Listening With Leaders

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of TXB, Kevin Smartt. Kevin discusses his extensive background in the industry, covering diverse business operations like fuel wholesale, trucking, propane, food manufacturing, and real estate. Kevin emphasizes the importance of fresh food offerings, investing in people, and fostering a supportive work environment. He shares insights on navigating challenge...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder and CEO of Magic Camp, Holly Willis. Holly shares her unique journey from dual majoring in opera and political science to founding her agency. She discusses her early career in entertainment, the impact of COVID-19 on advertising, and the importance of aligning brand vision with company values. Holly emphasizes fostering a positive work culture, underst...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO and Founder of Blockboard, Matt Wasserlauf. Matt shares his extensive background and explains how Blackbaud leverages blockchain and AI to create a transparent and effective advertising ecosystem. They discuss the impact of Connected TV (CTV) and the importance of data-driven approaches in combating ad fraud. The conversation also touches on leadership, emp...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder and CEO of, J. Rachel West. J. Rachel West shares her journey and expertise in helping small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, develop effective branding and marketing strategies. She discusses the challenges of capturing consumer attention in a fast-paced digital landscape, the importance of understanding and segmenting target audience...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder of Altitude B2B, Jonathan Stacey. Jonathan recounts his transition from a successful banking career to entrepreneurship, driven by the challenges of the pandemic. He discusses the strategic pivot of his consulting firm towards internet marketing, SEO, and content creation to help businesses grow. Emphasizing the importance of listening in both professio...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder, Anti-Financial Advisor, Infinite Banking Expert, and Podcast Host of Money Ripples, Chris Miles. Chris discusses the importance of financial education, passive income, and lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis. Chris recounts his motivations, struggles, and eventual shift to real estate investing. He emphasizes the ripple effect of financial f...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO and Founder of Boostr Digital Displays, Greg Crowe. Greg shares his inspiring journey from a high school basketball coach to leading a successful company that manufactures LED screens and advertising displays. Greg discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of passion, teamwork, and good leadership, and how family involvement has strengthened the bus...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of YachtWay, Heigo Paartaul. Heigo shares his journey from Silicon Valley to the yacht market, highlighting the outdated sales process he encountered and his drive to innovate. YachtWay's features, such as virtual tours and enhanced visual listings, aim to improve the buying experience. Emphasizing the importance of listening to customers and...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the COO of LivAway Suites, Kevin Dailey. Kevin discusses the unique aspects of this hotel segment, LivAway Suites' development strategy, and Kevin's extensive journey in the hospitality industry. Kevin highlights the resilience of extended-stay hotels during economic downturns, the brand's ambitious expansion plans, and the importance of effective listening in lead...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Executive Director of The Alex House Project, Samora Coles. Samora shares her journey as a teen mom, highlighting her challenges and how these experiences inspired her to establish the Alex House Project. The organization offers resources such as educational workshops, parenting classes, and job placement assistance, emphasizing peer support to foster a sense o...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder of Kyle McDowell Inc., Kyle McDowell. Kyle discusses his journey from corporate America to coaching, emphasizing the importance of empathy, collaboration, and emotional safety in leadership. Kyle shares insights on creating a positive organizational culture, the significance of validating team members' emotions, and the challenges of fostering genuine c...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO and President of Integrated Equity Management, Cammy Smith. Cammy shares her unique journey into the financial advisory industry, including her educational experiences and her international MBA in Spain. Cammy highlights the importance of listening and curiosity in leadership. Cammy emphasizes empathetic listening, which involves understanding emotions and...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder of Superposition Gallery, Storm Ascher. Storm shares her artistic journey, from performing arts to photography in Barcelona, which inspired her to create a traveling gallery that engages with local communities. She discusses the logistics of running such a gallery, emphasizing community involvement and avoiding gentrification. Storm also reflects on her...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Vice President of The Tamaroff Group, Jason Tamaroff. Jason shares his journey from corporate finance at Deloitte to joining the family automotive business. He discusses the importance of gaining external experience, navigating family dynamics, and the lessons learned from his grandfather and father about leadership and succession. Jason emphasizes the value of...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President and Co-Founder of Certify My Company, Heather Cox. Heather discusses her background, including her education and experiences abroad, which shaped her entrepreneurial path. Heather explains the critical role of certification in helping diverse businesses access opportunities with large corporations and government entities. She shares inspiring client s...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President, CEO, and Partner of NEP Services, Stacey Yudin. Stacey discusses NEP's evolution from a marketing firm to a tech powerhouse, emphasizing the importance of listening to clients and adapting to their needs. She shares her personal journey, motivations, and the nonprofit sector's challenges. She covers NEP's remote work culture, the role of AI in their...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President and CEO at Goodwill of Western New York, Tom Ulbrich. Tom discusses his journey from ornamental horticulture and small business advocacy, to leading Goodwill. He emphasizes the importance of self-sustainability in nonprofits and highlights innovative programs like "Good Skills Career Builder," which helps individuals secure careers in advanced manufac...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of Visual Connections, Frederick Deese. Frederick shares his journey from humble beginnings in Alabama and military service in the Navy to founding his company in 2007. The conversation highlights the importance of listening and empathy in leadership, the challenges of federal contracting, and Frederick's commitment to creating opportunities in rural commun...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the McGraw Hill Author and Marketing and Sales Keynote Speaker, Mindy Weinstein. Mindy discusses her academic and professional journey, focusing on her research on scarcity as a motivator in decision-making. Mindy highlights how scarcity influences consumer behavior and marketing strategies, emphasizing emotional triggers. Practical applications, such as creating e...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO and Co-Founder of Happy Companies, James Lawrence. James shares his journey from running a media agency to founding Happy Companies, emphasizing the importance of leadership, effective communication, and employee satisfaction. James discusses the role of technology in scaling coaching efforts, the significance of hiring the right people and fostering a posi...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of The Real Estate Investment Network, Patrick Francey. Patrick shares his entrepreneurial journey and commitment to real estate education, Patrick emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, effective listening, and creating a supportive culture. He highlights the transformative power of intentionality and the impact of genuine leadership and connection....

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with Co-Founders Bridget Sicsko and Lydia Bagarozza of Visibility on Purpose. Bridget and Lydia discuss their company, which helps entrepreneurs and business owners effectively pitch to the media. Bridget shares her transition from corporate sales to holistic healing and yoga teaching, while Lydia recounts her shift from high-pressure music industry PR to supporting sus...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of Assisted Living Services, Mario D'Aquila. Mario shares his inspiring journey from construction management to the elder care industry. The conversation, led by an unnamed interviewer, explores Mario's educational background, career transitions, and the growth of his Connecticut-based in-home care company. Mario emphasizes the importance of investing in pe...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with Bailey Farren, CEO and founder of Perimeter, shares her journey of creating a mapping platform to aid first responders during emergencies. Inspired by her chaotic experience during the 2017 Tubbs Fire in California, Bailey discusses the challenges of starting a tech company without a technical background, the importance of listening to customer needs, and securing...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President and CEO of MOLLI Surgical, Ananth Ravi. Ananth discusses his journey in creating MOLLI Surgical, which is a company focused on developing technology to help surgeons precisely locate and remove cancerous lesions, particularly in breast cancer patients. Ananth shares insights on the technology's functionality, his background in medical physics and biom...