How do you know when your community is fueling your growth or when it’s quietly working against you? In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Hamilton, author of The Growth Dilemma, to unpack the hidden dynamics of communities and client segments. Ryan shares fascinating research and real-world stories that reveal why growth isn’t just about gaining more customers. It’s about managing the relationships between them. We explore how brands can scale in a way that sparks connection, avoids conflict, and builds exponential value.

From Nike to Carhartt to professional services firms, we dig into the practical and sometimes surprising lessons leaders can apply across industries. We also discuss the four relationship types that exist within every client base and why recognizing them can make or break your growth strategy. If you’ve ever wondered why some communities thrive while others implode, this conversation will give you the insight (and the courage) to approach growth differently.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why traditional customer growth strategies leave hidden risks on the table

• How separate vs. connected communities can completely change your outcomes

• The one factor that turns leaders into magnets for followers (and what happens when you lose it)

• Why not every client mix is healthy and the danger of drifting into incompatibility

• A surprising “matrix” tool that helps you map out community dynamics

• How small, intentional moves can unlock exponential connections

• The unseen ways conflicts inside a community can erode your brand

• What brands like Nike, Carhartt, and Supreme teach us about scaling without losing credibility

Ready to rethink growth? Tune in now and discover how to identify the communities you’re really building and how to align them for long-term success. And if you found value in this conversation, don’t forget to share the episode and leave a review so more people can discover the insights inside The Growth Dilemma.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn

Connect with Annie on LinkedIn

What does it really mean to lead with respect and how can it transform the way we work, connect, and grow? In this episode, I sit down with Marcy Syms, trailblazing business leader, author of Leading with Respect, and former president of the New York Stock Exchange. Marcy shares how respect goes far beyond a “soft skill” and becomes the foundation for trust, productivity, and lasting relationships. Together, we explore how empathy, compassion, and authenticity weave into leadership and why these qualities are essential to success in both business and life.

We also dig into Marcy’s experience building Syms into a nationally recognized retailer, her innovative approach to hiring and training, and the intentional choices she made to buck industry trends by putting people and values first. Her stories and insights reveal how respect shows up in the smallest details, like eye contact, listening, follow-through, and in the biggest decisions that define culture and legacy.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why respect is the ultimate driver of productivity

• The role of empathy vs. compassion in authentic leadership

• How rethinking “salespeople” as “educators” transformed a retail giant

• The surprising power of going against industry norms

• A hiring test that reveals if someone is “selfish or other-ish”

• The leadership principle Marcy never compromises on

• How reading the room can shape influence and connection

• What Marcy looks for when choosing who to work with

If today’s conversation with Marcy inspired you, don’t stop here. Grab a copy of her book Leading with Respect and explore how these timeless lessons can reshape your approach to leadership, relationships, and results. You can also connect with Marcy directly at marcysyms.com or on LinkedIn. And if you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support the show is to leave a short and thoughtful review. It only takes a moment, but it helps more people discover these conversations.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Grab a Copy of Marcy’s Book

Check Out Marcy’s Website

Connect with Marcy on LinkedIn

What makes work truly worth it? Is it the paycheck, the prestige, or the purpose behind what we do every day?

In this episode, I sit down with authors Christopher Wong Michaelson and Jen Tosti-Kharas to dive into their book Is Your Work Worth It? We unpack the big questions around why we work, what keeps us going long after we “have to,” and how to think differently about love versus money in our careers. From rethinking autopilot routines to exploring how work shapes our legacy, this conversation will have you reflecting on your own motivations in a whole new way.

Together, we also explore the tension between career demands and personal life, the myths about turning passions into professions, and how leaders can shape meaningful work for others. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or simply wondering what your next career move should look like, this episode offers fresh perspective on finding fulfillment and redefining success.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The surprising truth about why most people really keep working

• Why “autopilot” is the hidden enemy of career satisfaction

• A simple way to test if your work passes the “seven-year-old” explanation test

• The overlooked connection between love, money, and fairness at work

• What entrepreneurs often love most about their work (and it’s not what you think)

• How to use “seasons of life” to plan your career with more intention

• Why the most worthy work is often undervalued—and what to do about it

• A framework to uncover your deeper purpose that goes beyond surface-level goals

Ready to rethink your relationship with work? Tune in now and walk away with new questions to ask yourself, your team, and your organization. And if this episode sparks something for you, share it with a colleague or friend because these are conversations worth having.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Connect with Christoper

Connect with Jen

What if the real key to your business growth isn’t another marketing tactic—but building the right community around you? In this episode, I sit down with Gina Bianchini, CEO of Mighty Networks, to uncover the true difference between networking (which often feels transactional) and community (which sparks transformation). We explore why being the hub of a community can exponentially grow your influence, create opportunities, and bring lasting value to everyone involved.

Gina walks us through the exact framework for building a community that’s vibrant, self-sustaining, and deeply rewarding, whether it’s in-person or online. From identifying your audience’s biggest transitions, to creating a clear “big purpose,” to structuring monthly themes, weekly rhythms, and daily engagement prompts—this conversation is packed with practical, actionable advice that will change the way you think about relationships in business forever.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• 9:22 — How being the organizer instantly elevates your professional value

• 15:21 — Why people in transition are the most motivated members of any community

• 20:58 — The “best year ever” formula for defining your community’s purpose

• 24:24 — Three structural elements that keep your community active without burning you out

• 29:24 — The one question format that sparks instant engagement

• 37:11 — How software can act as your “co-host” and make connections happen

• 43:12 — Why now is the time to create a branded community experience

If you’ve ever wished for deeper, more meaningful business relationships—or wondered how to turn your network into a powerful, value-generating asset—this episode is your blueprint. Press play and discover how to build a thriving community where everyone wins, and your leadership naturally shines.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Check out Mighty Networks

What if the key to your biggest breakthroughs isn’t some giant leap—but a series of small, curious steps? In this episode, I sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff—neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of Tiny Experiments to explore how we can apply an experimental mindset to business development, relationship building, and even leadership. We dive into how tiny, purposeful actions can produce big, surprising results, and why perfectionism is often what keeps high-achievers stuck. Whether you're in sales, consulting, or leading a team, this conversation will help you shift your approach to growth—and make it infinitely more adaptable, creative, and human.

We unpack Anne-Laure’s PACT framework (Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, Trackable), talk about linear vs. looped thinking, and explore how high performers can actually start smaller to move further, faster. If you're ready to test, tweak, and grow smarter—not harder—this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why tiny experiments beat big, rigid plans (and how to run them)

• How to turn ambiguity and uncertainty into an advantage

• The PACT framework that makes “starting small” ridiculously actionable

• What metacognition is—and why elite performers swear by it

• How “working in public” accelerates learning and client trust

• The surprising link between psychological safety and team creativity

• Why outcome goals can trap you—and what to do instead

• The difference between chasing legacy and practicing generativity

If this episode inspired you, grab a copy of Tiny Experiments and consider running your own experiment: what’s one tiny, meaningful action you can try this week?

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Grab a Copy of the Tiny Experiments Book

Subscribe to Anne-Laure’s newsletter

Are you too busy to journal—or just not doing it the right way? In this episode, I sit down with the extraordinary Jo Franco—Netflix host, polyglot, entrepreneur, and journaling pioneer—to unpack the true power of journaling as a transformational tool for self-awareness, leadership, and productivity. If you’ve ever thought journaling was a fluffy “dear diary” ritual, think again. Jo brings science, soul, and strategy to the table, showing how even five minutes with the right prompt can unlock clarity, confidence, and momentum in your life and work.

We dive into her personal journey—from being handed a journal as a kid to now leading global journaling workshops that change lives. Along the way, we explore how journaling helps you excavate your goals, align with your values, and become the person you actually want to be—not just the one society tells you to be. Whether you’re a seasoned high-achiever or brand new to the concept of journaling, this episode will give you the prompts, structure, and real-world inspiration to make this practice a game changer.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why journaling isn’t about documenting your day—but designing your life

• The surprisingly simple weekly routine that changed everything for me

• Jo’s go-to energy audit framework (and how to use it in under 5 minutes)

• How journaling helps uncover the real reason behind your goals

• The science-backed prompts that increase happiness, productivity, and memory

• Why rereading your journal entries is just as important as writing them

• How to use journaling to become a more impactful leader and partner

• The journaling method that builds instant depth in your team or relationship

Ready to start writing your future self into existence? Head to JoClub.World to check out Jo’s free journaling 101 workshop and grab your starter kit. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who could use some clarity and confidence.

Resources Mentioned:

Get Jo’s Journaling Starter Kit and Free Workshop

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Are you letting fear or friction hold you back from the conversations that matter most? In this episode, I sit down with Kwame Christian— host of the #1 negotiation podcast Negotiate Anything and creator of LinkedIn’s only official negotiation certificate—to explore how we can all get better at negotiation by doing it with more heart. Kwame breaks down his signature “Compassionate Curiosity” framework, a three-step method that helps you navigate any conversation—whether in business or life—with empathy, emotional intelligence, and strategic clarity. If you’ve ever struggled with “what to say when it’s hard to say it,” this episode is a must-listen.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The unexpected reason most negotiation training fails (and how to fix it)

• The one mental model that works for almost every tough conversation

• How to uncover someone’s real priorities—before offering solutions

• Why your tone matters more than your tactics

• A simple way to defuse tension in seconds

• How to know when it’s time to walk away (without burning a bridge)

Be sure to follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn and check out his podcast Negotiate Anything for even more real-world tools. And if you want to start showing up differently in high-stakes conversations, start with compassion, curiosity, and this episode as your guide.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Listen to the Negotiate Anything Podcast

Connect with Kwame

What if your success didn’t just depend on what you do—but on how you work with people? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Bungay Stanier, author of How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, to uncover how the quality of our working relationships is the true game-changer in business. Whether you’re trying to repair a tricky client dynamic or elevate a good one into something exceptional, this conversation is packed with mindset shifts, practical frameworks, and one incredibly simple but powerful tool: the Keystone Conversation.

We dive deep into how to create a Best Possible Relationship (BPR)—and why safe, vital, and repairable relationships are the secret sauce for long-term client retention, team morale, and professional fulfillment. Michael shares the five questions you can ask to build stronger foundations with clients (and colleagues), plus how to model bravery, curiosity, and generosity in ways that truly set you apart. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more intentionality and impact into the way you collaborate, this is the episode to hit play on.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• How one simple mindset shift can change the way you lead every client call

• Why safety is essential—but not enough—for meaningful collaboration

• The three hidden traits that define every Best Possible Relationship

• How to become “easy to work with” in a way that builds unshakable trust

• What a Keystone Conversation is—and why it’s your secret client-retention weapon

• Five powerful questions that unlock better communication and mutual respect

• What to do when a relationship goes sideways—and how to repair it with confidence

• Why modeling curiosity (instead of advice-giving) is a powerful differentiator

If this conversation sparked something in you, now’s the time to take action. Think of one relationship that could use a reset—or a boost—and try just one of the questions Michael shared today. You’ll be amazed at what opens up. And if you want the full roadmap, grab a copy of How to Work with (Almost) Anyone and visit bestpossiblerelationship.com for bonus resources, free downloads, and a video example of the Keystone Conversation in action. Let’s start working better—one conversation at a time.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

How to Work with Almost Anyone

Best Possible Relationship Toolkit