Leveraging Thought Leadership

What happens when a philosopher, a pyrotechnics entrepreneur, and a tech ethicist walk into a boardroom? You get Reid Blackman —author of "Ethical Machines" , host of a podcast by the same name, and founder of Virtue , a consultancy helping Fortune 500 companies navigate the ethical risks of AI. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, we explore the collision of ethics, emerging tech, an...

How do you prepare a first-time leader to succeed when everyone's watching? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill speaks with Noel Massie , former VP of US Operations at UPS and author of the upcoming book " Congrats, You've Been Promoted "(June 2025). Noel spent his distinguished career at UPS mentoring new leaders and guiding them through the challenging transition from individu...

How do you build genuine trust when AI-driven automation floods our lives? In this engaging episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, I sit down with Ashley Faus , author of " Human Centred Marketing: How to Connect with Audiences in the Age of AI ", to explore the irreplaceable role of authentic human connection in today's tech-heavy marketing landscape. Ashley argues that while AI can streamline...

What if your next client already feels like they know you—before you've ever spoken a word? This week on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter talks with Jim Schleckser , founder of The CEO Project , a peer advisory group for high-performing CEOs. Jim shares insights from advising over 125 CEOs across 40 states, leading organizations with revenues from $25 million to over $2 billion. His unique per...

Have you ever wondered why some nonprofits make a huge impact while others struggle to grow? The difference isn't always their mission—it's their ability to fundraise and scale effectively. James Misner , founder of the Kipos Group , joins us today to reveal why bigger doesn't always mean better in the nonprofit sector. James spent 25 years witnessing smaller nonprofits achieve incredible results—...

What if your greatest business challenge could become your launchpad into thought leadership? Today, Bill Sherman sits down with Aaron Marcum , visionary behind Breakaway 365 and bestselling author of EntreThrive , to explore how a journey from entrepreneur to industry thought leader unfolds—often unintentionally. Aaron shares how his frustration with data gaps in the home care space led to the fo...

Can a 150-year-old New York City institution thrive in the digital age? Seth Pinsky , CEO of the iconic 92nd Street Y , joins us to reveal how they turned crisis into innovation. Founded to support immigrant communities, the Y evolved into a world-renowned cultural hub. Seth shares how, despite the initial shock of COVID-19 closures, the organization quickly pivoted, transforming itself into a glo...

What happens when leadership, military service, and motherhood collide with a mission for change? Dr. Ellen Joan Ford didn't set out to become a thought leader—she became one by accident, driven by action. A former army officer, academic, and founder of Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose Leadership, Ellen first spoke about the challenges of working parents as a small part of a leadership talk. But th...

What's the real reason you want to write a book? If your answer doesn't connect directly to your business goals, you may be missing the mark. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with Cathy Fyock , a book strategist who helps authors write the right book—the one that aligns with their business, audience, and long-term strategy. Cathy shares why writing a book should ne...

When the world stopped getting its stuff, why did supply chain suddenly matter? In this episode, Peter Winick speaks with Kerim Kfuri , global entrepreneur, author of " Supply Chain Ups and Downs ," and CEO of Atlas Network . Kerim reveals why he stepped into thought leadership—especially when his industry became the center of public attention overnight. Kerim discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic e...

Are you spending your resources wisely to amplify your thought leadership—or just making noise? In today's fast-paced marketplace, standing out from the crowd is tougher than ever. Peter Winick is joined by Paige Velasquez Budde , CEO at Zilker Media , one of Austin's fastest-growing agencies specializing in building people-driven brands. Paige shares insights from her extensive experience working...

Does thought leadership belong only to bold personalities and charismatic speakers? Christina Wedgwood doesn't think so. In her book, " Better: A More Authentic Path for the Reluctant Thought Leader" , Christina explores how deep thinkers, perfectionists, and even those uneasy about taking center stage can still powerfully shape ideas and conversations. In this conversation, Christina explains tha...

What if the secret to extraordinary sales success wasn't pressure—but purpose? Lisa McLeod believes the best salespeople aren't chasing quotas. They're chasing impact. Lisa is a bestselling author of " Selling with Noble Purpose ", keynote speaker, and creator of the Noble Purpose business philosophy. Her work has reached over 2 million people on LinkedIn Learning and been featured in Harvard Busi...

Can an introvert become an influential thought leader? Today, Bill Sherman speaks with Sean Barnes , executive coach, speaker , and host of The Way of the Wolf Podcast . Sean didn't start out comfortable on stage. In fact, his first speaking experience—presenting technical details to executives—was uncomfortable enough to make many quit. Instead, it sparked his determination to transform discomfor...

Is college really the only path to career success? In this compelling episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman speaks with Lawrese Brown , author of " I Don't Have to Go to College: Discover Well-Paying Jobs that Don't Require a Four-Year College Degree " . Lawrese passionately challenges outdated ideas about success, advocating alternative pathways like apprenticeships, boot ca...

Ever felt awkward in a meeting, on stage, or in a tough conversation? What if that discomfort wasn't a weakness—but an advantage? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with workplace performance expert Henna Pryor , author of Good Awkward , to explore the hidden power of social discomfort. Henna breaks down why avoiding awkward moments only makes them worse—and how embr...

How do you turn an idea into lasting thought leadership? Dr. Ruth Gotian has done just that—translating academic research on high achievers into actionable insights that help individuals and organizations thrive. In this episode, we explore the power of mentorship, the resilience of high achievers, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Ruth shares stories of Olympic champions, astronauts, and...

Are you really a thought leader—or just claiming the title? Today's guest Mischa Zvegintzov , Chief Influence Officer at Influence Army , thought he was a Thought Leader.  As a sales expert with decades of experience, he knew how to pitch. But when a podcast host bluntly told him, "You don't look like a thought leader," everything changed. In this episode, Mischa shares how he pivoted from traditi...

Can social media predict the stock market? Vuk Vukovic , CIO and co-founder of Oraclum Capital , believes it can. His hedge fund leverages the wisdom of the crowd and a proprietary network analysis of social media bubbles to forecast weekly equity market movements. With a PhD in political economics and a track record of accurately predicting elections—including Brexit and Trump—he's now applying h...

How do you lead in a world where the future keeps shifting? Dr. Nada Sanders , a distinguished professor at Northeastern University , an expert in  supply chain management and AI-driven decision-making, believes the key is humility. In this episode, we dive into why thought leaders must stay agile, question assumptions, and embrace uncertainty. AI is reshaping business, but no one truly knows what...

Can you scale sales without sacrificing quality? Gregg Murphy and Mike Latch have done it—taking a company from $50 million to a billion-dollar run rate. The secret? A fusion of technology, strategic sales processes, and thought leadership that turns even mid-level sales reps into top performers. Now, they're sharing their insights in their book " Sales Sucks...But It Doesn't Have To: Transform Ne...

Are you truly connected—to yourself, to others, to your purpose? Dr. Adam Dorsay , psychologist, TEDx speaker , and author, joins me for a deep conversation on how connection shapes our lives. From working with Silicon Valley execs to writing his new book Super Psyched , Adam explores the ways we build (or neglect) meaningful connections. We dive into the challenges of self-awareness, the dangers...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of severe accidents, injuries involving young individuals, and mentions of suicide and self-harm related to these events. While these topics are integral to the conversation, some listeners may find them distressing. If you wish to avoid these sections, please skip from 17:46 to 25:06. What happens when your life takes an unexpected, tragic turn?...

How do you get booked as a speaker when no one knows you? And how do you stand out in a crowded market? Cam Beaudoin has cracked the code. A former speaker on disability inclusion and accessibility, Cam now helps speakers create powerful demo reels that get them noticed—and hired. He joins me on Leveraging Thought Leadership to share why most speaker reels miss the mark and what you need to do ins...

Is the influencer model broken? Consumers are drowning in five-star reviews and paid endorsements. But what if credibility, not clout, was the real driver of influence? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Eric Shienkop , entrepreneur, author, and tech innovator. Eric built the world's largest community of unsigned musicians, helping them monetize their wor...