Simon Says Inspire

We are so excited to bring Bob Burg on our podcast! John and Dina Simon interview Bob Burg, co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller "The Go Giver," about his journey from broadcasting to sales and his transition to a speaker and author. Bob shares his early struggles in sales and how reading books by Zig Ziglar and Tom Hopkins transformed his career. He emphasizes the importance of relatio...

We are so excited to bring Teresa Thomas on our podcast! Teresa Thomas, a connector facilitator and author, discussed her journey on the Simon Says podcast. With over 25 years of experience, she founded Win Win Connects and created "50 Fun Things." Teresa emphasized the importance of authenticity and meaningful connections, sharing her love for dance and travel. She reflected on her midlife awaren...

We are so excited to bring Katie Ross on our podcast! In this vibrant and heartfelt episode, Katie Ross, founder of The Arts Creative in Bloomington, shares her journey from art teacher to entrepreneur. A mother of four and passionate artist, Katie talks about building a community-centered studio that offers inclusive, hands-on art experiences for all ages. She discusses how art has served as ther...

In this inspiring episode, Dr. K. shares a powerful personal transformation—from the high-stakes world of Wall Street to a life of purpose, healing, and service. After graduating from Cornell University with degrees in Applied Economics and Biology, he quickly climbed the corporate ladder at a top investment bank, achieving early success, financial stability, and professional recognition. But, beh...

We are so excited to have Kate on the podcast and have her share her story and inspire you to be your best self! Kate Ferrian is a Leader & Speaker who brings 16 years of corporate experience, specializing in building robust infrastructures and nurturing high-performing teams. Holding a degree in hospitality and event management, Kate is adept at organizing complex systems and creating strong foun...

We are excited to have Lisa Rangel on the podcast! Lisa and her team are known to be the leading firm to help you land a job through their resume and consulting services! She is the Founder/CEO of ChameleonResumes.com, the premier executive resume writing and job landing consulting firm, and JobLandingAcademy.com, the top-tier resource career store. Lisa’s mission in life is to make the world a ha...

We are so excited to have Kim Dodge on our podcast. You will hear her high energy and passion for life as we chat about Life, Leadership, and Legacies! Kim brings energy, enthusiasm, and a people-first mindset to the workplace. As Brand Development Manager for Brin Glass Company, she specializes in crafting authentic messaging that strengthens connections between brands and their customers. Beyond...

We are so excited to have Sarah Hoops join us! Her energy will inspire you! Sarah Hoops is the founder of Voices in Technology, a community committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and driving inclusivity of women in the tech industry. Through this initiative, Sarah works to break down barriers, ensuring that diverse perspectives shape the future of technology, from development to leadershi...

We are excited to have Mindee Peterson on the podcast! Mindee Peterson is a dynamic sales leader with over 20 years of experience turning challenges into opportunities. She's got a gift for building unstoppable teams and ramping up sales strategies that deliver big. Data is her secret weapon, and she knows how to spin it into strategic gold. With a track record of success across industries lik...

We are so excited to have Amanda Brinkman on this podcast episode. We can't think of a better way to end a calendar year and kick off a new year than talking about The Purpose Pursuit! Amanda Brinkman is a sought-after speaker and storyteller, known for her fresh perspective on purpose and her ability to bring heart and humor to any stage. As a corporate leader, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and marke...

We are so excited for you to meet Max Smith. In this episode, you will be inspired by Max's entrepreneurial life and impact on his family and community! Max Smith, hailing from Eagan, Minnesota, is a dynamic entrepreneur with a rich background in both business and philanthropy. A graduate of Eastview High School and Concordia College, Max grew up in an entrepreneurial family, deeply influenced by...

Chris Vasami is a husband, father, national speaker, coach, and mentor. You will hear his resiliency through his story. You will be captivated by his ability to help break down big things that are getting in the way of what you want to accomplish! A former division 1 baseball player at Notre Dame and Elon University who was then drafted by the Colorado Rockies.  Chris started his entrepreneurial j...

We are so excited to share our friend Sheila with our audience! Sheila A. Anderson, a seasoned professional in both personal branding and the world of modeling, is the driving force behind Image Power Play. With a deep passion for unleashing the power of personal brands, Sheila collaborates with visionary entrepreneurs, accomplished executives, and captivating keynote speakers to help them gain a...

We are excited to have Darcy Schatz on the podcast.   A home-grown Minnesotan. She has been involved in nonprofits for most of her life. As a volunteer, staff member, Executive Director, and board member. She went to law school for fun! When she is not trying to save the world, she is hiking, kayaking, traveling, obsessing about crossword puzzles, reading non-fiction, and trying not to adopt all t...

We are so excited to have our new friend, John Kennedy, on the podcast! John is a Neuroplastician. He spent much of his life understanding systems, building better systems, and saving some of the world’s largest companies from defective systems. In 2007, his life took a significant turn when the US Marines asked him to develop an innovative systems-based approach to reducing casualties and restori...

We are so excited to have a conversation with Becky! She's an inspirational leader we are fortunate to know, and we wanted to share her story with our listeners. Becky (Ben) is a former Senior Technical Manager for Materials and Platform Innovation at Sherwin Williams. She was transitioning to a new role at the time of the podcast recording. She recently joined Michelin as a Sr. Manager for Materi...

We are so excited for you to get to know Jen Gilhoi! She is known for being a TEDx Speaker, Nonalcoholic Industry Connector, Cofounder Zero Proof Collective, Cofounder Sauna and Sobriety. She is an advocate for and creator of healthy social experiences that decentralize alcohol. Her journey spans two decades of alcohol misuse, nine years of an alcohol-free lifestyle, corporate roles, and entrepren...

We are excited to have Tricia Dege join us on the podcast! Women have been underrepresented in leadership positions for many years. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that 3 million women left the workforce during the pandemic. While some have returned, the trend of women, specifically working moms, considering slowing their careers or leaving the workforce entirely continues. Tricia founded...

We feel very fortunate to have Michele on the podcast to share her story of turning the tragic loss of her son into advocacy. Michele Hein is the Co-Founder and Board Chairwoman of the Fentanyl Free Communities Foundation. She brings her personal experience, passion, and dedication to the forefront of the organization’s mission. Michele’s journey to advocacy was born out of personal tragedy when s...

We love it when family is willing to join us on the podcast! Larry is John's nephew, and we are so proud to share a little bit about him. Larry Puszko is a seasoned professional currently serving as the Senior Manager of Revenue Operations—a graduate of Duquesne University, husband and father of two. With a career spanning over thirty years, Larry began at Associates Leasing in Madison, WI, follow...

John takes the podcast on the road again! This time, he is headed to Hawaii to visit his youngest granddaughter, Lucy Donnaway, to check in on her first year of college. His daughter, Shannon Donnaway, joins him. We love these traveling stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so excited to have Heather Boschke on this episode. We are raving fans of her books and her eye for marketing ... looking forward to partnering with her on many things to come! Heather Boschke is a marketing leader with experience ranging from Fortune 20 companies to non-profits. In 2021, she founded Vogel Venture, aiming to boost growth for small businesses. The name 'Vogel,' meaning bird...

We are so excited to have Jen Lindahl on this episode of the podcast. Jen is the Strategic Development Director at Echo Search Group. She is a steadfast partner for clients, connecting the best people with the best opportunities, companies, and cultures. Jen strives to never lose sight of the relationship, offering clients and candidates honesty, transparency, and open communication.  Prior to Ech...

John and Rich Simon bring the podcast on the road during a Jan 2024 roadtrip. Rich shares his passion for Jeeping and John loved spending time on the road with him. There might be a little road noise, but that's part of the adventure! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so excited to have Ashlee Walstad on the podcast! Ashlee is a Senior Recruiter at Celarity. When you see her results, it’s immediately apparent that this isn’t her first rodeo. While she wasn’t born in a barn, growing up on a hobby farm in Orono, MN, she was definitely raised in one. After a childhood spent showing Quarter Horses and caring for sheep, goats, pigs, cats, dogs, ducks, and rab...