the ones they avoid. In this conversation, Kim shares how years of being a high-performing communicator eventually led him to disconnection…
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Stop Killing Your Sales by Undervaluing Your Price - Anchoring and Confidence in Sales Conversations
29:16
29:16
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29:16In this episode, Jake breaks down the psychology of price anchoring and why confidence matters more than simply chasing the lowest price. You’ll discover how to strategically set pricing tiers, frame value, and navigate buyer objections without compromising your worth. You’ll learn: Why price is rarely the true objection, and how anchoring shapes b…
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058: How To Deal With The Looming Talent Glut
11:47
11:47
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11:47In this thought-provoking solo episode, Erik unpacks a major second-order consequence of AI: the collapse of the entry-level talent pipeline. As AI increasingly absorbs the "grunt work" across industries, we risk losing the slow, steady process by which professionals build context, mastery, and leadership skills. This looming talent glut isn't just…
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057: "Are We Training People to Know—or to Do?" (lessons from Cortney Harding)
11:46
11:46
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11:46🧠 Erik’s Take After interviewing Cortney Harding, Erik reflects on how VR, AI, and immersive learning are reshaping the way we train people—especially in communication. But beyond the tech, this episode is about mindset shifts: from teaching to training, from knowing to doing, and from buying solutions to solving real problems. It’s a direct and th…
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056: "Will VR Reshape The Future Of Corporate Learning & Training?" ft. Cortney Harding
48:12
48:12
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48:12What if workplace training wasn't passive, boring, or easily ignored—but instead felt like an unforgettable lived experience? In this conversation, Erik sits down with Cortney Harding, a pioneer at the intersection of VR, AR, and AI in corporate training, to explore how immersive technologies are redefining how humans learn, lead, and empathize at …
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055: Why Do We Struggle to Have Meaningful 1:1 Conversations?
8:45
8:45
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8:45In this solo reflection, Erik unpacks a persistent and nuanced leadership challenge: why so many people struggle with deep, direct, one-on-one conversations. Drawing from personal experience, client work, and even his marriage, Erik explores processing styles, conversational pressure, and how leaders can adapt to create more inclusive, thoughtful d…
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054: "The Power of Saying 'I’m Happy Today'" (lessons from Andrew Anderson)
7:00
7:00
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7:00🧠 Erik’s Take After sitting with Andrew Anderson’s powerful story and coaching wisdom, Erik reflects on the themes that stood out most: authentic communication, radical clarity, and the role of faith as a foundation. This episode distills the 90-minute conversation into three sharp insights that leaders, parents, and humans alike can apply right aw…
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053: "Why Does Vulnerability Build More Trust Than Success?" ft. Andrew Anderson
1:16:24
1:16:24
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1:16:24Erik sits down with Andrew L. Anderson, coach, author, and master communicator, to unpack what it means to live with conviction, interrupt the scripts we’re stuck in, and lead with both vulnerability and strength. From red shoes to real suffering, Andrew shares how pattern disruption, faith, and belief shape his work and life — and why being your b…
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The Power of Storytelling: Crafting Sales Messages That Resonate
34:29
34:29
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34:29In this episode, Jake dives into why the best salespeople are master storytellers who craft compelling narratives that engage prospects emotionally and make ideas their own. Discover how to transform typical sales pitches into memorable stories that stick. You’ll learn: The six key elements of a great story: hook, stakes, conflict, turning point, r…
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In this solo episode, Erik goes deep on one of the most deceptively difficult questions in leadership and life: What should you be saying no to? Drawing from his own calendar, coaching practice, and real-time decision-making, he lays out four clear steps—and several powerful tools—for reclaiming your time, energy, and focus. This is a masterclass i…
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051: "Authenticity as a System of Living—Not Just a Buzzword" (lessons from Rose Archer)
7:39
7:39
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7:39Fresh off his conversation with Rose Archer, Erik is lit up—not just by what Rose is building, but by how she’s building it. In this reflection, Erik dives into the raw threads of authenticity, opportunity, and human connection that run through Rose’s story. It’s more than admiration—it’s a call to pay attention to how the universe shows up for us …
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050: "Authenticity Scales When It's Felt" ft. Rose Archer
1:34:11
1:34:11
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1:34:11Erik sits down with Rose Archer, founder of the Luscious Supper Club—a sold-out monthly dining experience that’s as much about human connection as it is about exquisite food. What started as a side hustle from her Northeast Bend home has become a sought-after ritual for those craving beauty, belonging, and a return to the sacredness of breaking bre…
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Embracing Fear and Building Authentic Connections with Erik Seversen
35:50
35:50
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35:50In this episode, Jake chats with Erik Seversen, educator, adventurer, author, and self publishing coach who shares his journey from anthropology to international business and public speaking. Erik reveals how embracing fear, practicing deep listening, and fostering genuine relationships fuel success in business and life. You’ll learn: How communiti…
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049: What If Every Excuse You’ve Ever Heard Was Just One of Four?
9:19
9:19
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9:19You’ve heard a thousand excuses—but what if there were really only four? In this sharp, tactical solo episode, Erik unpacks the universal patterns behind excuses and gives leaders a practical four-step play to move from frustration to clarity. With real-life examples and sharp reframes, this is your go-to guide for handling the conversations you’ve…
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048: "Seeing Gen Z as Problem Solvers, Not Problems" (lessons from Logyn Coats)
10:06
10:06
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10:06🧠 Erik’s Take After sitting down with Logyn Coats, Erik reflects on what it really means to understand—and lead—across generations. At just 16, Logyn offered perspective far beyond her years, surfacing insights that resonate with the challenges leaders face today: motivating, teaching, and connecting with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. This review digs into …
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047: "Can Gen Z’s Drive Reframe the Way We Lead Today?" ft. Logyn Coats
1:27:05
1:27:05
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1:27:05What happens when you stop waiting for life to happen and start building it with intentionality? In this episode, Erik sits down with Logyn Coats, a driven student-athlete with an unconventional story of accelerated learning, discipline, and vision. From navigating dyslexia to graduating high school in two years, from shaping her worldview through …
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Mastering Mirroring: Unlocking Connection Through Body Language and Tone
29:21
29:21
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29:21In this episode, Jake explores the powerful role of mirroring in sales and communication. You’ll learn how tuning into a prospect’s posture, tone, and cadence helps you connect authentically and uncover their true feelings beyond words. You’ll discover: Why our outer “profile picture” often masks deeper emotions and motivations. How mirror neurons …
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046: Stop Hiding Behind The 'I Lead By Example' Phrase
7:50
7:50
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7:50This episode is meant to challenge you. Erik takes on the lazy, surface-level claim of “I lead by example” and unpacks why it’s an insufficient leadership philosophy. He shares his own hard-learned lessons, what went wrong when he tried to evolve past it without clear communication, and why every leader needs a sharper articulation of their philoso…
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045: "Why Asking for Help Builds More Trust Than Giving Answers" (lessons from Jake Stahl)
6:24
6:24
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6:24After sitting down with Jake Stahl, Erik reflects on the biggest insights from their conversation about neuro-strategy, influence, and the subtle ways leaders can shape trust. He pulls forward Jake’s key practices and maps them onto his own curiosity-driven approach to leadership and coaching. 🎯 Top Insights from the Interview Preparation shapes in…
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044: "My Only Competitor Is Me From Yesterday" ft. Jake Stahl
55:09
55:09
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55:09In this conversation, Erik sits down with Jake Stahl, CEO of Orchestraight, to dig into the nuances of adaptability, trust, and leading with presence. From reframing how we think about time to building spaces where people feel seen, Jake offers a refreshingly human approach to leadership growth. 👤 About the Guest Jake Stahl is the CEO of Orchestrai…
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Intentional Networking and Connection Expansion with Devin Sizemore
31:13
31:13
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31:13In this episode, Jake talks to Devin Sizemore, a serial entrepreneur and expert networker known for his innovative Connection Expansion system. Devin shares how making no assumptions, meeting everyone, and playing the referral game strategically can create massive business growth. You’ll learn: Why you should never judge the value of a connection b…
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043: How to Give Feedback People Actually Hear (And Act On)
10:39
10:39
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10:39Erik unpacks the art and science of giving feedback that doesn’t just land—but transforms. Drawing from leadership trenches, he challenges the old “feedback sandwich” cliché and lays out a sharper, more human way to communicate with clarity, care, and conviction. ❓ The Big Question How do you give feedback that someone can truly hear—without defens…
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042: “Can You Build Systems for Emotional Resilience?” (lessons from Troy Karnes)
6:51
6:51
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6:51Coming off an intense, vulnerable conversation with Troy Karnes, Erik reflects on what it means to be trained to be human — and how most of us simply haven’t been. This episode is less a summary and more a reckoning: with parenting, leadership, addiction, loneliness, and the self-sabotaging decisions we make when we’re just trying to survive. Troy’…
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Reading the Inner Profile Picture: Body Language, Tone, and Authenticity in Sales Conversations
30:07
30:07
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30:07In this episode, Jake explores how to decipher a prospect’s true feelings by reading beyond their words... tuning into posture, cadence, tone, and microexpressions to uncover their inner profile picture. You’ll learn: Why the outward profile we show can mask deeper motivations, needs, and desires. How skilled salespeople read urgency and excitement…
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041: “How Do You Lead When You’re Still Healing?” ft. Troy Karnes
1:33:47
1:33:47
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1:33:47In this raw and revealing conversation, Erik sits down with entrepreneur and systems thinker Troy Karnes to explore what happens when your ambition starts to burn you out — and how to rebuild from the inside out. They dig into the identity loops that trap high performers, the hard cost of playing it safe, and what it means to take control of your o…
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040: What Do You Do When Your Team Thinks You Don’t Deserve the Job?
9:55
9:55
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9:55In this episode, Erik breaks down how to earn trust, build consensus, and handle the uncomfortable conversations that come with stepping into leadership when the room isn’t exactly rooting for you. ❓ The Big Question How do you earn trust and lead effectively when your team believes someone else should have gotten your job? 💡 Key Takeaways You don’…
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039: Why Your A-Players Leave (And How to Prevent It)
9:28
9:28
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9:28Losing a top performer is brutal—and often preventable. In this episode, Erik goes beyond the cliché of “people don’t leave companies, they leave managers” to unpack the real reasons your best people walk out the door. He reveals three leadership moves that will keep your rock stars engaged, growing, and aligned—without relying on promotions, title…
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Choosing Your Network Wisely With Nancy Fox
34:23
34:23
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34:23In this episode, Jake chats with Nancy Fox, a seasoned fractional executive coach and author who specializes in helping professionals make smooth entrepreneurial transitions. Nancy shares her insights on the myths fractional executives face and the reality of building a quality network focused on decision makers. You’ll learn: Why your network is y…
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038: The Leadership Hack That Eliminates 80% of Check-Ins
7:08
7:08
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7:08Check-ins are killing your calendar. In this episode, Erik breaks down why endless reminders are actually a symptom of low confidence and poor expectation-setting—and he teaches a simple leadership “play” that flips the script. Instead of you chasing progress updates, your team will push you the information you need—freeing up your time, building a…
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037: How to Make More Time by Choosing What Not to Do
18:20
18:20
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18:20In this solo episode, Erik tackles one of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions leaders and high-achievers ask: How do I make more time? Instead of chasing productivity hacks, he offers two practical tools to get clear on what really matters and what can wait. The episode blends strategic thinking with real-life examples, helping listene…
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036: "Are You Creating Space for Others to Shine?" (lessons from Sam Bennet)
6:45
6:45
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6:45This reaction episode offers a reflective deep dive into the most resonant themes from Erik’s conversation with Sam Bennett—improviser, coach, and author of Start Right Where You Are. Erik explores the real-world value of improv training, redefines creativity through a leadership lens, and shares how Sam’s abundance mindset reminded him that leader…
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Summer of STRATA - Action: Closing the Sale by Making It Their Idea
25:17
25:17
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25:17In this episode, Jake unpacks the final step in the STRATA framework: Action. You’ll learn how to get prospects to naturally follow through on the ideas and excitement you have cultivated throughout the sales process. You’ll discover: Why the best sales pitches make the idea feel like the prospect’s own. How a thoughtful call to action is a gentle,…
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035: "What If You Led Like You Liked People?" ft. Sam Bennet
1:01:09
1:01:09
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1:01:09In this deeply human, laugh-out-loud insightful conversation, Erik sits down with the brilliant and hilarious Sam Bennett—actress, writer, leadership coach, and improv-trained creativity wizard. They explore the subtle power of curiosity, how theater prepares us for leadership, and why treating people like you actually like them is the secret to be…
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034: Does Asking The Right Question Beat Giving The Right Answer?
8:01
8:01
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8:01This episode is a bold challenge to the myth that leaders need to have all the answers. Erik breaks down the real reason many leaders avoid tough conversations—and how a single mindset shift can radically reduce stress, spark better performance, and create more self-sufficient teams. This is about turning pressure into presence, and questions into …
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033: "Are You Chasing Success Without Knowing Why?" (lessons from Peter Awad)
5:12
5:12
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5:12🧠 Erik’s Take In this reflection, Erik unpacks his recent interview with Peter Awad—a powerful, purpose-driven conversation that left him wanting more time. The episode explored how discovering your “why” is far less about lightbulb moments and far more about long-haul self-inquiry. Erik doesn’t just review their dialogue—he reveals how his own jou…
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The Integrated Entrepreneur - Embracing the Whole Self with Raeanne Lacatena
34:47
34:47
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34:47In this episode, Jake welcomes Raeanne Lacatena, holistic business coach, Reiki master, and author of "The Integrated Entrepreneur." Raeanne shares her unique approach to blending personal development with business growth, helping entrepreneurs embrace their whole selves... not just their professional personas. You’ll learn: What it means to be an …
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