The Executive Connect Podcast

In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Dr. Benjamin Ritter, founder of Live for Yourself Consulting, to talk about the psychology of fear and how to navigate it to live a more empowered life. Dr. Ritter breaks down fearlessness—not as the absence of fear, but as the choice to move forward in spite of it. He shares practical strategies to interrupt fear cycles, r...

Guest: Jeremy Lessaris Serial Entrepreneur | Founder & CEO, Payment Brokers Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug speaks with Jeremy Lessaris, a seasoned serial entrepreneur who has built and sold eight companies across different industries. Jeremy dives into the realities of e...

Guest: Jacqueline Rinehart AI Strategist | Expert in Emerging Tech and Collective Intelligence Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Jacqueline Rinehart to unpack the rise of artificial intelligence and what it means for our personal lives, businesses, and future. Ja...

Guest: Diane Kenyon IT Leader | Community Builder | Career Coach | Advocate for Tech Inclusion Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Diane Kenyon to explore the art (and impact) of intentional connection. With decades of experience navigating both tech and community...

Guest: Multiple Women Executive Leaders Mothers | Decision-Makers | Trailblazers Balancing Life and Leadership Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this special episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug brings together powerhouse executive moms to talk about the real, raw, and rewarding journey of balancing motherhood and lead...

Guest: Kinga Vajda Founder of Execute Your Intentions, LLC | Transformation Coach | Author of Beyond Boundaries: Thriving in Life’s Grey Zones LinkedIn Book on Amazon Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Kinga Vajda to explore the “grey zone”—that murky space of uncertai...

Guest: Salena Accardo Seasoned Executive | Technology Strategist | Growth Optimization Leader LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with tech strategist Salena Accardo to unpack how organizations can actually monetize the AI revolution—beyond the buzz. Fro...

Guest: Nina Johnson CPG Executive | Strategy & Planning Leader | Former VP at Coca-Cola LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug is joined by Nina Johnson to unpack the often messy but rewarding art of team building. They dive into why diversity is the cornerstone of great tea...

Guest: Nicole Pletka Director of Operations & Project Management at Zeitcode | Community Leader | President Elect at Austin Women in Technology LinkedIn AWT Website Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Nicole Pletka, a powerhouse in tech and communit...

Guest: Wendy Howell CEO at Executive Council Network | Advocate for Women & Community Builder | Former Chief of Staff at Cisco LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Wendy Howell to unpack the art and impact of networking. From boardrooms to n...

Guest: Laurie Canepa Managing Director of Finance and Accounting Search at StevenDouglas | Executive Recruiter | Career Strategist LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, host Melissa Aarskaug is joined by Laurie Canepa to break down what’s really happening in the world of executive h...

Guest: Aaron Thweatt Executive Coach | HR Leader | Salary Negotiation Strategist LinkedIn Website X: @aaronthweatt Instagram: @aaron_thweatt Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: Welcome to another episode of the Executive Connect Podcast with Melissa Aarskaug. Today, we’re diving into a topic that affects everyone but isn’t talked about ne...

Guest: Michael Pedersen Peak Performance Coach | Business Strategist | Author of Atomic Actions LinkedIn Website: mikepedersen.com Clarity Call: mikepedersen.com/clarity Books: Atomic Actions Dominate Your Market Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, host Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Mich...

Guest: Paul G. Hylenski Jr. Operations Leader | AI Advocate | Founder, Quantum Leap AI Academy LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug dives into the evolving world of leadership in the age of artificial intelligence with guest Paul Hylenski—a seasoned operations exec...

Guest: Jaclyn "Jax" Scott Army Cyber & Electronic Warfare Warrant Officer | Cybersecurity Educator | Co-host of 2 Cyber Chicks LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: On this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Jaclyn “Jax” Scott, a decorated Army Warrant Officer and cybersecurity expert, to...

Guest: Susan Stoklosa Vice President of Merchandise Planning & Allocation at GIII Retail Group LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug is joined by Susan Stoklosa, VP of Planning & Allocation at GIII Retail Group, to unpack the real power of networking—and no,...

Guest: Cecile Mengue Cybersecurity Professional & Hacker at IBM X-Force Red LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Cecile Mengue, a cybersecurity professional and hacker at IBM X-Force Red. Cecile shares her powerful personal story of being targete...

Guest: Nadine Hall Former Executive Lead at HanesBrands LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug speaks with Nadine Hall, a seasoned executive and former leader at HanesBrands. Nadine offers a wealth of insights on leadership, corporate resilience, and career evolution...

Guest: Avni Trivedi Leadership Executive & Former VP at Ellucian LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Avni Trivedi, a leadership expert with over 17 years of experience in tech sales and operations. Together, they explore what it truly means to l...

Guest: Spencer Horn President of Altium Leadership & Coaching LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug welcomes behavioral analyst Spencer Horn for a deep dive into the concept of flexible authenticity—especially in the context of executive women navigating leaders...

Guest: Christian Napier Founder & CEO, Rakonto Inc. | Knowledge Management Advisor, International Olympic Committee LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Christian Napier, a knowledge management expert whose storytelling work has spanned the Olymp...

Guest: Jennifer Clark Fractional CXO | Startup & Growth Strategist LinkedIn Host: Melissa Aarskaug Executive Connect | Website YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect Episode Overview: In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Jennifer Clark, a seasoned fractional CXO with over 25 years of cross-industry experience. Together, they explore the growing influence of fra...

In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug welcomes Becca Yanniello, a public health leader with over 15 years of experience in population health management. Together, they dive into the evolving role of public health in today’s digital world—and why it matters more than ever. Becca breaks down the difference between public health and traditional healthcare, highlights the...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Executive Connect Podcast—a show for the next generation of business leaders. I’m your host, Melissa Aarskaug, and in this debut episode, I’m joined by Michèle Kline, bestselling author and founder of Kline Hospitality. Michèle shares how she walked away from toxic leadership environments to create something of her own—and how she now helps others do the sa...