Boardsi Leadership Talks

Can we still have productive conversations across political divides? Shannon Watson—TEDx speaker and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle—reveals how leaders can foster collaboration in polarized times. In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, you’ll learn:

✅ Why "relationships are the work" (and how she learned this as an introvert)
✅ The seating chart trick that reduces political conflict (used in MN Senate)
✅ How business leaders can advocate for healthier dialogue without backlash
✅ Mentorship secrets for elevating women in leadership
✅ Why vulnerability = boardroom currency (the power of "failure stories")

🔗 Connect wi...

From Soviet refugee to top-selling game developer at 13 to EA's CTO - Mark Vange's journey reveals what most leaders get WRONG about AI. In this bombshell episode of Birdseye Leadership Talks, you'll discover:

✅ Why 75% of executives are dangerously wrong (McKinsey 2025 report exposed)
✅ "Cooperative AI" - The third way (Beyond ChatGPT & autonomous agents)
✅ The hidden cost of AI no board is budgeting for
✅ Post-code world reality - Why your tech doesn't matter anymore
✅ Startup killer trait (Hint: It's not what you think)

🔗 Connect with Mark:
Website: https://autom8ly.com/
LinkedIn: htt...

How do you build a thriving business without sacrificing faith, family, or sanity? VVanessa Mitera—brand strategist, ex-PayPal exec, and founder of Eden & Empire—reveals how she helps women entrepreneurs align profit with purpose. In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, you’ll learn:

✅ The "Bathtub Theory" of Business—her simple rule for sustainable growth
✅ Why she left corporate comfort—and how a daycare waitlist changed her life
✅ Faith-first branding—how to stand out without compromising values
✅ Burnout to balance—her framework for prioritizing family and revenue
✅ Boardroom wisdom—what faith-driven leaders teach about culture & trus...

How did Ginger Faith build a real estate empire in a male-dominated industry? From surviving the 2008 crash to flipping $4.8M properties, she shares the unvarnished truth about wealth-building for women. In this episode of Birdseye Leadership Talks, you’ll learn:

✅ The "Bathtub Theory" of Economics—her simple rule for financial stability
✅ Why 97% of commercial real estate is owned by men (and how she’s flipping the script)
✅ Surviving market crashes—how affirmations and intuition saved her business
✅ Women’s Wealth Network—her mission to close the gender wealth gap
✅ Shark-proof investing—red flags new investors MUST avoid...

How do top leaders make billion-dollar decisions? Hugh Massie, founder of DNA Behavior, reveals how AI and behavioral science turn decision-making into a competitive advantage. In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, you’ll learn:

✅ The "exponential mindset"—why thinking 10^9 (a billion people) is the key to scaling
✅ AI-driven behavior profiling—how to assess leaders without psychometric tests
✅ Golf vs. Business—why pressure decisions on the course mirror boardroom success
✅ Mentoring boys without fathers—how Hugh’s personal trauma fuels his mission
✅ Data + intuition—why your first decision is only 28% accurate (and how to fix it)

🔗 Co...

Welcome back to Boardsi Leadership Talks! In Part 2 of this explosive episode, Martin Rowinski and Gee Ranasinha (CEO of Kexino) dive deeper into:
- Why 80% of CEOs distrust their CMOs (and how to fix it).
- The hidden power of direct mail in a digital world.
- How behavioral science secretly drives ALL buying decisions.
- Executive branding: Why authenticity beats generic thought leadership.

🔔 Missed Part 1? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/k1Irf3pMpCo

🔥 Key Moments:
00:00 - Teaser: "Digital marketing is FREE? Think again."
02:28 - Why boardrooms misunderstand market...

🚀 Welcome to Boardsi Leadership Talks! In this episode, Martin Rowinski sits down with Gee Ranasinha, CEO of Kexino, to uncover the biggest marketing mistakes killing small businesses—and how to fix them. From behavioral science in branding to why 90% of bootstrapped startups fail, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for founders, marketers, and executives.

📌 Key Takeaways:
- Why copywriting (not design) is the #1 factor that converts customers.
- How startups waste budgets on the wrong marketing fixes.
- The emotional triggers behind B2B/B2C buying decisions.
- Why data-driven marketing is often...

Steve and Melissa Fultz, the powerhouse couple behind The Fultz Group, reveal how they've:
✅ Generated $1.5B+ in strategic partnerships
✅ Built successful businesses while married
✅ Bridged Wall Street and Main Street perspectives
✅ Integrated AI without losing company culture

🔗 Connect with them:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefultzphd/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahufffultz/
 https://bizgrowthmatters.com/

📌 Chapters:
00:00 - Meet the Power Couple
01:04 - Biggest Leadership Blind Spots
04:50 - How Executive Influence Drives $1.5B Deals
06:33 - "Speaking the Unspoken" in Business
09:55 - What Makes an Executive Board...

💡 How Dave Skaff scaled Geologie from a basement startup to a multi-million dollar acquisition by Mega Labs—without traditional skincare experience! In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, Dave reveals:

✅ The "beginner’s mindset" hack that helped them disrupt men’s skincare
✅ Why starting with 20 SKUs (against all advice) was their secret weapon
✅ AI tools that replaced employees (and got praised in customer reviews!)
✅ The retail gamble that landed them at Target—and led to acquisition
✅ Remote team strategies to save costs and boost productivity

🔗 Connect with Dave Skoff:
LinkedIn: https://www.li...

On Boardsi Leadership Talks:

🔬 Meet Faizan, CEO of Inventify, who turned his father’s insulin struggles into a breakthrough quantum cooling technology—saving millions in wasted medicine and revolutionizing global logistics.

In this episode of Board Leadership Talks, you’ll discover:
✅ How his defense R&D background shaped his entrepreneurial grit
✅ The portable fridge that cools for 100 hours on a pocket-sized battery
✅ Why Tesla, pharma giants, and data centers want his green tech
✅ The $0 price tag myth: How he educates industries on cost savings
✅ His take on AI’s role in healthcare and EV...

🚀 Listen Alexandra Gonzalez, Founder of Savvy Marketers, reveal how she transformed her global marketing firm into a $4B powerhouse—using AI, neuroscience, and purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode of Birdseye Leadership Talks, you’ll learn:
✅ How she turned a side hustle into a 97% client-retention business
✅ The AI breakthrough that predicted trends before ChatGPT existed
✅ Why she rejected tobacco giants to stay true to her values
✅ The $800M laundry sheet innovation that disrupted an industry
✅ Her advice for boards on navigating AI, tariffs, and uncertainty

🔗 Connect with Alexandra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-m-g...

🚀 At 23, JJ Carter built a million-dollar PR firm from cold DMs—now he’s the secret weapon for CEOs landing features on Fox, ABC, and CBS. In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, the founder of Golden PR reveals:

✅ How to "borrow credibility" (and why 90% of executives do it wrong)
✅ The 2025 trust crisis (why people need 7 hours of content before trusting you)
✅ AI’s role in PR ("It’s the new internet—adapt or die")
✅ His "upside-down triangle" strategy for turning press into profit

JJ's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-carter-aa293119b/
🔗 Work with JJ...

🎥 How two scrappy filmmakers went from dorm-room hustlers to Disney’s secret weapon—helping brands like Wasabi grow from  25M to 1B with video.

In this episode, Emmy-winning co-founders Michael & Stephen reveal:
✅ The $1B video formula (90% of Wasabi’s sales touched their work!)
✅ Why CEOs who don’t storytell will FAIL (AI won’t save you)
✅ Turning anxiety into superpower (mental health x leadership)
✅ Their "5-second rule" for unforgettable stories

⏱️ Chapters/Timestamps
00:00 - From Dorm Room to Disney
02:50 - The 25M→1B Video Blueprint
08:14 - "Authenticity or Bust" (Why CEOs Fail)
12:33 - A...

🔥 How does a 20-something go from losing his family gym in the pandemic to advising startups at Yale, speaking at the UN, and co-founding New Jersey’s premier cannabis dispensary? Meet Skye Blanks, COO of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and founder of Primo Cannabis—a leader at the intersection of entrepreneurship, policy, and social impact.

In this episode of Boards AI Leadership Talks, Skye shares:
✅ How to launch in hyper-regulated industries (and why cannabis is like "being a politician").
✅ The turning point that made him commit to entrepreneurship (hint: it involves Gary Vee).
✅...

💰 "Wall Street expertise, Main Street values" – Meet Kenneth Lako, CEO of Members Trust Company, the only trust firm owned by credit unions. In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, Ken reveals:
- How his team handles the $74 trillion generational wealth transfer (and the risks no one’s talking about).
- Why AI can’t replace human judgment in trust services (but how it’s transforming the back end).
- The counterintuitive strategy behind their low fees + high-touch service.
- His wild career journey—from beer sales to law to leading a national trust company.

Chapters...

From watching soap operas to unlocking $1B in tech – meet Chaitra Vedullapalli, co-founder of Women in Cloud and a force in AI, cloud, and inclusive leadership! In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski dives deep into Chaitra's journey from electrical engineer to tech visionary, her work with Microsoft/Oracle, and how she’s reshaping boardrooms with diversity and AI.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
✅ How Windows 95 sparked her tech revolution
✅ Why cloud + AI = The future of business growth
✅ The $500M+ economic impact of Women in Cloud
✅ “Iconic Leadership” – Her framework for boardroom success
✅ Actionable step...

In this eye-opening episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Drew Shockley, founder of Move Health and veteran of multiple health tech exits, to expose the invisible crisis keeping millions trapped in jobs they hate—and how savvy leaders can fix it.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
- The Healthcare Trap: Why 50% of Americans can’t quit their jobs (even when they want to).
- Boardroom Blind Spot: How corporate leaders are failing at wellness strategy.
- Move Health’s Mission: Helping financial advisors unlock early retirement for clients.
- Leadership Lessons: Drew’s ha...

In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Emily Dinu, founder of Numinous Capital, who went from running an illegal garage bakery as a kid to investing in deep tech’s most audacious founders.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Why 98% of AI Startups Are Doomed: “Most are just wrappers—real innovation changes reality.
- The Boardroom Trap: How advisors exploit startups for LinkedIn clout (and how to stop it).
- Nuclear, Biotech & Reshoring: Emily’s 2025 bets on “infrastructure that actually matters.
- VC’s Dirty Secret: “Paper returns are fake. Stop investing in...

In this must-watch episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Dean Fealk —Wall Street Journal bestselling author, DLA Piper’s Northern California co-managing partner, and advisor on $30B+ in cross-border deals.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

- Geopolitical Risk in Boardrooms: How to navigate trade wars, regulatory chaos, and AI disruption.
- The Lawyer’s Rising Power: Why legal counsel now shapes business growth (not just compliance).
- Cross-Border Deal Secrets: Blind spots that sink 80% of international M&As (and how to avoid them).
- Leadership Legacy: Why Dean says "Forget your tomb...

In this powerhouse episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Phil Neil—serial entrepreneur, deep-tech investor, and M&A advisor who scaled a bootstrapped startup to $80M+ and lived to tell the tale.

🔑 Key Takeaways from the Episode: 

In this episode of AI Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Carey James, CEO and co-founder of Brand Alchemy, to uncover the power of personal branding in 2025. Discover why personal branding is no longer optional for executives and entrepreneurs, and how it can be the ultimate growth strategy to attract high-value opportunities, secure VC investments, and land 5-figure speaking gigs. Kerry shares his expertise on executive branding, sales psychology, and how to stand out in a world dominated by AI and digital influence.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Why personal branding is CRUCIAL for executives in 2025.

In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, Martin Rowinski sits down with Ted Iverson, a seasoned expert in operational excellence and business transformation. With nearly four decades of experience, Ted shares how aligning strategy with purpose can transform organizations from good to great.

What You’ll Learn:
🎯 The Role of Purpose: How purpose-driven cultures lead to high-performing workplaces.
🚀 From Good to Great: Key behaviors that distinguish world-class organizations.
💡 Leadership Insights: The importance of aspirational goals and holistic improvement plans.
🤖 AI & Automation: How technology is shaping the future of operational excellence.
🌟 Sustainable Success: Building lasting...

#Leadership_Podcast In this episode of Boardside Leadership Talks, Martin Rowinski sits down with Mike Dunlap, a serial entrepreneur and aerospace expert who turned 
300 into 30M empire. From founding Net-Inspect LLC to leading multiple successful aerospace companies, Mike shares his journey, leadership insights, and the secrets behind his book, The Art of the Turnaround.

Book link: The Art of the Turnaround: A Comprehensive 10-Step Guide: https://amzn.to/3QzkgZ0
https://theartoftheturnaround.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-dunlop-4a45581a/

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: From 300 to 30M
Mike Dunlap’s incredible jou...

In this episode of Boardside Leadership Talks, Martin Rowinski sits down with Richard Yelland, founder of Curtis Birch Inc. and mastermind behind some of the most iconic brand campaigns in history. From Nike to Toyota, Richard shares how storytelling can transform brands into global movements.

What You’ll Learn:
🎥 The Secret Sauce: How to turn a brand’s mission into a compelling story.
🌍 Impact Storytelling: Why purpose-driven narratives resonate with today’s consumers.
🚀 Lessons from Nike: The power of inclusivity and “Just Do It.”
🎬 Filmmaking Meets Branding: How Richard’s Emmy-nominated work shapes his approach.
🤖 AI...

Rafael Hurtado, the visionary behind global ventures like Tired Nomadic and Desert Shrimp Games, reveals how he transformed a Polish garage startup into an international powerhouse. In this episode, he shares:

🚀 Bootstrapping Secrets: How to scale without investors.
🌍 Global Expansion Hacks: Breaking into the US market from scratch.
💡 Risk-Taking Mindset: Why Polish entrepreneurs thrive against odds.
💼 Investor Insights: Balancing gut instincts with strategic growth.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro: From Communist Poland to Vegas
Rafael’s origin story and escaping the Iron Curtain.

02:04 - Garage Startup to Global Leader
How Tired Noma...

In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, Martin Rowinski sits down with Brent Muller—growth strategist and AI innovator—to uncover how businesses can break revenue barriers using data, AI, and scalable systems. Learn:
🔹 The 4-Pillar Framework for sustainable scaling (content, tech, video, omnichannel).
🔹 Why AI is the new currency for marketing, sales, and operations (and how to avoid "band-aid solutions").
🔹 How to build a company-specific AI brain to boost hiring, sales, and customer acquisition.
🔹 Brent’s take on customized training vs. generic strategies—and where most leaders fail.

💡 "If you’re not using AI daily, you’re ma...

In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski sits down with Amber Carlson, an expert in leadership development and workforce training. They explore key topics that every business leader needs to know, including:

Customized Training vs. One-Size-Fits-All: Learn how personalized training methods align better with company culture and values.
The Importance of Business Alignment in Training: Discover why training needs to align with business goals for long-term success.
Building a Strong Leadership Pipeline: Understand the significance of hiring for cultural fit and its impact on leadership success.
Enhancing Employee Engagement in Training...

Welcome to the Season two Premiere of Boardsi Leadership Talks! Join Martin Rowinski, CEO of Boardsi, as he hosts Jay Patterson, founder of the Wolf Pack Leadership Academy and a business growth architect. With over a decade of experience, Jay shares game-changing leadership strategies, including his famous '99-1 System' that prioritizes focus and resilience.

Learn how Jay transformed a $50M company during a crisis, empowered leaders to exceed sales targets by 150% with a reduced team, and why engagement is the secret to lasting leadership success. Jay also shares personal stories from his journey in the Navy...

Dive into the art of authentic leadership with Carly Pepin, a human behavior specialist and founder of West Coast Growth Advisors. In this insightful episode of Leadership Talks, Carly shares practical strategies to overcome mental roadblocks, discover your unique strengths, and align personal and professional goals. Learn how to cultivate a thriving mindset, scale with purpose, and unlock your leadership potential.

📌 Key Takeaways:
- Break free from limiting beliefs
- Cultivate authentic leadership
- Align your mission, vision, and values
- Thrive in your day-to-day role
- Empower your team for growth

Join us in this insightful episode of the Leadership Talks Podcast as we dive deep with Kris Kluver, a dynamic speaker, and mentor, about achieving life on your terms. From redefining success and work-life integration to embracing intentionality and overcoming failures, Kris shares actionable advice for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to live a fulfilled life. Explore powerful concepts like the Balance Wheel, personal growth through endurance challenges, and strategies to transition from reactive to proactive living. Plus, learn about Kris's exciting new project, Peer Circles, launching soon.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro to Kris's & Leadership Insights
05:15 Redefining...

Welcome to Leadership Talks, where we dive deep into leadership strategies and success stories with industry pioneers. In this episode, we host Katja Kempe, the visionary CEO and founder of Viveka, a trailblazer in human capital technology.

Discover Keisha’s insights on:
✅ Staying ahead of industry trends.
✅ The pivotal moment of pivoting from B2C to B2B.
✅ Building a thriving global business with 8X ROI.
✅ Balancing personal well-being with the demands of a CEO.

Katja Kempe shares her leadership lessons, advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and how Viveka is transforming organizational performanc...

In this episode of Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski, CEO of Boardsi, sits down with Aaron “Captain” Littles, CEO of  Per Diem Therapy Xperts and a former Marine Corps captain. Aaron shares his journey from military leadership to transforming healthcare staffing, emphasizing discipline, innovation, and extreme ownership. Learn how his team is reshaping healthcare staffing with app-based solutions, and gain insights into leadership, overcoming challenges, and driving meaningful change in today’s dynamic environment.

🌟 Topics Covered:
- The role of discipline in leadership
- Innovations in healthcare staffing
- Transitioning from military to corporate leadership...

Summary

In this episode of Leadership Talks, Martin Ravinsky interviews Steve Reynolds, the Chief Strategy Officer at Embers and former CEO and founder of TripBam. Steve shares key lessons he has learned throughout his career in the travel and technology industries, including the importance of holding onto equity when raising capital and not going public until the company is ready. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the corporate travel space and how Embers is working to provide an end-to-end travel and expense solution. Steve emphasizes the value of taking risks, learning from failures...

Summary
In this episode of Leadership Talks, Martin Rowinski interviews Darby Vannier, a seasoned operations leader with over two decades of experience. They discuss Darby's journey into leadership, the importance of making long-term decisions, and the concept of transformational leadership. Darby shares insights from his book, 'Indispensable Leader,' and explains the role of fractional leadership in organizations. The conversation also touches on future trends in leadership, personal growth practices, and effective team recruitment strategies.

Takeaways

Summary
Ashley Michelle, author of 'Finding Strength Through Tragedy,' shares her journey of resilience and healing after surviving a traumatic crime. She discusses the motivation behind writing her book and how the process contributed to her healing. Ashley emphasizes the importance of addressing childhood trauma and the layers of trauma that can accumulate over time. She recounts the events of the crime and the ongoing impact it has had on her life. Ashley shares strategies for managing PTSD, depression, and anxiety, including therapy, exercise, journaling, and self-care. She offers advice for those facing difficult situations...

Myron Welik, known as the Jack Hammer, shares his insights on strategic partnerships, reinvention, and the power of networking. He emphasizes the importance of win-win partnerships and the need to bring something valuable to the table. Myron shares his experience of creating a partnership between Heidi Klum and New Balance, highlighting the importance of identifying opportunities and connecting with the right people. He also discusses the challenges of reinvention and offers advice on perseverance and building a strong professional network. Myron's mindset of being a jackhammer, relentless and persevering, has contributed to his success in business development.

...

Summary
In this episode of Leadership Talks, host Martin Rowinski engages with Stephen Howard, a renowned leadership mentor and author, discussing the essence of people-centric leadership. Stephen emphasizes the importance of shifting mindsets from managing processes to leading people, highlighting key skills such as communication, feedback, and emotional intelligence. The conversation explores the challenges of leading diverse teams, the role of mindful leadership in remote settings, and the significance of building trust within organizations. Stephen also shares insights from his personal journey and his upcoming projects, including a new series on effective leadership.

<...

In this episode, Titus Walker, the founder and CEO of the Ultimate End Gamers League (UEL), shares his inspiring journey from a career in sales to leading a multi-genre gaming platform. UEL is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the gaming community by offering a wide range of games and creating a welcoming environment for all. The league also provides educational courses in cybersecurity and computer game design, aiming to empower the next generation of gamers. Titus discusses his long-term goals for UEL, including expanding the league, increasing player earnings, and positioning gaming as a mainstream sport. UEL's...

Dive into the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence with Ryaan Sayegh, co-founder and CTO of Hollo AI. In this episode of Leadership Talks, Ryan shares the groundbreaking innovations he's spearheaded, including the revolutionary technology of AI cloning. Discover how AI is transforming industries, from software development to traffic management systems, and learn about Ryan's entrepreneurial journey that began at just 17. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

Key Topics:
👉 AI Cloning & Its Real-World Applications
👉 Verifying Content with Holo Twins
👉 Challenges in Startup E...

Summary
In this episode of Leadership Talks, Martin Ravinsky interviews Victor Cho, a seasoned CEO, advisor, and board member. They discuss Victor's journey and his unique approach to leadership and innovation. Victor shares his experiences in leading major turnarounds at companies like Kodak and Evite, highlighting the challenges faced and the strategies used to overcome them. They also discuss Victor's focus on creating exceptional online customer experiences and his principles for achieving high levels of customer satisfaction. Victor also talks about his framework for balancing the needs of employees, customers, shareholders, and society at large. Finally...