Archives: Podcasts

We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Hinton as our guest today. Kevin, who has over 20 years of experience in the global meetings and travel industry, was appointed as Managing Director of Group Travel for the U.S. Travel Association last year. He joins us today to share his career trajectory and dive into the significant role he now plays within the organization. Tune in today to hear about his impressive career and learn how he is shaping the future of group travel. His Career Journey Kevin began his career with a family legacy in the hotel and travel industry. He was shaped early by his Peace Corps work in West Africa, where he helped women form a credit cooperative. Returning to Chicago, he gained hands-on experience at the Chicago Hilton before moving into group travel sales. His involvement with MPI culminated in Kevin serving as its international board chair, which marked his deep commitment to the meetings and events..

We are honored to welcome the distinguished Dr. Stanley K. Ridgley, author of the recently released book DEI Exposed, as our guest today. Dr. Ridgley is a well-traveled and highly respected educator with a reputation for delivering insight with clarity and impact. In his book, he addresses one of the most widely discussed and contentious topics in our industry today, substantiating his arguments with well-researched factual evidence. Silence implies complicity, so Eric never shies away from tough conversations, especially with those who can back their ideas with proven facts. Join us to hear Dr. Ridgley’s clear-sighted and thought-provoking perspective on the truth about DEI. What DEI Has Become The original purpose of DEI, which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was to ensure fairness, opportunity, and support for disadvantaged groups. However, in practice, it has evolved into something quite different...

We are delighted to welcome Barbara Dunn as our guest today. Barbara is one of the top legal experts in our industry and an absolute powerhouse in her field! She joins us today to share her professional journey and explore the realities of owning and running a business. Stay tuned for Barbara’s valuable insights on the legal aspects every business owner must consider to thrive in the current dynamic and competitive business landscape. Barbara's Professional Journey Barbara is an experienced attorney specializing in nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, and association law. She built a career specializing in legal counsel for associations and nonprofit organizations. With her extensive experience in contract negotiation, risk management, and governance, she has guided many organizations through complex legal challenges. Her expertise has been especially valuable in helping organizations adapt to changing environments,..

Today, Eric dives into the importance of self-care and focusing on mental health, particularly during times of uncertainty.  Stay tuned as Eric shares practical ways to remain grounded and support your well-being, even when things feel unpredictable. A Late-Night Emergency in Sardinia While organizing a sales meeting for a medical device company in Sardinia, Eric experienced a powerful reminder of why health must come first. In the early morning, as his team was wrapping up video edits for a final presentation, he found a man lying unconscious with blood coming from his head. The man had fallen and hit the corner of a table. Acting Quickly—Even Against Protocol Eric contacted the head of the company, who happened to be a trained nurse practitioner. She warned that moving the man could be risky, but leaving him could be worse. When the hotel insisted on following procedure before calling a doctor, Eric bypassed..

We are delighted to have Didi Aurelia as our guest today. Didi is an educator, psychologist, speaker, and the author of 100 Days to a More Aware You.  Having spoken recently at the World Economic Forum about the role of AI in supporting conscious decision-making, Didi is the ideal person for business owners and those seeking to integrate more mindful decision-making processes into their practices to consult with.  Stay tuned for Didi’s thought-provoking insights on using AI to enhance awareness and support intentional choices. Personal Transformation Didi highlights her journey of self-awareness and growth in her book, 100 Days to a More Aware You. She believes lasting transformation comes when people engage deeply with their lives, make conscious decisions, and take small, intentional steps toward change. She encourages individuals to become aware of their habits and mindsets and make the necessary shifts to..

In times of uncertainty, like we are facing now, small business owners must stay focused and be proactive.  Today, Eric shares three of his tried and tested strategies for helping small business owners remain steady during times of uncertainty within the industry. Stay tuned to learn how to turn uncertainty into opportunity with three proven strategies to keep your business moving forward in unpredictable times. 1. Review Your Finances Start by examining every expense in your business, line by line. Go through all your credit card statements and monthly charges, especially those auto-pay items you may have forgotten. Cancel anything that is not essential. Then, take a broader look at your fixed costs and plan to adjust if your revenue drops.  Being prepared now can help you avoid making tough decisions later.  2. Reconnect with Clients and Prospects Now is the time to be visible and proactive. Many..

Today, we are delighted to welcome Amanda Gore, an Australian powerhouse from the Speaker Hall of Fame, as our guest. Amanda is a phenomenal communicator who blends her sharp insights with humor and heart, offering fresh perspectives on joy, emotional intelligence, change, management, and leadership. Get ready to laugh and learn as Amanda shares her story and powerful insights that have inspired her audiences worldwide. Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important than technical skills in leadership and life. EQ helps people navigate conflict, build trust, and maintain strong relationships. If someone feels psychologically safe, they will be more productive, creative, and loyal. The Brain Reacts First, Thinks Later The brain is wired for survival. So, when people feel threatened by someone's tone, body language, or words, they shift into fight-or-flight mode, making calm conversation almost..

The Business of Meetings – Episode 267: From Token to Transformative: Making Boards Work with Marc Stockli We are thrilled to welcome Marc Stockli, an accomplished entrepreneur from Switzerland, as our guest today. With over 20 years of business experience, Marc has chaired the Global Board of the Entrepreneurs Organization and has also become an author.  Join us as Marc shares his journey and gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming book, Make Boards Work. His Journey Marc’s deep understanding of boards comes from his many years working with founders, investors, and leadership teams across Europe. He has worked closely with companies like Northvolt and helped shape boardrooms from early-stage startups to investor-heavy scale-ups. Having served on several boards and supported high-profile companies through huge transitions, Marc learned firsthand why some boards are transformative and others dysfunctional. His..

We are delighted to welcome Ari Meisel, the king of efficiency and productivity, as our guest today. Ari has written a book called Less Doing More Living. Everything he writes and shares is about efficiency, and there is always something relevant for small business owners to apply.  So, if you own a small business and are looking for ways to increase your productivity and operate more efficiently, stay tuned. You are in for a real treat! His Journey Ari’s path to productivity began as a response to a personal health challenge. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in his twenties, he turned to biohacking, process optimization, and self-experimentation to regain control of his life. That laid the foundation for his unique approach to productivity, ultimately leading to the development of his Less Doing methodology. He now coaches entrepreneurs across the globe, helping them build businesses that run without them. The..

We are delighted and honored to welcome the legendary FBI negotiator, Chris Voss, as our guest today. Chris was the head of the hostage negotiations at the FBI, and he significantly changed their negotiation style. He has taught at various business schools and founded the Black Swan Group. He is also an author, having written Never Split the Difference, The Full Fee Agent, and more recently, Empathy and Understanding in Business. Join us to hear Chris’s fascinating story and to get his advice and actionable tips to implement in your life and business. Chris’s Story From a young age, Chris embraced the value of learning and honed his problem-solving and quick decision-making skills. His experience volunteering on a suicide hotline in New York City motivated him to become a hostage negotiator, where he discovered the power of empathy for accelerating results. His counterintuitive approach focused on making individuals..