Not Your Average CEO Lifeline

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Smith, CEO of Inperium Inc., a consolidated constellation of companies whose partnerships create mission sustainability and advancement. Ryan has been a CEO for nearly three decades, with over 35 years of professional experience. He began his career in the 1980s working with children with Attention Deficit Disorder and...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, we sit down with Chuck Mollor, owner and CEO of MCG Partners, a leadership, culture, and talent optimization consulting firm since 2007. Chuck is an executive coach and author of The Rise of the Agile Leader: Can You Make the Shift? With over 40 years of consulting experience, he shares insights on leadership, culture, and optimizing talent...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, host Danielle Cuomo, MBA sits down with Chanda Coston, business strategist, coach, and founder of Chanda Co., to talk about reinventing your business to fit your current season of life. Chanda shares her powerful and deeply human journey, from leaving an abusive marriage, serving in the U.S. military, thriving in corporate and government co...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, host Danielle Cuomo, MBA, sits down with William Davis, leadership author, speaker, and former corporate executive, to explore what truly drives performance, trust, and retention inside organizations. After retiring in May 2025 following 38 years in corporate America, William launched his own leadership organization focused on addressing on...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Jake Isham, filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, and founder of an agency that has generated over 1 billion views online. Jake shares his unconventional journey from aspiring artist and filmmaker to becoming the CEO of a high-performing content and marketing agency. Together, t...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Vance Morris, former Disney Leader turned successful entrepreneur. From working security at a birth control factory to leading at Disney, going bankrupt, cleaning carpets, and ultimately building a thriving business, Vance’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and creat...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with David Price, founder of The Price Group and industry leader in building high-performing insurance agencies. From humble beginnings to leading an organization that achieved over $35 million in sales in 2024 and helped more than 30,000 families, David’s story is one of resilie...

“True leadership isn’t just about performance—it’s about purpose.” In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Rick Yvanovich, Chief Master Coach, serial entrepreneur, and CEO of TRG International. With decades of experience as an accountant, author, speaker, CEO, and CFO, Rick’s mission is clear: to inspire and transform h...

The Money You’re Leaving Behind “Some deals take 9… even 12 months to close. That ‘yes’ you’ve been waiting for? It could be just one follow-up away.” Too many businesses stop the conversation too soon — and the cost is massive. In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, we unpack why most companies leave money on the table and how consistent, personal follow-up can turn “maybe later” into...

“Most leaders wait until the exit interview to ask the real questions — and by then, it’s too late.” In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, best-selling author and workplace culture expert Ryan Englin challenges the myths around pay, perks, and bonuses. He explains why real retention isn’t about dangling more incentives — it’s about understanding what your employees truly need to thrive...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, Danielle Cuomo, MBA sits down with Scott De Long, PhD, founder of Lead2Goals, to explore what success and leadership really mean beyond titles and money. Scott shares why true leadership is measured by the impact you have on others and how people feel when they choose to be around you. 💡 What We Cover: Redefining success: shifting focus fr...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Logan Cuvo, the founder and CEO of Best Dam Tape, the hockey tape trusted by athletes from beginners to NHL players. Logan shares his journey from spotting a gap in the market to building a brand that athletes love and the strategies that helped him get there. 💡 What We Cover: Ho...

“Scaling doesn’t have to mean stress. The right systems and mindset make growth smoother — not harder.” In this episode, co-hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Laurie Barkman, who helps business owners escape the day-to-day grind and scale with more freedom, greater value, and less chaos. Laurie shares practical strategies and mindset shifts for leaders who want grow...

🎙️ Season 4 Episode 4 – The ‘I’ve Got It’ Syndrome — Are You Sabotaging Your Own Growth? “‘I’ve got it’ might just be the phrase holding your business back.” In this episode, co-hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz unpack a quiet leadership trap that’s burning out CEOs and stalling company growth — The “I’ve Got It” Syndrome. It sounds like confidence, but it’s often a mask for con...

🎙️ Season 4 Episode 2 – Beyond Burnout with Melissa Schmidiger “You don’t need to be average to be excellent.” In this episode, co-hosts Nicole and Danielle sit down with Melissa Schmidiger—a powerhouse leader who’s spent 30+ years at the helm of global teams at McKinsey, Credit Suisse, and Singtel—before choosing to chart her own path as an executive coach. Melissa’s story isn’t just about career...

🎙️ Episode 2 – Mistakes People Are Making Listening to Influencers for Business Advice “Just because they have a mic and a following doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about.” In this episode, co-hosts Nicole and Danielle break down how blindly following influencers could actually be hurting your business instead of helping it. From viral “hacks” to recycled branding blueprints, we’re cal...

🎙️ Episode 1 – Stop Looking for a Virtual Assistant to Do These Things “Not every task belongs on a virtual assistant’s plate—even if it's tempting to hand it off.” In this debut episode, co-hosts Nicole and Danielle unpack the most common mistakes business owners make when delegating to a virtual assistant. Spoiler: if you’ve ever said “I just need someone to fix my business,” this one’s for...

To continue our VA Series - Join us as we dive into the world of Virtual Assistants a bit more! This episode, Virtual Assist USA chats with Amber L. Gray, Founder & CEO of Trusty Oak, about how to effectively integrate a VA into your existing team and foster a cohesive work environment. ✨ Discover: The importance of hiring based on core values How to treat your VA like a vital team member Tip...

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, we're diving into a powerful discussion about the essential soft and hard skills that strong leaders, visionaries, and entrepreneurs need to thrive in today's world. Whether you're a seasoned CEO or just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey, there's something in this conversation for you. We'll be asking key questions like: What’s the first...

Obsessed with success!” This week on the Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, we’re sitting down with Steven Blue, a CEO with 26 years of experience, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. He shares how keeping a close eye on key metrics is the secret to staying ahead. No, you can’t run a company with your eyes closed—being obsessive about the details is what keeps things moving smoothly! Tune...

Effective communication is the foundation of any successful working relationship, especially between a client and a virtual assistant! In this episode of the Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast (part of our VA Series), we discuss the importance of defining who leads communication. Michelle Dale, founder of Virtual Miss Friday and creator of 1nSourcing™, shares her expert insights on navigating t...

This week on Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, we sit down with Katie Smith from Wild Path Consulting to talk about the true role of marketing beyond just customers! Marketing isn't just a tool for your clients. It's a vital force that connects every department in your company. Katie dives deep into how marketing serves as the glue, making sure you’re not stuck in a silo, but instead actively listeni...

For this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, we are joined by Chris Lautenslager to explore what it really means to create a healthier organization. Many businesses prioritize profit as the ultimate measure of success, but Chris shares why this model can actually be more unstable than it appears. We dive into what defines a truly healthy organization beyond just financial gain. Chris also di...

In this episode, Dr. Matt Otteman PT and Dr. Emily Heisey, DPT, owners of Kinactive Kids, break away from traditional business strategies and show us how stepping outside the norm fuels innovation and growth. Discover how ditching the 5-year plan, making impactful hires, and trusting your instincts can lead to greater success. Matt and Emily remind us that going against the grain isn't just about...

What are the steps to recovering from a brand transgression? Join us this week as Shalini Jain, Ph. D., and Shailendra Pratap Jain, Ph. D., renowned professors from the Milgard School of Business and authors of Managing Brand Transgressions, share their expertise on navigating these challenges. In this episode, we discuss why the first step is to "do the right thing!" It may sound obvious, but you...