Archives: Podcasts

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..

Today, Eric is excited to welcome Megan Nolan, the founder of Vitality Wellness in Maui.  With extensive experience in yoga, mental health, and well-being, Megan brings powerful tools to support small business owners and professionals within the meetings and events industry. About Megan Nolan Megan Nolan is a yoga teacher and personal trainer based in Maui. She combines movement, mindfulness, and strength training to help people improve their posture, energy, and mental focus. Beyond individual sessions, she specializes in bringing wellness into the conference and events industry by leading yoga, breathwork, and “power pauses” that energize participants and boost engagement. Her mission is to make healthy habits accessible, fun, and sustainable, whether for individuals, teams, or large audiences. Generational Awareness of Health Younger generations are highly aware of their mental and physical health. They..

Today, Eric shares five standout books he read this summer. As a passionate reader of 25–30 books a year, he found these books particularly impactful for both business and life. The Last Lecture — Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow This moving and timeless book was written by computer science professor Randy Pausch, as his final lecture after getting a terminal diagnosis. It blends philosophy, practical wisdom, and personal stories, offering lessons on living with purpose, nurturing relationships, and leaving a legacy. It is a book to hold onto for life, and to pass on to the next generation. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals — Oliver Burkeman Burkeman reframes time management by reminding us we only have about 4,000 weeks on earth. Instead of chasing endless productivity, he shows how to prioritize what truly matters. The book combines humor, philosophy, and practical tools for blocking, organizing,..

Today, we are delighted to welcome Marjie Hadad as our guest. Marjie is a PR expert who has spent the last 4 decades working in media and public relations in various countries. She currently assists private individuals and individual business owners. Marjie joins us today to share her insights and experience. Tune in to find out how to become more successful in your business and at home. Marjie’s Journey  Marjie has spent 40 years in media and public relations, working as a reporter, anchor, and producer, and she even won an Emmy Award. She later became an agent in the modeling industry before launching her PR career. For the past 25 years, she has run her own firm, working with clients globally and specializing in medical and venture capital. Speaking and Training Today, Marjie focuses on professional speaking and leadership training. Her work focuses on teaching individuals and companies to use communication..

Now is a great time to reflect on both personal milestones and business goals! Planning your priorities now can set you up for a strong finish to this year and prepare you for a successful start to 2026. Transitions and Emotional Awareness When your children start school or college, it can be emotionally intense as it reminds you how quickly time passes. Embracing the emotions of those moments can help you process change while you focus on other areas of life.  Planning Your Year-End Goals With roughly 85 working days left in the year, it is essential to define what you want to accomplish before this year comes to an end. You should also start thinking about next year.  Using Mind Maps Effectively Mind maps make it easier to translate abstract ideas into actionable steps. They can help you organize your ideas, set your priorities, and clarify your objectives. Mind mapping is a technique popularized by Tony..

We are delighted to welcome Kelly Knowlen, currently the Vice President of Sales Engagement and Special Events at Hilton, as our guest today. Kelly joins us today to share her career journey and talk about her work in the meetings and events industry. This episode will be of particular interest to event planners who own their businesses and want to increase their engagement, using events as a strategic tool for their organizations. Career Background Kelly has been with Hilton for over three decades, holding various positions that have taken her from sales management to corporate leadership. She now serves as Vice President of Sales Engagement and Special Events, overseeing their internal conferences and incentive programs in addition to about 200 customer events annually. Culture Hilton’s approach to meetings and events is rooted in company culture, creating exceptional guest experiences, empowering teams, and ensuring..