Create the Future

How do some experts become industry icons while others remain invisible? In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, Rick Williams sits down with Paige Arnof-Fenn , Founder & CEO of Mavens & Moguls , to explore what truly builds a memorable brand. Paige shares lessons from leading marketing initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and startups, revealing why authenticity, bold positioni...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams interviews Nick Jain, Co-Founder of Eagle Rock CFO. Nick shares his experience leading a mid-sized, founder-led software company through a pivotal transition to professional management. He discusses implementing data-driven decision-making, shifting company culture, and the importance of financial clarity. Nick also reflects...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams interviews executive coach Kim Sawyer, Founder & Principal of The Wealth Source, about pivotal decisions throughout his life and career. Kim recounts his journey from adventurous travels and military service to entrepreneurship and executive coaching. He shares how his decision-making evolved from impulsive choices to a...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, host Rick Williams interviews Terence Chatmon, President & CEO of Victorious Family. Terence shares his journey from corporate leadership at Johnson & Johnson and Coca-Cola to leading a nonprofit that empowers parents. He discusses making values-driven decisions, the importance of conviction and purpose, and how his experiences shaped his l...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, host Rick Williams interviews John Walsh, Founder & CEO of Endera, a specialty automaker producing electric buses for government use. John shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his start in private equity to founding Endera at 25, and discusses building his team, validating product-market fit, and scaling operations. He emphasizes the import...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams interviews George Dubec, Business Consultant at Ultimate Networking. George, an author and entrepreneur known as "the ultimate networker," shares his journey from a corporate career at General Motors to entrepreneurship, highlighting pivotal decisions, the value of networking, and lessons learned from risk-taking. The conver...

What would you do if your business was generating $60,000 a month—but you knew in your gut that it was no longer the right business to build? Most leaders are taught to recognize opportunity, pursue growth, and keep pushing when things get difficult. But what happens when the harder—and potentially more courageous—decision is to let go of something that is already working? That is the leadership d...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams interviews Frances West, a veteran technology executive and founder of FrancesWest & Co. Frances shares her journey, focusing on her challenging decision to lead IBM’s expansion in China during the 1990s. She discusses navigating cultural differences, adapting her leadership style, and the importance of authentic inclusi...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams interviews Jim Carlough, a leadership identity architect. Jim recounts a difficult experience from 2002 when he had to lead a major staff reduction at a tech company. He shares how he maintained trust by promising advance notice, training, and job search support for affected employees. Jim emphasizes the importance of empath...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, host Rick Williams interviews brand strategist Larry Gulko. Larry shares his unconventional journey from engineering to branding, emphasizing the importance of building a unique brand identity and making tough leadership decisions. He recounts starting his agency, Brand New Day, from scratch, the value of persistence, and the courage to leave unful...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, your host Rick Williams interviews Bob Howard, Founder of Magic Talent Solutions. Bob shares his journey from Marine Corps leadership to navigating the cutthroat world of recruiting agencies, ultimately founding his own company to foster teamwork and fair practices. The conversation explores leadership styles, the challenges of entrepreneurship, an...

In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, host Rick Williams interviews Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder and CEO of Mavens and Moguls. Paige shares her journey from investment banking to leading successful marketing teams at Fortune 500 companies and startups. She discusses tough leadership decisions, including letting go of valued employees who couldn’t adapt to growth and firing a high-paying b...

In this episode of the "Create the Future Podcast," host Rick Williams interviews Peggy Sullivan, Productivity Strategist, Keynote Speaker, and Creator of the Busy–Busting Framework. They discuss overcoming "time poverty," aligning work with personal values, and practical strategies for productivity and happiness. Peggy shares her career journey, the importance of micro-steps, and the value of cou...

In this episode of the Create the Future Podcast, host Rick Williams interviews Aasha LaCount, emotional intelligence expert and CEO of BeyondEQ International. Aasha shares how personal and professional crises—including losing her home and business setbacks—led her to pivot from online courses to working with corporate leaders on trauma and burnout. She discusses the importance of self-trust, emot...

In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, host Rick Williams interviews Dr. Sage Breslin, a psychologist and transformation coach. Sage shares her journey of leaving an unhealthy marriage and overcoming cancer, which inspired her to pivot from trauma recovery to empowering female leaders affected by toxic relationships through her Rose System. She discusses the challenges of rebuilding her...

In the inaugural episode of Create the Future, Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence interviews the creator and host of the show, Rick Williams. Rick is a keynote speaker, author, and board member. In this episode, Rick introduces the podcast’s mission: exploring how leaders make tough decisions that shape the future and build legacies. Rick also discusses the importance of mastering decision-making, outl...