Disruptive Influence with Jeff Abracen

Albany-based Alana Sparrow, Brand Strategist, Visual Storyteller, Founder of The VIB, and Chief Brand Officer & Co-Founder of The Foundry for Art, Design + Culture, joins Jeff Abracen to dig into why storytelling is the ultimate tool for branding success, the rapid rise of personal brands in corporate spaces, how confidence is built through action, scaling a business without sacrificing freedom, the impact of authenticity on trust and growth, embracing Ikigai to align work and life, why entrepreneurs need to stop sprinting and start sustaining, shining a light on your strengths to unlock your full potential, how personal brands will shape the future of business in 2025…and so much more!Chapters00:00 – Intro00:32 – Alana's Path to Brand Strategy03:15 – Leaving Higher Ed for Entrepreneurship05:21 – COVID’s Impact and Business Pivot07:23 – Personal Branding for High Earners09:21 – Authenticity in Branding and Marketing11:15 – Early Influences on Entrepreneurial Mindset15:26 – From Fine Art to Brand Strategy17:21 – Time Freedom vs. Hustle Culture18:30 – Slazy™ – A Smarter Work Approach22:31 – Finding Purpose and Profit with Ikigai28:23 – How Personal Branding Drives Growth32:26 – Confidence, Mindset, and Taking Up Space36:59 – Client Breakthroughs and Business Shifts38:45 – The Future of Personal Branding in 202543:09 – LinkedIn vs. Instagram for Brand Growth45:00 – Quality vs. Quantity in Social Media46:56 – Connect with Alana SparrowConnect 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

In this extended episode, Darren Lee, Founder & CEO of Voics, and Podcast Host of Kickoff Sessions, joins Jeff Abracen to dig into how he built a 7-figure podcasting business from scratch, the importance of creating your own universe, how focus fuels success, learning through failure, why you should sell before you build, the importance of trust, the power of metrics, niching down and mastering simplicity, monetizing small audiences, leaning into your superpowers and overcoming the odds, why Bali is a haven for creators, personalized tips for my own business…and so much more!Chapters00:00 Intro04:56 The Journey of Focus and Discipline10:10 From Sports to Startups: A Reflective Shift14:55 Building Connections and Trust19:45 The Circle of Safety in Leadership25:04 Generational Perspectives on Work Ethic29:53 The Evolution of Entrepreneurship33:09 Learning Through Experience36:01 Mastering the Process38:55 Building Skills for Success42:13 The Importance of Measurement46:01 Simplicity in Business51:45 Selling Before Building56:10 Finding Your Niche01:00:01 Staying in the Market01:02:57 Disrupting the Podcasting Industry01:06:49 The Rise of Video Content on LinkedIn01:11:59 Short-Form Video: A New Discovery Tool01:12:56 Influences and Inspirations in the Podcasting Journey01:16:15 Building Genuine Connections in Podcasting01:18:09 Why Bali is the New Hub for Creators01:22:03 Guidance for Emerging Podcasters01:28:50 The Importance of Clarity in Communication Offers01:31:13 The Impact of Helping Others Through Content CreationConnect 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

Kasey Jones, Growth Strategist, Personal Brand Coach, Founder & CEO at The Solo CEO, joins Jeff Abracen to talk about how self-compassion is a superpower, turning hardship into strength and opportunity, how finding your ‘One Thing’ brings clarity and magnetism to your brand and business, why your insecurities might be your biggest differentiator, how personal branding creates meaningful connections, why Kasey is a mix between Jocko Willink & Mr. Rogers, the ‘F*ck Yes’ principle…and so much more!00:00 Intro03:01 Evolving Solopreneurs into CEOs05:57 Finding Your One Thing08:54 Navigating Personal and Professional Trauma12:02 The Journey of Self-Discovery14:46 The Role of Empathy in Coaching18:07 Post-Traumatic Growth and Healing20:59 Where Personal Growth and Business Success Meet23:55 Uncovering Your Unique Value27:05 The Balance of Tough Love and Kindness29:54 The Evolution of Personal Branding31:43 Embracing Personal Transformation34:33 Identifying and Owning Your Superpowers38:49 The Role of Hardship in Shaping Success41:39 Leveraging Unique Skills for Business Growth45:21 The 'F*ck Yes' Principle in Client Relationships49:38 Experimentation as a Path to Clarity55:21 The Emotional Side of Entrepreneurship01:00:57 Self-Compassion and Personal Systems for NeurodivergenceConnect 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

Dhaval Bhatt, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Courage Inc., joins Jeff Abracen to share how he co-built Courage into one of Canada’s top and most awarded in under three years - crafting work for clients like KFC, CIBC, Kit-Kat, Taco Bell and Skip.They chat about treating clients as collaborators, how to present big ideas & moving at the speed of culture, why the human-to-human approach matters more than ever, the people who have inspired him, the lessons that keep him and his team pushing for better work every day - and the culture behind it all.And of course, working on big budget productions with celebrities like Jon Hamm (aka Don Draper).Chapters00:00 Intro03:02 Building Courageous Client Relationships05:53 Human-to-Human Communication in Marketing08:46 The Importance of Being Proactive12:08 Promises of Courage: A Unique Agency Approach15:01 Selling the Sizzle: The Art of Presentation17:52 The Pursuit of Perfection in Advertising21:11 Founding Courage24:03 Collaboration in High-Stakes Production28:27 Adapting to Client Needs30:22 The Role of Celebrity in Advertising34:10 Creative Connections with Calendar Events37:58 The Customer Experience41:47 Behind the Scenes of Agency Work44:07 The Pursuit of Perfection in Creativity48:45 Influences on Creative Growth52:36 The Human Element in Professional Relationships54:27 Guiding the Next Generation of CreativesConnect 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

Robb Gilbear, a coach and founder of Growth Habit, shares his journey from DJ to motivational author. He discusses how fear can lead to breakthroughs, the importance of accountability in achieving goals, and the role of storytelling in connecting with others. Robb emphasizes the necessity of digital detoxes for mental clarity and highlights the healing power of forgiveness and empathy. He also touches on adapting to change and using fear-setting to overcome limitations, offering listeners valuable insights on personal growth and resilience.

Robin Waite, Business Coach & Founder of Fearless Business, joins Jeff Abracen to share why a 'boring business' might be for you, the 7/11/4 concept for building trust, simplifying offers for better outcomes, how fewer clients can mean better service, why giving away books is a winning strategy, how guesting on podcasts is one of the best marketing moves you can make...and so much more!Chapters00:00 Intro02:37 The Strategy Behind Quick Reads05:54 Understanding 7/11/410:02 The Importance of Marketing Assets12:50 Building Trust Through Value17:06 The Power of Podcasting and Partnerships22:11 Pricing Strategies for Business Growth26:55 Harnessing Superpowers and Professional Passion29:15 Coaching from the Stage30:10 Passion vs. Profit in Business32:02 The Balance of Pricing and Philanthropy33:00 The Importance of Implementation35:19 Personal Transformation and Resilience39:21 Recognizing Unfulfillment and Taking Action41:46 The Power of Intuition in Coaching45:28 Screening Clients for Coaching Success49:14 Refining Offers and Simplifying Business52:36 Overcoming Overwhelm in Business55:00 Disruptive Coaching Techniques57:46 Influential Books and Final ThoughtsConnect 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

Ben Albert, founder of Real Business Connections and Balbert Marketing, shares his journey from accidental entrepreneur to podcasting expert. He highlights the importance of building authentic relationships and the role of gratitude in business. Ben dives into the art of engaging storytelling, the strategies for monetizing podcasts beyond sponsorships, and emphasizes consistency in creating valuable content. He also discusses how flexibility and vision can elevate a podcast's impact, turning local connections into a global reach.

Erica Rankin, Personal Branding Coach, Entrepreneur, Founder, and Host of the ‘You're Not a Bad Person’  Podcast, joins Jeff to talk about entrepreneurship, resilience and reinvention, navigating hustle culture, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of authenticity, the influence of mentorship, the impact of personal branding, her new course "The Magnitude Method"…and so much more!Chapters02:59 Resilience and Reinvention05:49 The Importance of Rest08:56 Navigating Hustle Culture12:02 The Power of Quitting15:12 The 12-Hour Walk Challenge18:01 Impact of Personal Branding24:00 Small Town Roots and Big Dreams29:34 The Power of Vulnerability31:24 The Magnitude Method32:21 Building a Personal Brand34:37 The Importance of Authenticity37:28 Creating Impact Over ROI43:47 Disrupting Personal Narratives51:11 Influence of MentorshipConnect 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

Eric A. Brooker, a Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, Bestselling Author, and Coach, shares his insights on the power of vulnerability and relationship capital. He emphasizes how small gestures can strengthen connections and lead to better workplace culture. Brooker discusses his journey as an author, tackling personal struggles, and the role of empathy in leadership. He also touches on the impact of AI and personal branding in today's world, advocating for positivity and resilience as vital elements for growth and success.

Chris Stanley, Mini-Book Coach, 27x Author & Amazon Bestseller, joins Jeff to talk about the rise of mini books and the mini book model, building credibility through writing, overcoming writing challenges, finding your voice and audience, influences and inspirations (check out category pirates), running a life and business from a sailboat...and so much more!Chapters00:00 The Rise of Mini Books03:08 Chris Stanley's Journey to Mini Book Coaching06:03 The Mini Book Concept Explained08:57 Building Credibility Through Writing11:51 The Mini Book Model and Its Framework14:46 Overcoming Writing Challenges18:08 Creating Accountability in Writing20:59 The Importance of Structure in Writing23:55 Finding Your Voice and Audience26:49 The Role of Discipline in Writing30:05 Testing Ideas Through Mini Books32:56 The Power of Being an Author35:49 Disruption in the Industry39:10 Influences and Inspirations42:03 The Surprising Impact of WritingConnect 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