Archives: Podcasts

We are truly honored to speak with Kate Patay today.  Kate is a true leader in our industry who excels professionally and consistently gives back in meaningful ways. She is a media engagement strategist, event design and production expert, international speaker, mentor, connector, and travel enthusiast who serves as the Vice President of Global Engagement at Terramar, a DCM company, and chairwoman of the SEARCH Foundation. She is also a proud Swiftie! Stay tuned to hear about her remarkable journey and the insights she’s gained along the way. Kate’s Path Into the Events Industry Kate stumbled into the events world expecting to pursue a different career, but quickly realized that the work was in her blood. She began in food and beverage, moved through catering, hotels, and vendor roles, and ultimately launched her own firm, where she specialized in strategy and growth for small businesses and built a trusted global..

Today, we are thrilled to welcome entrepreneur, philosopher, writer, podcaster, and author Robert Glazer as our guest.  Robert truly understands how values shape company culture. In his latest book, The Compass Within, he explores how values guide both personal and organizational success.  Join us to discover how strong values lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity. Robert’s Journey Robert founded Acceleration Partners, a global partner marketing agency that became one of the first fully remote companies long before remote work became common. What began as an internal email to his team evolved into Friday Forward, a leadership newsletter with more than 120,000 readers. Writing became a parallel career for him, leading to several bestselling books, including his latest, a parable on personal and company values. As he stepped back from day-to-day business operations, Robert focused on helping people and..

We are excited to welcome clinical psychologist and USA Today bestselling author, Dr. Chloe Carmichael, today.  Chloe wrote Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety, which Deepak Chopra endorsed. Her latest book, Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly prompted Eric to reach out to her. That book received recommendations from Dr. Phil McGraw, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Patrick Bet-David, and various other thought leaders. She joins us to explore mental health, the importance of free speech, and what goes on within corporate organizations. Chloe’s Journey Dr. Chloe Carmichael built her career as a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker, blending academic insight with real-world experience. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and has a private practice in New York City. Her background as a yoga teacher and her fascination with mindfulness shaped her approach to emotional regulation..

Today, we are delighted to welcome Lisa Gregory, the founder and CEO of Gregory Event Services. As a dynamic entrepreneur with an impressive career, Lisa understands the highs and challenges of running a business, from sleepless nights to navigating the unexpected with determination and grace. She joins us today to share her journey, insights, and lessons learned along the way. Lisa’s Journey Fueled by a passion for purposeful leadership and continuous growth, Lisa built her career in the events and marketing industry. Her company initially focused on events and marketing, but is rapidly evolving into an AI-driven business. Guided by a commitment to innovation, culture, and purposeful service, Lisa has grown her global team across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She balances strategic vision with a hands-on approach, emphasizing culture fit, skill alignment, and sustainable growth. She also founded the Event Professionals..

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the incredible Iain Morrison today!  Iain has spent years working behind the scenes to help global superstars bring their spectacular shows to Australian audiences. Several years ago, he launched his company, The Imagination Collaborative. He joins us today to share his journey and insights from his remarkable career in the events industry. Iain’s Journey  Iain built his career behind the scenes of the world’s biggest concerts, working with global stars like Pink, the Foo Fighters, U2, Taylor Swift, and Adele. After decades of running large-scale productions and managing hundreds of people, he founded The Imagination Collaborative, a company that uses advanced digital technology to plan and visualize major events. His shift from being constantly on the road to leading a remote, tech-driven business reflects both the evolution of the events industry and his own desire for a..

We are thrilled to welcome Neen James, the expert on luxury experiences, back on the show today!  Neen is currently releasing her fourth book, Exceptional Experiences. She is one of the brightest and most data-driven thinkers in the events business, and everything she does and writes about is grounded in research.   She joins us today to share her insights on luxury experiences and discuss Mark Cuban’s thought-provoking notion that AI will encourage people to connect more in-person and enjoy exceptional human experiences more than ever before. Neen’s Journey Neen began her career exploring how attention, focus, and productivity impact leadership and influence. Over time, her work expanded to helping leaders design exceptional experiences through intentional thoughtfulness. After years of speaking and consulting around the world, she shifted her focus to understanding what makes interactions..

We are delighted to welcome the inspiring Sepideh Eivazi as our guest today. Sepideh is on a mission to move everyone she encounters, leaving them changed and feeling seen. She is a 2025 inductee of the Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, a Smart Speaker, a 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2025 Meetings Today Trendsetter. Her powerful TED Talk, Breath as an Act of Rebellion, has inspired audiences around the world.  She joins us today to share her journey and insights. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant medicine Sepideh’s Journey Sepideh Eivazi grew up in Iran, navigating a life constrained by societal and political limitations. At the age of 20, she moved to the United States with her younger sister in search of freedom and opportunity. Starting from scratch, she worked in hospitality in Las Vegas, learning about the..

Today, Eric is thrilled to welcome Shannon Thaler Cherry as his guest.  Shannon began her career as a model before pivoting to become a successful journalist, emcee, and host. She now leads content sessions at trade shows, corporate events, webinars, awards shows, and other events.  Tune in as she shares her journey and the nuances and facets of the dynamic career she has built. Shannon’s Journey Shannon began as a dance major in high school. She then signed a modeling contract rather than going straight to college. While traveling internationally as a model, she pursued digital journalism studies through Penn State's World Campus. A chance conversation at a photoshoot led to her first writing opportunity, which opened the door to an internship at BizBash after months of persistence. From there, she transitioned into newsroom roles at Daily Mail and New York Post before returning to freelance writing, where she..

When Eric did his very first public speaking experience, he almost became paralyzed with fear. But that moment also taught him a lasting lesson.  Tune in today to hear what happened and how Eric discovered an antidote to fear and procrastination. Taking the First Step When you have done something once, the second time becomes easier. Action is the antidote to fear and procrastination. Procrastination vs. Action Planning and scheduling may feel productive, but without action, nothing changes. Many of us hide behind learning and preparation, but progress only comes when we move from thinking to doing. Accountability as a Success Driver Having someone to keep you accountable helps you to follow through. An accountability partner helps ensure that your goals translate into daily actions. Leading vs. Lagging Indicators Lagging indicators measure outcomes after the fact (like annual revenue), while leading..

Today, Eric is delighted to welcome Melva LaJoy Legrand as his guest. Melva is an icon in our industry, having built an impressive career that spans the US, France, and Europe, earning numerous recognitions along the way.  In this episode, she shares her journey and discusses the honors she received within the industry, offering inspiration and insights for solopreneurs and small business owners. Her Journey Melva began her career as a teacher, but her creative spark kept pulling her in a different direction. A volunteering stint at a radio station one summer introduced her to concerts, festivals, and events, and she discovered her true calling. With the unwavering support of her parents, she stepped into event planning, starting at the bottom, and soaking up every lesson she learned along the way. With the help of her mentors, she managed to overcome her fear, learn about leadership, and shape her emotional..