Disruptive Influence with Jeff Abracen

Join Annelise McCarthy, founder of Her Speaking Coach and an expert in empowering voices, as she shares her inspiring journey from overcoming a childhood lisp to building a global coaching business. She dives into the essence of authentic communication, debunking the myth that seriousness equates to credibility. Annelise emphasizes the power of self-love in public speaking and reveals how anxiety can be a superpower. This conversation will inspire anyone looking to embrace their voice and connect meaningfully in a noisy world.

Priya Chopra reveals the secret ingredient behind her cross-border PR and creator agencies - a blend of vibes, intuition, and a relentless Momentum Mindset that keeps brands, and teams, sweetly winning.Priya Chopra is the founder & CEO of 1Milk2Sugars and double shot, where she mixes her “Sugar Factor” - a unique recipe of psychic intuition, empathy, and entrepreneurial grit - to help brands and creators amplify impact, loyalty, and growth.In this episode, she joins Jeff to break down: ◽️ How a quirky coffee-order name became a client-magnet launchpad ◽️ The daily “Sugar Factor” rituals that turn good vibes into sticky brand wins ◽️ Why “your 80 is someone’s 100” is the mindset hack to ditch perfectionism ◽️ Real-world tactics for sustaining momentum when the buzz fades ◽️ The surprising role of intuition (yes, she’s psychic!) in storytelling and leadership ◽️ Her blueprint for scaling from Canada to the U.S. without losing culture ◽️ Tactical tips for juggling agency hustle with family, fitness, and self-careChapters 00:00 – Winning Mindset (Intro Teaser) 00:32 – Meet Priya Chopra 01:33 – 1Milk2Sugars Origin 03:52 – Birth of double shot 05:49 – Championing Creators 08:10 – Lessons for Entrepreneurs 11:22 – The Sugar Factor 15:08 – Psychic Intuition Moment 17:03 – Vibes & Storytelling 20:11 – Manifesting Momentum 21:50 – Leading with Empathy 36:05 – PR’s Resurgence 41:39 – U.S. Expansion 49:02 – Your 80 Is Someone’s 100 53:24 – Work-Life Blend 55:04 – Word of the Year: Momentum 56:48 – Wrap upConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Curtis Matsko turned a pink diary and a garage startup into a $180 million leather-goods empire - then doubled it year after year by unleashing what he calls “founder magic.” He shares how leaning into your strengths and embracing the unknown can turn every setback into a launchpad for growth.Curtis Matsko is the CEO and co-founder of Portland Leather Goods, one of North America’s fastest-growing DTC and retail brands. A self-described “over-educated jerk” who never held a real job beyond three days, he’s built his business on pattern recognition, calculated risks, and unapologetic authenticity.Mariana Patiño, PA/EA at Portland Leather Goods, jumps in to share what it’s like being Curtis’ right hand - juggling the logistics, capturing his lightning-fast ideas, and turning his wild energy into every project’s secret sauce.We talk about: ◽️ Why “10× is easier than 2×”—and how big-vision thinking sidesteps incremental bottlenecks. ◽️ How to pour gas on your strengths instead of wasting time fixing weaknesses. ◽️ The profit math behind scaling both direct-to-consumer and a 30-store footprint. ◽️ Why the clearest path isn’t yours - and how to find magic in uncharted territory. ◽️ How founder-led storytelling becomes your ultimate competitive advantage. ◽️ The secret role of Mariana, his “energy multiplier,” in rapid iteration and team chemistry.Whether you’re launching your first venture or leading a mature organization, you’ll walk away with a new playbook for bold growth, real-talk storytelling, and the magic that happens when you refuel your superpowers.Chapters00:00 – Focus on Your Strengths (Intro Teaser)00:21 – Podcast Intro & What to Expect  00:35 – Meet Curtis Matsko, CEO of Portland Leather Goods  01:39 – From Garage Origins to a $180M Business  03:22 – The Three-Day Box Boy Job & Pivot to Lifeguarding  07:04 – Authenticity in Founder-Led Storytelling  10:15 – The Disruptive Influence Backstory  13:15 – Balancing “Rush” vs. “Long-Haul” Vision  16:49 – Pattern Recognition & On-the-Fly Problem Solving  20:00 – Why 10× Is Easier Than 2× (Mindset Shift)  23:49 – Scaling Online & Retail: Profit Math Revealed  26:24 – Crafting Compelling Presentations (55-Minute Talks)  31:13 – Calculated Risk: Worst-Case Scenarios & Learning Fast  37:48 – Double Down on Strengths & Team Synergy  40:54 – Introducing Mariana Patiño!44:37 – Surprises, Gratitude & Final Takeaways  Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Jasmin Alić, LinkedIn's king of comments, content & community, shares how to turn content into conversations, stories into sales, and profile views into paying clients. We dive into warm outreach, offer alignment, and why connection beats content every time.Jasmin is a brand strategist and community builder who’s helped thousands of creators turn personal brands into real businesses. As the founder of LinkUp and LinkBound, he teaches people how to grow with clarity, integrity, and a little bit of swagger.Chapters00:00  Opening Teaser - Low reach? Comment harder.00:32  Intro – Disruptive Influence Podcast #3003:22  Two new businesses: LinkUp & LinkBound07:40  Why most paid communities trap their founders10:00  Inside LinkUp: 3 in-house experts, daily feedback 12:29  Bosnia trip giveaway14:10  “Build community, not a cage” – the mindset18:55  2025 blind spot: Story > Tips21:15  Storytelling 101: share what you think, not just what you know 24:55  Offers: choose an intro offer, then craft content29:15  Starter-offer pricing & positioning33:45  Warm-outreach playbook (+ LinkedIn’s new viewer data)40:10  Limiting belief: “DM sales feel sleazy”44:25  Coach’s proudest moments – client self-awareness53:05 Surprise fun fact about Jasmin54:45  Biggest LinkedIn opportunity: comments dominate1:00:05  Reddit: LinkedIn Lunatics & blocking negativityConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Aaron Spivak co-founded Hush, turning a weighted blanket into a Kickstarter smash and selling to Sleep Country for eight figures - all before his 26th birthday. He joins Jeff to unpack the real juice behind:Filling Your Four Buckets – his health / friends & family / business / integrity frameworkGiving Before You Take – the counter-intuitive first rule powering his invite-only Founders ClubCooling the Market – How hundreds of customer calls flipped Hush from summer slump to record-breaking demandStory > Specs – how truly speaking to their audience turned their Dragons’ Den pitch into Canadian TV loreReps, Results, Reality Checks – why Aaron treats entrepreneurship like a full-contact sport..and how Aaron Spivak Sold Hush, but kept his soul.Chapters0:00 Intro “Everything is war”1:24 Why Founders Club exists & who it’s for4:36 The first rule of Founders' Club and the “give first” philosophy 5:48 Defining a “successful founder” - The Four Buckets of Life 7:59 The loneliness factor & why community beats the island 10:28 Storytelling, customer calls & the $4,000 runway 14:42 "Make it cooling!” - the hundred call insight 17:33 Kickstarter blows up: $700K to $10M 19:59 “People buy magic” - best story wins philosophy 22:24 Vulnerability, emotion & why design alone can’t win 26:51 Dragons’ Den prep: spray-tan mishaps & thousands of reps 33:00 Business as war: Kobe, LeBron, and out-working talent 35:03 Right reps vs. first reps - tailoring for your stage 38:58 Momentum, niche audiences & getting the right views 44:08 The Range Rover promise to mom - entrepreneurship’s best payoff 49:24 Launching the Founder-to-Founder podcast (and the “double-F” hat) 51:33 How to join Founders Club, - cities, retreats and more 53:12 Outro & Jeff’s CTAUseful LinksFind the Founders Club: https://www.foundersclubofficial.com/Connect with Aaron Spivak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-spivak1/Connect with Jeff Abracen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Shoaib Ahmed, Founder, Brand Storyteller, Ghostwriter, and Digital Nomad, joins Jeff to talk about building a business that actually works for you.We get into personal branding that drives results, solopreneur freedom, the reality behind it, and how Shoaib curates what he calls his “little life”, for more freedom, flow, and focus. He shares how he approaches content, and what it’s like to ghostwrite for everyone from global execs to Gen Z founders, how numbers and narratives go hand in hand, fashion, power bowls, and how to win over your barista and batch create content in a coffee shop.And surprise! Bestie Karla McNeilage, Personal Brand Strategist and Owner at Wave Socials, crashes the pod with surprise questions, unhinged chaos, and some real talk about growth, friendship, confidence, and how far they’ve come -together.If you’re a executive, founder, coach, creator, consultant, or anyone building something that’s both personal and powerful, this episode slaps.00:00 Intro00:38 Meet Shoaib Ahmed01:37 Curating a Stylish Life and Content02:57 The Concept of 'My Little Life'03:52 Business Retreats and Collaborations05:04 Building Meaningful Connections07:15 The Importance of Complementary Relationships08:29 Navigating Business Partnerships10:09 The Journey of a Digital Nomad11:23 Finding Balance in Health, Wealth, and Happiness12:46 The Evolution of a Solopreneur14:56 Self-Discipline and Awareness16:46 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact18:27 The Role of a Ghostwriter20:35 The Art of Context Switching22:05 Automation and Systems in Business23:41 The Challenges of Solopreneurship25:08 The Intersection of Storytelling and Data27:53 Proving Value Through Metrics29:50 The Joy of Numbers and Analytics30:58 Content Creation Rituals32:38 Daily Routines and Coffee Rituals37:11 Coffee Shop Strategies for Productivity39:15 Client Relationships and Boundaries41:31 The Importance of Trust in Branding43:11 From Nerd to Rebel: Embracing Change46:26 Unhinged Questions and Fun Dynamics54:21 Reflections on Personal Growth and IdentityConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Mike Fata is a founder, investor, health advocate, and builder of movements. After losing 100 pounds, he co-founded Manitoba Harvest and grew it into a $100M+ hemp foods powerhouse, later guiding its $419M sale to Tilray. He’s now the CEO of Fata & Associates, host of the Founder to Mentor podcast, and an advisor to world-class natural product brands. Whether he’s mentoring founders or plunging into ice baths, Mike is all about growth - with purpose.He joins Jeff to talk about the discipline behind transformation, how to pitch in 60 seconds, why personal branding matters more than ever in 2025, and what it really means to live with purpose after the exit. From health to storytelling to deep work, this conversation goes way beyond business.We cover:Why discipline > motivationBuilding your personal brand without faking itThe power of a 60-second pitchLetting your story sellSleep, hydration, and health as your unfair advantageWhat burnout taught him after the $100M exitHow to find your purpose (and stop lying to yourself about it)And so much more!Connect with Mike:LinkedInmikefata.caBook: GrowPodcast: Founder to MentorChapters00:00 Intro04:10 The Importance of Storytelling09:24 Flipping the Switch: Discipline Over Motivation14:20 Spiritual Growth and Healing the Self20:01 Abundance, Flow, and the “Treasure Hunt” Mindset23:36 Rest, Recovery, and the Myth of Busy26:32 Life After Exit: Redefining Freedom and Fulfillment31:12 How to Actually Find Your Purpose34:32 Building a Healthy Body: Sleep, Hydration, and Movement39:09 Daily Routines, Electrolytes, and “Showering the Inside”42:52 Business Lessons: When It Is Personal 46:28 Disrupting the Hemp Industry: From Niche to Mainstream 48:06 Building a Personal Brand in 2025 53:51 Connection, Community, and Showing Up Online 55:34 The 20-Year Dream: Restoring His Westfalia Van 57:18 Growth, Grit, and What He’d Tell His 13-Year-Old SelfConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Aransas Savas, motivational strategist and coach, joins Jeff to explore the real drivers behind creativity, influence, and personal growth.They dive into why healthy conflict is essential for innovation, how to transition from chasing positional power to embodying personal power, and why authenticity, not conformity, is the real superpower.Aransas shares how embracing play, curiosity, and even our perceived limitations can unlock new possibilities in leadership, creativity, and life. This conversation reminds us that growth isn’t about fitting in - it’s about showing up as your truest self and finding the people and opportunities that see your value.Key Topics:Why healthy conflict and tension fuel creativityChallenging societal norms to uncover your truthThe shift from fitting in to standing outHow to use play to solve problems and get unstuckTurning perceived weaknesses into your greatest strengthsFinding community, courage, and personal powerHow emotional storytelling drives real-world influenceConnect with Aransas Savas:Podcast: The Uplifters PodcastLinkedIn: Aransas SavasConnect with Jeff Abracen:LinkedInChapters00:00 Intro00:36 Understanding Wellbeing and Leadership Coaching02:20 Embracing Authenticity and Personal Truth04:43 Challenging Societal Norms and Personal Beliefs08:50 The Struggle Between Fitting In and Standing Out10:46 Transitioning from Positional to Personal Power12:08 Finding Value in Uncommon Skills17:04 The Role of Purpose in Professional Life21:10 Navigating Acceptance and Impact24:33 Defining the Ideal Customer and Job to Be Done27:35 The Complexity of Superpowers and Insecurities30:04 The Value of Diverse Perspectives35:27 The Power of Play in Problem Solving40:09 Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs42:25 Transforming Limitations into Strengths48:21 Using Struggles to Help Others54:11 Defining Your Unique Influence01:01:14 The Impact of Stories on CourageConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Rob Lawless set out to meet 10,000 strangers for one hour each. 7,000+ conversations in, the project has become more than a social experiment - it's a masterclass in empathy, presence, and the untold power of human connection.In this conversation, we go deep into what drives Rob, how he turned a bold idea into a global movement, and what he's learned from spending thousands of hours truly listening. From growing up in a big family, coffee shop chat and international stages, we unpack not just Rob’s journey, but our shared humanity.And in a twist, Rob flips the mic and interviews me for part of the episode, bringing out personal stories I rarely get to share on air. It's a conversation full of curiosity, surprises, and reminders of what really matters.In this episode:Why Rob started meeting strangers for one hour at a timeThe “Friend” framework for finding what connects usWhat 10,000 hours of presence can teach you about being humanRob’s storytelling superpowers — and how he discovered themThe discipline, empathy, and mindset behind long-term visionMy pie chart of identity — and what’s shifted since becoming a dadWhat’s next for Rob after 10,000 peopleWhy being present is the ultimate superpowerConnect with Rob:Instagram: @robs10kfriends LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rob-lawless-robs10kfriends/Connect with Jeff:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/Like what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and share Disruptive Influence!Chapters00:00 – Intro01:30 – How the 10,000 People Project Started04:54 – From Coffee Shops to Cruise Ships09:56 – The “Friend” Framework15:07 – The Art of Conversation20:03 – Post-10,000 Vision26:47 – Jeff’s Creative Roots29:48 – Life as a Timeline: Curiosity, Memory, and Storytelling32:55 – Natural Gifts and Learned Superpowers37:23 – The COVID Pivot That Changed Everything42:48 – The Real Influences: Family, Friends, and Gratitude44:21 – Books, TV Shows, and Staying Relevant (or Not)46:43 – Presence Over Performance48:00 – If We’re Popping Champagne Next Year...50:00 – A Masterclass in Presence51:57 – Mutual Gratitude and the Power of Saying YesConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

Sales and communication expert & founder of the Art of Sell, Richard Moore, joins Jeff Abracen to dig into why most people are selling the wrong way, how to stop chasing vanity metrics, and what really drives business growth in 2025.They discuss why content and engagement won’t pay the bills, how to ditch the spray-and-pray approach to sales, the power of deep, meaningful conversations over mass outreach, why client acquisition is the only metric that matters, the art of handling objections like a professional, and how self-worth plays a bigger role in closing deals than you might think.If you’re stuck in the loop of posting, scrolling, and hoping for inbound leads - this episode is a wake-up call. Learn how to sell with elegance, build a business that lasts, and turn connections into clients.Chapters00:00 Intro04:46 Follower Count vs. Follower Quality09:57 Competency Over Volume in Sales15:02 Finding Your Niche and Testing Ideas20:06 The Role of Feel in Business25:10 Intentionality in Engagement30:13 The Reality of Selling on Social Media34:33 The Art of Selling Elegantly40:27 Overcoming Sales Inertia47:01 Embracing Your Superpowers54:07 The Intersection of Sales and Psychology01:01:24 The Importance of Individual InteractionsConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen