In today’s crowded digital landscape, where businesses fight for attention and AI-generated content floods every channel, one element consistently cuts through the noise: genuine emotional connection. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Geoffrey Stern, founder and CEO of Voice Express and the consumer brand VoiceGift, to explore how emotional engagement can transform even the most ordinary product into something deeply memorable.

What you’ll learn:
Geoffrey shares how a voice-recording device used in the Build-A-Bear Workshop evolved into a powerful tool for emotional storytelling and connection across industries—from personalized gifts to aged care, education, and even neonatal therapy. He makes a compelling case that every business—no matter the product or service—has the potential to create lasting value through emotionally resonant customer experiences.

This episode challenges business owners to rethink what they're really selling. It’s not just goods or services—it’s meaning, memory, and connection. Whether you're a start-up founder or an established business leader, this conversation will inspire you to look at your offerings in a new light and ask: what emotional value are you creating?

Geoffrey Stern is an early pioneer of voice chip and network computing convergence. With multiple patents covering the online personalization of voice-enabled print media, Stern has been at the forefront of using Voice and on-demand media to drive commerce and enhance communication. Stern's products have been used in voice-enabled toys, sentiment expression, photo imaging, direct mail, packaging, and Point-of-Sale signage, to name a few. Stern founded and is the CEO of Voice Express Corp., which as the exclusive provider of Sounds to Build-A-Bear Workshop, has shipped over 80M electronic sound devices, enabling consumers to express their emotions and put a smile on the face of young and old alike.

Stern is currently focused on building the VoiceGift® consumer brand where gift-givers and crafters can express their emotions in the most natural way possible..... with their voice. Recently, Stern has been focused on using voice to enhance memory-making and promote increased exposure to the spoken word by young children by introducing the VoiceGift PLAY™ voice recorder for adults and children.

Stern also serves as president of PEF Israel Endowment Funds established in 1922 to enable tax deductible donations to Israeli non-profits. PEF touches every facet of Israeli life and provides support to the diverse population of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze and Bedouin living in Israel.

Stern lives with his wife in Connecticut were they enjoy the sounds of their three children and four grandchildren when blessed with a visit or playing a VoiceGift.

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voice-express.com

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Public speaking is no longer just for TEDx headliners or CEOs on giant stages. Whether you're pitching to clients, speaking at industry events, or simply leading a team meeting, how you communicate can determine how your business is perceived. In this episode, Carmen Sederino, founder of Illuminated Story, reveals how small and medium business owners can turn public speaking from a fear into a business growth weapon.

Carmen shares how even the shyest business leaders can learn to deliver powerful, memorable messages—from one-on-one conversations to major keynotes. You'll hear practical, real-world tips for overcoming anxiety, shifting your mindset, and presenting in a way that creates real connection with your audience. This episode is packed with tools to help you stop hiding and start showing up with confidence and clarity.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why public speaking is one of the most powerful marketing tools for small businesses
• How to overcome fear and anxiety before speaking
• Practical breathing and mindset techniques to calm your nerves
• The biggest mistakes people make when using PowerPoint (and how to fix them)
• How to transform any speaking opportunity into new business leads

Whether you’re an introverted expert, a numbers-driven accountant, or a passionate founder with a mission, this episode will show you how to bring your message to life—and why your audience needs to hear it.

Carmen Sederino is the founder and visionary behind Illuminated Story, a revolutionary approach to transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a unique blend of theatrical artistry, business acumen, and communication expertise, Carmen has established herself as the premier strategist for leaders seeking to elevate their public speaking from mere words to lasting impact. Drawing from her background in theatre and two decades of experience in corporate business, Carmen crafts bespoke experiences that push the boundaries of traditional keynote presentations. Carmen's work architects moments that move markets, shape opinions, and catalyse change. For those who understand that true leadership is about more than just being heard—it's about being unforgettable—Carmen Sederino and Illuminated Story offer the ultimate pathway to commanding the spotlight and leaving a lasting legacy.

www.illuminatedstory.com

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In an era flooded with AI-generated content and marketing noise, how do small and medium-sized businesses truly stand out? This episode delivers a fresh, deeply human perspective on how to use AI—not just to produce more content, but to create authentic connections and lasting customer loyalty. If you're overwhelmed by automation tools or worried about blending into a sea of sameness, this conversation with marketing veteran Stephen Sakach will help reframe your strategy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why building purpose into your marketing is essential to long-term success
• How to use AI to scale empathy, not just efficiency
• The difference between noise and meaningful content—and how to avoid the former
• Why customers today are more emotionally savvy—and how you can genuinely connect with them
• How to create systems that "build love into scalable systems" and drive both profit and purpose

Stephen also shares how his platform, aiCMO, helps business owners articulate their mission and create emotionally resonant campaigns that differentiate them from the competition. If you want marketing that speaks to your audience—not at them—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Stephen Sakach, co-founder of aiCMO and Founder/CEO of Zero Company, is a pioneer in empathetic AI and marketing with three decades of experience in digital media, journalism, and human consciousness studies. Committed to embedding empathy into business, he created the B.L.I.S.S. (Build Love Into Scalable Systems) ethos to help organizations scale with compassion. As host of the BLISS Business Podcast, he transforms research and insights into actionable strategies, while leading aiCMO to help organizations create authentic, purpose-driven connections with their audiences.

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theblisspodcast.com

zerocompany.com

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If you’ve ever been frustrated by a team member, confused by a client’s behaviour, or struggled to influence outcomes in your business—this episode is for you. Host Paul Sweeney welcomes experts Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin to explore the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how small and medium-sized business owners can use it to become more effective communicators, leaders, and decision-makers.

In this engaging and practical conversation, Josh and Greg demystify NLP—explaining it not as a manipulation tool, but as a science-backed, real-world framework for better understanding yourself and others. You’ll learn how to uncover what truly drives people (including your employees, clients, and even yourself), why our internal “maps of reality” often lead to misunderstanding, and how to use specific mindset shifts and tools to build stronger, more aligned relationships.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A practical understanding of NLP and its benefits in everyday business
• Insight into how to “read the room” and tailor communication for real impact
• Strategies for influencing without manipulation
• A shift from frustration to curiosity in dealing with people problems
• Simple steps to start using NLP in your leadership and communication today

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is a powerful introduction to transforming your relationships and results—starting from within.

Get the book here: The Difference That Makes the Difference: NLP and the Science of Positive Change

Josh Davis, PHD is an internationally bestselling author of Two Awesome Hours and certified Trainer and Master Practitioner of NLP. He is the founder and director of the Science-Based Leadership Institute. He earned his PhD in psychology and neuroscience at Columbia University.

Greg Prosmushkin is a highly successful trial lawyer and entrepreneur with a diverse range of business ventures. His discovery and use of NLP have been key factors in his success.

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How to Lead with Happiness, Hope, and Human Connection—Even in Tough Times

If you're a small or medium business owner struggling with team morale, leadership challenges, or just the daily grind of running a business, this episode is for you. In this inspiring conversation, Dr Calvin Lawrence Jr—a seasoned educator, leadership expert, and author of The Happy Leader—shares the powerful case for leading with joy, purpose, and genuine human connection.

You'll learn how to cultivate a resilient and motivated team culture, even during adversity. Dr Lawrence offers deeply relatable insights and real-world leadership strategies that don’t require big budgets—just big hearts. He reminds us that strong leadership is less about titles and more about influence, trust, and consistency.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why relationships are the foundation of strong business leadership
• How to lead a team with positivity—especially when business gets hard
• The power of mentorship (and why it’s a two-way street)
• How to rebuild trust and culture when your team has been let down
• Why failure, handled right, can be your best teacher

Whether you lead a team of two or twenty, this episode will help you step into a leadership style that creates loyalty, resilience, and success—without losing your soul in the process.

Get Dr Lawrence's book here: The Happy Leader

Dr Calvin Henry Lawrence Jr is a nationally respected leadership expert, motivational speaker, and author of "The Happy Leader: Relatable Stories of Influence and Hope". With 41 years of experience in K-12 and higher education, he’s the founder of CalvinLawrenceSpeaks, where he inspires audiences through messages on leadership, mentorship, and purpose. A former teacher, coach, and college dean, Dr Lawrence believes relationships are the foundation of leadership. He holds a doctorate from Baylor University and speaks regularly at schools, conferences, and faith-based events across the US.

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www.calvinlawrencespeaks.net

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Imagine waking up to find your website gone, your email list inaccessible, or your brand’s identity being misused online—and you have no idea how to take it back. That’s the nightmare too many business owners face because they’ve unknowingly handed over control of their digital assets. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Paige Wiese, founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, to help you make sure that never happens to you.

Paige draws on over 15 years of experience helping business owners protect their online presence to share eye-opening stories and a simple, effective strategy for taking back control. Whether you're a start-up founder or a seasoned business owner, this episode is your wake-up call—and your game plan.

🎯 Listen now to learn how to:

• Identify the full scope of your digital assets (spoiler: there are more than 200!)
• Avoid common mistakes that lead to losing domains, websites, or social media accounts
• Create a reliable system for documenting logins, licenses, and third-party tools
• Reduce risk during employee turnover or vendor transitions
• Set up brand protection policies that safeguard your business now and in the future
• Use Paige’s free Brand Protection Checklist to start assessing your exposure today

This episode is packed with practical advice you can implement right away to keep your brand safe, your systems organized, and your business growing.

Paige Wiese is the founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, a top-ranked Denver-based marketing agency that develops high performance websites and digital marketing strategies for businesses nationwide. With 16 years of industry experience, Paige has seen companies and CEOs struggle to manage and maintain their assets through growth or transition. She has recently developed a proprietary digital asset management service to track and protect companies’ over 200 data points. Paige is a dedicated speaker and mentor on the topics of brand protection and business growth.

Get your free Digital Asset Assessment

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Why should you care about restructuring your business—especially when things seem to be going fine? Because waiting for a crisis to act could be the most expensive decision you ever make. In this episode, turnaround expert James Martin reveals why restructuring isn’t just a last resort—it’s a powerful tool for transforming challenges into competitive advantage.

If you're a business owner navigating market volatility, rising interest rates, or internal growing pains, this episode is essential listening. James Martin shares practical insights that can help you see beyond short-term survival and into long-term strategic transformation—before a crisis forces your hand.

What you’ll learn:

• Why restructuring isn’t just for failing businesses—and how proactive changes can secure long-term success
• How to identify early warning signs that your business may need to pivot
• The importance of strategic alignment with all stakeholders, including suppliers and lenders
• How to build trust-based supplier relationships that foster resilience, not risk
• Lessons from leading companies through 9/11, the 2008 crash, and COVID-19 disruptions
• Why avoiding tough conversations (especially with banks and management teams) can backfire
• And how every business challenge—even a staffing crisis or regulatory change—can become a strategic opportunity

With clear, actionable advice and real-world examples, this episode shifts your mindset from damage control to strategic agility. Don’t wait for trouble to find your business—listen in and learn how to turn challenge into opportunity.

James F. Martin, CPA, is the founder and managing partner of ACM Capital Partners and an internationally recognized expert in corporate turnarounds, having restored or created over $800 million in value for private companies. With more than two decades of experience, he has led organizations through complex restructurings, raised over $500 million in capital, and overseen transactions exceeding $250 million. Martin has served as interim CEO, CFO, and board advisor across a range of industries, delivering strategic renewal, debt restructuring, and operational transformations—even amid major economic disruptions. A CPA with an MBA from Emory University and a finance degree from Florida State University, he is also seasoned in bankruptcy processes, court-appointed receiverships, and ABC assignments.

www.acmcapitalpartners.com

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Work That’s Worth It: How Purpose Transforms Performance with Georgi Enthoven

In a time when attracting and retaining great talent is tougher than ever, especially among Gen Z workers, are you approaching employee engagement the right way? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Georgi Enthoven—entrepreneur, Harvard Business School alumna, and author of Work That’s Worth It—to challenge the traditional mindset around work and purpose.

You’ll discover why building a purpose-driven business isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. Georgi shares how aligning your business with a meaningful mission boosts engagement, reduces burnout, and attracts top talent who care about making a difference. Whether you're running a small consultancy or a growing enterprise, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas for infusing impact into your business strategy—without compromising income.

This episode is a must-listen for any business owner who wants to thrive in the new era of values-driven work. Learn how to shift your mindset, energize your workforce, and build a company culture that matters.

Get Georgi's book here: Work That's Worth It

Georgi Enthoven is a thought leader, seasoned entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for impactful careers. She is a distinguished alumna of the University of California at Berkeley, and Harvard Business School, where she earned her master's in business administration. Her career has been anything but conventional; she often describes it as ‘taking the scenic route” (although, the common thread throughout her career is “meaningful contribution”). Having lived in more than half a dozen countries, including South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico and the United States, she treasures a truly global perspective, including the dynamics of emerging markets.

Georgi believes that capitalism is at its tipping point, and careers going forward will need to demonstrate real, positive impact both in one's own community, or globally. Her (forthcoming) book, “Work That’s Worth It,” promises to be a pivotal resource for individuals seeking to design their career to work for them and the world.

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www.georgienthoven.com

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