Office Hours with David Meltzer

We explored how technology, innovation, and personal discipline intersect to create meaningful, sustainable impact in business and life. Jack Watkinson, Vice President of Sales at Outsource My IT, shares how more than 20 years in technology shaped his belief that IT should be a growth driver—not just a support function. From early programming roots to helping businesses scale with confidence, Jack...

We explored how leadership, storytelling, and values-driven decision-making can shape a more balanced and sustainable world. Our guest Shenali Rajaratnam, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Power of Women, leads a global initiative empowering women and youth while advancing peace, wellbeing, and inclusive leadership. Power of Women brings together leaders, activists, academics, and civil society fr...

We sit down with three remarkable leaders who are redefining courage, resilience, and impact in their fields. Tai Emery is a professional combat sports athlete, model, and entrepreneur known for her fearless presence in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), Power Slap, and Misfits Boxing. A former electrical engineer turned global fighter, Tai blends discipline, strategy, and authenticity—emp...

Craig Palmer is a results-driven Chief Revenue Officer and sales leader known for building and scaling high-performing teams in the medical device and life sciences space. From starting as a sales representative to helping take a medical device company public, growing its sales organization from zero to 150. Craig’s career reflects bold leadership, disciplined execution, and resilience. His journe...

We explore the important topics of environmental resilience, branding, and career development with three inspiring guests. Travis Dean is the founder of the Jackson Earth Restoration & Research Center, a nonprofit in Arizona focused on ecological resilience and land restoration amid climate change. With degrees in Anthropology and History, Travis combines his knowledge of human systems and nat...

The Human Experience brings together two worlds rarely explored side by side—global finance and elite human performance. In this episode, James St. Clair, Co-Founder and President of ViewTrade, draws on more than 36 years in financial services to reveal how 24/7 trading and cross-border investing are transforming access to global markets. He shares behind-the-scenes insight into building a self-fu...

In Episode 824 of Office Hours, David Meltzer sits down with four visionary leaders shaping innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, and global business. Roy Zwahlen and Ashlie Thomas bring a unique mix of global strategy and grassroots advocacy. Roy’s international upbringing and work advising biotech leaders inform his role as Chief Strategy Officer at Eshelman Innovation, while Ashlie, known as T...

Noelle Russell Noelle Russell is a multi-award-winning TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and pioneering AI executive known for delivering responsible, scalable AI solutions that transform organizations. Recognized as the #1 Agentic AI Leader of 2025 and a 5x Microsoft AI MVP, she is a sought-after expert in revenue growth, cost optimization, and human-centered innovation. Her work has reached mil...

David Lee Vanka AI was founded by David Lee, John Lagerling, and Satoshi Kataoka—serial entrepreneurs and technologists whose previous companies have been acquired five times, including two sales to Google, one to a top Meta Business Partner, and one to a NASDAQ-listed company. Collectively, they’ve built zero-to-one ventures serving global customers such as Amazon, Alibaba, and Lazada; led high-i...

Samika Tara Samika Tara is the co-founder of Convo and an accomplished entrepreneur who built and scaled a design and branding agency at just 21, working with both early-stage startups and Fortune 500 companies. She has contributed to the growth of entrepreneurship at USC by launching demo days, hackathons, and accelerator programs, and founded a college ambassador program with The Female Quotient...

Mark Singleton Mark Singleton is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Rudolph Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of pork rinds and parent company to Southern Recipe Small Batch and PorkRinds.com. With extensive expertise in brand growth and consumer engagement, he oversees strategic sales initiatives and marketing innovation that continue to elevate the company’s national presence an...

Claudia Patricia Eusse Claudia Patricia Eusse is a distinguished real estate executive and the Vice President of Sales for Aria Reserve Miami, one of the most iconic and transformative residential developments in the United States. With more than two decades of experience in preconstruction and international real estate, she has led high-performance teams and driven record-breaking sales across ma...

John Lex Robinson John Lex Robinson is a bestselling author, Army veteran, and technology executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across the military, financial services, and high-stakes technology sectors. As the founder of The Viros Group, he helps executives build the clarity, systems, and resilience needed to lead effectively in a world defined by rapid change and constant disrup...

Chitra Nawbatt Chitra Nawbatt is a multidisciplinary executive known for her ability to launch, build, and scale businesses across industries. With deep expertise as a growth operator, investor, and media creator, she has established herself as a trusted voice on innovation, leadership, and value creation. She is the author of The CodeBreaker Mindset, a framework designed to strengthen professiona...

Brian T. Franco Brian T. Franco is the founder of Meritage Partners and the author of Inevitable Exit, specializing in helping business owners plan and execute smooth, profitable exits. With more than $2 billion in guided transactions, he transforms owner-run companies into scalable, high-value enterprises by focusing on four fundamentals: documenting processes, building strong leadership teams, m...

Pam Meissner Pam Meissner is a distinguished leader in finance and operations, having held CFO, COO, and CEO roles across various industries. Renowned for scaling companies to billion-dollar valuations, she specializes in transforming complex financial data into clear, strategic insights that empower executives to make confident, growth-driven decisions. Her global experience—shaped by extensive t...

Joey Goone Joey Goone is the President of Utopia Experience, a national event production company that transforms conferences, masterminds, and galas into meaningful, unforgettable experiences. His team manages everything from AV and video to event planning and show calling, ensuring each moment is intentional and impactful. Joey is also a board member of the Entrepreneurs Organization in St. Louis...

Meghan Clor Meghan Clor is a business coach, marketing strategist, and co-founder of AutomateMe Digital Marketing Agency. She is the creator of the Smart Growth Marketing Method, a proprietary coaching system designed to help women entrepreneurs build profitable, freedom-driven businesses in months rather than years. Her agency provides done-for-you marketing systems including funnels, copy, websi...

Ariana Tutwiler Ariana Tutwiler serve as Co-CEO of The Pinkypromise. Their mission is simple yet deeply personal. Having been directly affected by pediatric cancer, they are dedicated to advocating for children and families facing similar battles. Through The Pinkypromise, they provide compassion, support, and essential resources while creating moments that spark joy, connection, and community dur...

Debra Clary Dr. Debra Clary is a leadership strategist, best-selling author, and award-winning speaker whose upcoming book, The Curiosity Curve (Fast Company Press, October 2025), explores how bold questions can transform culture and performance. With more than 30 years of executive experience at renowned companies like Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana, she brings a rare 360-degree...

Adam Vibe Gunton Adam Vibe Gunton’s journey from homelessness and heroin addiction to successful entrepreneur highlights the power of resilience and purpose. He is the founder of Recovered On Purpose and Behavioral Health Partners—two mission-driven companies transforming the addiction recovery landscape. In just the past 18 months, Recovered On Purpose has equipped thousands of individuals in rec...

Ken Woodward Ken Woodward's journey spans three decades of naval service and a transformative pivot to question-driven leadership. Beginning as a Submarine Radioman, Ken's 32-year Navy career evolved through teaching communications systems, contracting with the Navy, and ultimately serving as a Civil Servant acquisition professional in submarine imaging, mine warfare, and unmanned systems. In Marc...

Marianne Rombola Marianne Rombola is a Brooklyn-born, NLP-certified coach and Emotional Intelligence practitioner whose work is shaped by deep personal resilience. Growing up with a handicapped mother, an emotionally abusive sister, and an emotionally distant father, she carried adult responsibilities early on. She later endured profound hardships, including the loss of her high school sweetheart,...

Renee Vee Renee Vee, CCC-SLP is a mindset and communication specialist, speaker, author, columnist, and Legacy Makers cast member whose work bridges education, leadership, and personal development. With more than 24 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, she has helped individuals and organizations strengthen communication, confidence, leadership, and culture. Known for her dynamic...

Deniz Kent Deniz Kent is the Co-Founder and CEO of Prolific Machines, where he conceived the company’s core optogenetic biomanufacturing technology, built a world-class leadership team, and secured more than $90 million from top-tier investors such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Ki Tua Fund, and Mayfield. A domain expert in optogenetics, single-cell RNA sequencing, iPSC differentiation...