What makes work truly worth it? Is it the paycheck, the prestige, or the purpose behind what we do every day?

In this episode, I sit down with authors Christopher Wong Michaelson and Jen Tosti-Kharas to dive into their book Is Your Work Worth It? We unpack the big questions around why we work, what keeps us going long after we “have to,” and how to think differently about love versus money in our careers. From rethinking autopilot routines to exploring how work shapes our legacy, this conversation will have you reflecting on your own motivations in a whole new way.

Together, we also explore the tension between career demands and personal life, the myths about turning passions into professions, and how leaders can shape meaningful work for others. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or simply wondering what your next career move should look like, this episode offers fresh perspective on finding fulfillment and redefining success.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The surprising truth about why most people really keep working

• Why “autopilot” is the hidden enemy of career satisfaction

• A simple way to test if your work passes the “seven-year-old” explanation test

• The overlooked connection between love, money, and fairness at work

• What entrepreneurs often love most about their work (and it’s not what you think)

• How to use “seasons of life” to plan your career with more intention

• Why the most worthy work is often undervalued—and what to do about it

• A framework to uncover your deeper purpose that goes beyond surface-level goals

Ready to rethink your relationship with work? Tune in now and walk away with new questions to ask yourself, your team, and your organization. And if this episode sparks something for you, share it with a colleague or friend because these are conversations worth having.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Connect with Christoper

Connect with Jen

What if the real key to your business growth isn’t another marketing tactic—but building the right community around you? In this episode, I sit down with Gina Bianchini, CEO of Mighty Networks, to uncover the true difference between networking (which often feels transactional) and community (which sparks transformation). We explore why being the hub of a community can exponentially grow your influence, create opportunities, and bring lasting value to everyone involved.

Gina walks us through the exact framework for building a community that’s vibrant, self-sustaining, and deeply rewarding, whether it’s in-person or online. From identifying your audience’s biggest transitions, to creating a clear “big purpose,” to structuring monthly themes, weekly rhythms, and daily engagement prompts—this conversation is packed with practical, actionable advice that will change the way you think about relationships in business forever.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• 9:22 — How being the organizer instantly elevates your professional value

• 15:21 — Why people in transition are the most motivated members of any community

• 20:58 — The “best year ever” formula for defining your community’s purpose

• 24:24 — Three structural elements that keep your community active without burning you out

• 29:24 — The one question format that sparks instant engagement

• 37:11 — How software can act as your “co-host” and make connections happen

• 43:12 — Why now is the time to create a branded community experience

If you’ve ever wished for deeper, more meaningful business relationships—or wondered how to turn your network into a powerful, value-generating asset—this episode is your blueprint. Press play and discover how to build a thriving community where everyone wins, and your leadership naturally shines.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Check out Mighty Networks

What if the key to your biggest breakthroughs isn’t some giant leap—but a series of small, curious steps? In this episode, I sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff—neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of Tiny Experiments to explore how we can apply an experimental mindset to business development, relationship building, and even leadership. We dive into how tiny, purposeful actions can produce big, surprising results, and why perfectionism is often what keeps high-achievers stuck. Whether you're in sales, consulting, or leading a team, this conversation will help you shift your approach to growth—and make it infinitely more adaptable, creative, and human.

We unpack Anne-Laure’s PACT framework (Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, Trackable), talk about linear vs. looped thinking, and explore how high performers can actually start smaller to move further, faster. If you're ready to test, tweak, and grow smarter—not harder—this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why tiny experiments beat big, rigid plans (and how to run them)

• How to turn ambiguity and uncertainty into an advantage

• The PACT framework that makes “starting small” ridiculously actionable

• What metacognition is—and why elite performers swear by it

• How “working in public” accelerates learning and client trust

• The surprising link between psychological safety and team creativity

• Why outcome goals can trap you—and what to do instead

• The difference between chasing legacy and practicing generativity

If this episode inspired you, grab a copy of Tiny Experiments and consider running your own experiment: what’s one tiny, meaningful action you can try this week?

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Grab a Copy of the Tiny Experiments Book

Subscribe to Anne-Laure’s newsletter

Are you too busy to journal—or just not doing it the right way? In this episode, I sit down with the extraordinary Jo Franco—Netflix host, polyglot, entrepreneur, and journaling pioneer—to unpack the true power of journaling as a transformational tool for self-awareness, leadership, and productivity. If you’ve ever thought journaling was a fluffy “dear diary” ritual, think again. Jo brings science, soul, and strategy to the table, showing how even five minutes with the right prompt can unlock clarity, confidence, and momentum in your life and work.

We dive into her personal journey—from being handed a journal as a kid to now leading global journaling workshops that change lives. Along the way, we explore how journaling helps you excavate your goals, align with your values, and become the person you actually want to be—not just the one society tells you to be. Whether you’re a seasoned high-achiever or brand new to the concept of journaling, this episode will give you the prompts, structure, and real-world inspiration to make this practice a game changer.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why journaling isn’t about documenting your day—but designing your life

• The surprisingly simple weekly routine that changed everything for me

• Jo’s go-to energy audit framework (and how to use it in under 5 minutes)

• How journaling helps uncover the real reason behind your goals

• The science-backed prompts that increase happiness, productivity, and memory

• Why rereading your journal entries is just as important as writing them

• How to use journaling to become a more impactful leader and partner

• The journaling method that builds instant depth in your team or relationship

Ready to start writing your future self into existence? Head to JoClub.World to check out Jo’s free journaling 101 workshop and grab your starter kit. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who could use some clarity and confidence.

Resources Mentioned:

Get Jo’s Journaling Starter Kit and Free Workshop

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Are you letting fear or friction hold you back from the conversations that matter most? In this episode, I sit down with Kwame Christian— host of the #1 negotiation podcast Negotiate Anything and creator of LinkedIn’s only official negotiation certificate—to explore how we can all get better at negotiation by doing it with more heart. Kwame breaks down his signature “Compassionate Curiosity” framework, a three-step method that helps you navigate any conversation—whether in business or life—with empathy, emotional intelligence, and strategic clarity. If you’ve ever struggled with “what to say when it’s hard to say it,” this episode is a must-listen.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The unexpected reason most negotiation training fails (and how to fix it)

• The one mental model that works for almost every tough conversation

• How to uncover someone’s real priorities—before offering solutions

• Why your tone matters more than your tactics

• A simple way to defuse tension in seconds

• How to know when it’s time to walk away (without burning a bridge)

Be sure to follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn and check out his podcast Negotiate Anything for even more real-world tools. And if you want to start showing up differently in high-stakes conversations, start with compassion, curiosity, and this episode as your guide.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Listen to the Negotiate Anything Podcast

Connect with Kwame

What if your success didn’t just depend on what you do—but on how you work with people? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Bungay Stanier, author of How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, to uncover how the quality of our working relationships is the true game-changer in business. Whether you’re trying to repair a tricky client dynamic or elevate a good one into something exceptional, this conversation is packed with mindset shifts, practical frameworks, and one incredibly simple but powerful tool: the Keystone Conversation.

We dive deep into how to create a Best Possible Relationship (BPR)—and why safe, vital, and repairable relationships are the secret sauce for long-term client retention, team morale, and professional fulfillment. Michael shares the five questions you can ask to build stronger foundations with clients (and colleagues), plus how to model bravery, curiosity, and generosity in ways that truly set you apart. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more intentionality and impact into the way you collaborate, this is the episode to hit play on.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• How one simple mindset shift can change the way you lead every client call

• Why safety is essential—but not enough—for meaningful collaboration

• The three hidden traits that define every Best Possible Relationship

• How to become “easy to work with” in a way that builds unshakable trust

• What a Keystone Conversation is—and why it’s your secret client-retention weapon

• Five powerful questions that unlock better communication and mutual respect

• What to do when a relationship goes sideways—and how to repair it with confidence

• Why modeling curiosity (instead of advice-giving) is a powerful differentiator

If this conversation sparked something in you, now’s the time to take action. Think of one relationship that could use a reset—or a boost—and try just one of the questions Michael shared today. You’ll be amazed at what opens up. And if you want the full roadmap, grab a copy of How to Work with (Almost) Anyone and visit bestpossiblerelationship.com for bonus resources, free downloads, and a video example of the Keystone Conversation in action. Let’s start working better—one conversation at a time.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

How to Work with Almost Anyone

Best Possible Relationship Toolkit

Have you ever wondered why asking for what you want can feel so awkward—and why people say yes more often than we think? In this episode, I dive deep with Dr. Vanessa Bohns, an organizational behavior expert from Cornell University and the author of You Have More Influence Than You Think. Together, we unpack why influence is so much more than persuasion—and why it’s less about manipulation and more about authentic, everyday impact.

We explore the psychological biases that make us underestimate our influence, the surprising power of simply asking face-to-face, and the crucial difference between perspective-taking and perspective-getting. Whether you’re a leader, a business developer, or simply looking to grow your positive influence, this conversation is packed with insights on building trust, making confident asks, and empowering others while avoiding the “ick” factor.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• 3:05 — Why putting “positive” in front of influence might matter more than you think

• 6:45 — The 100-year legacy of How to Win Friends and Influence People and why it’s still relevant today

• 10:15 — Why “just ask” works and how face-to-face requests get 34x more yeses than emails

• 19:00 — How small, spontaneous asks can build authentic connections and why overthinking can kill momentum

• 25:20 — The hidden power of stating what you want and why it’s essential in building relationships

• 29:00 — The difference between perspective-taking and perspective-getting

• 38:00 — Why direct asks often outperform polished presentations and how to practice this skill

• 44:00 — How seeing, feeling, and experiencing influence can make you a more confident and effective leader

If you loved this conversation with Vanessa Bohns, share the episode with a friend or colleague who could use a confidence boost—and don’t forget to subscribe for more actionable insights on mastering the art of positive influence!

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Connect with Vanessa

Get a copy of Vanessa’s book, You Have More Influence Than You Think

What happens when an elite financial advisory firm embraces a "give to grow" mindset instead of the traditional hard-sell approach? In this episode, I sit down with Cannon Carr, CEO of CornerCap, to explore exactly that. Cannon takes us behind the scenes of how his expert-led team has used authenticity, generosity, and tailored business development strategies to drive remarkable growth—without ever feeling like they're "selling."

We dig into how Cannon transformed his mindset, reshaped his firm's culture, and practically applied the GrowBIG and Give to Grow systems to reach entrepreneurs and small business owners on a meaningful level. From shifting away from “always be closing” to developing a truly integrated marketing strategy that leads with value, Cannon shares actionable insights you can apply today—whether you’re an advisor, consultant, or service-based entrepreneur. This conversation is loaded with real talk, tested tactics, and a refreshing take on sustainable business development.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The powerful mindset shift that helped Cannon grow without “selling”

• How giving more can lead to deeper relationships—and more revenue

• The biggest mistakes experts make when trying to grow their business

• How Cannon and his team created a seamless strategy from marketing to client conversations

• Ways to scale trust and credibility through content, without feeling salesy

• A sneak peek into the systems that helped transform an expert firm into a growth engine

• How to help others grow… and grow yourself in the process

• One simple tip Cannon says anyone can apply today to start seeing better results
  
  

Tune in now to learn how a values-first, give-to-grow approach can help you stand out in a crowded market—while building a business you’re proud of. This isn’t theory—it’s a tactical, inside look at what’s working right now from someone who’s lived it.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Cannon’s Podcast – Business Owner Tales from the Trenches: businessownertales.com

Cannon’s Interview with Mo Bunnell (Part Two – Scaling Your Business with Purpose): Listen on Apple Podcasts

Mo’s 50+ Go-To Questions Download (for opening meaningful conversations): givetogrow.info

Winning More – Mo’s free growth strategy toolkit & mini-training: winning-more.com

Cannon’s Exit Strategy Download – A practical guide to business succession planning: epwealth.com/business-succession-plan

Case Studies & Resources from Cannon & CornerCap: cannon-carr.com

Podcast Highlight: Glen Jackson on Why Values & Culture Matter: Listen on Apple Podcasts

Podcast Highlight: Dave Moody on Turning Personal Struggles into Strength: Listen on Apple Podcasts

Podcast Highlight: Dave Sutton on Building a Powerful Balance Sheet: Listen on Apple Podcasts

Visit Cannon & CornerCap Online: cannon-carr.com

Connect with Cannon Directly: ccarr@epwealth.com