The A to Z Podcast

The Hidden Risk of Staying Small in Today’s Economy At the Leadership Summit on February 20, 2026, Dr. AZ Habtewold delivered a powerful message drawn from his book Scale to Last. Many professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs misunderstand scaling. It is not about going big. It is about building structural capacity for sustainable impact, resilience, and long-term value. In this short but practic...

In today’s hyper-competitive job market, technical skills may get your resume noticed—but soft skills determine who gets hired, promoted, and trusted with leadership. Multiple studies consistently show that up to 85 percent of long-term career success is driven by soft skills, while only 15 percent comes from technical or hard skills. In fact, research also reveals a sobering reality: 46 percent o...

With special guest: Clare Overmann | CEO, AIEA | Former Senior Director, IIE | Global Education Leader Clare Overmann has spent her career building bridges across borders—turning higher education into a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth. From her early days in the private sector in The Netherlands to leading global partnerships at the Institute of International Education,...

We covered a wide range of powerful themes, from aviation and leadership to legacy, purpose, and impact. Captain Abiy shared how growing up in a family of pilots — with his father among the pioneers of Ethiopian Airlines — inspired him and his brother to follow the same flight path. He opened up about his decision to become a John C. Maxwell certified leadership coach, and drew fascinating paralle...

I recently joined Your Ethiopian Professionals Network (YEP) for a dynamic conversation on From Diaspora Dreams to U.S. Business Ownership. Together, we explored topics that matter deeply for aspiring and existing Ethiopian entrepreneurs in the U.S., including:  💡 Why buying a business can sometimes be a smarter move than starting from scratch  💡 Diverse sources of financing to help scale your c...

With special guest: Dr. Girma Ababi | Founder & CEO of Liyana Healthcare plc, Liyana Digital Healthcare Solutions plc, and Liyana-Oxy Medical Gas Manufacturing | Healthcare Investor | Industry Pioneer He didn’t just practice medicine – he built an ecosystem. Dr. Girma Ababi has been at the forefront of Ethiopia’s healthcare transformation, pioneering the country’s health insurance industry and...

With special guest Nick Friedman | Co-Founder & President of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving | Bestselling Author | Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur He didn’t just start a company – he started a movement. Nick Friedman co-founded College H.U.N.K.S. with a beat-up cargo van and a bold idea. Today, it’s a $300 million franchise empire with 250+ locations nationwide – built on culture, pu...

With special guest: Jeremy Beland | Off-Market Real Estate Expert | 450+ Deals Closed | REI Freedom Coach He didn’t just flip properties – he flipped his life. Jeremy Beland traded his comfort zone for a coaching program, downsized his living space, and bet it all on himself. Fast forward, he’s not just closed 450+ off-market deals and generated $10 million in gross profits – he’s become the voice...

With special guest: Thomas Scott | Founder & CEO of Stellar AI Solutions | AI Innovator | Business Systems Builder He didn’t just predict the future of AI, he built it. When Thomas Scott launched Stellar AI Solutions, he tested AI agents inside his own business, and within days, they landed their first client. That moment confirmed what he already believed: AI agents aren’t just coming, they’r...

Jake Thompson once described himself as a passenger in his own life, overweight, drinking daily, and drifting without purpose. Everything changed the day he picked up a single book that forced him to confront his truth: “My story sucked, and it was up to me to write a better one.” That wake-up call sparked a transformation that turned into a movement, Compete Every Day, now inspiring leaders and t...

In a world full of noise and uncertainty, self-confidence isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a necessity. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jeff Shimer, Vice President at Dale Carnegie Tampa, a leading authority in leadership and communication training. With decades of experience helping professionals unlock their potential, Jeff brings a wealth of insight on what it really takes to build las...

The Power of the Shark Mindset with Hall of Fame Speaker & Former NBA Athlete, Walter Bond From NBA locker rooms to the global stage, Walter Bond shares the raw truth about peak performance, personal greatness, and what it takes to win in life and leadership. What separates high achievers from everyone else? It’s not talent. It’s not luck. It’s mindset, preparation, and belief. In this empower...

Why influencing others isn’t a "sales tactic"—it’s the core skill for fulfilling your mission, hitting targets, and leading change. We unpack how to wield influence with integrity, including: Persuasion as Leadership Fuel Why every mandate—fundraising, hiring, negotiating—demands this skill (and how to reframe it beyond "selling"). The Trust-Driven Communication Framework Movin...

In this powerful episode of The A to Z Podcast , Dr. AZ Habtewold sits down with global executive coach and keynote speaker Eddie Turner to answer a pressing question of our time: Can leadership remain relevant in the age of AI? From the rise of digital influencers to the threat of AI replacing coaches, consultants, and even speakers. This conversation explores how to lead with clarity, courage, a...

She didn’t just climb the ladder — she built it. In this powerful episode of The A to Z Podcast , I sit down with Britney Mroczkowski, CCIM — a trailblazer in commercial real estate who turned grit into growth, and blueprints into bold leadership. From closing $350M+ in deals to launching her own construction firm, Britney shares how she’s built a career, a company, and a movement — one bold decis...

What Makes Great Teams Thrive — Even in the Age of AI Why do some teams thrive under pressure while others collapse- even with the best talent?  In this must-watch episode, Dr. David Burkus breaks down the real science behind building high-performing teams in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. What separates high-performing teams from those that just get by? In this powerful interview, I sit down...

In this very short highlight from our full one-hour conversation, Sylvia and I explored the fine line between emotional discipline and emotional suppression. 🧠 What does real emotional intelligence look like in practice? 💥 Can expressing emotion actually build trust and influence? Listen this ~4 min clip here 🎥   📺 And catch the full conversation here: https://youtube.com/live/a2RUwoRp88Q 💡 I...

🌟 What’s the #1 factor that separates high-performing teams from the rest? It’s not talent, strategy, or resources — it’s Psychological Safety. 🔍 Research shows teams with high psychological safety: ✅ Perform 27% better ✅ Engage 76% more Yet many leaders think their environment is safe — without realizing their people don’t feel safe enough to speak up, innovate, or stay. In my latest episode...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Sylvia Baffour—renowned Executive Coach, globally recognized speaker, and creator of the Dare to Care™ framework. Sylvia doesn’t just teach emotional intelligence—she lives it, having helped leaders from the World Bank to Lockheed Martin build clarity, empathy, and influence into everything they do. Together, we explore how emotional intelligence isn’t jus...

In commercial real estate and business brokerage, it’s easy to think numbers are everything… But in my experience, the most successful professionals are those who master the human side of the business. Here are the 3 game-changing soft skills you need to succeed: 1️⃣ Emotional Fitness – Stay composed, connect deeply, and build trust 2️⃣ Turning Conflicts into Opportunities – Navigate disagreements...

AI is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. In this episode, Dr. AZ shares a practical and inspiring guide to integrating with AI in three vital dimensions: Input – Why giving better prompts leads to better results. Output – Why presentation, persuasion, and soft skills still reign. Culture – Why empathy, trust, and connection can’t be replaced. 🎯 Whether you’re a professional, manager, or entrepr...

🎯 Stop Talking. Start Listening: The Skill Every Leader Needs 👂💡 🛑 Communication isn’t just about talking—it’s a two-way street . But how often do we actually slow down and listen ? 💼 As leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, we’re trained to speak: to pitch, persuade, and lead.  But the real power ? It’s in the listening. 👂❤️ ✨ In this clip, I break down: 1️⃣ Why intentional listening...

🚀 Unlock Your Potential in Commercial Real Estate & Business Investments! 🚀 Are you looking to buy, sell, or invest in commercial properties or businesses—now or in the future? Let us help you achieve your goals faster while saving you tons of time, energy, and resources. 📽️ Listen this clip to discover: ✅ How we provide all inclusive (A to Z services), and what sets us apart from other bro...

#PublicSpeakingTips #TalkLikeAPro #SpeakBetter Tired of filler words? Ever catch yourself saying uhhh mid-sentence and think, “Why do I do that?” You’re not alone. Filler words like um, uh, and like can weaken your message and reduce your impact. In this short video, learn why we use them, the downsides they bring, and actionable tips to reduce or eliminate them for more polished, powerful communi...

🚨 Attention Business Owners: The Exit Strategies You Can’t Afford to Ignore  Did you know 41% of U.S. small businesses are owned by baby boomers—and many are unprepared for what comes next? Whether you’re part of the 13.6 million boomer-owned companies or not, exit planning is non-negotiable. Life’s curveballs—health crises, partnerships gone sour, or unforeseen events—don’t wait for your timelin...