Chief Change Officer

In today’s world, financial advice is everywhere—but rarely helpful.In Part Two, Michael Sakraida continues dismantling outdated ideas about wealth, offering a fresh framework that centers emotional intelligence and personal values. He explains why legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind, but how you live today. From the limits of “aggressive investor” labels to the chaos of unregulated financial influencers, Michael unpacks the hidden damage done by bad advice—and what real financial coaching should look like.This episode is a must-listen if you’re tired of one-size-fits-all strategies and ready to treat your money like an extension of who you are, not just a number on a screen.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Redefining Financial Independence“Real financial freedom is when you can work for joy—not for a paycheck. It’s about building a life and a legacy, not just hitting a number.”Why Risk Tolerance Tests Don’t Work“You can’t reduce human emotion to a 10-question quiz. And when fear hits, those ‘aggressive’ investors often panic first.”The Emotional Blind Spot in Wealth Planning“Advisors must ask three things: Where did your money come from? What do you want it to mean? And what’s your experience with Wall Street?”From Bull Market Bravado to Bear Market Breakdown“Long bull runs create fake confidence. The minute the market drops, people flip—and advisors are caught off guard.”Why Financial Influencers Should Be Regulated (or Shut Down)“If licensed advisors need approval for every email, why can anyone post financial advice to millions on TikTok without oversight?”The Financial Media Smut Club“Some writers don’t even understand what they’re publishing. They confuse inflation with inflation rate—and no one catches it.”Investing Isn’t a DIY Project When Emotions Are Involved“This isn’t like assembling IKEA furniture. When fear and greed show up, it’s not about logic—it’s about who you are.”Money as a Mirror“The more your investments reflect your values, the less likely you’ll get spooked by the market. That’s the power of alignment.”Why He Wrote Money, Balance and Joy“People don’t need another retirement calculator. They need a language for their emotions—and a way forward that actually fits who they are.”_____________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Michael Sakraida  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Sakraida didn’t write a money manual. He wrote a mindset shift.In Part One, the author of Money, Balance and Joy shares how his upbringing, career in finance, and burnout led him to a new definition of wealth—one that includes time freedom and emotional fulfillment, not just financial metrics. He questions why Wall Street ignores the emotional toll of economic instability and how media-driven fear only adds to our sense of isolation and failure.This episode covers the emotional underbelly of money: why we feel stuck, what control really looks like, and how to take back our narrative without a million-dollar bank balance. Key Highlights of Our Interview:The Road Less Paved: Michael’s Unconventional Journey“I took the road that wasn’t finished. It had potholes, wrong turns—but it made me who I am.”Mentors, Musicians, and Money Lessons from Long Island“Growing up, I met people who had money—and had fun. That stuck with me.”Why He Turned Down the High-Paying Job“I didn’t want to cold-call my way through life. I took less money for more meaning.”The First Investor Who Hung Up—Then Jumped In“He slammed the phone down. I called back and said, ‘You just made a mistake.’ He became our first big client.”The Real Wealth Equation: Money, Time, Joy“We’ve built a system that glorifies income but ignores how people spend their time—or who they spend it with.”Why Wall Street Doesn’t Understand Real People“For the top 10%, inflation is inconvenient. For the rest, it’s identity-shattering. And no one talks about it.”Triage Your Change: Where to Focus, Where to Let Go“Some changes aren’t worth the emotional capital. Focus on the ones that truly move your life forward.”How Action Shapes Outlook“You don’t change how you think by thinking. You change how you think by doing something different.”Feeling Powerless Is the Real Crisis“Money brings control. When we don’t have it, we need other ways to reclaim power—and move forward.”_____________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Michael Sakraida  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’re exhausted. The meetings are pointless, the politics are draining, and your boss sends Slack messages that trigger a fight-or-flight response. It feels like the only answer is to walk away.But what if there’s another way?In this episode, executive coach and author Darcy Eikenberg shares how to turn burnout into clarity without updating your résumé. Drawing from her book Red Cape Rescue: Save Your Career Without Leaving Your Job, Darcy walks us through how to reset how you think, revise what you say, and reinvent what you do—starting from exactly where you are.With practical strategies, human stories, and a little neuroscience thrown in, this episode is your guide to taking back control without burning bridges—or burning out.Key Highlights of Our Interview:The Red Cape Metaphor: Confidence, Not Costumes“When you feel like your shoulders are back and you’re in control—that’s your red cape moment. And yes, you can create that at work.”The Lizard Brain Is Lying to You“Our primitive brain can’t tell the difference between a tiger and a tough email. Fear isn’t the problem—it’s how you respond to it.”The Three Levers of Change“We only control three things: what we say, what we do, and what we think. That’s it. But it’s enough.”You Can’t See the Label From Inside the Jar“Try this: record yourself venting about work, then play it back. Pull out the facts. Ditch the stories. You’ll be shocked at what you hear.”Rewriting the Story Without Leaving the Company“One client didn’t get the promotion. She wanted to quit. But instead, we helped her speak up—and now she leads the entire agency.”When Mindset Blocks the Next Move“Another client thought he was just being realistic. Turns out, everyone else thought he was negative—and it was holding him back.”Fear Strategy > Fearlessness“You don’t need to be fearless. You need a plan for when fear shows up—and it always does.”What to Do First (Before You Quit)“Get clear. What’s actually happening? What do you want? What’s in your control? Clarity is the first rescue step.”Self-Awareness Is the New Leadership Superpower“Your values matter. So does how you’re wired. One person’s burnout is another person’s boredom—know your triggers.”______________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guests: Darcy Eikenberg  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens after you’ve lost everything—status, stability, and even your sense of self?In Part Two, Sihame El Kaouakibi goes deeper into her journey of rebuilding: not just her career, but her core identity. From leaving toxic environments to redefining ambition, Sihame breaks down how Women Leaders OS came from her own healing, and how she now helps high-achieving women across cultures do the same.She also opens up about why global coaching requires cultural fluency, why some success stories are just polished pain, and what it really means to be “enough” in a world obsessed with more. Whether you’re stuck in a golden cage or preparing for your next chapter, this episode is a lifeline—and a mirror.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Rock Bottom Was the Starting Line“When you lose everything, the first thing to rebuild is belief—especially in yourself.”Rejection = Redirection“If you’re surviving instead of thriving, it’s time to quit. The environment shapes the outcome.”You’re Not Too Emotional—You’re Just Not in the Right Room“I was labeled difficult for being passionate. Turns out, I just needed a different tribe.”What Women Leaders OS Really Means“It’s not software—it’s a full system for healing, repurposing, and thriving after the fall.”Building a Global Sisterhood, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Program“My clients are from Belgium, the U.S., India, Singapore. Their pain is personal, but the patterns are universal.”The Persona She Works With“High-performing women who feel stuck, confused, or secretly miserable—those are my people.”Career Pivots With Purpose“Whether it’s closing a chapter or launching a new venture, I help women transition with clarity—not burnout.”What Success Really Looks Like“It’s not Instagram-perfect. It’s stumbling, growing, and showing up—again and again.”Three Pieces of Advice for the Lost, Burnt Out, or Confused“You don’t have to be perfect. The learning is in the doing. And no matter what—you are enough.”_____________________Connect with Us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Sihame El Kaouakibi  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when a rising political star crashes—publicly, painfully, and all at once?In Part One, Sihame El Kaouakibi, Moroccan-born former Belgian MP and five-time founder, shares the deeply personal story behind her public unraveling. Once a celebrated social entrepreneur and national leader, Sihame faced burnout, betrayal, and bankruptcy—all while navigating racism, politics, and impossible expectations.But instead of disappearing, she rebuilt. This episode is a raw look at what it means to hit rock bottom, question your worth, and slowly rise again—stronger, clearer, and more committed to purpose than ever. If you’ve ever felt stuck, silenced, or lost in your own ambition, this one’s for you.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Burnout, Bankruptcy, and the Breakthrough“I lost everything—my energy, my confidence, even my bank account. But it became fertile ground.”When Validation Becomes Addiction“I built my identity on achievements. Without them, I felt like nobody.”Politics Was a Zero-Sum Game. So She Quit.“Entrepreneurship was about creation. Politics was about survival—and I was dying inside.”The Messiah Complex Trap“I believed I could change everything. I was wrong—and I paid the price.”The Privilege of Slowing Down“I had to let go of control, ego, and my former self. Healing took three years—but it gave me my life back.”The Environment You Choose Shapes the Outcome You Get“You’re not stuck—you’re just in the wrong pot. Rejection can be redirection.”Women Leaders OS: Built From Her Own Scars“I help women go from burnout to breakthrough—not with hustle, but with internal belief and system-level support.”The Ugly Side of Glamour“People you envy might be drowning. Success isn’t always Instagram-pretty.”_____________________Connect with Us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Sihame El Kaouakibi  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting a franchise isn’t just a business move—it’s a mindset shift.In Part Two, James Hilovsky—former athlete turned franchise consultant—goes beyond playbooks and into the real psychology of success. He explores why some athletes stumble when they let ego overtake strategy, how corporate professionals can regain control after layoffs, and why betting on yourself only works when you’re honest about what kind of help you need.From risk tolerance to leadership, coachability to due diligence, this episode is packed with reality checks and real encouragement for anyone eyeing a second career through franchising. Whether you’re leaving the field or the boardroom, this is your roadmap for moving forward without going it alone.Key Highlights of Our Interview:When Ego Derails the Dream“Some athletes think, ‘I can do it better than the franchisor.’ That mindset usually ends badly.”Coachable or Combative? Know the Difference“If you hated taking advice on the field, franchising might not be for you. Try entrepreneurship instead.”From Control to Chaos: Managing the Transition“Athletes are used to structure. Business is messy. That gap has to be managed with education and support.”Risk Is a Feature, Not a Bug“Franchising reduces risk—but it doesn’t remove it. You still have to lead, decide, and adapt.”Franchisor as Business Partner, Not Boss“The best franchisors act like coaches. They’ll guide you—but they won’t run the plays for you.”Red Flags in the Franchise World“If someone tells you it’s a ‘hands-off’ business or dodges your due diligence questions—run.”Advice for Non-Athletes“If fear is stopping you, ask yourself: what’s the real cost of staying stuck?”Doing the Homework Before the Leap“Talk to existing franchisees. Read the FDD. And never skip the financials.”The Impact That Keeps Him Going“I love helping people find a franchise they didn’t even know existed—and watching it change their lives.”_________________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: James Hilovsky  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens after the cheering stops?For James Hilovsky, it meant trading his baseball uniform for business ownership—and helping other athletes do the same. In Part One, James shares how his short-lived pro sports career led to 25 years in restaurant franchising, including scaling Pieology from one store to over 100.Now, as a franchise consultant, James works with NFL and NBA players looking to invest wisely, build generational wealth, and transition from the field to the franchise world. He explains how the mindset of elite athletes—structured, coachable, and risk-tolerant—makes them natural fits for franchise success. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to make the leap from sports to business, this episode is your playbook.Key Highlights of Our Interview:From Dugout to Dining Room“My playing career ended fast—but the restaurant world gave me a new team and a new game to master.”Scaling Pieology: A Fast-Casual Success Story“We went from one location to over 100 franchises. That’s where I really learned what franchisees need.”Helping Athletes Avoid Bad Deals“I saw too many players get pitched sketchy investments. I wanted to be a safe, informed resource.”What COVID Taught Us About Franchising“People were stuck at home, rethinking their jobs—and ready to bet on themselves.”Sports Teams and Franchise Systems: More Alike Than You Think“Both have playbooks. Both have coaches. And success comes from following the system.”Why Athletes Thrive in Business“They’re used to risk, coaching, and performance pressure. That’s the foundation of good franchisees.”Case Study: From NFL to Mental Health Franchise“A retired Super Bowl winner found purpose building a clinic network for athletes dealing with post-concussion trauma.”Case Study: A Family Franchise Plan in Atlanta“A former MLB player launched a dog grooming business—with his wife and kids running the first store.”The Top 3 Qualities That Make Athletes Business-Ready“Risk tolerance, coachability, and natural leadership. That’s the winning combo.”_________________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: James Hilovsky  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If students are graduating into a broken job market, can we really call that success?In Part Two, Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, zooms out to expose the cracks between graduation and employment—and shares what it actually takes to close them. From outdated career services buried in basement offices to siloed AI initiatives happening in secret, Bridget makes the case for a total redesign of higher education’s operating system.With a blend of empathy and systems thinking, she outlines how her team redesigned career prep using design sprints, empathy interviews, and playbooks adopted across campuses. If you care about mobility, modern learning, or making education work for today’s students, this conversation goes beyond policy—it gets personal.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Nobody Likes Change—Unless It’s Theirs“Everyone who says they like change is a liar. You only like the change you helped create.”Empathy Is a Skill, Not a Soft Word“People are walking around with broken hearts—because leaders shelved the thing they built or made them feel disposable.”AI in Higher Ed: Same Problems, New Arms Race“Thousands of staff are working on the same AI problem in silos. What a waste.”The Risk of Reinventing the Wheel—Again and Again“Everyone’s designing alone, heads down. Students lose while schools compete.”Career Services, Reimagined from Scratch“We mapped the mess, interviewed students, and redesigned career prep as part of the classroom—not just a résumé workshop in the basement.”Faculty as Career Coaches? Yes, and Here’s How“We embedded career activities into every course, starting from day one.”From Data Deserts to Playbooks“Most schools didn’t even track career services usage. That’s not strategy—that’s hiding the scoreboard.”The Real Measure of Value: Social Mobility at Scale“We’re done with ‘graduate and goodbye.’ Now we’re building systems that track—and improve—students’ lives after college.”Designing a Smart Future, Not Just Smart Classrooms“Higher ed wasn’t built for today’s students. We’re fixing that—with urgency, alignment, and a new North Star: mobility.”______________________Connect with Us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If higher education feels like the Hunger Games, Dr. Bridget Burns is building the resistance.In Part One, Bridget shares her journey from growing up in rural Montana to becoming CEO of the University Innovation Alliance—a national coalition of public research universities working together (yes, together) to improve outcomes for low-income and first-generation students.She pulls back the curtain on the real problem in academia: a culture of competition, hierarchy, and duplicated failure masked as innovation. Instead, she offers a new model: universities learning from each other, mapping broken processes, and holding themselves accountable to real results. This episode is for anyone tired of hearing that higher ed can’t change—and ready to hear from someone who’s actually changing it.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Out of the Cul-De-Sac: Bridget’s Escape from Rural Isolation“I grew up surrounded by racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Getting out was everything.”From Student Leader to System Architect“At 22, I went from student government to hiring university presidents. That’s when I saw how broken the system really was.”The Problem Isn’t Resistance to Change—It’s Bad Design“No one resists change when it’s their idea. We resist top-down mandates that ignore lived experience.”Why Higher Ed Feels Like a Zero-Sum Game“Presidents are rewarded for beating each other in rankings, not for helping more students graduate.”Building the University Innovation Alliance“I wasn’t trying to form a club. I wanted to create a working lab for collaborative problem-solving.”The Trust-Building Work No One Sees“I flew to 11 campuses, built real relationships, and got them to sign off on data sharing and joint accountability.”How Process Mapping Saved 450 Emails and 50 Student Holds“Michigan State found it was overwhelming new students with hundreds of emails and dozens of unknown account blocks—just by putting everyone in the same room.”From Bureaucrat to Entrepreneur“Michael Crow told me I’d need to break out of my bureaucratic mindset. He was right. I had to become a builder.”Innovation Isn’t Flashy—It’s Often Inconvenient“We glamorize innovation, but it’s messy. Slower. More painful. That’s why it needs to be built around people, not power.”______________________Connect with Us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Bridget Burns  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Let’s be honest—today’s job search often feels like shouting into the void.In Part Three, Mary Shea—former General Manager at HireQuotient and co-CEO at Mediafly—tackles the modern job market from both sides of the table. She pulls back the curtain on how AI is reshaping recruitment: from sourcing passive candidates to fighting unconscious bias, automating outreach, and uncovering overlooked talent. But this isn’t a tech sales pitch—Mary gets real about what AI can’t do (like fix a broken candidate experience) and why human empathy still matters most.Whether you’re a recruiter overwhelmed by applications or a job seeker ghosted by someone half your age, this episode is your career compass for a chaotic hiring landscape.Key Highlights of Our Interview:AI That Actually Helps Recruiters Breathe“We offload 75% of the workload—so recruiters can stop drowning in admin and start connecting again.”Talent Hiding in Plain Sight“Using multiple data sources, we find candidates others miss—especially underrepresented voices skipped by bots.”When the Résumé Lies—or Leaves Too Much Out“Some of the best candidates don’t list everything. That’s where smart prompting and human judgment must align.”Automation ≠ Apathy“Done right, AI doesn’t depersonalize the process—it gives recruiters more time to be human.”Recruiting for the C-Suite? Yes, AI Can Help There Too“I used it to hire my Chief Customer Officer. Diverse candidates, faster process, better outcome.”The Real Human Cost of Getting It Wrong“First impressions matter. A bad recruiting experience damages more than the candidate—it hurts your brand.”Vince Shares His Story—And It Hits HomeA real-life example of age bias, HR tech gone wrong, and why leadership still requires presence and respect.Mary’s Advice to Job Seekers“Be granular. Use LinkedIn wisely. But never forget—every opportunity still starts with a relationship.”Networking Isn’t Dead—You’re Just Doing It Wrong“In-person, virtual, or omnichannel—connect deeply, not just digitally. That’s how humans hire.”_________________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Mary Shea PhD  --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.80+ Countries Reached Daily.Global Top 1% Podcast.Top 5 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.