A news source that uplifts and inspires while accurately reporting on unspoken and often hidden world events. Your host Ben Joseph Stewart guides you through uncomfortable truths while giving detailed and actionable solutions to a world that seems upside down...LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/benjosephstewart
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Our sixth season is Cleopatra, a six-episode series about one of the most expensive and infamous movies ever made. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Cleopatra should have been a smash. Instead, it was a shoot plagued by medical emergencies, climate disasters, nervous breakdowns, and the most scandalous love affair to ever hit a movie set. Join host Ben Mankiewicz as he digs through his own family stories to understand how it turned out so badly for his Oscar-win ...
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The Highly Optimized Podcast is your backstage pass to the minds of modern-day wizards, creatives, and changemakers who’ve ditched the rulebook and designed life on their terms. I launched this show to help others (like you) break free from the boring box society tries to stuff us into—and to remind you that you’re not crazy for dreaming big. Through deep, real, and sometimes hilarious conversations, we explore the inner work, wild ideas, and bold moves that light the path of the hero’s jour ...
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Presales Podcast by Presales Collective is a podcast dedicated to growing the Solution Consulting community. We aim to provide presales professionals with the resources, knowledge, network, and mentorship to develop long, impactful careers. On the Presales Podcast, you’ll hear from global presales leaders, top individual contributors, industry experts, enablement professionals, and entrepreneurs who have developed products for our profession.
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In this episode I explore the most incredible technology known to man. That is the body of man itself. Specifically the myofascial network of living tissues in the body that communicate fractally across its fiber optic scaffolding, gives form to our anatomy, orients us in time and space, and moves fluids through the body for hydration and cleansing…
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Scaling Presales Teams without Burning Out Your Best People with Ben Hills
39:21
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39:21In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James are joined by Ben Hills, Founder and CEO of Iris, to discuss how to scale presales teams effectively while avoiding burnout. They explore the difference between healthy high performance and unsustainable overwork, the role of AI in streamlining repetitive tasks like RFPs, and practical strategies for …
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Ep. 145: "Finding the Path That Was Always Yours" (feat. Amethyst Flame)
1:31:43
1:31:43
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1:31:43Send us a text Welcome back to the Highly Optimized podcast, the show where we explore what it means to live in full alignment, physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually. Today’s episode is a journey. A raw, unfiltered, soul-level transmission about what it really looks like to walk away from the default path…& choose something different. My …
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Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s love affair becomes a tabloid sensation. Richard drinks and Elizabeth cries, they fight and make up, all while trying to keep the affair from their spouses and the public. When the press infiltrates the set and reports on every ugly development, Joe struggles to hold the production together. But as the budget b…
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Ep. 144: “How To Become The Main Character In Your Story”
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57:44Send us a text Today’s episode is a very special one as I am doing my first solocast on this show. Yup, just you, me & about 50 minutes of me riffing on some topics I’ve been stewing on recently. I’ve been putting off doing a solocast until I felt in the energy for it & this week was the week that the stars aligned & I felt the call to hop on & sha…
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Joe Mankiewicz decides to recast two leading men and hires Richard Burton and Rex Harrison – major talents who turn out to be major headaches. He also moves filming to a new country, where the budget spirals out of control. Joe works against the clock to meet the studio’s deadline to start shooting, and he nearly pulls it off… until Richard Burton …
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How to Speak So Senior Leaders Listen with Ben Pearce
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37:07In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James are joined by Ben Pearce, founder of Elevated You, to discuss how technical professionals can effectively communicate with senior executives. They explore the critical differences between speaking to technical stakeholders versus C-suite leaders, covering everything from preparation strategies to deli…
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Ep. 143: "Success Without Sacrificing Your Soul" (feat. Tyler Drake)
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1:05:46Send us a text There are certain people you meet in life & instantly feel like you’ve known them forever… That’s exactly what happened when I crossed paths with today’s guest at the High Vibe Festival, which, side note, if you haven’t been yet, do yourself a favor & get there next year. From the jump, we were having deep, soul-expanding convos one …
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While Elizabeth Taylor fights for her life in a London hospital, Joe Mankiewicz begins to grapple with the movie he’s inherited. The script is dreadful, the sets are grotesque, and none of the footage is usable. Joe decides to start over from scratch. A look at Joe’s long career in Hollywood gives some clues as to how he’ll handle this epic product…
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Ep. 142: “Hearing Your Intuition & Finding Your Unique Path” (feat. Christopher August)
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52:38Send us a text You know, there’s a certain kind of person who refuses to settle for the script handed to them. Someone who looks at the world, feels that quiet nudge in their soul, & decides to build a life on their own terms, no matter how unconventional or uncertain it may look from the outside. Today’s guest is a living example of what it means …
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20th Century Fox pays Elizabeth Taylor a record-breaking salary to play Cleopatra, then tries to save money by filming the movie in England. That turns out to be a disastrous decision. The weather doesn’t agree with Liz, who suffers one health problem after another, delaying production for months. Fox then faces the question: pull the plug on this …
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Ep. 141: “How To Create A Highly Optimized Relationship” (feat. Rachel Varitimos)
1:12:55
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1:12:55Send us a text If there’s one thing I hold above all else as the cornerstone of my growth as a human being, it’s my relationship with Rachel. For the past 8 years, we’ve chosen each other, again and again. In the moments of joy, in the messiness, through every high and every heart-stretching low, we’ve returned to love. And not just love for each o…
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Ep. 140: "Unlocking the Mystical Self: The Hero’s Journey of a Spiritual Healer" (feat. Jaya Kaur)
1:13:51
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1:13:51Send us a text Every once in a while, you come across someone whose very presence seems to ripple with something different. Someone who, from an early age, realized they could access realms & wisdom that others simply couldn’t see. My guest today is just such a soul, a spiritual healer, mystic mentor, & oracle whose work blends constellation therap…
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His studio was collapsing. His budget was skyrocketing. And his two stars were making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Those were just some of the headaches facing Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the director of one of the most expensive and infamous movies ever made: Cleopatra. With Mankiewicz calling the shots and the luminous Elizabeth Taylor in the t…
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Ep. 139: "The Healer’s Way: Modern Mastery in Plant Medicine, Ritual & Transformation" (feat. Shelley DeMarco)
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1:01:07Send us a text Every now & then, I get the absolute privilege of sharing space with someone who not only lives & breathes the work, but redefines what it means to be a guide, a coach, & a true steward of transformation. My guest today is just that, a powerhouse who’s been on the frontlines of the coaching world for over 20 years, & who has spent th…
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Ep. 138: “Leaving the System, Finding the Self: A Journey of Faith, Freedom & Fierceness” (feat. Jen Kalawur)
1:16:51
1:16:51
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1:16:51Send us a text Some people are born into systems that try to tell them who to be. What to believe. How to behave. And for many, those voices become so loud, they drown out the whispers of the soul. But for today’s guest, those whispers never stopped. She grew up in a world of strict rules, religious dogma, and a strained relationship with God—where…
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How Demo Automation and AI Are Transforming Presales with Nalin Senthamil
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29:13In this episode, Matthew James and Timmy Hendrickson are joined by Nalin Senthamil, Founder and CEO of Storylane, to discuss the future of pre-sales and AI driving influence beyond pipeline. They explore how demo automation is transforming the self-serve buyer experience, the changing role of solutions engineers, and how AI can create 10X impact in…
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Ep. 137: "The Courage to Pause: Remembering What You Love & Trusting the Unknown" (feat. Jason Pickard)
1:24:58
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1:24:58Send us a text There’s a moment in every seeker’s life where the outer world no longer matches the inner one. Where the path that once felt aligned begins to pull at the seams—not because it was wrong, but because something deeper is ready to emerge. Our guest today knows this moment intimately. He climbed to the heights of success on Wall Street, …
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The Great Distraction from the Financial Revolution
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23:23I personally believe the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is a red herring to cover up the greatest wealth transfer and financial restructuring of all time. On par with the Bretton Woods Agreement after World War II, this monetary revolution is going purely digital. With Cryptocurrencies (digital assets) on the rise in every country, in ever…
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Ep. 136: “The Soul Of Film Making” (feat. Ben Joseph Stewart)
1:29:10
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1:29:10Send us a text When it comes to being highly optimized, nothing rains truer to this brand than daring to dream, paving your own path & being an example for others to guide there way into the unique magic they can give the world. When I look into people living their lives in this way, something ignited inside of me that even on my worst of days, giv…
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Insights from an SE-Leader-Turned-Recruiter: Why Classic Job Hunting is Dead
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35:21In this second part of our conversation with Raphael Joseph, former SE turned recruiter and founder of Brando Tech, Jack Cochran and Matthew James dive deep into why traditional job hunting methods no longer work in today's market. Raphael shares strategic insights on how SEs should approach job searching in 2025, treating themselves as products an…
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Ep. 135: “A Trip Down Memory Lane & Practical Tips For Paving Your Own Path In Life” (feat. Chase Tolleson)
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55:52Send us a text Over the past 5 years, I’ve been fortunate to meet some amazing souls who have supported me in giving me the confidence & courage to pave my own path in life regardless of what the mainstream world thinks. That being said, there have been some key people in that time that have become lifelong friends & today’s guest is no different. …
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The Antichrist is a part of Christian lore from the book of Revelation. In this episode I tease apart the similarities between the Beast of Revelation and AI or Technology as a whole. I show videos from investment-guru Ral Paoul, Evolutionary Biologist Brett Weinstein, Ezra Klein and more. This is one of my favorite topics to cover because I feel t…
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Ep. 134: The Most Important Things You Can Practice To Live A Highly Fulfilling Life (feat. Christian Van Camp)
1:04:55
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1:04:55Send us a text A big part of the Highly Optimized brand is focused upon physical, emotional, mental & spiritual well being. Whether we’re talking about holistic health practices, supplements, biohacks, or otherwise, I have found a deep fascination in not only these topics, but also the others in the world who are also passionate about the same subj…
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Insights from an SE-Leader-Turned-Recruiter: Personal Branding for SEs with Raphael Joseph
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35:15In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James are joined by Raphael Joseph to discuss the critical importance of building a strong LinkedIn profile for PreSales professionals. They explore how the platform has evolved as a powerful career tool, especially in today's competitive job market. Raphael shares practical tips on crafting a professional …
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Ep. 133: The Wild Places Life Will Take You When You Follow Your Heart (feat. Drew Bankey)
1:22:48
1:22:48
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1:22:48Send us a text One of my favorite aspects of the life we are all living is the mystery woven into it. From an early age, I was fascinated by the idea of aliens, the paranormal, UFO’s, psychic senses, psychedelics & more & as such, I have been a seeker who’s been looking to explore these mysteries for the better part of half my life at this point & …
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Ep. 132: How To Become The Perfect Match For Your Soulmate (feat. Chris Gillis)
1:11:45
1:11:45
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1:11:45Send us a text As a man, one of the biggest challenges I had in my early years was the courage to put myself out there with potential love interests. I find that many of the men I work with today also share similar challenges. Whether it’s lack of confidence, commitment challenges or otherwise, it’s clear to me that us men have a lot of confusion a…
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🔍 Have you ever pondered the profound difference between the power of silence and the art of misdirection? In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the delicate balance between sociopathy and the mastery of restraint and composure. 📚 Drawing insights from renowned figures like Jordan Peterson and key concepts from the *48 Laws of Power*, we…
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Forecast This: Why Presales Belongs in the Room
34:38
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34:38In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James are joined by Karthik Krishna, Manager of Solutions Engineering at Freshworks and Presales Collective's Regional Community Leader for Chennai. They explore how Solutions Engineers can gain strategic influence in deal cycles beyond just giving demos and answering technical questions. Episode Highlights…
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Ep. 131: “Damn It Feels Good To Be Back” (feat. Adam Chin)
1:05:57
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1:05:57Send us a text Woooo! Today is a big day ladies & gents! Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Highly Optimized podcast. For some of you, it’s a returning & for others, it’s your first time here & as such, what you can expect each week is for me to interview someone who has truly created a life on their own terms. In these episodes, we’ll dive into how …
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If you've ever felt betrayed by the world, only to discover what a self-help book could have taught you? Some wounds bring you to your knees and sometimes no one help can help. You have to pick yourself back up. While I've had many rites-of-passage moments in my life, they were simply practice for the latest. And there is no bad guy in this story. …
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The Origin of Lying: Masculine and Feminine Neurology
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18:06In this episode I explore Curt Doolittle's views on masculine vs feminine neurology and where lies and undermining communication originates. He does a fantastic job modeling the way masculine and feminine neurology operates by spoke or unspoken contract. It's mathematical as well. The structure of the way we communicate is steeped in two evolutiona…
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Buy, Sell, Beware: Examining the Ethics of AI with Dianna Cappello
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40:46Today’s episode was recorded during Presales Collective’s AI-Powered Presales Summit on March 26th, 2025. In this episode, Jack Cochran (General Manager, Presales Collective) and co-host Matthew James discuss the ethics and trust issues surrounding AI in sales environments with guest Diana Capello, Director of Solutions Consulting for US and Demo E…
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Presales People in Disguise with Alex Nation
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31:53In this episode, Jack Cochran (General Manager, Presales Collective) and guest co-host Allison Macalik dive into the topic of "Presales People in Disguise" with Alex Nation. They explore the journey into presales roles, the importance of effective discovery techniques, the power of silence in customer interactions, and the unique relationship betwe…
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Neurocinema: Mind Control or Perfect Entertainment?
24:09
24:09
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24:09Neurocinema is a new field of research that looks at exactly how TV programs, commercials and films effect the neurology of the viewer. The more accurately the producer can predict the audience reaction, the more successful the film typically is at achieving its intended goal: Your attention, your money and Your time. In this episode I explore this…
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Winning Complex Deals: How AI Empowers Sales Teams with Manisha Raisinghani
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37:11In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James are joined by Manisha Raisinghani, Founder and CEO of SiftHub, to discuss how AI is transforming the Presales landscape. They explore how SiftHub's AI sales engineer helps solutions teams consolidate tribal knowledge, automate repetitive tasks, and increase productivity. Manisha shares insights on lev…
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From Novice to Expert: Presales Career Paths with Kalyan Ramkumar
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33:05In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James talk with Kalyan Ramkumar about his journey from novice to expert in the presales field. Kalyan shares his experience starting as an SDR at RSA Security with no technical background and how he worked his way up to become a skilled solutions engineer. He discusses the importance of domain knowledge in …
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Technology is fusing human with the internet in ways you may not expect. Dive deep into the Internet of Bodies, its aims and how it can be seen as something useful rather than having the knee jerk reaction of thinking all tech leads to technofeudalism. You are the most powerful technology. Don't ever forget that.…
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Have you ever wondered how powerful Story must be to be the oldest social technology and the way all modern governments and corporations recruit massive support for agenda's that aren't even beautiful? In this episode I break down the power of story and its application in every day life to show you that you're not in need of some external solution …
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Exploring Value in Modern Tech Sales with David Yockelson
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35:15In today's episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James sit down with David Yockelson, Distinguished VP and Gartner Fellow, to discuss the evolution of value realization in tech sales. They explore how buyer behaviors have changed, the importance of understanding customer needs before leading with technology, and practical approaches for pre-sales profe…
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Catherine Austin Fitts breaks down how Bitcoin may be purchased by the federal and state governments in Trump's proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. I link a few threads from Catherine to highlight a part of Agenda 21 that I've been seeing since my first film Esoteric Agenda. Catherine proposed the possibility of crypto whales liquidating their bitc…
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Beyond Automation: Amplifying SE Teams using AI Agents with Dean Shu
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36:17Show Notes In today's episode, Dean Shu (CEO & Co-founder, Arphie) joins Jack Cochran and Matthew James to discuss AI agents in PreSales and the evolution of the industry. They explore the changing landscape of PreSales leadership, practical applications of AI, and strategies for evaluating AI solutions. Thank you to Arphie for sponsoring this epis…
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Human Qualities of Presales Leadership with Ron Whitson
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34:35In this episode, Jack Cochran (General Manager, PreSales Collective) and Matthew James discuss the human qualities of presales leadership with special guest Ron Whitson. Ron shares insights from his 30-year career in the industry, discusses his book "A Friendly Human in Presales," and explores how leaders can effectively transition from being top i…
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The State of Presales in 2025 with Matthew James
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35:20In today’s episode, Jack Cochran (General Manager, PreSales Collective) and new co-host Matthew James discuss the evolution of PreSales Collective and key industry trends for 2025. They announce the expansion of local PSC chapters, tease upcoming leadership conferences, and explore controversial topics like AI in pre-sales and team structure debate…
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As 2025 approaches, the PreSales Podcast has some exciting changes coming! First and foremost, Matthew James is joining Jack Cochran as co-host of the podcast. Also, starting in January, the show will be recorded live on LinkedIn via the new show PreSales LIVE! Join Matthew and Jack as they talk to guests and answer a live Q&A at the end of each ep…
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After the United States helped deploy missiles from Ukraine into Russia, the threat of World War III is all people want to talk about. In this episode, I expose the Boogey-Man Story that all nations feed their people in what's called the "Multi-Polar Trap. This is a gaming dilemma in which competing nation states must keep growing in military might…
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There's no easier way to say this and have it land. There is legislation in motion under the 30x30 American the Beautiful Act that states it will put thirty (30) percent of US land under federal jurisdiction to preserve nature against human influence. In this episode, I break down Kamala Harris's involvement in pushing this agenda through in 2021. …
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Today on the PreSales Podcast we have an exciting announcement, we have the pleasure and opportunity to announce the next General Manager at PreSales Collective, Jack Cochran. We talk about this exciting new chapter for PreSales Collective, how we are expanding with a new PreSales Collective board of directors, the excitement of hitting the milesto…
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How to Heal American Corruption and Polarity - Marriane Williamson's Special
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16:02Marriane Williamson shares her sincere thoughts on how and why the Democrats lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump. We highlight her entire address to the world as I give my thoughts on exactly why this kind of voice is needed to remind the people: The left and right are humans and fellow countrymen and women. The system will not heal this divide …
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The Demo Challenge: Capturing Buyer Attention Before the Demo w/Todd Janzen
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40:23Welcome to the Pre-Sales Podcast! Today we have a fantastic guest joining us—Todd Janzen. Todd brings a wealth of experience from his impressive career in pre-sales, including his time at Salesforce and now as SVP of Customer Success and Buyer Enablement, Consensus In our conversation, we dive into the presales craft, influence in GTM, and more. On…
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