Practical and Positive Leadership

In this episode of Practical & Positive Leadership,  Monica May-Dunn  sits down with  Marc Saries  of  Partner Systems  to talk about the connection between IT, leadership, and business growth. From identifying the real issue behind technical problems to helping teams adapt as systems become more complex, this conversation offers practical insight for business owners and leaders trying to impr...

Leading a growing business requires more than good ideas. It requires clear systems, adaptable leadership, and the ability to use technology without losing sight of the people doing the work. In this episode of Practical & Positive Leadership, Monica May-Dunn sits down with Merl Martin, Founder and CEO of Bennu Systems, to talk about leadership across education, athletics, and technology. From...

Leading a caregiving team requires more than strong operations. It requires empathy, consistency, and the ability to support people doing emotionally demanding work every day. In this episode of Practical & Positive Leadership , Monica May-Dunn sits down with Kimberly Mitchell of Home With Help to talk about what it really takes to lead, support, and retain a large caregiving team. From commun...

In this episode of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica May Dunn sits down with Gary Johnson for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to market a law firm with intention, clarity, and results. From redefining what “marketing” actually means for attorneys, to breaking down the mindset shifts required to attract ideal clients, Gary shares a practical, no-fluff approach to building a...

🎙️ In this episode of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica May Dunn sits down with Jennifer Armstrong — business broker and advisor with Transworld Business Advisors of Phoenix — for a clear-eyed conversation about what it takes to exit a business intentionally and successfully. From increasing a company’s value before it hits the market to navigating the emotional and financial complexities...

In this episode , Monica May Dunn , CEO of Arizona Escrow & Financial , reflects on two years of The Practical and Positive Leadership podcast. Each guest over the past two years has brought something meaningful to the table—and now, Monica shares her own insights. This grounded reflection explores what it really means to lead with clarity, intention, and heart—especially when the pace is fast...

In this episode of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica May Dunn sits down with Chip Higgins — author of The Bizzics Way and founder of Bizzics — for a dynamic conversation on what it really takes to lead with clarity, momentum, and integrity through seasons of change. From unpacking the idea that a small business can actually be massive , to exploring how physics-driven principles like ener...

In this episode of Practical and Positive Leadership , host Monica May Dunn sits down with Karl Frye , Principal at Frye Practice Sales , to explore what it really takes to lead with integrity through major transitions. From guiding medical, dental, and veterinary professionals through the emotional and financial complexities of buying or selling their practices to building lasting trust in high-s...

In this episode of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica May Dunn sits down with Karianne Munstedt, Founder and CEO of Strategic Impact Partners, to explore the vital role of visibility in leadership. Karianne, a seasoned expert in executive photography and visibility strategy, shares how mission-driven companies can use authenticity to build credibility and lasting influence. From aligning l...

In episode 23 of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica May Dunn sits down with nationally recognized speaker and culture strategist Stephanie Angelo to unpack the power of intentional workplace culture. As the creator of Ethiture® and the innovative board game Company Culture , Stephanie brings a fresh and actionable take on how leaders can move beyond buzzwords and actually measure the impac...

In this episode of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica May Dunn talks with Bobbie Lorraine Mastracci, CCIM, Designated Broker and Founder of Phoenix West Commercial, about leadership, mentorship, and navigating Arizona’s evolving commercial real estate market. From empowering others in a competitive industry to spotting growth opportunities in mixed-use, industrial, and emerging suburban ma...

In episode 21 of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica welcomes a guest who's reshaping how we lead through high-stakes decisions—Paloma Goggins, mergers & acquisitions attorney and founder of Nocturnal Legal. From Big Law boardrooms to Main Street business deals, Paloma shares the unfiltered truth about guiding clients through emotionally charged transactions with strategy, empathy,...

In episode 20 of Practical and Positive Leadership , Monica welcomes a guest who's redefining the recipe for entrepreneurial success—Bennett Maxwell, the powerhouse behind the wildly disruptive cookie empire, Dirty Dough. From high-stakes ventures to viral growth, Bennett shares the raw, real story behind building a brand that challenges industry norms and sparks national conversation. His journey...

What do you do when the next chapter of your leadership journey demands something different? In this candid conversation, Monica May Dunn sits down with Joe Cusack, Managing Director of Northern Arizona Business Brokers and former global sales leader at Microsoft and Cisco. With a career spanning Fortune 50 leadership, and now business brokerage, Joe shares powerful lessons on reinvention, emotion...

In this episode, Monica sits down with Rachel Platt, founder of PLATTinum Consulting, to unpack the real issues leaders face behind closed doors: burnout, disengagement, culture cracks, and hiring misfires. Rachel doesn’t just talk theory—she brings battle-tested strategies from the front lines of HR and leadership coaching. You’ll hear why most leaders overlook the human side of performance, how...

In this episode, Monica sits down with Bradley Scott, a commercial real estate and business broker with a legal background, to discuss the leadership skills required to guide complex, high-value transactions. Bradley has spent years advising clients on multi-million dollar business sales, commercial acquisitions, and legal negotiations. With a career spanning law, real estate, and business ownersh...

In this episode, we delve into the importance of trust and credibility in leadership with Rick Shapiro, President and CEO of The Wheatley Group and author of Hope Never Dies . Rick shares how his ability to build strong, trusting relationships has been a cornerstone of his success across vastly different fields—from guiding clients through the complexities of mergers and acquisitions to supporting...

In this month’s episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast, host Monica May-Dunn sits down with Lauren Turner, a wardrobe clothier at Tom James Company, to explore powerful lessons from the book The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. Lauren and Monica discuss: - What It Means To Lead By Example - Accountability in Leadership - Building Trust With Your Team - The I...

This month, Ryan Armstrong, President of Transworld Business Advisors Phoenix, joins host Monica May-Dunn for an insightful exploration of James Collins' groundbreaking book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t . Discover powerful strategies and timeless principles that can elevate your business from good to ... well, great! In this episode, Ryan and Monica discuss Ho...

In this month’s episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Kathleen Gramzay, founder of Kinessage LLC and an expert in wellness and transformation. She joins our host, Monica May-Dunn, to discuss insights from her book, Release Your Pain, Expand Your Life , and the transformative impact of wellness on leadership. Kathleen and Monica dive into topics like: Bu...

In this month’s episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast, we welcome Melissa Swader, author of One Yellow Brick: Wizardly Tips to Empower Building Your Empire . Monica and Melissa dive into how to build a personal brand that stands out, navigating the challenges of a crowded market, and the power of influence in business and life. In this episode, they explore: Finding Your Niche i...

In this month’s episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast, we welcome Kathleen O'Brien Thompson, founder & president of Professional Punch Marketing. Monica and Kathleen dive into Ryan Holiday’s book The Obstacle Is The Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, discussing its profound impact on leadership and personal growth. In this episode, they explore: Embrac...

In this month's episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast , we welcome Tara Brown, a Healthcare Architect by day and Transformational Life Coach by night. Monica and Tara explore Steven Pressfield’s book Turning Pro: Tap Your Inner Power and Create Your Life’s Work , discussing its significance and practical application to leadership in the workplace. In this episode, they discu...

In this episode, our guest Barbara Kaplan and host Monica May-Dunn explore the mastery of optimizing your environment for success and how design impacts leadership. This episode delves into topics surrounding the Bajaro Method, created by Barbara Kaplan, which emphasizes personal transformation through design. The Bajaro Method and what it is How you can apply this method to personalize your works...

In this episode, our guest Susan McCall and our host Monica May-Dunn, explore the mastery of leadership subtleties and the development of dynamic team environments through a shift in mindset. This episode delves into leadership topics outlined in John Maxwell’s book,  Developing the Leader Within You 2.0,  including identifying what kind of leader you are, the Pareto Principle and how to make deci...