Business Insanity Talk Radio

I have been thinking a lot about my Dad lately and what he taught me in business and life. This is because I just had a new grandson about a month ago and he was named for my dad! This week, I talk with Robert J. Finlay who is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, seasoned entrepreneur, renowned speaker, and father of four. He is a successful entrepreneur and commercial real estate investor.  He has built and sold four companies. He brings strategic insights and inspires the next generation of leaders with his commitment to mentorship, education, and the integration of technology. Rob has a new book called "Hey Dad…Everything You Should’ve Learned About Life (But Didn’t)".We talked about:Should You Really Start a Business?Is It Smarter to Learn on Someone Else’s Dime First?Do You Have a Great Idea—or a Great Execution Plan?Who’s Your Mentor?Getting your first job (and keeping it)!Budgeting like a pro—even if you hate spreadsheets.Finding your first place without getting ripped off.Navigating credit, cars,

We all love great comeback stories. This is one but not like you think …but not in the way you think.Matt Antonelli was the 17th pick in the first round of the 2006 MLB draft by the San Diego . By the  2008 season, he was a top-50 prospect in baseball. But he only played 21 games in the MLB and by 2013 his professional baseball career was over. Matt says “ I’ve been called a bust so many times, I stopped caring a long time ago.” He is now a coach and business owner.His hardest moment was the year he made my big league debut. He was a top prospect in the Padres’ organization going into the 2008 season. Matt began the season in Triple A and, for the first time in his life, he was horrible. He forgot how to hit and had no idea how to fix it.We discussed:His first big league hit against Greg Maddux.What the hard moments teach you and what the easy ones never could.Your identity must be bigger than your achievements. Why so many business owners think they are their business.Sometimes the greatest growth comes afte

Segment 1 starts at 0:00 with Julia Austin.When I was an angel investor, people always used to say to me that "I have a great idea for a business, what do you think?" I would reply- "I have no idea" Successful businesses are not about ideas- they are about the execution of that idea. Julia Austin  is a seasoned operator who has served in leadership roles at several technology startups. She is on the faculty at Harvard Business School and is faculty cochair of the Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. As a certified executive coach, Austin works exclusively with startup founders. She is an angel investor, serves on startup boards, and advises many founders through her work with several accelerators. Her new book is "After the IDEA: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup".Segment 2 starts at 18:19 with Chris Berdik.I have always been very sensitive to loud noise in my work and personal environment- what effect does noise have on a person’s ability to be productive or just relax? Chris Berdik is a

Segment 1 with Jerry Jamison starts at 0:00.In business, I have always been a sucker for a good grifter story- how people do it, why they do it and why people believe them in a game that relies on winning someone's confidence.Over a span of 39 years, 23 aliases, 28 arrests in 20 cities, and nearly a dozen imprisonments, Robert Spears had lived a con artists' life of unparalleled adventure and intrigue.. Shortly before Thanksgiving Day in 1959, a plane exploded in mid-air, killing all 42 passengers and crew and leaving scattered debris and bodies across the otherwise tranquil Gulf waters. Listed on the manifest was Dr. Robert Spears—once the highly regarded president of the Texas Naturopathic Association. Father of two small children with a lovely, society-minded wife and an elegant home in an exclusive neighborhood, it was a monumental tragedy for them as it was for all the souls lost that day.Less than two months later, Robert Spears miraculously “rose from the dead” in Phoenix where he was promptly arrested

Segment 1 with Chuck Wisner starts at 0.00.Have we lost the art of conversation in work and life- seems like we communicate more often through text and emails and other asynchronous methods. What are we losing and how can we become more effective?Chuck Wisner is the author of "The Art of Conscious Conversations, Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact"". He is a coach and speaker focusing on the lost art of conversations. His theories of the why, how, and what of conversations deeply dive into their DNA and introduce new tools and practices that transform how we can think about and be in them more successfully. He has spent thirty years as a trusted advisor to leaders, their teams, and their families in highprofile companies, including Google, Rivian, Apple, Tesla, Harvard Business School, Ford, and Chrysler.Segment 2 with Debra Andrews starts at 19:06.How can your company use AI in your marketing to attract more customers?Debra Andrews is the President and Founder of Marketri, a strategic marketing co

What role should the government play in small business owners economic life? It seems that with the Trump tariffs are at tax that the government is putting on all our lives, but should it just stay out of it?My next guests argue that that the evidence points to that  government interference and failed policies pose the most significant threat to economic freedom.Senator Phil Gramm served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives and eighteen years in the U.S. Senate where he was Chairman of the Banking Committee. Senator Gramm is a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.I also talk with Donald J. Boudreaux who is an American economist, author, professor, and co-director of the Program on the American  Economy and Globalization at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.They have a new book called “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism”.Here is what we discussed:The genesis myth: the industrial revolution impoveri

Segment 1 with Chris Shank starts at 0:00.What are the key issues facing small businesses this year?Chris Shank is the Vice President of Retail-to-Business (R2B) Sales for Verizon Business, overseeing operations across 28 states with a team of over 450 employees that generates $1,042M in annual revenue.  He is responsible for driving sales and financial performance, enhancing the customer experience, fostering a strong organizational culture, and leading strategic planning efforts.We talk about AI adoption, cybersecurity, and SaaS application consolidation.Segment 2 with Rich Carr starts at 16:14.How can we reduce training time while improving retention in small businesses?Rich Carr is a pioneering expert in cognitive learning neuroscience and founder of Brain-centric Design (BcD). With decades of experience spanning media, marketing, and education, Rich has revolutionized how information is presented and retained by developing methodologies aligned with how the brain naturally processes information.Become a

Segment 1 with Dominick Miserandino starts at 0:00.While the current President implements his "on again off again" tariffs, small businesses will still have to deal with the highest tariffs on imported goods in the last 80 years. My first guest this week is Dominick Miserandino, CEO of Retail Tech Media Nexus who breaks down what the tariffs are, how they will affect consumers and what actions small businesses need to take.Segment 2 with Neil Rogers starts at 20:50.Can being a bartender really teach you to be better at sales and marketing?Neil Rogers is an author, speaker, and business leader with over 37 years of experience inmarketing & sales, generating revenue and guiding clients through highly effective and result-oriented marketing campaigns.  He built his career & business leveraging both old-school andnew- school marketing & sales techniques. Neil shares the skills and tools learned during hisearly working years as a bartender that led to his success as an entrepreneur and industryleader i

Segment 1 with Michael E. Gerber starts at 0.00Inc. Magazine calls him “the World’s #1 Small Business Guru” — the entrepreneurial and small business thought leader who has impacted the lives of millions of small business owners and hundreds of thousands of companies worldwide for over 40 years.Michael E. Gerber is a celebrated entrepreneur, author, and business coach renowned for his groundbreaking book, "The E Myth: Why Most Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It." With a career spanning several decades, he has transformed the way small businesses operate by emphasizing the importance of effective systems and strategic planning. Gerber’s philosophy encourages entrepreneurs to work on their business rather than merely in it, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.  Segment 2 with Allen Batteau starts at 18:49.Why are we tie our self worth and identity to tech devices? Why do advances in tech many times disappoint us? Allen Batteau is a cultural anthropologist, professor at Wayne State University's

Segment 1 with Dr. Abbie Maroño starts at 0.00.A lot of small business owners feel shame when their company fails because they link who they are so much with their business. This is compounded when they lose money from people they know. What do we do with this shame?Dr. Abbie Maroño has a new book called "Work in Progress: The Road to Empowerment, The Journey Through Shame" which offers a fresh perspective on the often-overlooked role of shame in personal growth.  Segment 2 with Charles Heckler starts at 15:50.It seems that the current President wants to change the US policy and open up trade again with Russia. One of his goals is to encourage American businesses to begin again in Russia. Would they be interested or are they ready?Charles Hecker has spent forty years working in the Soviet Union and Russia. He has worked as a journalist at The Miami Herald and The Moscow Times, and as a geopolitical risk consultant at Control Risks, where he was a partner in the firm. He is also the author of "Zero Sum": The A

Segment 1 with Karin Hurt starts at 0:00.To say there is increased conflict inside of small business and workplaces is an understatement; it takes now more than ever a courageous leader to deal with this.Karin Hurt is the CEO and Founder of Let’s Grow Leaders, a global leadership company known for practical tools and leadership development that sticks. She’s the author of five books including, "Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict and Courageous Cultures". She’s known best for building courageous cultures and high-performing teams.Segment 2 with Dr. Michael Aziz starts at 24:03.What about making America Health Again? How will Robert Kennedy as the head of the health secretary change this?Dr. Michael Aziz is a renowned internist anti-aging, regenerative physician specialist practicing at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City Dr. Aziz regularly provides medical commentary on many health networks, including NPR, Fox and Friends, ABC, WGN Chicago, NBC, and Telemundo. Dr. Aziz is the author of the n

Segment 1 with Lisa Greene-Lewis at 0.00.It’s the scariest time of year for small business owners- no not Halloween, its tax time- March 15th for businesses and April 15th for everyone personally. Why is it so scary for so many small businesses owners and what we all need to know.Lisa Greene-Lewis is a CPA and tax expert for TurboTax. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation and breaking down tax laws. She has contributed tax articles to local, national, and online publications, including US News & World Report and Huffington Post.  Lisa has also appeared on news broadcast, the Steve Harvey Show, and the Ellen Show.Segment 2 with Ashwin Gulati at 14:49.if you have every started a business, it's like a life and death experience; not only for the company but also for the founder.Ashwin Gulati is the author of: "Soul Venture: A True Life and Death Journey into the Startup Culture". He and wrote a tell-all that dismantles the myths, ambitions, and harsh realities of the riskiest culture in busi

Segment 1 with Mark Hickman starts at 0:00.What does the future look like for small business in 2025 with the economy still relatively solid, but the "on again off again" tariffs looming?Mark Hickman serves as Managing Director for Sage in North America. Sage serves small and midsized businesses, providing them with finance, HR, and payroll software to make work and money flow. With more than 20 years of experience at the executive management and leadership-levels where he consistently grew revenues at leading organizations, such as Apollo, Calligo, Tyler Technologies and WinMagic, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge essential to successfully navigate the channel, partner, and SMB landscapes in North America.Segment  2 with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons starts at 14:36.Are you ready to retire? When will you know an what will you do? These are tough questions every small biz owner faces Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons is a Retirement Transition Expert, lawyer, and author of "Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in

Segment 1 with Mike Colias starts at 0:00.We are moving to electric vehicles no matter what the current president thinks.My first guest is Mike Colias who is a Wall Street Journal reporter and veteran of the US automotive beat. He is based in Detroit, where he has covered General Motors for fourteen years and, five years ago, added Ford to his duties. With access to all the key players in the automotive industry, he has tracked the transition to electric vehicles from its earliest days.Segment 2 with Devin DeCiantis at 21:25.We all know that family businesses are the most common form of a business in the world. But how do they thrive during turbulent times either caused by the economy or by something going on in the family? Devin DeCiantis is the Managing Partner at Lansberg Gersick Advisors (LGA), a trusted advisory and educational partner to the world’s leading family enterprises. He is the author of " The Enduring Enterprise: How Family Businesses Thrive in Turbulent Conditions" with LGA co-founder Ivan La

Segment 1 with Josh Drean starts at 0:00.Since COVID 19, we have seen a drastic redefinition of how people define work and employment - and a redefinition of how they want to make a living.  As my first guest says in the title of his book – Is employment dead?Josh Drean is cofounder of the Work3 Institute. He is also a Web3 and Workforce Advisor at the Harvard Innovation Labs and cofounder of DreanMedia. Josh is an HR transformation expert who connects emerging technologies with workplace strategies. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and MIT Technology Review, and his YouTube channel has garnered millions of views. His new book declares "Employment is Dead". Segment 2 with Mijntje Luckerath starts at 20:22.What is the role of a board of directors and do most of them lack a moral compass?Mijntje Lückerath-Rovers is a full Professor in Corporate Governance at TIAS Business School, Tilburg University, the Netherlands. She holds a PhD in financial economics and is also a

This episode's guest is James Sweeney.Most entrepreneurs see insecurity as a bad thing. They tell themselves that they have to be overly confident in everything they do. But what if insecurity actually feeds success? I love the title of the book from this guest- “Creative Insecurity: Lean into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit.”James M. Sweeney is a serial entrepreneur who started 14 healthcare companies with original ideas, none of which have failed. He has raised $2 billion in capital and generated more than $30 billion in exit value. His companies have saved or extended the lives of millions of people. Today, he mentors other entrepreneurs for success.We discussed:Most people think of insecurity as negative. What is your view?Are there some good ways to fail and also bad ways?How do you scan for and mitigate risk? What are your favorite ways to take in more data? One of your more controversial views is that it's more important to be first than to be right. There are clearly many examples of first e

Segment 1 with Karla Trotman starts at 0:00.As Baby Boomers prepare to retire, family-owned businesses across the nation are at a pivotal crossroads. Transitioning leadership and ownership is a complex process, often more challenging in family-run businesses, especially for Black-owned enterprises that face unique obstacles in succession planning and recognition.Karla Trotman, who CEO of Electro Soft, Inc.,a Black-owned electronics manufacturing company, has first-hand experience with all these challenges.With her own story of leading Electro Soft, Inc. through COVID-19 and a long transition process, Karla brings a wealth of personal experience and practical advice. She is also the author of "Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: The Vibrant Future of Manufacturing", where she explores how diversity and inclusion can redefine American manufacturing.Segment 2 with Kate Gladdin starts at 22:01.I have talked about the importance of resiliency every since I wrote my second book called "Bounce!: Failure, Resiliency, and Confide

As I grow older, I have realized one thing for my business and professional life- Friends matter. For men, making and keeping friends at the later part of your career and life is more difficult for us than women.My guest is esteemed professor and research psychologist, Dr. Kimberly Horn has worked with top-tier academic institutions, including West Virginia University, The George Washington University, and Virginia Tech. Devoting her career to helping others lead healthier, happier, and more connected lives, she has conducted nearly three decades of health behavior research with an extensive publication record.Dr. Horn’s background sets the stage for her literary debut, "Friends Matter, for Life". A natural extension of her work, the book addresses how integral friendships are to our emotional and physical well-being.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

One of the most successful companies that helps small business is Zen Business.Ross Buhrdorf is the CEO & Founder of ZenBusiness®, a company that provides an easy, all-in-one platform and trusted guidance for small business owners. In his current role at ZenBusiness, Buhrdorf empowers the new generation of entrepreneurs through the delivery of innovative tools, fintech, and educational resources to support millions of small businesses on their journey to success. Seven hundred thousand people have turned to ZenBusiness for their entrepreneurial journey. Ross is an active mentor with Capital Factory. He previously was the founding CTO for HomeAway (NASDAQ:AWAY). His technology built the company from a startup, through the IPO to its recent acquisition by Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE) for $3.9B.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/support.

The idea of masculinity has come into focus with this past election of Donald Trump – it was one of the biggest gender divides with Trump emphasizing his brand of masculinity and the idea that men had to take care of women. When the votes were counted, men overwhelming voted for Trump and woman for Harris. So what's going on here? Is this something new or a throwback to the past?My guest is Dr. Ronald Levant who is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Akron and past President of the American Psychological Association. Ranked among the top 2 percent of scientists in the world by the Elsevier-Stanford University database, he is one of the key professionals responsible for creating a whole new field of psychology—the psychology of men and masculinity. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Public Practice from Harvard University.He has a new book called "The Problem with Men".Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-small-business-radio-show--3306444/s