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Want to build a great business? The CEO Project Podcast and host Jim Schleckser brings proven tools and techniques to scale your business. Each episode dives deep into a critical business topic for CEOs of mid to large-sized firms.
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Welcome to the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast, a beacon illuminating the paths and possibilities of thought leadership. With your guides, Peter Winick and Bill Sherman, we will embark on a journey into a captivating world where ideas converge with strategy and insight. Where will thought leadership take you? In each episode, we engage with thought leaders from diverse backgrounds. Whether it’s professional keynote speaking, writing your own thought leadership book, investigating the n ...
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Game-Changing Ways to Make Your Family Entertainment Business Soar
32:43
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What if your childhood love for roller coasters could lead you to build a national empire of amusement parks? If you're leading a business—or dreaming of scaling one—you’ll want to hear how John Dunlap, CEO of Five Star Parks & Attractions, turned a hospitality background and a Six Sigma mindset into a high-growth, family-focused entertainment powe…
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Rethinking Incentives: What Leaders Miss About Employee Engagement | Stephan Meier | 652
19:52
19:52
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Are your compensation strategies sabotaging employee engagement? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Stephan Meier, Chair of the Management Division at Columbia Business School and a leading voice in behavioral economics. Stephan shares insights from his journey—from academia to the Federal Reserve to …
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How to Navigate the Residential Real Estate Market Like a Pro
30:52
30:52
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30:52
Ever wonder how someone manages 4,000 real estate agents—and still has time to drive real social impact? If you're navigating today’s volatile real estate market, whether as an investor, entrepreneur, or just trying to make sense of what’s next, this episode offers clarity. Kimber Menkiti, a powerhouse in real estate leadership, breaks down how mar…
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Beyond Retirement: Building a Legacy of Generous Leadership | Joe Davis |651
17:42
17:42
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17:42
What if your greatest impact as a leader begins after your "official" career ends? Joe Davis, former Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and author of "The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain", joins Peter Winick to share insights from his extraordinary shift from consulting titan to imp…
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How to Know When Your Communications Strategy Needs Expert Help
29:10
29:10
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How can one foster collaboration within a team? Nathan Miller, the CEO of Miller Ink, is a seasoned communication strategist known for advising executives across business, government, and nonprofit sectors. With a strong background in history and public policy, Miller has guided numerous organizations in effectively narrating their stories and mana…
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Why Emotional Intelligence is the Missing Skill in Surgical Leadership | Gina Catalano | 650
34:40
34:40
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How do you grab the attention of the smartest person in the room and introduce an idea that could fundamentally change their approach to leadership? In this insightful episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Gina Catalano, President of Central Forza Group and author of The Leadership Wake Up Call, joins Bill Sherman to discuss her pioneering work…
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Why Connection, Not Command, Is the Real Engine of High Performance | Michael Abrashoff | 649
18:21
18:21
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What if the worst-performing team you’ve ever seen could become the best—without changing a single person? Today, Peter Winick sits down with Michael Abrashoff, former U.S. Navy captain and author of the mega-bestseller "It’s Your Ship: How Great Leaders Inspire Ownership From The Keel Up". Michael shares the extraordinary turnaround story of the U…
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Scaling Everest: Powerful Insights on the Journey to the Top
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26:48
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How should climbers prepare financially for the significant costs of climbing Everest? Steven Pivnik, an ambitious mountaineer currently on an expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions, is striving to summit Mount Everest, aiming to join the elite "8000 meter club." Having conquered Kilimanjaro and faced the challenges of Denali, Pivnik brings a wealth…
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Ethics at Scale: Navigating AI Risk | Reid Blackman | 648
21:19
21:19
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21:19
What happens when a philosopher, a pyrotechnics entrepreneur, and a tech ethicist walk into a boardroom? You get Reid Blackman—author of "Ethical Machines", host of a podcast by the same name, and founder of Virtue, a consultancy helping Fortune 500 companies navigate the ethical risks of AI. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, we exp…
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What Stage of Your Business Growth Do You Need a COO?
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27:51
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How can CEOs prevent political strife and foster a cohesive work environment? Cameron Herold, widely known as the CEO Whisperer, highlights the critical importance of the COO role through his establishment of the COO Alliance, a global network empowering second-in-commands across numerous countries. Drawing from his experience in scaling companies …
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Empowering Frontline Leaders: Strategies and Tools for Success | Noel Massie | 647
41:47
41:47
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How do you prepare a first-time leader to succeed when everyone’s watching? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill speaks with Noel Massie, former VP of US Operations at UPS and author of the upcoming book "Congrats, You've Been Promoted "(June 2025). Noel spent his distinguished career at UPS mentoring new leaders and guiding them …
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The New Customer Experience: What AI Changes Mean for Your Business
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29:06
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29:06
Why is speed a crucial competitive advantage in business? Jay Baer, a seventh-generation entrepreneur, has carved out a niche as a leading figure in the tequila industry, becoming the second most popular tequila influencer and educator globally. With a wealth of experience consulting for over 700 brands like Nike and IBM, Baer leverages his marketi…
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Human-Centered Marketing in an Automated World | Ashley Faus | 646
55:07
55:07
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How do you build genuine trust when AI-driven automation floods our lives? In this engaging episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, I sit down with Ashley Faus, author of "Human Centred Marketing: How to Connect with Audiences in the Age of AI", to explore the irreplaceable role of authentic human connection in today's tech-heavy marketing landsc…
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Build Influence Before the First Call | Jim Schleckser | 645
19:24
19:24
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What if your next client already feels like they know you—before you’ve ever spoken a word? This week on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter talks with Jim Schleckser, founder of The CEO Project, a peer advisory group for high-performing CEOs. Jim shares insights from advising over 125 CEOs across 40 states, leading organizations with revenues fro…
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Exactly What to Say to Spark Creativity and Bring People Together
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33:50
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How do purposeful questions facilitate personal growth and transformation? Phil M. Jones is a renowned expert in effective communication, celebrated for his best-selling book "Exactly What to Say," which empowers individuals to select the perfect words for any situation, whether in business or personal contexts. With a focus on preparing for known …
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Fundraising Beyond Size: Secrets for Scaling Nonprofit Impact| James Misner | 644
17:11
17:11
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Have you ever wondered why some nonprofits make a huge impact while others struggle to grow? The difference isn't always their mission—it’s their ability to fundraise and scale effectively. James Misner, founder of the Kipos Group, joins us today to reveal why bigger doesn’t always mean better in the nonprofit sector. James spent 25 years witnessin…
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Business Process Outsourcing: An On-Shore Solution
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30:00
Why is collaborating with local and state governments important for businesses in rural areas? Chuck Ruggiero, a seasoned professional in the outsourcing industry with a background in programming, has been a pivotal figure in bringing jobs back to the United States through rural outsourcing. He believes in harnessing the potential of local talent w…
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Leading with Data, Scaling with Purpose | Aaron Marcum | 643
28:57
28:57
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28:57
What if your greatest business challenge could become your launchpad into thought leadership? Today, Bill Sherman sits down with Aaron Marcum, visionary behind Breakaway 365 and bestselling author of EntreThrive, to explore how a journey from entrepreneur to industry thought leader unfolds—often unintentionally. Aaron shares how his frustration wit…
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From Local Landmark to Global Platform: The Digital Evolution of the 92nd Street Y | SethPinsky | 642
21:29
21:29
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Can a 150-year-old New York City institution thrive in the digital age? Seth Pinsky, CEO of the iconic 92nd Street Y, joins us to reveal how they turned crisis into innovation. Founded to support immigrant communities, the Y evolved into a world-renowned cultural hub. Seth shares how, despite the initial shock of COVID-19 closures, the organization…
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Why Deep Business Relationships Will Increase Your Success Rate
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35:43
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How can understanding the user journey lead to more authentic relationships and business growth? Josh Elledge, the founder of Up My Influence, is a pioneering advocate for building relationships through influence and integrity. With a background as a Navy journalist and as the creator of a successful seven-figure business, Josh underscores the impo…
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Accidental Thought Leadership: When a Minor Point Becomes a Major Movement | Ellen Joan Ford | 641
26:46
26:46
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What happens when leadership, military service, and motherhood collide with a mission for change? Dr. Ellen Joan Ford didn’t set out to become a thought leader—she became one by accident, driven by action. A former army officer, academic, and founder of Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose Leadership, Ellen first spoke about the challenges of working pa…
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The Surprising Truth: Most CEOs Get Cash Flow Wrong
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What is the significance of understanding the distinction between operating and strategic finance in hiring a CFO? Oana Labes, a seasoned CPA and MBA originally from Romania, has made significant strides in bridging the gap between controllers and CFOs through her innovative company focused on CFO brain technology. With her entrepreneurial spirit a…
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Crafting Books that Grow Your Brand and Business | Cathy Fyock | 640
17:42
17:42
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What’s the real reason you want to write a book? If your answer doesn’t connect directly to your business goals, you may be missing the mark. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with Cathy Fyock, a book strategist who helps authors write the right book—the one that aligns with their business, audience, and long-term st…
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Turning Industry Disruption into Thought Leadership Success | Kerim Kfuri | 639
19:42
19:42
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When the world stopped getting its stuff, why did supply chain suddenly matter? In this episode, Peter Winick speaks with Kerim Kfuri, global entrepreneur, author of "Supply Chain Ups and Downs," and CEO of Atlas Network. Kerim reveals why he stepped into thought leadership—especially when his industry became the center of public attention overnigh…
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How can tariffs affect employees and what support measures can be taken? On this special episode of The CEO Project podcast, host Jim Schleckser is joined by co-host Sharon McGuire for an in-depth conversation about the ripple effects of tariffs on business strategy and operations. With nearly half of CEOs expecting to raise prices in response to r…
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Breaking Through the Noise: Targeted Thought Leadership That Drives Results | Paige Velasquez Budde | 638
23:09
23:09
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Are you spending your resources wisely to amplify your thought leadership—or just making noise? In today's fast-paced marketplace, standing out from the crowd is tougher than ever. Peter Winick is joined by Paige Velasquez Budde, CEO at Zilker Media, one of Austin's fastest-growing agencies specializing in building people-driven brands. Paige share…
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Discover the Winning Tactics for Crafting Successful Software Solutions
33:49
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What is the difference between product solution fit and product market fit? David Hirschfeld is a seasoned software development expert with over three decades of experience, having held leadership roles at renowned companies like Computer Associates and Intel. He is known for his critical stance on traditional software development methodologies, wh…
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How Reluctant Thought Leaders Can Amplify Their Impact | Christina Wedgwood | 637
29:01
29:01
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Does thought leadership belong only to bold personalities and charismatic speakers? Christina Wedgwood doesn't think so. In her book, "Better: A More Authentic Path for the Reluctant Thought Leader", Christina explores how deep thinkers, perfectionists, and even those uneasy about taking center stage can still powerfully shape ideas and conversatio…
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Sales Isn’t Sleazy - If You’re Doing It Right | Lisa McLeod | 636
22:42
22:42
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What if the secret to extraordinary sales success wasn't pressure—but purpose? Lisa McLeod believes the best salespeople aren't chasing quotas. They're chasing impact. Lisa is a bestselling author of "Selling with Noble Purpose", keynote speaker, and creator of the Noble Purpose business philosophy. Her work has reached over 2 million people on Lin…
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Effective Marketing Strategies Tailored for CEOs of Growing Companies
30:20
30:20
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What is hand raiser marketing and how does it impact the path to purchase? Erik Huberman, the visionary founder of Hawk Media, is renowned for his innovative, data-driven marketing strategies that are customized to meet the unique needs of each business. With a track record of success working alongside industry leaders like Red Bull and Verizon, Er…
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Transforming Discomfort into Influence | Sean Barnes | 635
35:43
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Can an introvert become an influential thought leader? Today, Bill Sherman speaks with Sean Barnes, executive coach, speaker, and host of The Way of the Wolf Podcast. Sean didn't start out comfortable on stage. In fact, his first speaking experience—presenting technical details to executives—was uncomfortable enough to make many quit. Instead, it s…
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The Power of Achieving Goals Thorough Team Alignment
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How do core values influence decision-making processes for success? Dr. John DeMartini's journey is an inspiring narrative of resilience and personal transformation, marked by his triumph over early learning disabilities and a tumultuous youth as a street kid and surfer. Following a pivotal near-death experience at 17, he was motivated to conquer h…
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