With Special Guest: Dr. Cindy McGovern

Too many leaders know what they want to say but never give themselves permission to say it. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell is joined by Dr. Cindy McGovern, known as the First Lady of Sales, to explore why so many capable, accomplished professionals struggle to trust their own voice.

Dr. McGovern introduces the idea of internal permission and explains how unseen influences, past conditioning, and internal narratives quietly hold people back. From boardrooms to everyday conversations, this lack of permission creates hesitation, regret, and stalled progress.

This conversation is both practical and deeply human. It offers a clear path for quieting the noise, reclaiming intuition, and taking confident steps forward, even when certainty is nowhere to be found.

If you are ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start leading, selling, and living with clarity, this episode will challenge you to trust what you already know.

https://drcindy.com/

With Special Guest: Brynne Tillman

LinkedIn is no longer optional, but most professionals are still using it the wrong way. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell welcomes LinkedIn strategist Brynne Tillman to break down how to build real relationships, credibility, and opportunity on the platform without gimmicks or automation.

Brynne explains why connect and pitch is killing trust, how to leverage your existing network more effectively, and how to turn LinkedIn into a daily business development tool rather than a distraction.

This episode gives leaders and sales professionals a clear, practical approach to standing out and creating value in a crowded digital marketplace.

https://brynnetillman.com/

Welcome to another episode of Thrive, the show that helps you turn today's uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage. This week, host Meredith Elliott Powell sits down with Verl Workman, a serial entrepreneur, renowned real estate coach, and the author of Raving Referrals. Verl brings his incredible personal story of rising from poverty to industry leadership, sharing how resilience, relationships, and a "STUPID goals" mentality transformed his trajectory. Together, they dive deep into the power of building authentic connections, why referrals are the lifeblood of any thriving business, and actionable steps you can take—no matter your industry—to unlock the doors to growth when times feel most uncertain. Get ready to discover why relationships are your greatest currency, how to set game-changing goals, and the one habit you need to build right now to propel yourself through ambiguity and into success.

https://workmansuccess.com/

https://ravingreferrals.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/verlworkman/

Welcome to another episode of Thrive, the podcast that helps you turn uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage. I'm your host, Meredith Elliott Powell, and today we're diving into the rewarding and sometimes misunderstood world of franchising. Whether you're exploring business ownership, looking to scale your operations, or just curious about what it takes to make it in the franchise world, you're in the right place.

Joining me is Mark Siebert, founder of the iFranchise Group and a leading expert in franchising. Mark shares insider insights on why franchising can be a powerful growth strategy, what makes a business ready to franchise, and the key differences between successful franchisors and franchisees. He covers everything from planning for uncertainty to averting common pitfalls, so you can move forward with confidence in any business landscape.

And there's a special bonus for Thrive listeners: Mark is offering a FREE chapter from his book, "How to Franchise Your Business." Even better, if you mention this podcast on his website, you could receive a complimentary copy of the entire book to help you on your franchise journey. Just head over to ifranchisegroup.com and drop in the name "Powell" to unlock these resources.

This episode is packed with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and valuable tools for anyone ready to level up in business—so plug in and get ready to thrive!

https://www.ifranchisegroup.com/

Welcome to Thrive, the podcast where we turn uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage. In this episode, host Meridith Elliott Powell sits down with Scott Leese, founder of Leese Consulting, whose incredible story of overcoming severe illness and launching a successful sales career is both inspiring and full of actionable lessons.

Scott opens up about facing life-threatening health challenges in his 20s and how that experience shaped his relentless drive and perspective on life and business. Meriedith and Scott explore how adversity can fuel success, the importance of urgency, and practical strategies for building resilience, especially in today's unpredictable world.

From surviving "the hardest thing" to becoming a top sales leader and entrepreneur, Scott shares his journey and provides invaluable advice on adapting to change, building a personal brand, and why entrepreneurial thinking matters more than ever. Tune in for wise, motivating insights to help you set the stage for your own success—no matter what life throws your way.

https://scottleeseconsulting.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese/

Welcome to Thrive! I'm your host, Meredith Elliott Powell, and today we're taking on a topic that every leader faces but most want to avoid: workplace conflict. I'm thrilled to welcome my guests, Karin Hurt and David Dye, the dynamic duo behind Let's Grow Leaders and the authors of "Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict."

Karin and David are here to share research-backed insights on why workplace conflict is on the rise, what's really driving it, and—most importantly—how to handle it with confidence. We'll talk about their four dimensions for productive collaboration, practical habits for teams, and some of the best phrases you can use to turn conflict into a true advantage.

If you're looking for real-world solutions to take the stress out of difficult conversations and build a stronger, more innovative team, this episode is for you. Let's get started!

https://letsgrowleaders.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hurt/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdye/

Hey there, and welcome to another episode of Thrive! Today, we're chatting with Carson Heady, the ultimate Salesman on Fire, who's been shaking things up at big names like Microsoft, AT&T, and Verizon. Join host Meredith Elliott Powell as she dives into Carson's unique strategies that help you turn all this market craziness into a winning play. You'll get the scoop on how personal branding can really set you apart and hear some down-to-earth advice straight from Carson's books, "A Salesman on Fire" and "The Show Must Go On." Whether you're looking to step up your sales game or need a fresh perspective, this episode's packed with everything you need to get inspired and ready to take action. Tune in and let's get thriving!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsonvheady/

https://carsonvheady.wordpress.com/

Hey there, welcome to another episode of Thrive! Today, Meredith Elliott Powell chats with the amazing Mike Robbins about keeping your head in the game when everything around you feels like a rollercoaster. Mike's got a cool story—from almost making it big in baseball, an injury changed his path, leading him to become a top speaker and coach in leadership. They dig into why connecting with people on a real level and having the right mindset is a game-changer for team success. Plus, they share how to turn all this uncertainty into your secret weapon. If you're looking to make sense of the chaos and find your groove in today's crazy world, you won't want to miss this episode!

https://mike-robbins.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/