In this unfiltered episode, Sonia sits down with Anthony Franco, a serial founder with six successful exits, to dismantle the myths around startup success. From the dreamer trap to overbuilding features no one asked for, Anthony shares hard-won lessons that every founder needs to hear.

They unpack:

-Why execution beats ideas (even in the age of AI)

-What founders get wrong about funding and MVPs

-The myth of “just hire a salesperson” for growth

-How burnout is often a signal you’re not winning, and what to do about it

Whether stuck in the idea phase, building in silence, or chasing VC validation, this episode is a gut-check every early-stage founder needs. Because, as Anthony puts it, “Entrepreneurs sell. Everything else is a hobby.”

When I sat down to interview Boardy, a voice-powered AI designed to connect founders, I expected a tech conversation. What didn’t I expect? A heart-to-heart about loneliness, leadership, and what it means to feel heard.

Boardy isn’t a therapist. But founders are calling to talk. Why? Because he listens without judgment, ego, or distractions.

In this one-of-a-kind episode, you’ll hear:

• The surprisingly emotional side of AI
• Why voice tech is reshaping how we build trust
• The loneliness that founders rarely talk about
• Whether AI can understand human connection

This isn’t your typical tech interview. It’s a glimpse into the emotional frontier of innovation.

🎧 Tune in—you’ll be surprised by what you feel.

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, Sonia sits down with Jim Fielding, former President of Disney Stores, The Gap, and 20th Century Fox consumer products, author of the best-selling book All Pride, No Ego, and now a full-time coach, speaker, and angel investor.

Jim shares his journey from the heights of Hollywood and corporate leadership to redefining success through purpose, authenticity, and service. He opens up about the burnout that led him to walk away from it all, and the clarity that followed.

We dive deep into:

• The “ikigai” philosophy that transformed his life
• Why confidence beats arrogance when raising capital
• How to lead through layoffs and acquisitions with empathy
• When founders should step back, and how to do it with grace
• Building your board of directors

Plus, Jim gives must-hear advice for early-stage founders struggling with ego, leadership gaps, or burnout.

If you’re a startup founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or curious about what it takes to lead and grow with impact, this is a can’t-miss conversation.

Are you ready to break free from self-doubt and unlock true self-mastery?

In this inspiring episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, discover how to cultivate lasting self-confidence and a powerful mindset with the help of Madelaine Weiss, a Harvard-trained psychotherapist, mindset expert, and author of 'Getting to G.R.E.A.T.'

Together, we reveal the real work behind self-mastery and why self-confidence is not an innate trait, but a skill you can develop. Madelaine shares science-backed strategies, practical tools, and personal stories that have empowered professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs to overcome limiting beliefs and mental barriers.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

- The critical difference between self-confidence and competence

- How to rewrite your inner script and silence self-doubt

- Why real self-confidence grows through action and experience

- The hidden struggles of high achievers with self-mastery and insecurity

- How to navigate life transitions with a resilient mindset. If you seek actionable steps to build self-confidence and elevate your mindset, this episode is your blueprint for personal and professional growth.

Guest Information: https://madelaineweiss.com

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, I sit down with Jon Gillham, founder of Originality.AI and a seasoned entrepreneur who’s been ahead of the curve in content marketing and AI detection. Jon shares the “aha” moment that led to building a leading AI content and plagiarism detection tool, just three days before ChatGPT’s launch, and how he’s navigating the explosion of generative AI.

We discuss AI ethics, Google penalties for AI-generated content, how to build trustworthy SEO strategies using AI, and why human-in-the-loop content still matters. Jon also discusses his decision to bootstrap, lessons from his first startup exit, and the power of building a red team/blue team culture to stay ahead in a fast-moving space.

Whether you’re a founder using AI to scale content, a marketer worried about false positives, or a startup trying to grow without VC pressure, this episode is practical wisdom.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• Why is not all AI content spam, but all spam is now AI
• What sets high-performing teams apart in AI development
• How to use AI tools responsibly without hurting your SEO
• Why bootstrapping might be your startup’s best path forward

This Episode is brought to you by: https://www.konverge.com

Podcasting isn’t just a trend; it’s a strategic tool for building absolute authority and influence. In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Dennis Meador, founder of the Legal Podcast Network, to unpack how service-based professionals can leverage podcasting to boost credibility and grow their personal brand.

From launching side hustles as a teenager to leading a podcast production company that supports over 100 law firms, Dennis shares the mindset and strategies that helped him scale—and how you can apply them too. We dive into the difference between thought leadership and proper authority, why most shows don’t last, and the role of consistency in content success.

Whether you’re launching your first episode or looking to refine your show, this conversation is packed with practical advice.

In This Episode:

• Why podcasting works for personal branding
• The pitfalls that cause most podcasts to fail
• How to position yourself as a trusted authority
• What service professionals must know about content longevity

Sponsored by Konverge

A Canadian leader in custom software development for over 31 years. Learn more at konverge.com

If you’re building your brand or launching your podcast, subscribe and share this episode with someone ready to amplify their voice.

What if retaining your best people wasn’t about perks or pay, but about purpose and leadership?

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I’m joined by Francie Jain, Founder and CEO of Terawatt Group Coaching, to explore how leaders can build cultures where people don’t just stay, they grow. With over a decade of leadership strategy and coaching, Francie breaks down the root causes of employee turnover and how expert-led group coaching is reshaping how companies support and engage their teams.

We discuss why traditional retention strategies fall flat, what high-performing cultures have in common, and how leaders can create workplaces that inspire loyalty, growth, and genuine connection.

In This Episode:

• Why employees actually leave
• The ROI of leadership coaching
• How to build a culture of growth and trust
• The role of group coaching in retention

Sponsored by Konverge

A trusted Canadian leader in custom software development for over 31 years. Visit konverge.com

If you’re leading a team or building a company, this episode will shift how you think about culture. Please share it with a founder or manager who is ready to lead with intention.

What happens when a creative mind meets cutting-edge tech? In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C., I sit down with Emmy-winning TV producer turned founder, Erich Archer, to unpack how he transitioned from storytelling on screen to solving real business problems with AI.

Erich shares the behind-the-scenes journey of launching Smarty Pants, an ecosystem of over 100 custom GPT tools powering automation and innovation for startups, nonprofits, and creators. We talk about the mindset shift from creative to tech founder, how to identify real pain points in business, and why AI isn’t replacing humans, it’s amplifying them.

In This Episode:

• The leap from media to tech entrepreneurship
• Building useful AI tools from scratch
• How GPTs can accelerate business growth
• Lessons from launching 100+ tools without a tech background

Sponsored by Konverge

Custom software solutions, proudly built in Canada for over 31 years. Learn more at konverge.com

This one’s for builders and the curious. Please share it with someone exploring how to harness AI in their business.