Power & Impact

Karen Worcester tells the story of Wreaths Across America and their year-long mission: REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those who served, and TEACH the next generation the value of freedom. Hear how one small act of patriotism by Karen and her family grew into a cultural movement with millions of volunteers across the country culminating in National Wreaths Across America Day. Karen and Jim discuss the...

Explore the fascinating world of entertainment through the eyes of industry titan Sandy Climan. From his Bronx beginnings to scaling the heights of Hollywood, Sandy shares stories of mentorship, resilience and the A-listers that have defined his illustrious career. Jim and Sandy's discussion spotlights the importance of giving back and guiding the next generation.

Jim delves into the intriguing world of language with Dr. Jonah Berger, a renowned expert in natural language processing, influence, and consumer behavior. Dr. Berger, author of "Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way," unveils six types of "magic words'' that can transform your communication and impact across all aspects of life. Learn these secret weapons to revolutionize your personal and pro...

This week on Celebrations Chatter, Jim sits down with Zettawatts Founder and founding Priceline CTO Scott Case for a discussion about green technology, climate change, and sustainable energy.   Scott's approach to building a sustainable future takes into account the challenges that face the transition from fossil fuels to green energy, while still being optimistic about the innovations that busine...

Today's guest, David Siegel, knows how important community is. David is the CEO of Meetup, the largest online platform for finding and building local communities. Through Meetup, David helps others meet new people, learn new things, find support, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their passions.   David also has over 20 years of experience as a technology and digital media executive, incl...

In this episode of Power & Impact, Jim McCann sits down with Brian Halligan, Founder and former-CEO of HubSpot, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and his current focus on investing in climate solutions through his new fund, Propeller.    Brian and Jim delve into the importance of consumer marketing for small businesses and what Hubspot was able to do to elevate this space, assisted with exper...

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the esteemed businessman, speaker, author, and former CEO of United Airlines, Oscar Munoz. What struck me most was our shared connection to our grandmothers, who played pivotal roles in shaping our values and leadership.   In this week's episode of Power & Impact, we delved into Oscar's remarkable journey, which includes leading one of the most signific...

Alison Moore, CEO of Comic Relief US, stops by Power & Impact to discuss their partnership with 1-800-Flowers.com to help end the cycle of child poverty. Comic Relief US stages celebrity-studded fundraising events to benefit charitable organizations, and have raised over $380 million to help nearly 31 million children worldwide. As part of the Red Nose Day campaign, Comic Relief US and 1-800-Flowe...

Music industry veteran, David Nathan teamed up with International DJ, Sam Koch to launch Happy Jack Entertainment . They are on a mission to bring mental health awareness and advocacy to all through music and are on a path to disrupt the industry in order to do so.    David Nathan tragically lost his 19 year old son, Jack, in July of 2020. Before his passing, Jack founded a mental health awareness...

In this episode, Dr. Angela Jackson, the Founder of Future Forward Strategies, and Jim discuss the ever-evolving relationship between education and technology, ways to make education and career opportunities more accessible, technological inequity, the future of work, and how our relationship with work and education will change as people continue to live longer.   Future Forward Strategies is a la...

Can finding the right mentor at the right time make all the difference for young women? If you were to ask Illana Raia, she'd say yes.    Studies have shown that girls' confidence drops between ages 8 and 14, and many girls start to quit their hobbies and interests before they get to high school.     To counter this, Illana Raia founded Être Girls, a company whose mission is to keep girls close to...

Consumers today are more conscious than ever about the brands they use. They see their dollars as a way to support causes and companies they believe in, and use them to make their voice heard in the marketplace.    Retail thought leader Joel Bines noticed this movement and defined it in his new book, The Metail Economy. Joel is an expert business leader from AlixPartners who has a track record of...

What is true hospitality? Is it the service that we receive, or is it something more?   Hospitality is the cornerstone of Tom Colicchio's approach to restaurants. He understands that creating an atmosphere of genuine hospitality goes beyond simply serving exceptional food; it encompasses every aspect of the guest's experience, from the moment they step through the door to the time they leave with...

In this episode of Power & Impact, Jim McCann interviews Mindy Grossman, Partner at Consello Group and former President and CEO of WW (formerly Weight Watchers). Mindy shares her journey in the apparel industry, her time at Nike, and the importance of understanding and connecting with the consumer. She shares the vision behind Consello and how they are leading the way as a one-of-a-kind financial...

It's no secret that AI is rapidly changing the world we live in. We've just scratched the surface at 1-800-FLOWERS.com with our own versions of AI, MomVerse and DadJokeGPT.  Some fear the long-term impacts, or write it off for trivial reasons, but I see it as a tool to accelerate and improve. ChatGPT and other AI tools can help people be the best versions of themselves, overcome constraints, and e...

Thanks to the internet, today's world is more connected than ever. Communication is as simple as sending an email, home goods can be ordered to your door at the press of a button, and online communities have brought us closer together.   But it wasn't always that way. It took many years, extensive research, and brilliant leaders behind it's creation. Vint Cerf, one of the "Fathers of the Internet"...

Innovative technologies have opened up a new era of connection, allowing us to build more relationships in new, meaningful ways. The opportunities today are nearly endless, as we can now keep in touch with loved ones abroad and make honest, heartfelt relationships with people that we have never met in person (and perhaps, never will).   Emmet B. Keeffe III has been at the front line of this evolut...

Vicky Ward knows when there is more to the story, as she has built a career covering high-profile events and individuals, always going the extra mile to find the underlying motivations. Vicky Ward is the New York Times bestselling author of Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.  She is also the host of the popular podcast series "Cha...

When I need perspective on resilience, one of the first people I turn to is Anthony Scaramucci. Anthony and I have been friends and connected in many ways for a long time, including our shared Long Island roots. In fact, Anthony attributes much of his resilience to Long Island's "culture for risk-taking, being yourself, and comfortable in your own skin." Anthony has built a career as a successful...

Behind the barbecues and pool parties that celebrate the Fourth of July is the remembrance of those who gave their lives in defense of this country. To honor the occasion, Power & Impact is presenting a special military-focused episode. To share perspectives on the men and women in uniform, we're sitting down this week with Rob Newson. Rob has had a highly accomplished military career as a U.S. Na...

One of my core beliefs is that we have to be intentional about building and maintaining our relationships with the people that matter most to us. Every activity is an opportunity to deepen a connection we have with somebody important or new in our lives which is why I applaud Dan Hermann for what he has created with PaintNite.com.    Paint Nite is a fun and engaging live events company centered ar...

This week, Smile Farms opens its 12th campus in partnership with Catholic Health.  The new campus is unique in serving those who are specifically dealing with mental health diagnoses and behavioral challenges and is the first campus exclusively dedicated to donations.    The donated produce will support Catholic Health's Food Insecurity Initiative, built to screen emergency room patients for vital...

Lately, I've been exploring the role relationships play in our well-being. Cultivating deep and meaningful relationships is critical to maintaining mental health and finding personal fulfillment, but it's also something that many men struggle with.   I've become acutely aware that many men are reporting difficulty connecting with other men beyond surface-level or acquaintanceship, and this trend h...

How does scarcity play into this and are companies using it as a tactic to influence consumer habits?   To answer this question and more, we turn to Dr. Mindy Weinstein. Dr. Weinstein has a 20-year career as a successful marketing consultant and educator and earned her PhD in General Psychology. She is also the Founder and CEO of Market MindShift, and a well-respected expert on scarcity. Her recen...

Scott Corwin, the US Leader of Sustainability and Climate Change at Deloitte sits down with me for a special episode of Power & Impact.   The massive implications of climate change really came together for me last year at the Techonomy Climate Summit. Ever since that event, I've been on a personal journey learning about sustainability, climate change, and the importance of protecting our environme...