The Trending Communicator

In this episode, Dan connects with video producer, marketer, entrepreneur, and all-around creative soul Henry Schneider. Henry runs his own video production outfit, Open Window Production, and it turns out it's an apt name: by following the metaphorical windows that have opened to him, he's built a solid client base and has developed his own virtual event platform, The Virtual Event Center. He's a...

In this episode, Dan connects with human-centered problem solver, design thinker, LEGO Serious Play facilitator and creator of the Wearable Tracy pipe cleaner headdress, Lee Kim. Lee has designed and worn intricate hats or crowns made of pipe cleaners every day for years - she was even the subject of a New Yorker documentary because of it - and she and Dan discuss why and how this all came about....

In this episode, Dan talks with Rob Turley, co-CEO of White Rabbit Intel, and a man on a very humble mission: to democratize advanced artificial intelligence. Why? Because it's time to end the nonsense caused by poor, irrelevant targeting and misdirected automation. Rob takes Dan down the rabbit hole of hyper-targeting in sales and marketing - particularly on social media. They discuss the general...

In this episode, Dan sits down with one of his heroes, a digital marketing expert, entrepreneur, prolific connector and builder of trust, the CEO of Digital Brand Expressions, Niki Fielding. Dan and Niki reflect on how relationships drive, well, pretty much everything. Niki talks about how, with relationships at the core of her business, she's been able to reinvent her company, hire incredible peo...

In this episode, Dan connects with digital marketer, social media strategist, public speaker, storyteller, and content expert Lauren Fast, co-founder of Fast Bryant Consulting and brand strategist for Atomic Revenue. Together they explore Lauren's pioneering journey from teacher to beauty icon to empowered female business owner, and how she became a leading voice in marketing along the way. From t...

In this episode, Dan explores the origins of his podcasting adventure with one of the people who pushed him over the edge and into the air, the relentless Adriana "Ada" Bowman. As an entrepreneur, artist, speaker, and CEO of AB+ Production, Ada does not have the word "can't" in her vocabulary but sure knows how to say "why not?" A chance encounter with her at Social Media Marketing World 2019 led...

In this episode, Dan reconnects with keynote speaker, TED talker, corporate trainer, and improv podcaster Avish Parashar to stroll down memory lane and explore the benefits of an "Improv Mindset." The author of Improvise to Success and Say "Yes And!", Avish has spent decades sharing improv with business audiences as a way to discover creativity and bring about a "flow state." He and Dan dig into h...

In this episode, Dan has a conversation about creating conversations (and much more) with the CEO and Founder of Messenger Funnels and Conversational Educator at Bot Academy, the indomitable Mary Kathryn "MK" Johnson. MK and Dan get a little bit geeky about marketing, conversions, and yes, conversations. Because as MK will tell you, marketing is about conversations - but some conversations can be...

In this episode, Dan sits down with communication strategist, creativity and innovation specialist, organizational development trainer, and professional metaphor constructor, Brandon Wetzstein. As founder and Principal of IN8 Create, Brandon brings the magic of LEGO bricks to teams and individuals to help them be better leaders and listeners. He and Dan dig into LEGO Serious Play, design thinking,...

In this episode, Dan connects with the world's most industrious storyteller, Park Howell. As a teacher, author, entrepreneur, co-author (with Dr. Randy Olson) of The Narrative Gym for Business, and sole author of Brand Bewitchery, Park lives and breathes story - he and Dan discuss why he has "story in his soul" and how he brings the power of story to marketers, salespeople, and leaders across indu...

In this episode, Dan sits down with kindred spirit and fellow champion of curiosity, Deryl Sweeney. A successful entrepreneur who has built and sold successful businesses, Deryl learned that success without values is hollow. Now, through Deryl Sweeney Coaching, he helps entrepreneurs and business leaders understand what success really means to them so that they can build the life they really want....

In this episode, Dan connects with Japan expert and founder of Ikigai Connections and Nihongojobs.com, the multilingual, multi-talented Kasia. A self-described "kakehashi" - bridge between cultures - Kasia is a "digital bridge" helping connect job seekers with jobs at Japanese companies or jobs where Japanese language is an asset. She and Dan talk about Japan, dig deep into ikigai and how it relat...

In this episode, Dan has the great honor of exploring the life and career of PR legend and founder and CEO of Silicon Valley consultancy Redphlag, Gerry Corbett. A past Chair and CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Gerry's career led him to the pinnacle of the PR world - but it wasn't always a straight trajectory. He started out about as far from communications as one might thin...

In this episode, Dan sits down with serial entrepreneur, raconteur, and relentless connector, Joe Mindak. As Connector in Chief for exclusive business networking group The Connective, Joe lives his passion daily: making and facilitating connections that lead to business deals, mutual learning, and friendships (not to mention podcast appearances). He and Dan dig into his willingness to "go do shit"...

In this episode, Dan reconnects with his very first guest, organizational development, coaching, and training leader Michael Glazer to see how the shiteration process is going. A lot has changed since Michael's first appearance in episode 2: he's now a podcaster, host of Humans At Work, and he and Dan start by talking about their podcasting experiences. The conversation evolves from there into a d...

In this episode, Dan connects with entrepreneur, career coach, and author of Find Work Worth Doing: The Handbook for Creating a Meaningful Career, Jason Mutzfeld. A self-described raconteur and co-founder of Circle City Coaching, Jason's journey starts with theater, meanders through technology and education, and ultimately leads to career coaching and writing - but his love for the theatrical cont...

In this episode, Dan connects with leadership coach, speaker, conflict resolution expert and equestrian expert Pamela Cournoyer to talk about what it takes to become a better version of yourself. Starting with what we can learn from horses, Pamela and Dan dig into the BS - belief systems - that get in our way, how to read people, how we can be more aware of how we show up, and how surviving both a...

In this episode, Dan connects with author, speaker, investor, TEDx organizer, coach, and entrepreneur Dolores Hirschmann to talk about the key ingredient to achieving success: clarity. As the Chief Clarity Officer of Masters in Clarity, Dolores works with people and businesses to help them clarify their message and realize their goals. She and Dan talk about how to find clarity and introduce liste...

In this episode, Dan digs into the art and science of networking with entrepreneur, author, and master network builder, Jay Allen. As the CEO of The Influence Board, founder of CXO.org, and founder of both the HR100 and the CFO100, Jay has literally made networking his business - and business is thriving. He and Dan discuss the do's and don'ts of networking, they talk about Jay's book, The Law of...

In this episode, Dan connects with digital marketing influencer, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and podcaster Michael Fleischner to talk about the state of marketing today and what it takes to become a successful marketing freelancer. They dig into Michael's journey, how his book, SEO Made Simple, changed the trajectory of his career, and how freelancing became his path to success and ultimately t...

In this episode, Dan turns to some of his favorite topics with educator, communicator, coach, entrepreneur, and podcaster, Michael Piperno. Dan and Michael dig into what it takes to communicate better, and - spoiler alert - it has a lot to do with purpose. The conversation covers reinvention, vulnerability, remote work, nonverbal communication, and more as we learn about Michael's amazing journey...

In this episode, Dan explores what it means to be a successful connector and content creator on LinkedIn and beyond with recruiter, marketer, creator, and super-connector Joel Lalgee. A LinkedIn influencer in his own right, Joel now helps recruitment agency owners to become influencers in their respective fields, primarily by understanding the ins and outs of LinkedIn. He and Dan talk about how ge...

In this episode, Dan connects with ICF certified coach, DISC assessment trainer, body language trainer, accent modification instructor, voice therapist, and LinkedIn super-connector. Elaine Jacques. She and Dan discuss how, during her long career as a speech pathologist, often working with terminal patients, she developed her superpower of communicating during life and death situations. They talk...

This week Dan celebrates surviving his first year as a podcaster with best-selling author, PR Hall of Famer, entrepreneur, ballroom dancer, public speaker, and purveyor of joy, the amazing Patrice Tanaka. As the Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet LLC, Patrice is living her life's purpose: to choose every single day; to be mindful of that joy, and to share that joy with others. She and Dan discuss...

In this week's episode, Dan connects with speaker, trainer, consultant, author, and super-connector Ginger Johnson to discuss - what else - how to make meaningful connections. Ginger has turned the art of connecting into a science, and in her book, Connectivity Canon, she lays out her 7-step methodology for making connections that can change the world. She and Dan dig into connections, finding you...