Eye Openers Podcast

Startup HR expert Megan Pawlak joins Eye Openers to share how early-stage companies can build people-first cultures, hire smart (even on a budget), and avoid the pitfalls that sink great ideas. A must-listen for founders and future leaders. What happens when you bring heart into HR and humanity into the startup hustle? Megan Pawlak shares the kind of career pivots, people strategies, and spicy cof...

It's my birthday, and instead of just celebrating with cake and a nice dinner, I'm taking a moment to reflect on my past year—the wins, the challenges, and the growth. This episode is a candid look at the lessons I've learned, the shifts I've made in my business and personal life, and what I'm carrying forward into the year ahead. Whether you're navigating your own big transitions or just need a r...

🎙 Welcome to Eye Openers! In this episode, Brittany sits down with Jason Mejeur, CEO of Coya Health, to discuss becoming the CEO of your health, how wellness impacts business performance, and the transformative power of small, sustainable changes.     Eye-Opening Insights with Time Stamps: ☕️ [00:00:00] Taking Charge of Your Health: Jason explains the importance of becoming the CEO of your own he...

🎙 Welcome to Eye Openers! In this episode, Brittany welcomes Brian, a seasoned MSP entrepreneur turned coach, to share his journey of entrepreneurship through acquisition, building intentional company culture, and leading with purpose. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with practical insights to elevate your leadership and business strateg...

Hi everyone, Brittany Drozd here! You know I can't start my day without caffeine, and that's just one reason we call this show 'Eye Openers.' The other? I'm all about bringing you those 'aha' moments through my interviews.  Today, I'm beyond excited to welcome Scott Reib, America's Legal Coach. With over 20 years of experience, Scott shares powerful insights on how to build a 'shatterproof' busine...

Today, I'm joined by Stephen Stowe, a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning multiple industries who also happens to be the owner of my gym, Bond Fitness, and my workout buddy.    Stephen's approach to business success is all about community and culture.    In this episode, we explore how Stephen leverages these elements, along with the power of coaching, to build thriving busine...

Today on Eye Openers, we're discussing a sensitive yet vital topic: "Cutting Out the Cancer in Your Culture." We explore how to handle problematic employees, why timely intervention is essential, and the steps you can take to foster a positive work environment.   Key Takeaways: 🔑 Timely Intervention is Key 🗣️The Importance of Private Feedback 💼 Document Everything    If you're struggling with ma...

Today, I'm reintroducing myself and sharing my story of transitioning from a psychotherapist and psychologist to a business coaching consultant. My passion for understanding and influencing behavior has led me to empower leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, and executives to elevate their leadership skills and drive success in their businesses.   Key Takeaways:   🌟 From Psychotherapy to Coaching: Di...

In today's episode of "Eye Openers," I had the profound pleasure of sitting down with Ryan, an entrepreneur whose journey is both a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a compelling narrative on the transformative power of confronting our deepest struggles.    Ryan's story, much like the stories I've been privileged to witness and support through my coaching practice, underscores a...

In this episode of Eye Openers, we dive deep into the heart of what drives my work - organizational culture.    As both my work and this podcast evolve, it's crucial to step back and define what organizational culture truly means. It's not always obvious, even to those of us who eat, sleep, and breathe this topic!   Takeaways from this episode:   🌟Organizational Culture is Rooted in Shared Values...

In a world that celebrates dreaming big, my latest episode of Eye Openers introduces a delightful twist to the usual narrative. It's all about the might of the minute – those tiny steps that lead to giant leaps. I hope this unique approach to cultural transformation gets the wheels turning in your head and sparks a flame of curiosity.   Takeaways from this episode:   🗣️ Start with Communication: C...

I'm bringing you an inside look into the journey of Stacy Willis from engineer to COO, where she's making waves by pioneering cross-department collaboration at Playwire. 🌊   🔄 Incremental Change Magic: Stacy's success story underscores the transformative power of taking small, manageable steps. Discover how incremental change became the secret ingredient in Stacy's leadership recipe. 🌟   🤝 Cro...

Welcome back to another episode of Eye Openers where we delve into the intricacies of organizational culture. I'm thrilled to share the insights and concepts that fuel my daily work in helping organizations build robust cultures.    In today's discussion, we're honing in on a term you've likely encountered: "culture transformation." However, let's explore why the term "renovation" might be more ap...

I'm thrilled to share the latest episode of Eye Openers, where I had an invigorating conversation with Elizabeth O'Neill. We delved into the realms of organizational culture, coaching, and the secrets of building a coaching-centric culture.    Here's a glimpse of our discussion:    Scaling Teams and Transitioning Leadership Styles. We chatted about navigating the challenges founders face as their...

Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Kamrin, a coach and the host of the thought-provoking podcast, "50, Not Dead." We delve into the crucial topic of toxic workplace culture, drawing from Kamrin's personal experiences that highlight the urgency of fostering a positive environment within every organization.   Listen as we discuss:   The Impact of Toxic Workplace Culture. Kamrin opens up...

In today's episode of Eye Openers, I have the privilege of delving into a remarkable journey of personal experience turned revolutionary healthcare innovation. Our guest, Charles, shares a heartfelt story of resilience and transformation that led to the birth of Hido Health. Join us as we explore the profound impact of behavior modification in healthcare, the potential for technology to change liv...

For many leaders, grappling with the art of delegation is a familiar tale. We often think nobody can do what we do quite like us. And for certain things, that's totally true!    But, as my guests on this week's Eye Openers, Ethan and Stephanie of Pro Assisting will no doubt convince you, with the right partners by our side, delegation skeptics can turn into delegation maestros, discovering a newfo...

Earlier this year,  I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Paula Reid on her wonderful new podcast, Beyond Neutral. In it, we delved into my journey as a seasoned business coach focused on culture change and the evolution of my business over the past decade.   I loved this conversation so much I wanted to share it here with you. If you're seeking motivation and inspiration to embrace change an...

I'm thrilled to be here with you for a special mini episode dedicated to a topic close to my heart - self-care. Today, we're going to delve into the transformative power of self-care and how it can revolutionize not just your personal life but also your professional journey.   At Eye Openers, we are constantly seeking those eye-opening insights that can propel us forward in both life and business....

Welcome back to Eye Openers, where we not only deliver eye-opening insights but also share the perfect cup of inspiration to make your business and life better! Today, we have a special guest, Chad Bareither, who not only speaks our caffeine-based love language but also has a passion for continuous improvement that parallels the art of making that delightful cup of coffee.    Just like crafting th...

I recently had the opportunity to interview seasoned entrepreneur Dorine Rivers who shared some of her wisdom with us.    In this eye-opening interview, we discussed hiring strategies, navigating business models, and finding success in an ever-changing business environment.   In this episode, we discuss:   Mastering the Art of Hiring: Discover effective strategies for building a winning team, incl...

Today, I'm excited to share a very special guest on the show: the man who modeled entrepreneurship for me, my dad Robin Nicolaides.   We delve into his journey into entrepreneurship and the lessons he learned along the way.    My dad's unwavering dedication to his business and his family has always amazed me and I'm excited to share these insights with you today.   In this episode, we discuss:   C...

In honor of Memorial Day, I wanted to share some insights from David Goggins, on the valuable lessons during his military service that he applies to his civilian leadership.   In this episode, we discuss his lessons in leadership learned from the military:   Embrace discomfort and take ownership Emphasize teamwork, collaboration, and communication Plus one last step from me: to make sure you're ta...

In the pursuit of a fulfilling life, we often overlook an essential aspect: the art of letting go and letting in. Join me on a transformative journey as I sit down with Uwe, a seasoned expert in guiding executives and their VIPs towards personal and professional growth.    Together, we delve into the profound impact of embracing this two-step process and the power it holds for achieving true fulfi...

Happy Mother's Day! I am thrilled to share this week's episode with you on a topic that is near and dear to my heart and my most significant role: motherhood. As a mother of two young girls, ages four and seven, I consider motherhood to be my most important role, even outside of running my coaching company and all of my other responsibilities.    I believe that the Drozd Family, my family, is the...