Microwake: How Functional Mushrooms Are Transforming Mental Health
Amy Stankoven and Yann Tremblay, the innovative founders of Microwake, a premium functional mushroom supplement brand, to discuss an inspiring journey of developing a brand centered around functional mushrooms for mental health. As advocates for holistic healing, Stankoven and Tremblay explore how their own encounters with anxiety and traditional medicine sparked a movement towards offering alternatives that address the root of these mental health concerns without adverse side effects. Their story is not just about building a business but also about fostering a community committed to natural wellness.The discussion delves into the mechanisms of how microdosing with mushrooms can potentially rewire neural pathways, altering the perception and response to daily stresses. Topics cover the limitations of traditional antidepressants and the notable shift in recent years towards natural remedies. By developing partnerships with naturopathic doctors, Microwake has crafted blends that find their efficacy in offering clarity and stability, proving transformative for many customers. With plans to integrate their products into clinical trials, Stankoven and Tremblay share their aspiration to make a global impact and leave a lasting legacy in mental health care.Key Takeaways:Microwake aims to offer safe, effective alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals for anxiety and depression through microdosing with functional mushrooms.Microdosing mushrooms can help rewire neural pathways, assisting in the natural reduction of stress and anxiety without side effects.The company's product development involved collaborating with naturopathic doctors to ensure the safety and efficacy of their blends.Microwake's mission includes becoming the main company used in clinical trials to investigate natural treatments for mental health.Founders encourage individuals experiencing a personal or entrepreneurial challenge to "do it scared," emphasizing the importance of a strong "why."Notable Quotes:"We wanted to give people an option to explore a holistic way that actually works and you don't have to just mask symptoms." — Amy Stankoven."If you can just face everything and just know that there is a solution to every problem... everything will sort itself out." — Yann Tremblay."With microdosing mushrooms, you can actually change the way the brain perceives information." — Yann Tremblay."Stick to your why. If you have a big why, the how's going to figure itself out." — Amy Stankoven"We can touch so many lives worldwide with our products and just this holistic movement; we hope to create a ripple effect." — Yann Tremblay.Connect with Amy Stankoven and Yann Tremblay:WebsiteInstagramFacebook
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Executive Strategy Leader: How to Build Teams That Win for Generations
Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard, a strategic visionary and CEO of Howard Executive Consulting, joins us for a powerful conversation on the evolution from manager to true leader. This episode explores why many entrepreneurs—despite their talent and drive—struggle when stepping into leadership roles that demand broader vision, long-term strategy, and the ability to inspire teams. Dr. Howard offers actionable insights on strengthening leadership capacity, avoiding common pitfalls, and developing the foresight needed to guide organizations into the future.Dr. Howard discusses key strategies for entrepreneurial success, emphasizing the need for a clear North Star, ongoing team development, and readiness to embrace innovation. He highlights the significance of learning from failure and stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with a value-aligned network. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to adopt long-range planning mindsets, akin to some Asian businesses that plan for centuries, to ensure enduring success and leave a lasting legacy. This session is a must-listen for those looking to excel in leadership roles while driving sustained organizational growth.Key Takeaways:Transition from Management to Leadership: Entrepreneurs often excel in small teams but face challenges in visionary roles. Strategic effort and vision alignment are crucial for effective leadership.Importance of a North Star: Defining and regularly revisiting your organization's core vision helps keep teams aligned and focused on long-term goals.Learning from Failure: Successful leaders distinguish between failure and being a failure. Learning to embrace and learn from errors is vital for growth.Building a Value-Aligned Network: Surrounding oneself with individuals who share similar values and bringing diverse strengths to the table enhances organizational success.Proactive Learning and Innovation: Constant learning, strategic foresight, and innovation are essential to staying ahead in rapidly evolving markets.Notable Quotes:"Your network determines your net worth." — Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard"Most successful leaders have learned how to fail so we don't become failures." — Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard"If you hit 3 out of 10 times, you're considered to be a Hall of Famer." — Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard"How are you preparing yourself to learn from your mistakes? That's being proactive rather than reactive." — Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard"Legacy is how do I build wealth that my great grandkids are benefiting from." — Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard.Connect with Dr. Cedric Bernard Howard:WebsiteLinkedInInstagram
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Duct Cleaning Franchise Architect: Why Caring Became His Strongest Advantage
Bradley Jacobson, an award-winning entrepreneur and accomplished DJ, Bradley shares his journey about how he scaled his duct cleaning business into a nationwide franchise. He credits his success to caring about people and building strong partnerships, leading to exponential growth in the home services sector.Discover the Ultravac difference as Bradley explains his innovative approach to duct cleaning, including a flat-rate pricing model and the use of proprietary disinfectant technology. His services have attracted large-scale partnerships with property managers and construction firms, exploding his franchise across Canada and now entering the U.S. Bradley's insights into maintaining integrity and making impactful partnerships are invaluable for entrepreneurs aiming for rapid business growth. Plus, he reveals how his passion for music and lifelong learning contributes to his diverse skill set and balanced lifestyle.Key Takeaways:The Power of Caring: Bradley emphasizes the importance of genuinely caring about people, which translates into a successful business model and customer satisfaction.Integrating Technology and Ethics: Ultravac’s industry-leading practices include advanced duct cleaning techniques and ethical leadership, focusing on long-term trust and customer relationships.Expansion through Partnerships: Establishing and nurturing partnerships with property managers and construction companies have been critical to the growth and scalability of Bradley's business.Life Balance and Passion: Balancing multiple interests, including a successful DJ career, Bradley illustrates the importance of pursuing personal passions alongside business endeavors.Educational Growth and Legacy Building: Committed to continuous learning, Bradley's pursuit of an MBA, and now a doctorate, reflects his dedication to personal development and legacy building.Notable Quotes:"People will forget what you say, but they'll never forget how you make them feel.""Another thing I found really effective is creating partnerships; not doing it on your own.""Success in business is one element, but that creates. There's stress involved in that. Music for me has always been something that I've loved.""Instead of making, they say about a ripple in a pond, I say, make a splash.""Let's partner up. Like if we have clients that need construction, boy, do I know what to refer you to?".Connect with Bradley Jacobson:WebsiteMusic
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Award-Winning Beauty Entrepreneur: The Art of Branding Your Purpose
Teresa Broadnax, a prominent celebrity stylist and entrepreneur who has revolutionized the beauty industry. Teresa shares her inspiring journey from being a teenage mother to becoming a successful business owner and two-time Emmy Award winner. She delves into her transition from working in a salon in Columbus, Ohio, to making a bold move to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams in Hollywood. Her story is one of resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.The discussion highlights Teresa's experiences in Hollywood, discovering the nuances of the industry, and the important lessons she learned along the way. Key themes include the importance of maintaining a thick skin, the value of having a solid mentor, and the necessity of diligent work ethics. Teresa emphasizes her commitment to uplifting others by sharing her story and helping aspiring entrepreneurs with branding and building authentic and purposeful legacies. Her journey is a testament to the power of determination and the significance of vision in crafting a successful career.Key Takeaways:Teresa's journey from Ohio to Hollywood showcases the impact of taking risks and chasing your dreams.Building a successful brand requires diligence, being coachable, and having a thick skin in challenging industries like Hollywood.Sharing personal stories can empower others, offering them hope and motivation to overcome roadblocks.Having a mentor is invaluable for personal and professional growth, providing guidance and a pathway to success.Set realistic goals, mark milestones, and never let someone else's opinion determine your reality.Notable Quotes:"Never allow someone to make you dream small.""Just because you had a roadblock doesn't mean that you can't continue on and build a legacy.""Stay true to who you are, stay diligent, and have a plan.""I realized by telling my story, it was also giving other people hope.""Having a mentor is invaluable. Find people who are where you want to be and learn from them."Connect with Teresa Broadnax:Instagram
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Founder of Wrenched Marked Lighting: Transforming the Broken Into Bold Design
Adam Gentzler is a transformative craftsman and the innovative mind behind Wrenched Marked Lighting. The discussion centers around Adam's journey from working as an electrician and in water distribution to establishing a business that turns old, discarded materials into stunning, functional art pieces. His insights into art's intangible value, along with the life-changing experiences that led him to this path, form the crux of this fascinating dialogue.Adam shares how he blends his technical expertise with creative passion to conceive pieces that are not only unique conversation starters but also practical household items. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the profound belief that "effort beats talent when talent doesn’t try,” and highlights his dedication to his craft and continuous personal growth. With detailed talks about sourcing material inspiration, Adam’s story resonates with themes of resilience and transformation, offering inspiration for aspiring artists hoping to find their expression through creation.Key Takeaways:Adam Gentzler leverages his background in electrical work and water distribution to create bespoke lighting pieces that combine function with aesthetic bravery.The value of art, according to Adam, emerges from the story behind its creation and the transformation of raw materials into meaningful pieces reflective of personal growth.Adam's philosophy of "effort beats talent when talent doesn’t try" underscores his life and business ethos, suggesting resilience as key to success.Integration of personal transformation with professional work enables Adam to create art that has a profound impact both on his personal life and the lives of others.Adam emphasizes the importance of creating art for oneself first, fostering a connection that can transcend to others who see the beauty in the work.Notable Quotes:"What you have is all you need. Effort beats talent when talent doesn't try.""I looked at that material and saw a version of myself. I was blemished, I was broken, I'd been cast out.""When you do the hard work to them, they can shine. And I think as people, we can all relate to that concept.""Just, just stick with this...this would be the hardest time right now. And once you can get through this, you know you can. Things are only going to get easier from here.""The true artist makes something for themselves, and then I think other people see the value in it."Connect with Adam Gentzler:Website
A podcast that brings you closer to the individuals who have built the brands, businesses, and movements that inspire us all. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with one of the dynamic entrepreneurs from all walks of life, offering listeners a front-row seat to their journeys, insights, and expertise.
Through candid dialogue, discover how these innovators turned their ideas into thriving enterprises, the challenges they overcame, and the lessons they learned along the way. From behind-the-scenes stories of building their legacies to actionable advice on leadership, marketing, mindset, and more, this podcast is your guide to applying their wisdom to your own path.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply someone hungry for inspiration, These Conversations will deliver the motivation and tools to fuel your ambitions.
Get ready to be inspired, informed, and empowered to leave your own legacy.