Jake Isaacs, co-founder of Gathering the Kings, joins us to discuss his journey from fixing underperforming hotels for Marriott and Hilton to building a thriving entrepreneurial mastermind. With over 515 podcast episodes under his belt, Jake shares hard-won insights about the decline of customer service, why the bar is so low in business today, and how genuine human connection remains irreplaceable despite advancing technology. We explore the role of AI in business, the surprising lessons from hospitality, why efficiency can sometimes be your enemy, and why traditional marketing tactics like door knocking may be making a comeback. Jake breaks down the difference between visionaries and integrators, shares stories from the trenches of hotel management, and explains why being curious about people is the ultimate competitive advantage in business.

### Chapters:

00:00:00 - Jake's Background

00:02:00 - Surprises in the Hospitality Industry

00:05:00 - Technology That Changed Hotels

00:09:00 - The Challenge of Legacy Operating Systems

00:12:00 - The Importance of Customer Service Reps

00:17:00 - Unreasonable Hospitality and Making Moments Special

00:19:00 - AI and the Future of Business

00:27:00 - 515 Podcast Episodes: Key Takeaways

00:33:00 - Human Connection vs. Technology Post-COVID

00:40:00 - Going Back to Basics in Marketing and Sales

Gathering the Kings - https://gatheringthekings.com

Jake Isaacs on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jake.isaacs.56

Jake Isaacs on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-isaacs-28071b41

In this episode of the Amplified Business Show, we sit down with Brian Alexander, a business coach specializing in service-based businesses. Brian shares insights from his journey from gym owner to business coach, discussing the critical importance of having the right people in the right roles. He explains how his experience with the predictive index helps businesses align team members with their natural abilities, creating more effective organizations where people thrive rather than struggle against their nature.

00:00:00 - Brian's background

00:03:40 - Lessons from the gym business and discovering the "who" gap

00:06:00 - The importance of natural abilities in hiring

00:10:58 - Technology in coaching and client experience

00:16:52 - Business scorecards and using technology for performance visibility

00:18:43 - Experience with dental laser technology and sales team building

00:23:56 - Force multipliers in technology implementation

00:27:44 - Building flexibility into business systems

00:31:50 - Client experience and delivery as key differentiators

00:37:00 - The differentiator between successful and unsuccessful businesses

00:41:30 - Common mistakes of businesses at different revenue levels

00:47:00 - The natural ability analogy: stretching a rubber band

00:53:36 - Discussion on AI and technology advancements

• Learn more about Brian's coaching: Ready Aim Climb
• https://www.facebook.com/therealbrianalexander/
• CASAV.com

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Rammage, founder of Hire VP, a virtual staffing agency connecting overseas professionals with US businesses. Scott shares his 22-year entrepreneurial journey and how he transformed his own productivity challenges into a thriving business that's changing how entrepreneurs work.

• 00:00:00 - Introduction and Scott's background
• 00:01:00 - Scott's entrepreneurial journey and the birth of Hire VP
• 00:05:00 - Common leadership challenges with virtual assistants
• 00:07:00 - Email and calendar management as stress reducers
• 00:10:00 - The importance of SOPs and Scott's temperature-checking system
• 00:13:00 - Scott's content journey and building virtual teams
• 00:21:00 - Essential technology for remote work
• 00:29:00 - Building relationships through video conferencing
• 00:36:00 - Creating the right virtual work environment
• 00:47:00 - Authenticity in business and content creation
• 00:53:00 - AI tools: benefits and limitations in business
• 01:02:00 - Exciting future technology and reducing friction

• Connect with Scott: Hire VP

Thomas Elledge brings 37 years in IT and 25 years in program and project management across oil and gas and higher education. We dig into what truly drives impact in organizations: aligning content, technology, and physical space, communicating clearly with stakeholders, and planning refresh cycles in a world where the tech turnover is measured in months, not years. We also cover AI’s real wins in project management, platform interoperability between Teams and Zoom, the ripple effects of tariffs on supply chains, and why simple, intuitive interfaces win every time.

• 00:00:00 Thomas's 37 years in IT
• 00:01:58 Content, tech, and space integration
• 00:06:55 Architectural thinking in tech rollouts
• 00:07:56 AI enhancing project management efficiency
• 00:10:22 BYOD flexibility advantages
• 00:12:52 Manufacturing shifts beyond China
• 00:21:20 Designing for faster decision making
• 00:26:10 Smart infrastructure future opportunities
• 00:27:30 Wrap-up

• Thomas Elledge - https://profiles.rice.edu/staff/thomas-elledge
• CAS AV - https://www.casav.com

In this powerful conversation, dynamic keynote speaker, renowned motivator, and coach Steve Miller joins Jeff Price to unpack the universal principles of success that apply everywhere from the fighting cage to the conference room. Miller reveals why technology should be a "force multiplier" for your vision, not a distraction, and how to ensure your tools "add as little drag to your message as possible." Drawing lessons from the high-stakes fight world, the discussion explores the impact of production value on performance, the modern demand for authentic storytelling , and the one leadership skill that makes everything else easier: learning to effectively lead yourself first.

• 00:00:00 - Welcome to The Amplified Business Show
• 00:02:17 - How Technology, Content, and Messaging Intersect
• 00:04:03 - Using Performance to Gain Attention for a Deeper Message
• 00:06:31 - How Technology's Role in Worship Depends on Its Use
• 00:08:17 - The Temple as the "Height of Technology"
• 00:10:44 - The "Force Multiplier" Effect of High Production Value
• 00:13:26 - The Frustration of Playing an Out-of-Tune Piano
• 00:15:23 - Why You Must Adapt
• 00:17:57 - Understanding Resistance to Change in Technology
• 00:19:45 - Case Study: The Evolution of UFC Production Value
• 00:23:53 - Universal Principles of Building Something Great
• 00:26:21 - The Foundational Power of Storytelling
• 00:29:35 - The Chaotic Reality Behind the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Stunt
• 00:32:25 - The Cultural Shift Towards Authenticity Over a Polished Image
• 00:38:00 - How COVID-19 Increased Tolerance for Technical Imperfections
• 00:40:46 - Core Leadership Principle: Master Personal Life Management First
• 00:45:33 - Where to Find Steve Miller Online

• Circle Builders Website
• CAS Website

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

In this episode of The Amplified Business Show, host Jeff Price sits down with Carl Lubbe, founder of Tall Tale and The Curiosity Coach, to explore the intersection of technology, leadership, and human connection. From the rise of video conferencing and hybrid work to the power of AI note-taking tools and virtual production for scalable training, Carl shares how businesses can reduce “drag,” design technology that disappears, and amplify results without losing sight of what matters most—people. With insights like “people, not product, are the profit” and practical strategies for creating segues, clarity, and scalable learning, this conversation reveals how leaders can future-proof their organizations by blending smart tech with emotional intelligence.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome to The Amplified Business Show
• 00:00:55 – Focus on ROI at the intersection of business and technology
• 00:01:21 – How the pandemic and Zoom enabled new remote careers
• 00:02:59 – Great tech is invisible, fostering human connection
• 00:03:57 – Scaling impact with technology’s “one to many” principle
• 00:06:16 – Post-pandemic challenge: atrophied social and professional skills
• 00:07:50 – Open-office downsides: less collaboration, more isolation
• 00:08:20 – The role of “segues” like commutes for mental resets
• 00:10:45 – Design philosophy: minimizing inefficiency through subtraction
• 00:11:45 – Tech must deliver a clear human-centric win
• 00:13:00 – Virtual production and LED walls for online courses
• 00:14:15 – How a client’s need sparked the online masterclass model
• 00:18:28 – Why trusted human partners matter as tech accelerates
• 00:20:00 – The three pillars of effective tech: content, technology, space
• 00:21:49 – Future success depends on using AI to enhance operations
• 00:22:58 – Thriving by blending technology with “peopling” skills
• 00:25:05 – Core philosophy: “People, not product, are the profit”
• 00:30:26 – Actionable tip: use AI note-takers for meetings

Links and Resources:

• Curiosity Training
• Tall Tale Brands
• Carl Lubbe on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

Welcome to The Amplified Business Show—in this introductory episode, host Jeff Price, a 25-year veteran of the audio-visual industry, sets the foundation for a podcast built at the intersection of technology and business. Rather than focusing on technical specs that quickly become outdated, Jeff emphasizes the timeless principles of how technology—when planned thoughtfully and right-sized—can drive efficiency, scale operations, and deliver real ROI. He explains how technology acts as a force multiplier, amplifying everything from client presentations and sales calls to team collaboration and social content. With insights like “better inputs make better outputs” and “turning up the wattage on your business”, Jeff shares his vision for conversations with leaders across industries who are using technology to streamline operations, engage customers, and achieve lasting impact. This intro episode invites forward-thinking decision-makers to rethink how technology can transform not just their systems, but their entire business strategy

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Welcome to The Amplified Business Show
• 00:41 - Why This Show Ignores Technical Specs
• 00:57 - Using Tech as a Force Multiplier for Your Business
• 01:38 - The Importance of Planning to Avoid Overblown Systems
• 02:16 - Who You'll Hear From: Guests and Industries
• 02:33 - Meet Your Host: Jeff Price's Background
• 03:15 - How to "Turn the Wattage Up" On Your Business
• 03:38 - Your Message is More Important Than Your Tech
• 04:14 - The Principle of "Better Inputs, Better Outputs"

Link and Resources

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!

In this official trailer for The Amplified Business Show, host Jeff Price sets the stage for a podcast designed to help business leaders fuel growth through technology, content, and innovation. As Jeff explains, the future of business isn’t about choosing between people or technology — it’s about mastering the marriage of both to create lasting impact. With insights on better inputs driving better outputs, breaking down barriers to clear communication, and using tools that serve human connection, this trailer captures the essence of the show’s mission. If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur looking to future-proof your operations, become a better content creator, and leverage the right strategies to stay competitive, this is your invitation to subscribe and start amplifying your business today.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction: The Amplified Business Show
• 00:00:20 - Principle: Technology Should Enhance Human Connection
• 00:00:30 - The Rapid Pace of Technological Advancement
• 00:00:41 - Technology as an Enabler, Not a Barrier
• 00:00:52 - The Core Purpose of Tech: Serving Human Connection
• 00:01:00 - Using the Right Technology at the Right Time
• 00:01:03 - Focusing on Outcomes Over Technical Skills
• 00:01:21 - The Essential Marriage of People and Technology

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Amplified Business Show? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!