Disrupt & Innovate

In this episode, Lisa L. Levy sits down with John Golden to explore why a sales‑first approach to CRM is the key to real business growth, better data, and happier, more effective sales teams. John breaks down why sales is the engine of revenue, why it must be treated as a serious career rather than a fallback option, and how most organizations are still measuring the wrong things. Instead of outda...

In this episode, Lisa L. Levy talks with Dr. David Gruder—organizational psychologist, board‑level advisor, 12‑award‑winning author, and what he calls a “recovering psychologist” and professional troublemaker. David equips innovative leaders with the mindsets, skillsets, and habitsets to make integrity profitable, collaboration fruitful, and impact scalable. As a master architect of culture and th...

How do we revive kinesthetic learning to create new futures—fast? In this special “play-along” episode, Lisa L. Levy welcomes Sura Al‑Naimi, CEO and chief co‑creator at Hi Hello Sura, to introduce ProPlay—a hands-on, kinesthetic method that helps leaders and teams prototype ideas, evaluate what works, and drive change with clarity and confidence. With a background shaping innovation at Disney, Sur...

In this episode, Lisa L. Levy talks with Anders Boulanger, co-founder and CEO of Engagify, about the art and science of engagement in a world shaped by technology and AI. Anders breaks down why in-person interactions are irreplaceable, how generational differences impact communication, and why “infotainment” and pattern interruption can transform trade show performance. He shares the story behind...

In this episode, Lisa L. Levy sits down with revenue strategist Steven Johnson to debunk the biggest myths in B2B sales and show founders how to build systems that actually drive predictable revenue. Steven pulls back the curtain on the emotional side of decision-making (yes, even in B2B), why hiring a “unicorn salesperson” isn’t a strategy, and how CEOs can and should understand the sales process...

What happens when quantum computing, AI, and cybersecurity converge? ⚛️🚀 In this episode, Lisa L. Levy speaks with Steven McKeon — ethical hacker, technologist, and visionary — about the next great leap in business and technology: the quantum era. Steven unpacks the transformative potential of quantum mechanics applied to real-world challenges, from encryption and digital security to innovation a...

Lisa L. Levy interviews Katja Kempe, CEO & Founder of Viveka, a groundbreaking human capital tech platform focused on leadership, coaching, and employee development. Recognized as one of the Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs by CIO Magazine, Katja is a leading voice in human potential and the Future of Work. In their discussion, they explore the decline of traditional leadership paradigms, ways to retai...

Lisa L. Levy sits down with Alex Aanderud — aerospace engineer turned leadership and human behavior expert, and founder of VitalSpark.ai. With a unique background spanning flight test in the military and advanced certifications in integrative psychology, Alex brings a rare lens to the future of leadership. Through his work at Vital Spark, Alex helps leaders and teams unlock potential, align with p...

Lisa L. Levy sits down with Heather Campbell — author, CEO, motivational speaker, and co-founder of Ready Set Recover. Heather’s brand-new book, Good Is Amazing, is more than a title…it’s a movement reminding us that recognizing the good—at home, at work, and in our communities—creates joy, connection, and empowerment. With leadership roots at ESPN and Audacy, Heather blends strategy and heart, gu...

Lisa L. Levy interviews Brett Swarts, best-selling author of "Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan" and a leading expert on capital gains tax strategies. He has been featured on major platforms like Fox Business Network and has closed over $500 million in Deferred Sales Trusts, Delaware Statutory Trusts, and 1031 Exchanges, including strategies for Bitcoin owners. In this insightful conversation...

Lisa L. Levy interviews Dani Dufresne, founder of The Auxiliary Co. (The Aux Co.), a consulting and creative operations powerhouse known for executing high-stakes campaigns flawlessly. Dani has revolutionized creative production by eliminating red tape, building elite teams, stretching budgets, and preventing campaign disasters. In this engaging conversation, she shares her journey as a creative p...

Lisa L. Levy interviews Dr. Karen Jacobson, a high-performance strategist, military veteran, and founder of the Aligned Leadership Academy. Karen combines precision, resilience, and energy to help leaders enhance human capital, foster cohesive teams, and cultivate trust in organizational cultures. In this conversation, she shares her journey of overcoming challenges, emphasizes the need for adapta...

Lisa L. Levy speaks with Deanne Earle — project interventionist, change agent, and creator of the Genius Model — about the art of delivering certainty in technology transformation and large-scale project management. With years of hands-on experience rescuing troubled initiatives, Deanne shares how she interrupts ineffective processes, rebuilds trust, and drives real business impact. She emphasizes...

Lisa L. Levy interviews Josh Elledge, an entrepreneur, U.S. Navy veteran, and expert in authority building and client attraction. As the founder of SavingsAngel.com, Josh grew it into a 7-figure business with over 2,500 media appearances without paid ads. Now, as CEO of UpMyInfluence, he helps leaders generate reliable revenue through trust-building and strategic visibility. He also hosts The Thou...

Lisa L. Levy speaks with Dilip Dubey — a pioneering force in Artificial Intelligence, multi-exit entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Sutra. AI and Inventrepreneur.me. With over 100 successful AI-driven business transformations across industries like healthcare, aviation, SaaS, education, manufacturing, and social impact, Dilip brings nearly three decades of proven results in scaling businesses...

Lisa L. Levy sits down with Mahesh Thakur to explore the transformative power of AI in today’s business landscape. Mahesh shares why AI is not just a tool, but a true partner in workflows, and how a cultural shift is essential for successful AI adoption. Discover the common roadblocks organizations face—like why 90% of AI pilots fail due to cultural issues—and learn actionable strategies to overco...

Lisa L. Levy had a conversation with Elena Levy, the Director of Product at Voyantis, about the transformative impact of AI and predictive analytics on user acquisition and business growth. Elena emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs and discussed the challenges organizations face in adopting AI technologies. Their discussion also addressed the growing emphasis on privacy in da...

Lisa L. Levy had an engaging conversation with Brittany Hansen, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of a successful SaaS company, discussing the challenges of communication in the digital age, the importance of truth in business, and the cultural sensitivities required for global operations. She shares insights into her innovative communication platform designed to enhance consumer engagement and h...

Lisa L. Levy speaks with innovation expert Doug Hall about proactive problem-solving and its role in enhancing employee engagement and organizational culture. Doug emphasizes empowering employees to identify and resolve issues, thereby fostering continuous improvement. He discusses the importance of standard operating procedures in driving innovation and efficiency, and the need for leadership to...

Lisa L. Levy in conversation with Francie Jain, founder and CEO of Terawatt, as they explore how coaching is reshaping modern workplaces. Learn how Terawatt’s B2B coaching marketplace is driving down employee turnover, building psychologically safe environments, and empowering both organizations and individuals. From healthcare case studies to startup challenges, Francie shares the journey of crea...

Lisa L. Levy is joined by Dr. John Hillen — a renowned strategist, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, CEO, and professor — to demystify what it really means to think and act strategically. Dr. Hillen shares insights from his latest book The Strategy Dialogues, discussing the core components of a winning strategy, the importance of optimism in leadership, and how to turn problems into future...

Lisa L. Levy sits down with Meeky Hwang, CEO of Ndevr, a leading force in digital media technology. With over two decades of experience powering major brands like Bloomberg, Hearst, and Forbes, Meeky shares how her agency builds robust enterprise platforms using WordPress. She dives into the 3E Framework—audience, editor, and developer experience—offering insights into platform resilience, real-wo...

Lisa L. Levy speaks with Larry Mandelberg, a fifth-generation business leader, consultant, and author of "Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide." Larry shares insights from over 23 years of research into why businesses collapse from within—not due to external threats. Learn the secrets behind multi-generational family business success, the importance of clarity of purpose, and how organizatio...

Lisa L. Levy speaks with Brandon Barnum — CEO of HOA.com and widely known as the "King of Referrals." Together, they explore how AI and referrals are transforming local communities, the future of homeowner associations, and how real estate professionals can lead the way in building trust, connection, and profitable networks. Discover how HOA.com is turning neighborhoods into tight-knit communities...

Lisa L. Levy sits down with Cathy Baillargeon, founder of Virtual Cathy and self-titled "Chief Cathy Officer." Cathy shares her journey from corporate consultant to virtual assistant entrepreneur and dives deep into the importance of delegation, remote support, and building strong company culture—even in a fully remote environment. Cathy opens up about the emotional challenges business owners face...