The New Talent Playbook Podcast

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)...

In this episode, Rob sits down with Michael Deutsch, Managing Partner of The Deutsch Group and owner of Sapphire Talent. They explore the often-overlooked art (and science) of hiring. Michael shares his insights on why most small and mid-sized businesses struggle with hiring, what needs to change, and how organizations can design better hiring processes—especially in remote and hybrid environments...

In this episode, Rob Levin is joined by Chason Hecht, CEO and founder of Retensa, a global leader in employee retention strategies. With decades of data and experience behind him, Chason dives into what really drives retention—and spoiler alert—it starts way before someone quits.  From knowing why people join and stay, to the rising impact of remote work, and how culture, hiring, and feedback all...

In this episode of Great Talent Great Business, Rob Levin chats with Mark Taylor—CEO coach, entrepreneur, and leadership expert—on what truly separates great leaders from the rest. They dive into why leadership development is often overlooked, the power of CEO peer groups, and how Positive Intelligence helps leaders manage stress, build resilience, and stop self-sabotage.   Key Takeaway:  Great le...

On this episode of Great Talent Great Business, Rob Levin interviews Bob Borcherdt, Founder and CEO of IN2GREAT and discuss how you can unlock the hidden potential within your organization. Bob delves into the root causes, emphasizing the critical role of leadership development and the creation of cultures of clarity. Learn how fostering better leaders and clearer expectations can drive employee e...

In this episode of Great Talent Great Business, Rob Levin interviews Jade Green, an expert in company culture. Jade emphasizes that company culture is "caught, not taught," and that businesses should focus on modeling the values they want to instill in their employees. Jade explains that businesses have a responsibility to care for their employees to create a positive and productive work environme...

What does it take to build a company that runs itself? In this episode, Rob Levin and Chris Beer dive into the real challenges behind business growth—hint: it's not just about hiring an integrator. Chris explains how leaders can create clarity, delegate effectively, and build a culture of ownership. They explore the roles of visionaries and integrators, the power of letting go, and how the right c...

On this episode of Great Talent Great Business, Rob Levin chats with Alyssa Gelbard, founder and CEO of Point Road Group, about the power of employee branding. Alyssa breaks it down, explaining that employee branding is all about how a company's people represent and promote the brand in everything they do—whether they're interacting with clients, networking, or even just posting on LinkedIn.    Ke...