The Human Connection Podcast
Is your business’s growth stalled? Employee churn eating into your profits? Struggling with customer retention?You need stronger connections.Every Tuesday and Thursday, connect with an expert who’s sharing actionable advice for building stronger relationships with your customers, clients, and stakeholders. Hosted by Karl Pontau, a storytelling super-connector, content system strategist, and survivor of two childhood brain tumors, this podcast’s mission is to fix the underlying cause of workplace and societal dysfunction: the lack of human connection.
How to Turn 8,400 LinkedIn Connections Into Real Relationships with Deanna Dammers
Ever feel like entrepreneurship is a lonely road? You're not alone! This week, host Karl Pontau sits down with Deanna Dammers, a self-proclaimed "Chief Connection Officer" who's turned relationship-building into an art form—and a superpower for startups.
What You'll Discover:
The Magic of Real Listening: Why looking someone in the eye at a networking event beats scrolling through your phone
The $Million Introduction: How Deanna connected three separate startups tackling addiction recovery and created something incredible together
From German to 4th of July: The heartwarming story of helping international founders na...
Your Secret Weapon for Human Connection with Talia Solomon
What if the key to stronger professional relationships was hiding in plain sight? Marketing strategist Talia Solomon shares her game-changing "birthday practice" – a surprisingly simple habit that's transformed how she connects with colleagues, clients, and teams over her 15-year career.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why birthdays are psychological goldmines for meaningful connectionHow to turn a 30-second calendar entry into years of relationship dividendsThe secret to remembering what matters most to the people in your networkWhy this works better than traditional "how are you?" check-insReal examples of how this practice strengthens both personal bonds and business re...Are You Basing Your Identity on What Others Think? With Markus Neukom
Ever feel like you're hitting an invisible barrier just when you're about to reach your biggest goals? You're not alone, and you're not broken – you might just be experiencing what legacy alchemist Markus Neukom calls "the glass ceiling above your head."
In this eye-opening episode, Karl sits down with Markus, a strategic force multiplier who's spent over two decades helping founders and CEOs break through their biggest bottlenecks. Spoiler alert: it's usually not what you think!
What You'll Discover:
Why that uncomfortable feeling when you're stretching beyond your comfort zone is actually a compliment fr...Stop Networking Like Everyone Else (And Start Building Real Relationships) with Mark E. Sackett
Ready to transform how you network? This week, host Karl Pontau sits down with the incredibly dynamic Mark E Sackett—a creative powerhouse who owns 13 businesses, lives between San Francisco and seat 3E on United Airlines, and has completely revolutionized networking through his "Art of Active Networking" events.
Mark shares the game-changing philosophy behind his global networking movement that spans 17 cities and 5 countries. Forget the dreaded "What do you do?" conversation starter—Mark reveals why asking "What are you struggling with and how can I help?" creates deeper, more meaningful connections that actually lead to business.
Wh...
Master the Art of Power Partner Coffee Meetings with Sharyn Abbott
Ready to transform your business relationships and boost your success rate? Join host Karl Pontau as he sits down with business development expert Sharyn Abbott, who shares her battle-tested strategies that helped over 2,500 clients achieve 25-50% growth in their first year!
What You'll Discover:
- The Power Partner Coffee Method - Turn networking into a 1-in-5 client conversion rate (vs. 1-in-20 at traditional events!)
- Speaking Your Way to Success - How one payroll company grew from 25 to 1,200 clients in just one year through strategic speaking
- The Authority Advantage...
Stop Selling, Start Solving: The Human-to-Human Sales Revolution with Sebastian Pistritto
Ready to transform your sales process? Join host Karl Pontau as he sits down with four-time CMO Sebastian Pistritto, who reveals the simple mindset shift that cut his client's sales cycle in half and boosted their average order value from $28K to $150K.
What You'll Discover:
Why "one-size-fits-all" customer approaches are killing your deals
The magic of the "Why" question technique that turns prospects into partners
How to speak different "dialects" within the same industry (hint: your CEO and front-line workers care about totally different things!)
The psychology behind...
From Emotionally Constipated to Connected Leader with Erin Thorp
Ever feel like you're terrible at reading the room or connecting with your team? You're not alone! This week, host Karl Pontau sits down with empathy coach Erin Thorpe to explore why so many leaders struggle with emotional connection—and how to fix it.
Erin breaks down the "emotionally constipated" leader phenomenon (yes, that's a real thing!) and shares practical tools to start flexing your empathy muscle. From the simple "1% more vulnerable" rule to using feelings wheels and walking meditations, she offers actionable steps that won't make you want to run screaming from the room.
Wh...
From Logo to Legacy: Building Brands People Actually Care About with Joelly Goodson
Ever wonder why you'll drive 20 minutes out of your way for your favorite coffee when there's a perfectly good café next door? That's the power of branding, and it's exactly what Jolie Goodson unpacks in this episode.
With 30+ years in advertising and marketing, Jolie launched her top-rated podcast "Branding Matters" during the 2021 lockdown when she noticed everyone jumping online to sell without first figuring out their why. Now she's here to share the secrets behind iconic brands like Nike, Apple, and even Survivor (yes, the TV show!).
What You'll Learn:
Why people pay $60 f...
The Psychology of Belonging with Chelsea Burns
Join host Karl Pontau for an eye-opening conversation with Chelsea Burns, CEO of The Marketing Psychologist, as she reveals why belonging isn't just "fluffy" business talk—it's actually as essential to human health as food itself!
What You'll Discover:
Why 95% of buying decisions happen in the subconscious (and how to tap into that!)
The surprising connection between belonging and physical health
Chelsea's brand-new BELONG Framework for building deeper customer connections
How to stop treating customers like "leads" and start seeing them as humans
The village mentality that's ha...
How to Turn Business Contacts into Money-Making Allies with Josh Tapp
Ever feel like your business relationships are either too shallow or too complicated? Josh Tapp, founder of The Pantheon, joins host Karl Pontau to flip the script on how we think about professional connections.
In this candid conversation, Josh reveals why the loneliest entrepreneurs aren't actually alone – they're just surrounded by the wrong kind of relationships. He shares the counterintuitive truth that the best business friendships are built on a foundation of transactions (yes, really!) and explains how just five solid alliance relationships can generate 50-100 qualified leads per month.
You'll discover:
Why "pi...
The Entrepreneur's Guide to Building Million-Dollar Relationships with Rob Bedell
Feeling buried under daily tasks and struggling to connect with customers? You're not alone! This week, Karl sits down with Rob Bedell, who specializes in liberating entrepreneurs from the burden of doing everything themselves.
What You'll Discover:
The $10 Test: A simple way to identify which tasks are eating up your valuable time
The Magic 3 Questions: What to ask your best clients to unlock explosive growth (one insurance company went from regional to national with 400% growth!)
Why "sales" isn't a dirty word when you focus on relationships over transactions
The 15...
Why Successful Leaders Feel Empty with Chris Kenny
What if the secret to building a thriving business culture starts with asking yourself three simple questions? This week, host Karl Pontau sits down with executive coach Chris Kenny to explore how authentic leadership begins from within.
Chris, a "recovering lawyer" turned leadership guide with 35+ years of experience, shares the three profound questions that changed everything for his high-achieving clients: Am I living authentically? Am I cultivating meaningful relationships? Am I making the world a little better?
You'll discover:
Why successful leaders often feel like frauds (and what to do about it)
<...Why B2B Companies Think They Don't Need Branding (They're Wrong) with Kyle Kostesich
Ever wonder why so many promising startups struggle to get noticed by investors or customers? This week on The Human Connection, host Karl Pontau sits down with Kyle Kostesich, an executive creative director who's spent 20 years helping everyone from Ritz-Carlton to Pfizer nail their brand strategy.
Kyle drops some serious truth bombs about why early-stage companies think branding is just "nice to have" – spoiler alert: they're dead wrong! From life sciences companies that went from garage startups to public offerings, to the grocery store psychology behind your toothpaste choice, this conversation reveals how branding is actually the se...
From Digital Overwhelm to Real-World Magic with Clara Nafria
Ever feel like your phone is stealing your life, one scroll at a time? You're not alone – and Barcelona-based entrepreneur Clara Nafria has a brilliant solution that'll make you rethink how technology can actually bring us closer together.
In this episode, Clara shares how her platform Woop Do is flipping the script on social apps by getting people off their screens and into meaningful real-world experiences. Think of it as your personal catalyst for connection – whether that's starting a book club with teens across the globe, striking up conversations with street musicians, or turning your typical Netflix-and-chill nigh...
Why Your Business Needs Community, Not Just Customers with Todd Nilson
Join host Karl Pontau as he sits down with Todd Nilson, founder of Clocktower Advisors, to explore why your business needs genuine community—not just another social media following.
What You'll Discover:
The Community vs. Audience Game-Changer: Why treating customers like passive observers is leaving money on the table, and how real engagement transforms one-time buyers into lifelong advocates.
The Resilience Factor: How online communities act as your early warning system for market disruptions and create an "unfair advantage" over competitors who are still stuck in broadcast mode.
Beyond the Platform: To...
How Teams Can Prevent Stress Before It Happens with Todd Attridge
In this eye-opening episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Todd Attridge, founder of The Studio, a team-based app that helps predict and reduce workplace stress before it happens. Todd reveals that a whopping 92% of workplace stress comes from the people we work with, not the work itself!
Discover why miscommunication, different perspectives, and feeling unvalued create friction points between colleagues, and learn practical strategies to prevent stress rather than just manage it after it strikes. Todd shares his philosophy that emotional fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and explains how teams can beat stress by...
Breaking Free from Transactional Marketing with Ashley Faus
In this episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Ashley Faus, a marketer, writer, and speaker whose work has been featured in Time, Forbes, and more. Ashley shares insights from her upcoming book on human-centered marketing, challenging businesses to move beyond spreadsheets and dashboards to focus on authentic human relationships.
Discover why the "learn more" CTA needs to die, how explicit communication builds trust, and why viewing your audience journey as a playground rather than a linear funnel leads to more meaningful connections. Ashley explains why companies need to stop seeing customers as mere transactions and start embracing...
When You're Part of the Problem with Desmond Lomax
In this eye-opening conversation, host Karl Pontau connects with Desmond Lomax, a senior consultant with the Harbinger Institute and licensed clinical therapist specializing in humanizing the workplace. With 20 years of experience in public safety, Desmond reveals how self-deception prevents us from building effective workplace relationships.
Discover how we often justify treating others as objects rather than humans, focusing only on evidence that confirms our biases. Desmond shares powerful stories of transformation—from the mother who realized she wasn't parenting as she wanted, to colleagues healing long-standing workplace conflicts. Learn why shifting from victim mentality to personal agency cr...
How Positive Reminiscence Transforms Relationships with Jason Levin
Are you trapped in your own personal "Bermuda Keep-in-Touch Triangle"? In this heartwarming episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Jason Levin, founder of Ready Set Launch and author of "Relationships to Infinity."
Jason reveals why we're so bad at maintaining relationships (hint: guilt, fear, and worry are the culprits) and shares practical strategies for breaking free from these emotional barriers. Discover the power of "positive reminiscence" and learn how just 10-15 minutes of intentional connection time can transform your personal and professional relationships.
From the undervalued impact we have on others to intergenerational communication differences...
Improv's Impact on Team Success with Jessie Shternshus
In this delightful episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Jesse Shternshus, an improv and storytelling expert who helps organizations transform their cultures through the power of "yes, and" thinking. Jesse shares how improv techniques create inclusive environments where everyone's voice matters—from boardrooms to hospital rooms!
Learn how Mayo Clinic uses improv principles to improve patient care, discover fun listening exercises like "Last Letter Conversation" that strengthen team communication, and hear about the card game "Together Together" that's helping combat loneliness by creating meaningful connections through storytelling.
Jesse's impressive client roster includes the United Nations, Ma...
Breaking Through Male Emotional Barriers in Leadership with Andy Grant
In this eye-opening episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Andy Grant, bestselling author, transformational coach, and host of the award-winning podcast "Real Men Feel." Known as the "King of Authenticity," Andy shares powerful insights on why so many men struggle with emotional expression and the surprising costs of emotional suppression in business leadership.
Andy reveals how vulnerability creates psychological safety, fosters innovation, and ultimately leads to better business outcomes. Through simple yet profound exercises (like clenching your fists for 30 seconds), listeners experience firsthand the difference between emotional constriction and freedom.
Discover why choosing joy over...
A Heart-First Approach to Marketing with Jay Kallman
In this engaging episode, Karl Pontau connects with Jay Kallman, founder of Loving Marketing, who brings a refreshingly human approach to franchise marketing. Jay shares her philosophy that when businesses reconnect with the humanity behind their marketing, incredible things happen.
She challenges the misconception that B2B marketing lacks emotional depth, arguing instead that understanding customer pain points and building genuine relationships leads to better outcomes. Whether you're selling B2B or B2C, Jay reminds us it's really H2H—Human to Human.
Jay offers practical advice on how businesses can bring more humanity to...
Healthcare Marketing That Actually Works with Suzy Engwall
In this engaging episode, host Karl Pontau connects with healthcare innovation leader Suzy Engwall, CEO and founder of Health Tech Strategies. Suzy shares invaluable insights about one of the biggest challenges medtech startups face: transitioning their storytelling from investor-focused pitches to customer-centered marketing.
Through compelling real-world examples—like a company reducing hospital alarm fatigue and another creating innovative 3D-printed waterproof casts—Suzy illustrates how successful healthcare companies connect on a human level rather than getting lost in technical jargon. She emphasizes that whether selling to hospitals, physicians, or patients, the key is communicating how your product improves live...
Purpose as a Renewable Energy Source with Leslie Pagel
In this energizing episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Leslie Pagel, a trusted consultant and thought leader dedicated to helping organizations design customer experience strategies that provide a competitive edge. Leslie shares powerful insights on how purpose serves as a renewable source of energy for both individuals and companies.
Discover why purpose isn't just a statement to hang on the wall but a daily practice that must be embedded into habits and rituals. Learn how successful leaders integrate shared values into everyday conversations and use them for employee development. Leslie and Karl explore the importance of aligning...
Humans, Machines, and the Future of Work with Marvin Dejean
In this illuminating episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Marvin Dejean, a leading business futurist and transformational strategist with over 25 years of experience helping organizations adapt to changing environments.
Marvin shares powerful insights about the massive mindset shift leaders need to make for success in the 21st century business landscape. He explains why traditional hierarchical models are failing and introduces the concept of "intelligent organizations" where technology moves from the periphery to become a central driving force.
The conversation explores why all transformations "begin and end with people," how leaders can guide their teams through...
The Secret Weapon for Team Leadership with Carla Fowler
In this insightful episode of The Human Connection podcast, host Karl Pontau speaks with Dr. Carla Fowler, an MD, PhD, and elite executive coach who has been a "secret weapon" for numerous CEOs and senior leaders. Dr. Fowler shares how performance science can transform not just individual achievement but team dynamics and organizational success.
Dr. Fowler breaks down performance science into four key buckets: strategy, execution, mindset, and physiology. Through engaging stories from her coaching experience, she illustrates how clarity in leadership goals creates a ripple effect of motivation and alignment throughout teams. When leaders share their...
The Truth About Building Real Community with Dan Berger
In this episode, host Karl Pontau sits down with Israeli-American entrepreneur Dan Berger Dennison to explore the concept of belonging in the workplace and beyond. Dan shares insights from his new book, "The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging," and challenges common corporate approaches to building community.
Dan explains his five-step framework for creating genuine belonging, including the importance of creating a culture of hospitality, safety, engagement, commitment, and reinforcement. He also introduces the concept of the "belonging fuel tank" and reveals why the popular corporate phrase "everybody belongs here" often achieves the opposite effect.
<...Simplicity, Authenticity, and the Dad Bod Revolution with Adam Belmont
In this engaging episode of The Human Connection Podcast, host Karl Pontau connects with seasoned PR executive Adam Belmont to discuss how brands can create authentic "aha moments" that resonate with consumers. Adam shares his 15+ years of experience working with global consumer brands and reveals how simplicity and authenticity are key to crafting messages that truly connect.
The conversation features a fascinating case study of Planet Fitness's successful "dad bod" campaign, which brilliantly positioned the gym chain as an inclusive alternative to competitors focused on "washboard abs." Adam explains how this multi-year campaign leveraged consumer research to...
Leadership That Makes Work Awesome with Pam Ross
In this insightful episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Pam Ross, a workplace transformation expert who quit her corporate HR job with a mission to improve work life. Pam shares her philosophy that work shouldn't just be "happy" - it should be truly awesome!
Pam reveals how her first "real job" traveling around Canada opening restaurants shaped her understanding of what makes work fulfilling: autonomy, accountability, collaboration, and trust. She discusses why forcing employees back to the office full-time is a mistake and challenges managers to stop micromanaging and instead focus on outcomes.
The conversation...
Eight Steps to Guarantee Repeat Business with Richard Shapiro
In this engaging episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Richard Shapiro, founder of TCF KR and author of "The Endangered Customer" and "The Welcome Edge." Richard shares powerful insights from his journey from working in his father's clothing store as a child to becoming a customer experience expert who helped grow ADP from $400 million to over $4 billion.
Discover the transformative phrase "I can help you with that" and how it dramatically changed one law firm's business. Richard breaks down his four customer service personality types (Welcomers, Robots, Indifferents, and Hostiles) and reveals his eight essential steps to...
Creating Human Connections That Convert with Linda Melone
In this engaging episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Linda Melone, founder of The Copy Works and host of the High Conversion Health Marketer podcast. With over 15 years of experience in health, wellness, and fitness copywriting, Linda shares invaluable insights on how businesses can sharpen their messaging to stand out from competitors.
Linda reveals the biggest mistake companies make—not having a clear, memorable value proposition that differentiates them from the competition. Through real-world examples, including how she helped a family-run SaaS company achieve a 44% lift in conversions by highlighting their unique familial approach, Linda demonstrates the po...
The Secret Formula for Effective Communication with Deb Porter
In this engaging episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Deb Porter, founder of "Hearing Out Life Drama" and an expert in active listening with over 25 years of experience. Deb reveals why active listening—connecting with both content and emotion—is the foundation of all business relationships.
Discover why the number one desire of employees is good communication, and learn practical techniques to become a better listener in your professional and personal life. Deb shares a remarkable success story of how one saleswoman transformed her results by simply mirroring her customers' emotions, and explains why being calm is esse...
Why Stories Outperform Features Every Time with Renee Lynn Frojo
In this episode of The Human Connection podcast, host Karl Pontau chats with René Frojo, a brand storytelling specialist and strategist who helps purpose-led founders craft authentic narratives that connect and convert. René shares how she transformed Off the Grid's marketing approach by shifting from "food porn" content to telling the rich stories of their immigrant and family-owned food vendors, resulting in remarkable engagement improvements in just six months.
She reveals her practical method for finding powerful stories within any organization: first interviewing customer support teams to understand frontline experiences, then sales teams, and only after that ta...
Transforming Teams Through Authentic Narratives with Mark Tweddle
In this engaging episode, host Karl Pontau welcomes Mark Tweddle, co-founder of You Tell Yours, to discuss how storytelling creates authentic human connections. Mark shares insights from his journey through engineering, business, and eventually finding his passion in narrative coaching.
The conversation explores how storytelling differs from mere social media "connections," with Mark emphasizing the power of sharing personal experiences rather than opinions. He reveals fascinating insights from his work coaching former cult members and corporate teams, demonstrating how simple storytelling exercises can transform workplace dynamics, build trust, and reveal hidden communication issues.
Karl and...
Transforming Business Through Human Connection with Genevieve Piturro
In this captivating episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Genevieve Piturro, founder of Pajama Program, which has delivered over 8 million pajamas and books to children in need. Genevieve shares her incredible journey from TV executive to nonprofit founder after a life-changing moment when a child asked her, "What are pajamas?"
Discover how Genevieve's "heart voice" led her to transform her life and create meaningful impact. She reveals the four pillars of becoming "a voice that moves the world" and explains the crucial difference between being a boss and being a leader. Learn why collaboration is essential, why...
How Poor Communication Creates Company Chaos with Ashley Amber Sava
In this eye-opening episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Ashley Amber Sava, a senior writer at ManyChat with a background in journalism and content marketing. Ashley shares her wild experiences working at a 15,000-employee company with virtually no internal communication channels.
Learn how Ashley discovered layoffs and leadership changes only when people mysteriously "vanished" from Teams, pushing employees to anonymous platforms like Fishbowl to vent frustrations and share information. She colorfully describes navigating absurd corporate politics—including a heated argument about using an emoji in a LinkedIn post—and the business consequences of micromanagement and restricted communication.
How Personal Touch Creates Extraordinary Teams with Dean Hankey
In this uplifting episode, host Karl Ponto connects with the charismatic Dean Hankey to explore the power of genuine human relationships in business success. Dean shares his VIP approach—add Value that generates Impact before Profit—and explains why truly knowing your team members is essential for organizational growth.
Discover the simple yet transformative practice of creating "My Favorite Things" profiles for employees, allowing leaders to celebrate team members in meaningful, personalized ways. Dean illustrates this with his own example of preferring peanuts over generic gift cards, demonstrating how personal touches build trust and loyalty.
The...
The ROI of Humanizing Your Team with Courtney Madeira
In this engaging episode, host Karl Pontau connects with marketing expert Courtney Madeira to explore how humanizing your business builds stronger communities and naturally increases sales. Courtney shares her successful strategy of creating employee spotlights that go beyond job descriptions to highlight personal interests and stories. Learn how this simple approach helped increase personal training sales by $20,000 in one year, reduced employee turnover at hotels, and created organic marketing as employees' friends and family shared their spotlights. Courtney offers practical advice for getting started, emphasizing that imperfect action beats perfectionism. Discover how making your employees feel seen and appreciated...
Creating Copy That Builds Customer Loyalty with Sweha Hazari
In this episode of The Human Connection podcast, host Karl Pontau sits down with Sweha Hazari, an experienced copywriter with over nine years in the industry. Sweha shares actionable insights on creating copy that builds genuine human connections in today's noisy marketplace.
Discover why Sweha's father has remained loyal to a local clothing brand for over three decades (despite average quality and pricing), and learn practical techniques to make your writing stand out:
How to leverage "voice of customer" research to match your audience's vocabulary
Why even B2B marketing needs emotional connection<...
Stop Typing, Start Talking with Ethan Beute
In this engaging episode of The Human Connection podcast, host Karl Pontau sits down with Ethan Beute, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and chief evangelist at Follow Up Boss. They dive into how asynchronous video messaging can bridge the gap between faceless digital communication and genuine human connection in our hybrid work world. Ethan shares practical tips for using video messages to build trust, convey emotion, and explain complex ideas—all while being your authentic self (bad hair days and all!). Plus, discover his brilliant "Thank You Thursday" habit that can transform your team's culture with just a few mi...
