Problem Solvers

Rebecca Hinds, organizational behavior expert who leads the Work AI Institute at Glean and author of Your Best Meeting Ever, explains why most meetings waste time. She outlines a clear test to decide if a meeting belongs on your calendar. She talks about treating meetings like products, designing communication systems to cut meetings, and how AI and leadership norms will reshape collaboration.

Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA and TurboTax tax expert who advises small business owners. She talks about year-round tax prep and common deduction mistakes. She explains when taxes get more complex, choices like LLC vs S-corp, and home office and equipment deductions. Practical tips on organization, 1099-K changes, and tracking receipts and mileage.

Gary Vaynerchuk, entrepreneur and CEO known for VaynerX and VaynerMedia, explains why traditional social is changing and where marketing is headed. He discusses agency rebranding, finding overlooked audiences, the rise of interest-based media, and building fast, production-first teams to keep brands culturally relevant.

Moments Lab co-founders and identical twins, Frederic & Philippe Petitpont, realized they were in the wrong role. The CEO became CTO. The CTO became CEO. As a result, the business got stronger. In this episode, they break down how to spot role misalignment and how putting the company first can unlock real scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Andrews, a Harvard instructor and author specializing in leadership development, joins to challenge the belief that quick decisions make great leaders. She discusses how rushing can lead to poor outcomes and wasted resources. Exploring the importance of self-management, she shares a framework for effective decision-making, including seven critical questions to consider. Margaret also emphasizes the value of deliberation over speed, advocating for thoughtful approaches like pros/cons lists to refine choices and anticipate potential pitfalls.

Join Charlie Morrison, the new CEO of Jersey Mike's and a seasoned franchise executive, as he shares insights on the brand hitting No. 1 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. He discusses the delicate balance of scaling the business while honoring its rich history. Charlie warns against compromising product quality and emphasizes the importance of building trust with franchisees. Plus, he touches on creative strategies for engaging younger customers and the fun possibility of Danny DeVito being replaced by Eli Manning in marketing campaigns.

Join brand historian Jason Liebig as he reveals the power of nostalgia in branding. He shares how familiar emotions can foster trust, making storytelling a more powerful tool than data. With insights into 'dopamine design,' Liebig discusses how visual elements can evoke joy and nostalgia. Discover how companies like Chewy are harnessing nostalgia in customer care, and learn practical tips for brands to evoke those warm feelings. From business cards to the revival of older ideas, this conversation is a treasure trove for brand founders.

Listener Melissa calls the Help Line today because she's experiencing some analysis paralysis (haven't we all). Jason gives her a formula to help her determine which parts of her work she should change; plus, he shares how to failure-proof her pivot by making it into an experiment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, you can start a million-dollar business in a weekend. Noah Kagan, founder of AppSumo and author of the book "Million Dollar Weekend", shares how the foundations of a great business come together quickly, and why it's worth moving fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Canberos and Michael Edelen, co-founders of Cold-Blooded and Bizarre, share their journey of creating a beloved local brand through community engagement. They reveal how free reptile relocation services and clever marketing tactics, like handing out stickers as mobile business cards, helped establish trust and brand awareness. By prioritizing Google reviews over paid ads and participating in school programs, they turned simple interactions into powerful community touchpoints. Plus, they share some fun insights about a two-headed snake!