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  • Why Emotions Drive Business: Leadership Lessons from a Physicist-Turned-Coach

    Why Emotions Drive Business: Leadership Lessons from a Physicist-Turned-Coach
    2025/07/30
    Guest:

    Randy Lyman

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Episode Overview:

    Ever met a physicist who breaks down emotional wounds with the same clarity he brings to quantum mechanics? Meet Randy Lyman a man who blends science, spirituality, and leadership with masterful ease. In this compelling conversation, Randy shares how success isn’t just about action or mindset, it’s about emotional mastery. From his personal transformation to practical frameworks, Randy offers a refreshing take on how leaders can shift from performance-driven to people-powered.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Intro
    01:00 – From Left-Brain Physicist to Emotional Intelligence Coach
    02:30 – The Leadership Epiphany: Breaking Down in a Workshop
    04:00 – Why Emotions Drive Competence and Results
    06:00 – Emotional Mastery vs Emotional Intelligence
    07:20 – Simple Framework: Problem → Emotion → Resolution
    09:00 – The Problem with Corporate Armour & Masking
    11:30 – Why Emotional Clarity Inspires Team Performance
    12:30 – Advice for Leaders Facing Doubt and Burnout
    14:30 – Releasing Emotional Wounds Using Science and Love
    17:30 – Why We Keep Attracting the Same “Toxic” Boss
    19:00 – How Service-Based Leadership Transforms Culture
    22:30 – The Three Universal Human Needs at Work
    23:30 – Making Emotional Intelligence a Daily Practice
    25:00 – People Drive Numbers, Not the Other Way Around
    27:30 – How to Shift Engineers from Logic to Vulnerability
    30:00 – How Judging Yourself Attracts Judgment
    32:00 – Quantum Physics Meets Leadership Coaching
    35:00 – Final Thoughts: You Are Worthy, You Are Enough

    Connect With Us:

    Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

    Social:

    LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook: Executive Connect
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    40 分
  • 75% Can’t Spot a Cyber Attack: Why AI Tools Alone Won’t Save You

    75% Can’t Spot a Cyber Attack: Why AI Tools Alone Won’t Save You
    2025/07/23
    Guest:

    Amar Singh

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug Episode

    Overview:

    In this episode of Executive Connect, Amar Singh delivers a hard-hitting perspective on the real-world applications and limitations of AI in cybersecurity. From the psychological barriers to automation adoption to the threats posed by third-party vendors and hostile geographies, Amar offers practical frameworks for building digital resilience. You’ll hear eye-opening commentary on phishing, password managers, access control, and the truth about AI buzzwords. Whether you're a CIO, a security leader, or just cyber-curious, this episode is a must-listen for understanding both the promise and peril of emerging tech.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
    01:00 – The Fear of AI & Automation in Business
    03:00 – Top Risks of Using AI in Cybersecurity
    05:45 – Education & Human Behaviour in Cybersecurity
    08:15 – AI vs. AI: The Battle for Digital Defence
    10:45 – Third-Party Risk Management
    14:00 – IoT & Innovation: Benefits and Blind Spots
    16:30 – Operational Resilience & Earthquake Analogy
    22:00 – Passwords, Passphrases & Password Managers
    25:15 – ROI of Cybersecurity: Investment vs. Expense
    29:30 – Building a Culture of Cyber Accountability
    32:50 – Zero Trust: Buzzword or Backbone?
    36:00 – Final Thoughts & Top 3 Takeaways

    Connect With Us:

    Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

    Social:

    LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug | Amar Singh
    Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook: Executive Connect
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    42 分
  • The Silent Skill: Why Real Listening Starts With You

    The Silent Skill: Why Real Listening Starts With You
    2025/07/16
    Guest:

    Oscar Trimboli
    Author, Speaker, and Host of the “Deep Listening” Podcast
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscartrimboli/

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect
    Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    Think you're a great listener? Think again. In this thought-provoking episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Oscar Trimboli—author, speaker, and host of the award-winning Deep Listening podcast. With experience coaching over 1,500 organizations, Oscar challenges conventional leadership habits and reveals why most of us only catch 14% of what’s actually being said—and what that’s costing us. Through captivating stories, practical tools, and brain-based strategies, Oscar teaches leaders how to sharpen their listening skills, create psychological safety, and lead more effectively by what’s not being said. If you're ready to move from reactive to intentional communication, this conversation is your roadmap to impactful leadership.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Intro: You Think You’re Listening?
    01:15 – Oscar’s Story: A Microsoft Meeting That Changed Everything
    03:25 – The 3 Levels of Deep Listening
    06:00 – "Three is Half of Eight": Why Perception Shapes Meaning
    08:00 – The Power of Silence and Two Magic Phrases
    11:00 – The Role of the Leader in Shaping Listening Culture
    14:15 – How to Make Meetings Truly Productive
    18:45 – Time-Boxing and Water: The Science of Showing Up Present
    23:00 – Embedding Deep Listening into Company Culture
    25:45 – Statements vs. Questions: The Trust-Building Ratio
    27:55 – The Four Listening Villains: Which One Are You?
    31:15 – Leading by Example: Put the Phone Away
    35:40 – Technology Addiction & Taking Back Control
    38:38 – Final Thought: The Real Meaning Lies in What’s Unsaid
    39:41 – Outro: Where to Go Next

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect Social:
    Melissa Aarskaug on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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    40 分
  • The $44 Trillion Loophole: How Self-Directed IRAs Unlock Real Estate, Startups, and Tax-Free Wealth

    The $44 Trillion Loophole: How Self-Directed IRAs Unlock Real Estate, Startups, and Tax-Free Wealth
    2025/07/09
    Guest:

    Mat Sorensen
    CEO of Directed IRA | Attorney | SDIRA Expert | Author of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook
    LinkedIn

    Host:

    Bryan Hancock

    Executive Connect | Website
    YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    Think your retirement account is just sitting there collecting dust? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of Executive Connect, host Bryan McElderry sits down with Mat Sorensen, the leading voice in self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs), to uncover how this often-overlooked financial tool can unlock powerful investments and serious tax advantages. From real estate and startups to crypto and cows (yes, cows), Mat shares how executives can break free from the limits of traditional brokerages. You’ll learn the key legal frameworks, tax traps like UDFI and UBIT, and how to truly take control of your financial future using structures like LLCs and checkbook IRAs. Whether you're new to SDIRAs or ready to scale, this episode is a goldmine for anyone serious about building wealth on their terms.

    Timestamps:

    00:01 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Mat Sorensen
    00:21 – How Mat Entered the SDIRA Space
    01:45 – What is a Self-Directed IRA? Explained Simply
    03:45 – IRAs vs. 401(k)s: Where the Real Money Is
    06:00 – When You Can Move 401(k) Funds to an IRA
    06:34 – Self-Direction vs. Checkbook Control
    08:30 – Using LLCs for Real Estate Investing via IRAs
    10:00 – Can You Use Financing? (Non-Recourse Loans Explained)
    11:58 – UDFI & UBIT Taxes: What You Need to Know
    14:31 – Strategies to Minimise or Defer UDFI Tax
    17:00 – The Real Goal: Maximise After-Tax Wealth
    18:52 – Investing in Startups, Private Companies & Crypto
    21:00 – Unusual IRA Investments (Racehorses, RV Parks, Cows!)
    21:48 – Final Thoughts: Stop Letting Retirement Accounts Sit Idle

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    Bryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanhancock/
    Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
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    26 分
  • The Peace Code: Wellness, Wisdom & Vibrant Health with Udo Erasmus

    The Peace Code: Wellness, Wisdom & Vibrant Health with Udo Erasmus
    2025/07/04
    Guest:

    Udo Erasmus
    Founder of Udo’s Choice | Wellness Pioneer | Author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill
    LinkedIn

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect | Website
    YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    Feeling burnt out or out of balance? This episode of Executive Connect is a masterclass in reconnecting with your inner self and rediscovering what true health means. Host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with legendary wellness pioneer Udo Erasmus, who shares the powerful story behind his lifelong journey—from surviving World War II to becoming a global advocate for holistic health and inner peace. Udo breaks down his revolutionary concept of Total Health, rooted in 8 powerful pillars—from inner awareness and life energy to nutrition, emotional harmony, and nature. You’ll learn how modern executives can build resilience, beat burnout, and achieve vibrant energy—not through hacks, but by tapping into ancient truths and daily stillness practices.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – The Origins of Udo’s Journey
    06:50 – The 8 Pillars of Total Health
    19:20 – Stillness: The Missing Link in Leadership
    24:20 – True Nutrition vs. Modern Diets
    32:56 – Creating a Sustainable, Healthy Lifestyle
    38:26 – The Practice That Changed Udo’s Life

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    Melissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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    41 分
  • The 10 Minute Challenge to Boost Team Resilience and Reduce Burnout

    The 10 Minute Challenge to Boost Team Resilience and Reduce Burnout
    2025/07/02
    Guest:

    Skye Michaels
    Founder of With Heart Coaching | Former Head of Coaching at Compass
    LinkedIn

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect | Website
    YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    What if your team’s resilience could be rebuilt in just 10 minutes a day? In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Skye Michaels, founder of With Heart Coaching and former Head of Coaching at Compass, who has coached over 30,000 professionals on the inner game of leadership. Skye shares his powerful, people-first approach to building resilient teams in a chaotic world. From identifying how ego undermines growth to leading with compassion without compromising performance, this episode delivers a blueprint for thriving in high-stress environments without burning out. We covered:
    • Why ego creates fragility and how humility fuels real strength
    • How to stay centered as a leader in the face of chaos
    • The 80/20 rule of thriving under tough leadership
    • A 10-minute daily ritual to reset, recharge, and reconnect
    • Why kindness + accountability is the ultimate leadership combo
    • How to lead with energy by fueling yourself first
    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Skye’s leadership journey and mission-driven coaching philosophy
    01:09 – How teaching, real estate, and COVID reshaped his path to coaching
    04:28 – Why ego kills growth and how humble, confident leadership builds teams
    10:49 – Strategies for thriving under ego-driven leaders using the 80/20 rule
    14:56 – The overlooked power of leading with heart in a results-obsessed world
    19:34 – Why continuous improvement beats hustle culture and how to apply it
    25:10 – How to prioritize what matters when the world feels like chaos
    29:43 – Fueling yourself first so you can lead with energy and clarity
    37:03 – Reclaim your mornings, your mind and your leadership power
    39:31 – Skye’s message to burnt-out leaders and where to connect with him

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect Social:
    Melissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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    43 分
  • The #1 Franchising Mistake to Avoid for FINANCIAL FREEDOM

    The #1 Franchising Mistake to Avoid for FINANCIAL FREEDOM
    2025/06/26
    Guest:

    Cliff Nonnenmacher
    Franchise Consultant | CEO of Elite Franchise Advisors
    LinkedIn

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect | Website
    YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    In this powerhouse episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Cliff Nonnenmacher, former Wall Street insider turned franchise empire builder. Cliff shares the truth about franchising—the good, the bad, and the financially ugly. Whether you're a high-income earner looking to escape the corporate grind or simply exploring new paths to build wealth, this episode is packed with real talk. Cliff dives into what actually works in franchising, the #1 mistake to avoid, and why “passive income” might be the biggest myth of all. From a cartridge business that scaled to closets that bring in $9M/year, this conversation delivers both insight and fire. We spoke about:
    • What franchise trends are booming—and which are dying
    • The five winning franchise categories you should keep your eye on
    • What makes franchises actually fail (hint: it’s not the economy)
    • How to approach franchising with realistic expectations and strategic planning
    • ROBS funding, hiring hacks, and the ultimate exit strategy
    Timestamps:

    00:00 – The Harsh Truth About Franchising
    01:18 – Meet Cliff: From Wall Street to Franchises
    04:43 – First Franchise Win: Printer Cartridge Empire
    07:21 – What Wall Street Taught Him About Scale
    10:01 – Franchising Trends You Need to Know
    14:25 – 5 Winning Franchise Categories (Tools, Pets, Aging, Biohacking, Education)
    21:03 – Why Franchises Really Fail
    25:11 – The 41 Principle of Hiring and Leadership
    28:29 – Should You Quit Your Job to Franchise?
    32:36 – Passive Income Myths and Airbnb Reality Check
    34:04 – Franchise vs. Building From Scratch: Who Wins?
    40:14 – Exit Strategy: Multiples & Liquidity Explained
    45:11 – Eye-Opening Franchise Funding Strategy (ROBS)
    49:34 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find Cliff

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    Melissa Aarskaug LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X (Twitter): https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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    50 分
  • Burnout vs Prosperity Which is Better for Your Career?

    Burnout vs Prosperity Which is Better for Your Career?
    2025/06/19
    Guest:

    Terri Maxwell
    Founder of Succeed On Purpose & Share On Purpose | Growth Strategist | Author | Purpose Pioneer
    LinkedIn

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect | Website
    YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    What if the key to success isn’t hustling harder, but flipping a mental switch? In this inspiring episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Terri Maxwell—serial entrepreneur, growth strategist, and founder of Succeed On Purpose. Terri has launched over 50 brands and now helps leaders and entrepreneurs reframe their approach to success—making it more aligned, sustainable, and purposeful. In this conversation, Terri shares her story from corporate burnout to transformational leadership and introduces her science-backed "Success Switch"—a three-step framework that can help anyone rewire their mindset and achieve prosperity with purpose. We spoke about:
    • Why burnout is not a badge of honor—and what to focus on instead
    • The three pillars of aligned success: Persona, Passion, Purpose
    • How to ditch hustle culture and find sustainable, purpose-driven growth
    • Real-world examples of leaders redefining success in every industry
    • The "ABC Framework" to flip your mindset and reprogram in 7 days
    • And why the only limits are the ones you believe

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – What If Success Isn’t More Hustle?
    01:15 – Terri’s Wake-Up Call After Corporate Success
    02:20 – The 3 Pillars: Persona, Passion, Purpose
    04:35 – Rethinking Success Beyond the 9-5
    07:20 – Purpose Is a Verb, Not a Noun
    10:30 – Are We Entering the Purpose Era?
    12:20 – Examples: Purpose-Driven CFOs and Engineers
    14:36 – Why Personal Growth Drives Business Growth
    17:03 – Terri’s Childhood & The First Success Switch
    20:32 – The ABC Framework: Acknowledge, Breathe, Claim
    25:29 – Reprogramming the Mind in 7 Days
    26:45 – Final Words: There Are No Limits But Your Own
    28:22 – Where to Find Terri

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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    31 分