"I have startup companies that come to me saying, 'I need a website!' I ask them how many times they've sold their product yet... If you don't know your sales conversation, no one else is going to know what you sell."

In this episode of Reanimated Stories, I sit down with Jessica Gruber, founder of the Buzzworks web design agency and COO of Success Champions Networking.

Jessica brings over a decade of experience to the table, sharing why your website should be your best salesperson.

And how to make sure it is actually doing its job.

We dive into the concept of building "Super, Sticky, Sweet" websites.

Jessica explains why you need to attract the right leads, keep them engaged with interactive content, and, most importantly, give them a clear call to action.

We also discuss how networking in the real world directly impacts your digital authority and SEO.

In addition find out how surrounding yourself with ideal clients in real life mirrors the process of building digital authority with backlinks and content.

And find out why Jessica thinks AI isn't replacing web designers anytime soon, but how you can use it to analyze your Google Analytics data.

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Connect with Jessica Gruber

Website: https://buzzwks.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JessGruber

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-gruber/

Success Champions Networking: https://successchampionnetworking.com/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Website: reanimationdesign.com

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00:00 Intro

00:37 Meet Jessica Gruber

01:10 Buzzworks Origin Story

03:04 Bee Rescue Tangent

06:32 Sales Talk Into Websites

08:21 Discovery Session First

09:47 Ideal Clients and Startups

11:09 Super Sticky Sweet Framework

12:55 Networking Builds Authority

16:37 Lead Magnets That Convert

20:36 Define Your Ideal Client

22:30 Where to Find Jessica

23:47 Favorite Project and AI

26:00 Outro

What if you had permission to NOT go to a meeting...?

Well, if you don't have a plan, you can!

This week I chatted with Alberto to talk about why work feels like a mess of pointless emails and long meetings.

Cool thing is he spent years as an anthropologist looking at how groups talk to each other. He says the problem is that we treat "culture" and "communication" as soft feelings instead of actual systems.

Alberto shares a rule he uses with his clients: if you cannot name the exact thing you need to walk away with, you cannot call a meeting.

Period.

If you get an invite that doesn't list a goal, you can stay at your desk.

We talk about how surgeons and pilots use checklists to stay alive, and how those same lists can save your business day.

We also talk about why most teams have no clue what they are supposed to finish each week and how a virtual assistant can help you focus on the work that actually pays the bills.

If you feel like your day is just busy work, listen to this talk.

00:00 – Intro

01:50 – Alberto’s start as a cultural anthropologist in Mexico City

03:00 – Why "soft skills" is a label that needs to go

04:30 – Lessons from a telecom joint venture in the 90s

12:15 – Why a meeting is just a production line

15:40 – The data on why teams do not know their weekly goals

19:50 – Why leaders resist the rules they make for everyone else

24:10 – The Checklist Manifesto: How lists save lives in surgery

30:15 – Swapping your to-do list for a "to-accomplish" list

32:45 – Working with virtual assistants in your own time zone

35:50 – Outro

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Connect with

Website: https://inzync.com/ https://houstondisrupt.org/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-garcia-jurado-us

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Website: reanimationdesign.com

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If you were ever wondering what the focus of your podcast should be, this episode is for you!

I recently chatted with Greg Wasserman, the man in charge of relationships at RSS.com.

Greg spent years in media sales fighting giants like Google before moving into the audio world.

He believes life boils down to two things: time and people.

If you start a podcast just to watch a download counter, you might (and probably will) quit.

But don't worry Greg breaks down and explains why the long game wins.

His philosophy instead?

Treat your podcast as an engine to build trust.

It turns cold outreach into ninety-minute talks.

This shift changes a transaction into a partnership.

And you get to meet some awesome people!

So if you have been thinking of starting a podcast, remember this:

It's about relationships!

So if you are ready to build a podcast (or business) that lasts, you need to invest in relationships!

Check out today's podcast and connect with Greg!

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Connect with Greg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman/

RSS.com: https://rss.com/?via=9f060f

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Website: reanimationdesign.com

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00:00 Intro

01:03 Guest Introduction: Meet Greg

01:30 Greg's Journey into Podcasting

02:29 The Power of Relationships in Business

07:07 Using Podcasting as a Relationship Tool

11:41 Consistency and Strategy in Podcasting

17:05 Practical Tips for Podcasting Success

23:29 The Importance of Systems and Processes

30:08 Connect with Greg

32:22 Outro

Alec Rios saw a problem many young professionals face.

You can achieve everything you want and still end up alone in your penthouse.

Sound familiar?

In this episode, Alec shares how he built the Young Professionals Network in Austin.

It's not your typical networking group.

They combine Chamber of Commerce-style connections with real community building and nonprofit work.

Whether you're building a business or just trying to find your people in a new city, this conversation offers practical wisdom about doing both well.

00:00 Intro

00:31 Meet the Host & Guest: Alec Joins Reanimated Stories

01:23 What Is Young Professionals Network? Building Community in Austin

01:59 From Chamber of Commerce to Creative, High-Energy Events + Giving Back

03:45 Why Alec Started It: Moving to Austin, Finding the Need & the Elvis Lesson

06:36 Where YPN Is Headed: New Chapters, Bigger Events & Future Conferences

07:47 Who Shows Up: Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits & Monthly Volunteer Pop-Ups

09:49 Building the Team Like a Media Company: Roles, Content, Newsletter & Podcast

11:54 Inside the Events: Topgolf Origins, Vendors, Sponsorships & Going Bigger

14:58 Biggest Lessons Learned: Commitment, Follow-Through & Event Planning Reality

18:12 How to Connect + Who Should Join (Young in Spirit)

19:26 Outro

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Connect with Alec

Website: austinypn.com

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Website: reanimationdesign.com

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"I realized you really have to figure out what fills your heart. If you're aligned with your assignment, you're doing it right."

In this episode of Reanimated Stories, I sit down with Bridget Rocha, a registered sonographer with over 15 years of experience and the founder of Connected By Heart.

After a life-altering medical emergency with her husband, Bridget realized she wanted to step away from the rushed, chaotic environment of the traditional medical field and create something deeper for families.

Imagine seeing your baby's face for the first time, not on a small, fuzzy monitor in a cold clinic, but on your own living room TV while you are curled up on the couch with your dog. That is the experience Bridget is creating.

Bridget helps families slow down and help families actually enjoy these fleeting moments.

We talk about how she uses the latest 4D and "5D" HD technology to bring joyful gender reveals right into the home, but she also shares a quieter, more tender side of her work.

Bridget also provides a private sanctuary for families facing life-limiting diagnoses, giving them a safe space to bond with their baby far away from the noise and sterility of a medical office.

If you are looking for a story about turning pain into purpose and finding joy in the little moments, this episode is for you.

• 00:00 – Intro
• 02:22 – What is "Connected By Heart"?
• 03:47 – The Home Experience: Big screens, comfortable couches, and pets
• 07:11 – The Tech: What is the difference between 3D, 4D, and "5D"?
• 09:20 – The "Why": How a medical emergency changed Bridget's perspective
• 11:15 – Walkthrough: What happens when the sonographer arrives?
• 13:50 – Safety: What happens if you see a medical issue during a scan?
• 15:52 – Compassionate Care: Private scans for difficult diagnoses
• 18:15 – Escaping the "chaotic" rush of the medical field
• 21:49 – Service areas in Austin & how to book
• 24:00 – Outro

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Connect with Bridget:

Website: connectedbyheart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectedbyheartultrasound/

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About Reanimated Stories:

Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Website: reanimationdesign.com

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You haven't made it in radio until you've been fired at least once."

In this episode Roger talks with Carl Richards who talks about his jump from his 25-year career in radio broadcasting to podcasting

Carl Richards dismantles the myth that the podcasting market is too saturated for new creators by pointing out a staggering statistic: while businesses compete against over 11 billion websites globally, there are only about 3.5 million podcasts, making audio a far less crowded channel for establishing authority and cutting through the noise.

For those ready to launch their own show, Carl advises against the "five-year plan" of procrastination, recommending instead that you set a hard launch date on the calendar (ideally 60 days out) to force accountability and proper planning.

This is a great conversation we had and so rich with information that this is yet another masterclass in thinking through podcasting and how to get started!

Get your notetaker out and get ready for another masterclass from one of the best in the biz!

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Carl Website: https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/

Connect with Carl:

https://www.facebook.com/carl.richards.148

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-richards-podcast-solutions-made-simple/

https://www.instagram.com/podcastsolutionsmadesimple/

https://twitter.com/carlrichards72

Free Gift

Podcast Learning Companion

https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/10-Simple-Steps-to-Launching-Your-Podcast.pdf

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Website: reanimationdesign.com

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00:00 Intro

01:10 Introducing Carl from Podcast Solutions Made Simple

02:56 Carl's Journey into Podcasting

06:21 The Evolution of Podcasting

09:55 Internal Podcasts: A New Trend

14:36 The Growing Popularity of Podcasts

19:47 Innovative Website Strategies

20:01 The Power of Podcasting

22:21 SEO and Online Presence

27:03 The Role of Social Media Algorithms

32:43 Starting Your Own Podcast

36:28 Connecting with Carl Richards & Outro

"Every lawyer that I've proposed this to says I'm crazy. And they're like, why would you ever cut your bill off?"

In this episode, Roger Jorns interviews Michael Ciccolone, a corporate tax attorney who is challenging the status quo of the legal industry.

Michael breaks down his unique "Fractional General Counsel" model, which offers businesses a dedicated Chief Legal Officer on a subscription basis...saving them from the skyrocketing $1,000+ hourly rates of big firms!

We discuss the critical importance of building long-term relationships with legal counsel rather than just treating them as a transactional service.

Michael also gives his expert take on Artificial Intelligence in the legal field, warning about the dangers of relying too heavily on AI for contracts and why the industry may be heading toward a new apprenticeship era.

If you are a business owner wondering how to get high-level legal strategy without the high-level price tag, this episode is for you.

00:00 – Intro: Why other lawyers think Michael is crazy

01:38 – Michael’s background as a corporate tax attorney

03:13 – The problem with $1000/hour legal fees

05:58 – Explaining the Fractional General Counsel subscription model

11:15 – The value of long-term relationships over transactions

14:38 – Will AI replace lawyers? (The apprenticeship model)

18:56 – The pitfalls of using AI for legal work (Hallucinations & Bias)

24:08 – When should a business hire a lawyer?

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Chat with Michael: https://calendly.com/michael-blacklinegc/30min

Connect with Michael LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beltran-b39b3b180/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Check out my website: reanimationdesign.com

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"The money isn't in the list... the money is in your RELATIONSHIP with the list."

Most people think email marketing is just spamming "buy now" buttons until someone clicks.

In this episode of Reanimated Stories, Roger sits down with email strategist Ely Delaney to debunk the myth that "email is dead."

Ely shares his proven system for nurturing leads that allowed him to close a deal 10 years after first meeting a prospect!

We dive deep into why your "Call to Action" shouldn't always be "Buy My Stuff," how to start real conversations that lead to sales, and the exact strategy Ely uses to automate his follow-up so he can keep selling...even if he gets hit by a bus!

We discuss the critical difference between "pitching" and "conversing," why you should stop doing Black Friday sales, and how a simple book recommendation saved a client's business six years after Ely wrote the email.

This isn't just an interview; it's a masterclass in building trust. Learn why your emails should add value to someone's life regardless of whether they buy from you.

If you're ready to stop shouting at your list and start building relationships that pay off for years, this episode is for you!

00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Ely Delaney

01:55 Ely Delaney's Background and Expertise

03:03 The Importance of Consistent Communication

09:10 Building Relationships Through Conversations

17:06 Ely Delaney's Journey into Email Marketing

19:10 The Beginnings of Lead Generation

19:43 Building Automated Follow-Up Campaigns

20:49 The Power of Evergreen Systems

21:33 Real-Life Success Stories

24:06 The Importance of Value in Email Marketing

25:44 Maximizing Close Rates Through Follow-Up

27:12 Nurturing Relationships with Your List

31:57 Effective Lead Generation Strategies

34:27 Conclusion

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Connect with Ely:

Website: ConnectWithEly.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elydelaney/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup?

https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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