This episode's guest is James Sweeney.

Most entrepreneurs see insecurity as a bad thing. They tell themselves that they have to be overly confident in everything they do. But what if insecurity actually feeds success? I love the title of the book from this guest- “Creative Insecurity: Lean into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit.”

James M. Sweeney is a serial entrepreneur who started 14 healthcare companies with original ideas, none of which have failed. He has raised $2 billion in capital and generated more than $30 billion in exit value. His companies have saved or extended the lives of millions of people. Today, he mentors other entrepreneurs for success.

We discussed:

1. Most people think of insecurity as negative. What is your view?
2. Are there some good ways to fail and also bad ways?
3. How do you scan for and mitigate risk? What are your favorite ways to take in more data? 
4. One of your more controversial views is that it's more important to be first than to be right. There are clearly many examples of first entrants into a market that are no longer around. Why do you stand by this assertion?

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Segment 1 with Karla Trotman starts at 0:00.

As Baby Boomers prepare to retire, family-owned businesses across the nation are at a pivotal crossroads. Transitioning leadership and ownership is a complex process, often more challenging in family-run businesses, especially for Black-owned enterprises that face unique obstacles in succession planning and recognition.

Karla Trotman, who CEO of Electro Soft, Inc.,a Black-owned electronics manufacturing company, has first-hand experience with all these challenges.

With her own story of leading Electro Soft, Inc. through COVID-19 and a long transition process, Karla brings a wealth of personal experience and practical advice. She is also the author of "Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: The Vibrant Future of Manufacturing", where she explores how diversity and inclusion can redefine American manufacturing.

Segment 2 with Kate Gladdin starts at 22:01.

I have talked about the importance of resiliency every since I wrote my second book called "Bounce!: Failure, Resiliency, and Confidence to Achieve Your Next Great Success".

Kate Gladdin is an international speaker, certified life coach, resilience specialist, and podcast host. Named one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence. A native of Sydney, Australia, she now makes her home in Wyoming with her husband, Nate, and enjoys playing in the snow with their pup, Jaku.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

As I grow older, I have realized one thing for my business and professional life- Friends matter. For men, making and keeping friends at the later part of your career and life is more difficult for us than women.

My guest is esteemed professor and research psychologist, Dr. Kimberly Horn has worked with top-tier academic institutions, including West Virginia University, The George Washington University, and Virginia Tech. Devoting her career to helping others lead healthier, happier, and more connected lives, she has conducted nearly three decades of health behavior research with an extensive publication record.

Dr. Horn’s background sets the stage for her literary debut, "Friends Matter, for Life". A natural extension of her work, the book addresses how integral friendships are to our emotional and physical well-being.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

One of the most successful companies that helps small business is Zen Business.

Ross Buhrdorf is the CEO & Founder of ZenBusiness®, a company that provides an easy, all-in-one platform and trusted guidance for small business owners. In his current role at ZenBusiness, Buhrdorf empowers the new generation of entrepreneurs through the delivery of innovative tools, fintech, and educational resources to support millions of small businesses on their journey to success. Seven hundred thousand people have turned to ZenBusiness for their entrepreneurial journey.

 Ross is an active mentor with Capital Factory. He previously was the founding CTO for HomeAway (NASDAQ:AWAY). His technology built the company from a startup, through the IPO to its recent acquisition by Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE) for $3.9B.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

The idea of masculinity has come into focus with this past election of Donald Trump – it was one of the biggest gender divides with Trump emphasizing his brand of masculinity and the idea that men had to take care of women. When the votes were counted, men overwhelming voted for Trump and woman for Harris. 

So what's going on here? Is this something new or a throwback to the past?

My guest is Dr. Ronald Levant who is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Akron and past President of the American Psychological Association. Ranked among the top 2 percent of scientists in the world by the Elsevier-Stanford University database, he is one of the key professionals responsible for creating a whole new field of psychology—the psychology of men and masculinity. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Public Practice from Harvard University.

He has a new book called "The Problem with Men".

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Can we improve our business brain by participating in art? My guest did the research to confirm this;  it's called neuroaesthetics.

Ivy Ross is the Vice President, Design for Hardware at Google.

She was trained at Harvard Business School for general management with outstanding record of achievement with Fortune 500 companies in retail, direct mail, and manufacturing environments. One of nine executives selected by Fast Company Magazine to represent the new face of leadership . Selected by Business Week magazine as one of the 25 most innovative global business leaders working within a corporation. Business Insider recently named her one of the 15 Most Powerful Women at Google.

She is the coauthor of "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us".

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

Segment 1 are 2 are with Brian Solis. 

Brian Solis is Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow. He designs and delivers strategic engagements with important customers to advise on digital and business innovation strategies. Brian has been called “one of the greatest digital analysts of our time.”

He is an award-winning author of 9 best-selling books including In his latest book called "Mindshift: Transform Leadership, Drive Innovation, and Reshape the Future".

On this show you will learn:

Adapt for a post-industrial, AI-first world. Find direction in uncertainty. Spot and prioritize emerging trends. Develop, spark, and embrace innovative ideas that create new value.

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Segment 1 with Kenneth Davis starts at 0:00.

What are the greatest non fiction books of all time? Kenneth C. Davis called "The World in Books: 52 Works of Great Short Non Fiction" –the best and most important short nonfiction works of all time, chosen by This historian. Kenneth’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Smithsonian magazine, among other publications. He has appeared on national television and radio shows, including CBS This Morning, Today, and NPR.


Segment 2 with Steven Schneider starts at 19:20.

Where does AI and SEO intersect now for small business owners looking for prospects? Steven Schneidere is co-founder and CEO at TrioSEO, a blog writing agency that helps online businesses drive high-intent organic traffic through bottom-of-the-funnel content. Before TrioSEO, he co-owned a portfolio of 40 blogs, managed 400 articles monthly, and scaled to 7 figures in annual revenue with his two partners.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

It seems if one thing is for sure, is that we are living in “the age of outrage”. Social media and politics certainly has turned up the heat and people seem to be outraged and angry almost everywhere about almost everything. How can we still lead in such a highly charged environment?

My guest is Karthik Ramanna who is a professor of business and public policy at University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, where he has served as director of one of the world’s most diverse leadership programs.

Previously a professor at Harvard Business School, Professor Ramanna studies how organizations and leaders build trust with stakeholders. His scholarship has won numerous awards including three times the international Case Centre’s prizes for “outstanding case-writing,” dubbed by the Financial Times as “the business school Oscars.” 

His new book is called "The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World".

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

Segment 1 with Tobias Sturesson starts at 0:00.

Having grown up in a religious cult and later confronted its toxic culture, Tobias Sturesson evolved into a prominent advocate for the vital importance of cultural health for organizational success and human flourishing. He  is the author of "You Can Culture: Transformative Leadership Habits for a Thriving Workplace, Positive Impact and Lasting Success". Tobias has identified the four most crucial and timeless culture-building leadership habits.

Segment 2 with Adrian Kelly starts at 13:17.

Since no one is coming to save them, how do you help people get the most out of themselves and life. Adrian Kelly is the author of "The Success Complex: Ancient Wisdom, The Building Blocks of Life,and Your Path to Sustained Success". He is a recognized sports and performance coach, author, award winning lawyer, and a sought-after guest speaker.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

Segment 1 with Barry Conchie begins at 0:00.

What talents does it take to be a great leader?

My first guest is Barry Conchie who is the founder and president of Conchie Associates and author of " The Five Talents That Really Matter: How Great Leaders Drive Extraordinary Performance", with his business partner Sarah Dalton. He is an expert in psycho- metric talent assessments, leadership research and development, team building, and succession planning.

Segment 2 with Roger Gerard begins at 17:30.

Who are you as a leader? Do you own the room? Do you lead with purpose? Does your leadership inspire others?

My second guest is Dr. Roger A. Gerard is the owner of Sloan & Gerard Consulting, a private consulting practice serving executives and boards in strategic planning, operational planning, executive coaching, and management development. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Gerard is the author of "Owning the Room and Lead With Purpose: Reignite Passion and Engagement For Professionals in Crisis."

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.