The New Talent Playbook Podcast

In this special LinkedIn Live edition of The New Talent Playbook Podcast, marketing expert John Jantsch sits down with Rob Levin, co-founder of WorkBetterNow and author of The New Talent Playbook. Together, they explore why so many small and mid-sized businesses are quietly facing a talent crisis, and what leaders can do to build their dream teams in today's rapidly changing world. Rob shares the...

In this episode of The New Talent Playbook Podcast, Rob Levin sits down with Ron Karr, speaker, advisor, and creator of the Velocity Mindset®. Ron has spent over three decades helping leaders and sales teams eliminate friction, gain buy-in, and achieve results faster. Rob and Ron unpack how clarity of direction and how leaders can build alignment, accountability, and trust to accelerate growth wit...

What happens when you build a successful business—but still feel something's missing? In this episode, mindfulness expert and award-winning servant leader Rob Dube shares how mastering your inner game of leadership transforms how you lead, hire, and live. From redefining hustle culture to building a people-first company that thrives without burnout, Rob offers simple, practical ways to lead with m...

Rob speaks with David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, about building a culture by design, evolving from visionary founder to strategy-focused CEO, and why AI is the next transformational lever in CLE and operations. David shares how structure (Scaling Up), personality tools, and an internal academy accelerate execution, plus practical ways to "AI‑enable" teams, automate low‑value work, and create award...

What does it take to build a standout team in a creative, fast-paced industry like fashion? In this episode, Rob sits down with Drew Pizzo, who has led Collection 18 for over 30 years, to explore how a commitment to unique ability, clear values, and ongoing development has helped him build one of the most admired cultures in his space. From rigorous hiring to daily team rhythms and executive coach...

In a world moving from change to chaos, Lisa Bodell makes the case for subtraction: kill needless rules, cut administrivia, and restore focus to meaningful work. She shares a simple, leader-led process to remove friction, the cultural and retention gains from clarity, and how to use AI as a coach to identify what to stop, simplify, and stress-test. The takeaway: mandate simplification, model it, a...

If you think team performance is too fuzzy to measure, this episode will challenge that mindset. Eddie Geller, a seasoned entrepreneur and performance strategist, talks with Rob Levin about how data, not just gut instinct, can help leaders unlock the full potential of their teams. Eddie shares how SKOR helps companies go beyond culture surveys and engagement scores by identifying what drives (or b...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Kurt Wilkin—entrepreneur, advisor, and author of Who's Your Mike?—to unpack what it really takes to scale a business with the right team. Kurt shares why so many CEOs stall their own growth by holding onto the wrong people for too long, what "hiring better" actually looks like, and how to level up your leadership by embracing self-awareness. It's a candid, BS-fr...

In this episode, Matt Tritt, Founder and President of Greenlight Consulting & Management, shares his journey from burnout to building a purpose-driven owner's rep firm in the high-stakes world of NYC real estate. He talks with Rob about shifting from winging it to leading with intention, the role of core values in hiring and client outcomes, and how connection drives both culture and performance....

What if the biggest barrier to sales growth isn't your product or your pitch — but your people? In this episode, globally recognized sales strategist Morné Smit shares how he helps companies unlock 30% to 130% year-over-year growth by aligning talent, process, and proposition. From diagnosing flatlining pipelines to scaling without bloated sales teams, Morné reveals the sales leadership moves that...

In this episode, Shannon Waller, entrepreneurial team strategist at Strategic Coach, shares insights on building high-performing teams through Unique Ability® teamwork. She and Rob discuss delegation, recognizing when to let go of wrong-fit team members, and how to create a culture where everyone thrives in their zone of genius.   About the Guest Shannon Waller is a longtime Strategic Coach® team...

Daniel Todd, CEO of Influence Mobile, joins Rob to discuss how he's scaled a remote-first company across borders while maintaining a culture that consistently earns "Best Places to Work" recognition. He shares actionable strategies for building trust, leading distributed teams, and adopting AI to enhance productivity and future-proof talent.   About the Guest Daniel Todd is a serial entrepreneur w...

What's the difference between working in the business vs. on the business—and why does it matter so much? In this episode, Rob talks with Jamie Munoz, founder of Catalyst Integrators™, about the power of the visionary-integrator partnership, the value of intentional structure, and how fractional leadership is evolving to meet the needs of growing businesses.   About Jamie Munoz Jamie is the founde...

In this episode, Rob Levin speaks with Laura Crothers, founder and CEO of Crothers Consulting, about how leadership planning and deliberate talent development can dramatically impact company growth—especially for small and mid-sized businesses. Laura shares actionable strategies for building leadership pipelines, navigating succession, and assessing culture fit in acquisitions.   About Laura Croth...

Episode Summary In this episode, Shawn Busse, Founder and CEO of Kinesis, shares why aligning culture, brand, and strategy isn't just a feel-good exercise — it's a growth strategy. He explains how values-driven leadership can reduce costly turnover, build trust with clients, and create exponential impact across a business. 💡 Plus: Why most businesses get "values" wrong — and how to fix it.   Key...

Episode Summary In this episode, leadership coach and consultant Adrienne Duffy shares how business owners can build aligned, high-performing teams by connecting vision, values, and unique abilities. She introduces the Nexus Project framework and explains why sustainable growth depends on both inner and outer development.   Key Takeaway Alignment isn't just about goals—it's about making sure each...

Episode Summary In this episode, Rob sits down with Dan Donnelly, seasoned energy, real estate, and startup investor, and founder of Donnelly Mechanical. Dan shares how he built one of NYC's top commercial HVAC firms by putting people first—offering sweat equity to key team members, building a culture of accountability, and hiring strategically to scale. He also reveals what really made the compan...

Episode Summary In this episode, Rob sits down with Lewis Schiff, entrepreneur, author, and Chairman of Birthing of Giants. Lewis shares his insights on what it takes to scale a business, build the right leadership team, and prepare a company for long-term success—whether or not you plan to sell. They dive into the mindset shifts founders must make, the realities of hiring "A" talent, and why ever...

In this episode, Don Harkey, CEO and Founder of People Centric Consulting Group, joins Rob to explore how systems—not slogans—create strong cultures. They talk about what it means to balance empowerment with alignment, the hidden cost of poor onboarding, how to adapt during rapid change, and why remote work shouldn't derail culture if you're deliberate about how you lead. Key Takeaway:  Culture is...

Episode Summary In this episode, Rob sits down with Jennifer Berkowitz, founder of R&J Advisory Group and Freedom Goal Group, and a seasoned coach to mid-market CEOs and leadership teams. Jennifer shares what it really takes to scale a company—without becoming the bottleneck or burning out. From building alignment across teams to leading remote employees with intention, she offers practical strate...

Episode Summary In this episode, Rob sits down with Eddie Solomon, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Net at Work, a leading technology advisor to SMBs. Eddie shares the lessons he's learned from leading over 40 acquisitions, building a 450-person remote workforce, and fostering a strong company culture over nearly three decades. They dive into the strategic importance of talent in acquisitions, the balance...

In this episode, Rob Levin talks with Nick Herinckx, Co-CEO of Oxygen and seasoned executive coach, to explore how a founder's role evolves as a business scales. Drawing from experience coaching over 100 CEOs and leading multiple companies himself, Nick breaks down what leaders often get wrong. From understanding the difference between managers and leaders to knowing when to step in (and out) of "...

In this episode, Rob chats with Peter Morandi, CEO of Eastman Cooke, a company renowned for building award-winning construction projects through innovation and leadership. Peter shares how he's transformed the traditionally manual construction industry by integrating remote professionals into nearly every department, from estimating to project management. He dives into the systems, culture, and mi...

In this special episode, host Rob Levin looks back on Season 1 of the Great Talent, Great Business Podcast. He shares the most powerful takeaways from conversations with nine incredible guests. From generational differences in the workplace to building intentional company culture, Rob highlights the insights that left a mark—and how he's applying them in real time at Work Better Now. T his episode...

In this episode, Rob chats with Jack Daly, legendary sales trainer, entrepreneur, author, and endurance athlete. They dive into how business owners can build a culture by design, not by default, no matter if their teams are in-office or remote. Jack shares proven strategies for creating an environment where people want to work, why playbooks are critical across the organization (not just in sales)...