Power & Impact

What does it take to make someone feel like royalty every time they walk through your doors? On today's Power & Impact, I sit down with Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, to talk all things global luxury. From his roots in Istanbul to leading two of the most iconic hotel brands in the world, Omer shares the values that drive his leadership: deep cultural curiosity, emotional...

Ever walked away from a sale wondering, 'What just happened?' So did Dr. Robert Cialdini and it sparked a revolution in psychology. On today's episode of Power and Impact, I sit down with Dr. Robert Cialdini, psychologist and author of Influence, to unpack the universal principles that drive human behavior and persuasion. From growing up in a multicultural Milwaukee neighborhood to infiltrating sa...

In today's episode of Power and Impact, Jim sits down with Tom Williams, a former Naval officer turned financial expert, to unpack a remarkable life journey filled with service, strategy, and reinvention. Tom reflects on his early life in small-town Arkansas, his transformative experience at the U.S. Naval Academy, and his front-line role in the first Gulf War, where he launched the first Tomahawk...

In this episode, we sit down with Jessie James Decker and Eric Decker, multitalented entrepreneurs, parents of four, and partners in both life and business. Hosted by Jim McCann, founder of 1-800-Flowers.com, and ReShon Anderson, General Manager of Things Remembered, this conversation dives into the Deckers' journey from NFL stadiums and concert stages to raising a young family and building brands...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Somi Javaid, a board-certified OB/GYN, surgeon, and founder of HerMD, a groundbreaking healthcare platform redefining how women receive care. Dedicated to closing the gender gap in medicine, HerMD specializes in menopause, sexual health, and gynecology, offering a patient-first approach that is long overdue. Dr. Javaid is not only a medical leader but also a t...

In the concluding episode of our April series on faith, meaning, and human connection, I sit down with Francis Fallon, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at St. John's University. Born in Dublin and raised in Queens, Fallon shares his journey from Catholic school to Trinity College to his current interdisciplinary work exploring the nature of consciousness, representation, and the ch...

As part of our special April series on faith, meaning, and human connection, I sit down with Dr. Michael F. Steger, professor of psychology and founding director of the Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University. A leading voice in positive psychology, Dr. Steger is known for his research on how people find meaning in life and work, including the development of the widely used Mea...

We all reach a moment when we ask: What truly matters the most? As part of our April series on spirituality and human connection, I spoke with Fr. James Dominic Brent, O.P., a Dominican priest and philosopher known for making the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas accessible and relevant. We explore how faith, purpose, and grace intersect, not just in theology, but in daily life. Fr. James shares his ow...

Is the way we approach death, grief, and suffering all wrong? As part of our special April series on spirituality and human connection, I speak with Dan Ariely, renowned behavioral economist, bestselling author, and professor at Duke University. Dan's work has transformed how we understand decision-making, irrationality, and the hidden forces that shape human behavior. But this conversation goes f...

Can a single digital artwork challenge how we see faith and the afterlife? This episode, the first edition in our special April series on religion and spirituality in honor of Easter and Passover, examines this question. I had the pleasure of sitting down with artist Drue Kataoka. Drue is a globally renowned artist, technologist, and CEO of Drue Kataoka Art Studios, with clients in over 30 countri...

On today's special episode, we're spotlighting a powerful conversation from the System Catalysts Podcast , a show dedicated to transforming the systems that shape our world. Hosted by my friend, Jeffrey Walker and English Sall,  System Catalysts brings together activists, philanthropists, and change-makers who share their insights on collaboration and impact. Last week on Power & Impact , I had th...

Few people have redefined success quite like Jeffrey Walker, first as a trailblazer in private equity and now as a force for global good. From pioneering modern investment strategies to championing philanthropic initiatives, he has spent his life shaping industries and uplifting communities. A former leader at J.P. Morgan Partners, Jeffrey transitioned from a high-powered finance career to dedicat...

The push to return to the office is growing, but after years of remote work, not everyone is on board. Dr. Angela Jackson is an author, researcher, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on how businesses can create thriving workplaces while driving financial success. From her early days in journalism to global roles at Nokia and Viacom, her career has been shaped by a deep interest in innovation, le...

A live, on-air panic attack changed everything for Dan Harris. As a war journalist, he thrived in high-stress environments—but beneath the surface, anxiety and undiagnosed depression led him to self-destructive coping mechanisms. In 2004, his breaking point came on Good Morning America when a panic attack forced him to confront his mental health in front of millions.   Initially skeptical of spiri...

Imagine taking a high school job just to make some extra cash only to have it spark a passion that leads to a billion-dollar empire. That's exactly what happened to Alan Fuerstman, who started as a bellman at a local Marriott and went on to redefine luxury hospitality. Now the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Montage International, Alan has built an empire with Montage Hotels & Resorts and Pendry Hot...

What started with hand-dyed dresses for her bridesmaids has now become a globally recognized brand, known for its vintage-inspired aesthetic and immersive retail experiences. Rebecca Hessel Cohen is the founder and creative force behind LoveShackFancy, a fashion and lifestyle brand that celebrates femininity, whimsy, and timeless style. Her journey from magazine editor to entrepreneur has been mar...

At a New Jersey senior living facility, a woman with late-stage Alzheimer's Disease sits beside her husband of 50 years, unaware of who he is. The memories of their life together have faded—until she puts on a VR headset. In just 90 seconds, a wave of recognition washes over her. She's in Paris again, capturing photos of the Eiffel Tower, wandering the halls of the Louvre, sharing moonlit dinners...

How does a USC Renaissance Scholar turned Grammy-nominated artist find himself at the forefront of innovation in the biotech industry? Aloe Blacc's musical journey began early, shaping a career filled with globally recognized hits. His breakout song "I Need a Dollar", from the gold-certified album Good Things, resonated worldwide, ultimately earning him a Grammy nomination for his 2014 album Lift...

As a child, she broke open rocks, eager to "see the atoms inside." As a young adult, she witnessed her aunt's painful battle with breast cancer, sparking a determination to create life-saving solutions. Today, as an MIT researcher, she has developed an innovative ultrasound-enabled bra, set to revolutionize breast cancer screenings and empower women to take charge of their health. Dr. Canan Dağdev...

In an era where information and news are readily available at our fingertips, Eric Gertler, CEO of U.S. News & World Report, has successfully overseen one of the leading news magazines through the obstacles of an increasingly digital world in a presumably dying industry. Eric Gertler, CEO of U.S. News & World Report has also served as Commissioner/President & CEO-designate of Empire State Developm...

Jim sits down with Dr. Jonathan Sackner Bernstein, a cardiologist who may have uncovered a revolutionary new approach to treating Parkinson's Disease. After a friend challenged him to help find better treatments, Dr. Sackner Bernstein's research led him to question the fundamental assumptions about how Parkinson's works - and propose that conventional treatments may actually be making things worse...

Jim sits down with Scott Simon, author of "Scare Your Soul: 7 Powerful Principles to Harness Fear and Lead Your Most Courageous Life." Scott shares his journey from being bullied as a child to becoming an expert on overcoming fear and living courageously. They discuss how small acts of bravery can lead to transformative life changes, the importance of vulnerability in connecting with others, and p...

Jim sits down with Shelly Palmer, CEO of The Palmer Group and a renowned tech expert, for an engaging conversation about artificial intelligence, mentorship, and navigating rapid technological change. Shelly shares practical advice for business leaders on how to integrate AI tools to significantly boost productivity, all while underscoring the irreplaceable role of human creativity and expertise....

Join us as we sit down with Jason Eichenholz, founder of Jonathan's Landing, to discuss his vision for creating an inclusive community for adults with developmental disabilities. Jason shares his personal journey as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, and how it inspired him to develop this innovative concept. They explore Jonathan's Landing's mission to provide meaningful employment, hous...

Jim sits down with Gerry Poirier, the founder of AngeLink, to learn how she is reimagining crowdfunding and creating a community to build opportunities for women facing economic pressures.  Together, Jim and Gerry explore the financial challenges many Americans face and how platforms like AngeLink can provide a lifeline during emergencies or help aspiring entrepreneurs get their start. Gerry offer...