This episode of the Top Voice Podcast features Sharita Humphrey discussing her “unexpected CEO” journey from government auditor and analyst to entrepreneur and CEO. Humphrey shares that she initially had no desire to start a business, but felt a persistent tug to serve rural communities and prepared for the leap by saving two years of salary, setting aside funds for bills, and learning from auditing businesses and interviewing CEOs, along with resources like The Big Leap and The 12 Week Year. She explains how she founded Change in Motion, an economic development consulting and small business advisory firm focused on helping rural communities drive growth while keeping a community feel, and later launched Eco Power to develop geothermal-powered data centers and related infrastructure in rural areas to generate taxable revenue for 30–50 years, create job growth, and improve quality of life with fair wages. The conversation covers identity shifts from employee to CEO, handling fear and introversion, seeking advisors and a team, learning through iteration, avoiding perfectionism and analysis paralysis, and the importance of mindset, planning, and not building alone. Humphrey also answers a closing question about AI by emphasizing that relationships, teams, and human capital remain essential, and shares where to follow her on LinkedIn and at cheritamhumphrey.com.

Timestamps:
00:24 Welcome to Top Voice Podcast + Meet Sharita Humphrey
01:37 From Government Auditor to Taking the Leap (Rebel vs. Trailblazer)
02:58 How She Prepared: Savings, Learning from CEOs, and ‘The Big Leap’
05:04 What She Builds Now: Change in Motion & Rural Economic Development
06:06 Eco Power Vision: Geothermal-Powered Data Centers for Rural Growth
08:50 The ‘Tug’ You Can’t Ignore: Sleepless Nights, Volunteering, and Going Quiet
11:57 Playing Offense in Entrepreneurship: Safety Nets, First Clients, and Calculated Risks
16:06 First Client Milestones + Bringing Government Planning into Business Building
19:40 Owning Your Voice as an Introvert (and Why It Matters for Your Business)
21:15 Leadership vs. Entrepreneurship: You Don’t Have to ‘Just Take the Leap’
21:36 Identity Shifts: From Employee to Building It Yourself
24:17 Stage Fright as a CEO: Toastmasters, Butterflies, and Showing Up Anyway
27:01 Planning vs. Perfection: Launch, Learn, and Iterate
30:21 2–3 Takeaways for Making the Corporate-to-Entrepreneur Leap
33:11 Bonus Question: What Stays Human in an AI-Driven World?
34:59 Where to Follow Sharita + Final Wrap-Up

Connect with Sharita:
https://sharitamhumphrey.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharitamh/
https://x.com/sharitamh2

Join us for a fascinating episode of the Top Voice Podcast as we explore the AI market dynamics in 2025 with Jason Saltzman from CB Insights. Jason shares unique insights on the ecosystem of players, investments, and funding in the AI landscape. We dive into the record-setting year for private company equity funding, driven largely by the big players like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. Discover the growing importance of infrastructure, AI agents, and the future of work as influenced by AI. Don't miss out on this in-depth analysis of what 2026 holds for AI and how it compares to past tech booms.

Timestamps:
00:24 Welcome to the Top Voice Podcast
01:17 Introduction to Jason Saltzman and CB Insights
04:04 AI Market Overview for 2025
04:21 Funding Trends and Major Players in AI
07:11 The Rise of AI Agents
09:39 Impact of AI on Customer Service
12:01 Big Tech and AI Investments
25:54 Navigating the AI Landscape
29:47 Looking Ahead to 2026
34:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Jason:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-salt/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cb-insights/
https://www.cbinsights.com
https://www.cbinsights.com/learn/ai-dashboard

In this episode of the Top Voice Podcast, we welcome Vinicius David to discuss AI adoption for small and medium businesses. Vinicius, an expert with 20 years in tech, shares her journey and provides actionable advice on AI implementation. Learn about the differences between AI use in large enterprises vs. SMBs, the importance of data, and practical steps to get started with AI. If you're a business owner looking to boost productivity and scale efficiently, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

Timestamps:
00:24 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:27 Vinicius’ Background and Journey
02:27 AI Adoption for Small and Medium Businesses
04:37 Challenges and Misconceptions in AI Adoption
07:22 Practical Steps for Implementing AI
14:42 The Fundamentals of AI for SMBs
18:44 Navigating the Transition Phase
22:12 Understanding the AI Journey for Businesses
22:33 Resources for Advanced AI Implementation
24:34 Choosing the Right Technology Partner
26:26 Navigating the AI Market: Major vs. Minor Leagues
29:23 Starting Your AI Journey: First 90 Days
32:22 Key Takeaways for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses
35:59 The Importance of Critical Thinking in AI
38:17 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More Information

Connect with Vinicius:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdavid/
https://www.viniciusdavid.com

Join us on this episode of the Top Voice Podcast as we dive deep into the world of AI and cybersecurity with industry expert Matthew Rosenquist. With 36 years of experience in cybersecurity, Matthew discusses the growing implications of AI on cybersecurity, the capabilities of AI tools in the hands of both attackers and defenders, and the evolving threats in the digital landscape. Learn about the importance of critical thinking, the role of government policy, and practical steps businesses and individuals can take to protect themselves. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the future of cybersecurity. Tune in now!

Timestamps:

00:24 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:16 Matthew Rosenquist's Background
02:24 AI's Impact on Cybersecurity
04:10 Advanced Cyber Threats and AI Capabilities
07:05 Real-World Cybersecurity Incidents
10:39 Ethics and AI in Cybersecurity
13:26 Defensive AI and Government Role
18:55 Types of Cyber Attackers
21:09Industries at High Risk of Cyber Attacks
21:47 Impact on Critical Infrastructure
22:58 Brand Impersonation and Cybersecurity
24:49 AI's Role in Brand Damage
26:36 The Future of AI and Trust
31:40 Western Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property Theft
33:44 Practical Cybersecurity Tips for Individuals
39:49 Understanding the Adversary in Cybersecurity
40:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Matthew:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrosenquist/
https://www.youtube.com/c/CybersecurityInsights

Matthew's Cybersecurity Predictions for 2026
https://matthewrosenquist.substack.com/p/top-10-cybersecurity-predictions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7sKkqU1hSk

Join us for an engaging episode of the Top Voice Podcast as we delve into the world of independent consulting with expert Mike Koziol. Mike shares his journey from being a lawyer and fraud investigator to becoming a consultant's consultant. We discuss the challenges many independent consultants face in scaling their business, including breaking through revenue ceilings, productizing services, and leveraging AI. Mike also offers invaluable insights on positioning, mindset shifts, and much more. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to take your consulting business to the next level. Tune in now!

Timestamps:
00:24 Introduction and Welcome
01:35 Mike Koziol's Background and Journey
03:20 Transition to Consulting for Consultants
05:29 Insights from High-Earning Consultants
08:51 Challenges and Solutions for Scaling
12:57 Impact of AI on Consulting
17:01 Deciding What to Productize
20:12 The Challenge of Building Proactive Systems
20:54 Launching a Custom Chatbot
21:40 Balancing Build, Release, and Test
22:06 The Philosophy of Shipping Quickly
24:17 The Role of AI in Modern Consulting
25:19 The Evolution of Online Learning
26:23 The Value of Implementation and Advisory
29:22 Mindset Shifts for Independent Consultants
32:42 Key Takeaways for Scaling Your Business
34:16 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Connect with Mike Koziol:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michalkoziol/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%24100k-playbook-with-mike-koziol/id1805604263
https://open.spotify.com/show/58mCfPoY3Prsl0ZOe7tfzA?si=bfce0ac03a8b4dcf
https://www.instagram.com/itsmikekoziol/
https://www.youtube.com/@UC-HMfWahiTbwZT5zbZatR8w
https://mikekoziol.com

Join us for an insightful episode of the Top Voice Podcast as we explore the evolving landscape of job searching in 2026 with career leadership coach Valerie Martinelli. Discover how the job market has shifted since post-COVID, the importance of proactive career management, and the role of personal branding and networking in a competitive environment. Valerie shares valuable advice on standing out in a crowded market, the impacts of AI on job applications, and strategies for maintaining a positive mindset during a challenging job search. Tune in to get expert tips and practical advice to boost your career success.

Timestamps:
00:24 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:41 Valerie's Background and Career Journey
03:54 The Evolving Job Market in 2026
06:32 Strategies for Job Seekers
07:50 The Role of AI in Job Applications
09:51 Ethical Concerns in Job Postings
11:22 Effective Networking and Personal Branding
16:16 The Importance of a Personal Pitch
18:45 The Changing Landscape of Job Pitches
19:04 The Civility Problem in HR
20:01 The Role of AI in Job Searching
20:34 Advice for Job Seekers
23:36 The Importance of Networking
29:31 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
32:11 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Connect with Valerie:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/askvmc/
https://www.facebook.com/AskVMC/
https://www.instagram.com/askvmc/
https://substack.com/@UCyXeHuHIx14cE4aJbWTmVMg
https://www.youtube.com/@askvmc

In this episode of the Top Voice Podcast, we welcome Brian Solis, the global head of innovation at ServiceNow and author of 'Mindshift.' Kicking off 2026, we delve into the essence of innovation, the impact of AI on business, and the importance of keeping an open mind. Brian shares his extensive experience as a digital analyst, futurist, and anthropologist, discussing how technology reshapes human behavior and business models. You'll learn about creating a culture of innovation, the significance of being self-aware, and how to anticipate disruption. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to embrace change and inspire creativity in their professional and personal lives. Plus, stick around for Brian's New Year's resolutions and more insights on becoming a future-ready leader.

Timestamps:
00:24 Welcome to the Top Voice Podcast
00:37 Introducing Brian Solis
01:51 Brian Solis on Innovation and AI
05:03 Defining Innovation
12:17 The Mindshift Book and Leadership
18:01 Navigating Disruption and Change
27:03 Creating a Culture of Innovation
31:58 Final Thoughts and New Year's Resolutions
35:36 Closing Remarks and Where to Find More

Connect with Brian
https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansolis/
http://www.briansolis.com/
https://www.briansolis.com/category/articles/
https://www.briansolis.com/books/

Join us on this insightful episode of Top Voice Tuesday as we sit down with Tiffany Yu, a disability advocate, author, and founder. Tiffany shares her journey from working in financial services to becoming a prominent voice in disability advocacy. We discuss the importance of seeing disability differently and the ways in which organizations can better support disabled individuals. Tiffany also sheds light on her book 'The Anti-Ableist Manifesto,' the challenges faced by individuals with non-apparent disabilities, and the significance of community and accommodations in the workplace. Don’t miss this chance to learn about practical strategies for fostering an inclusive environment.

Timestamps:

00:15 Welcome to Top Voice Tuesday

01:27 Meet Tiffany Yu: Disability Advocate and Author

01:34 Tiffany's Journey: From Financial Services to Advocacy

05:21 Building a Community and Finding a Voice

09:07 Creating Disability-Inclusive Workspaces

10:44 Understanding Non-Apparent Disabilities

15:16 Empathy vs. Compassion: Supporting Disabled Individuals

21:37 The Power of Community Support

24:19 Navigating Accommodations and Accessibility

24:47 Personal Stories and Ergonomic Assessments

26:30 Redefining Accommodations as Design Opportunities

34:05 The Economic Imperative for Disability Inclusion

36:02 Advice for Self-Advocacy and Finding Community

38:36 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Connect with Tiffany:

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

https://www.tiffanyyu.com/bio

https://www.tiffanyyu.com/book