Episodes

Nick Holmstén is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of TSX Entertainment. Prior to forming TSX Entertainment in partnership with Fortress Investment Group, Nick was Global Head of Music for Spotify and was integral in turning the company into a global music powerhouse. He created the playlist as we know it today, transformed how artists release music, reinvented how fans discover artists and expanded the reach of artists around the world. Nick was also the CEO & Founder of Tunigo, which Spotify acquired in 2013. Scott Keeney (alias DJ Skee) is the founder of Dash Radio and is best known for introducing the world to artists on the radio, including Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Travis Scott and others. He has also produced for artists from Snoop Dogg to Michael Jackson and composed music for top-selling video games series like Halo and Ghost Recon. An early pioneer in the metaverse, Scott’s gaming studio division produces events and programming within metaverse experiences that includ…

James Nielsen is the CEO and Founder of Vendition, where he oversees all aspects of the company’s strategy and operations. Prior to founding Vendition, James spent his career building, managing, and leading high performing sales teams at venture-backed software companies including Ooyala, Ustream, Wizeline, and IntApp. He also led domestic and international Sales Development, Account Executive, Field Sales, Sales Engineering, Renewal, and Customer Success teams at these software companies. James built and designed his first Sales Development team in 2009 and is considered one of the pioneers in the Sales Development profession. Most recently, he created the first ever consumer Sales Bootcamp™ in 2015 and still runs the salesbootcamp.com online program. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: James is actually an engineer by education and trade, but one day when he was talking in the breakroom at Qualcomm a senior sales leader overheard a conversation he was having and started recruiting hi…

Avery Akkineni serves as the President of Vayner3. There, she leads the company’s mission to build long-term strategic NFT projects for the world’s leading intellectual property owners serving brands, celebrities, athletes, and associations looking to incentivize and reward brand advocacy and customer loyalty. Avery previously led VaynerMedia’s expansion into APAC, growing a team from 0-150+, opening offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Sydney, and was awarded SEA Independent Agency of the Year within years. Before joining Vayner, she worked at Google in both Silicon Valley and New York City. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: During her days at Target, Avery recognized how amazing an organization it was, but knew early on that she personally needed something a little less regimented where her future wasn’t laid out detail by detail in front of her. Avery landed on the other end of the spectrum when she ended up at Vayner, where she encountered a steep learning curve in adjustin…

First Air Date: 12/02/21 Liane Hornsey is the EVP & Chief People Officer at Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader that’s shaping the way people and organizations operate in a cloud-centric future. Liane previously served as chief people officer at Uber Technologies, Inc. where she helped transform the culture during a period of significant turbulence. Prior to that, she served as Chief Administrative Officer and operating partner at SoftBank and became Google’s first female Vice President in Human Resources. Liane has also held senior leadership roles at lastminute.com Group, Virgin Media, and BMG Music. Liane is widely recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent practitioners in people operations as well as organization and leadership development. This Episode’s Heavy-hitters: Liane explains the importance of not getting caught up in the hype of upwards movement early in your career. She says that in your 20’s, moving horizontally and gaining skills is more import…

In his early 20s, David Meltzer quickly rose to the top of his game in the business world, becoming a millionaire. David lectured around the globe and saw rapid success in every business project he touched. But something was missing, and in his 30s as a multimillionaire, he went on a rapid downward spiral that ended in bankruptcy. It was only then that David realized, in order to revive and thrive, he needed to codify what had made him successful in the first place. He has since emerged to realize even more rewarding heights of success in business and life. David Meltzer has created a platform that uses four overarching principles—gratitude, empathy, accountability, and effective communication—and these principles have allowed him to communicate and mentor everyone from college students to c-suite executives. These four principles in everyday practice allow David to live by his mission to “make a lot of money, help a lot of people, and have a lot of fun.” His life’s mission is to …

Daniel Priestley is the Founder of Dent Global and ScoreApp as well as a four-time best-selling author. His reputation and extensive experience with his own companies have seen him advising INC500 leaders and unicorn entrepreneurs. Starting with nothing, Daniel has built valuable and scalable businesses in Australia, UK, US/Canada and Singapore. Daniel’s Mission is to develop Entrepreneurs who stand out, scale-up and make a positive impact in the world. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Daniel’s first major company started when he asked his former boss for equity in a company he had been working at for a couple of years. He was denied, and in hindsight, Daniel says he should’ve asked earlier, but altogether it was bad timing and very early in his career. He also wrote How To Raise Entrepreneurial Kids, a subject he understands the importance of as someone who was entrepreneurial himself as a child. One of his first negotiations was at a garage sale he decided to hold in his early te…

Mike Smerklo is an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and business leader. Having bought and scaled a small business into a publicly traded company worth nearly a billion dollars in value, he has a deep understanding of the hard work, dedication and grit that truly powers successful entrepreneurship. His book, Mr. Monkey and Me, is an anti-memoir that features practical tools and the “other stuff” you don’t normally learn in classrooms or business books, such as the mental hurdles you have to overcome, the risks you have to take, and the sacrifices and mistakes you’ll make to become a successful entrepreneur. Today, as the co-founder and managing director of Next Coast Ventures, Smerklo has backed more than 40 companies across two funds to help startup founders achieve their goals. He also sits on the board of Everlywell and Alert Media. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Mike grew up in inner-city Toledo, Ohio and was surrounded by a lot of negativity and addiction. At some point h…

Kevin Smith is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. His first big break was in the film industry, after winning the Filmmaker's Trophy at Sundance Film Festival in 1994, for low-budget comedy buddy film Clerks. He also notably wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted in as the character Silent Bob of stoner duo Jay and Silent Bob, in Clerks, as well as multiple follow up movies such as Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Clerks II (2006), and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019). As a podcaster, Smith co-hosts several shows on his SModcast Podcast Network, including SModcast, Fatman Beyond, and the live show Hollywood Babble-On. He is known for participating in long, humorous Q&A sessions that are often filmed for DVD release, beginning with An Evening with Kevin Smith. Check out Kevin’s new film Killroy which is the first movie that is going to be released to the public as a…

Sofia Laurell is the Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Tiny Organics, an early childhood nutrition, and wellness company that introduces babies and toddlers to their first 100 flavors via organic, plant-based, fresh-frozen meals. Born and raised in Finland, Sofia has been passionate about advocating for women and children throughout her life. Prior to Tiny Organics, Sofia supported the corporate growth at Ascend Foundation, helping elevate women and minorities onto U.S. corporate boards and creating a pipeline of women and minorities to achieve the highest levels of leadership at Fortune 500 corporations. Sofia also serves on the Tufts School of Nutrition Innovation Council. Her global experience comes from London and Helsinki and is based in New York. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Sofia is from Finland, but has worked in London and now New York since she moved here in 2010. The idea behind Tiny Organics is introducing a healthier and more diverse flavor palate to kids at an early age. …

Darius Baxter is the founder and CEO of GOODProjects. He was raised for most of his childhood in a single mother-headed household, after tragically losing his father to gun violence. He founded the GOODProjects while graduating college, inspired to commit his life to create pathways for families like his own to make it out of poverty. Darius has facilitated millions of dollars of investment and resources into low-income communities in the US and abroad, most notably as the CEO of GOODProjects. In 2018, he began developing the GOODZone to provide options and opportunities to 500 families living in public housing in his hometown of Washington, D.C. For more on Darius, please visit https://www.goodprojects.org/ This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: As a child, Darius grew up in the church and initially wanted to be a preacher when he grew up. As he matured, he stuck very tightly to his Faith, but found a different avenue to serve the community. Darius actually founded GOODProjects with hi…

Brian Scudamore is a serial entrepreneur and author whose journey started at just 19 years old, when he founded 1-800-GOT-JUNK? In creating that business, Brian helped pioneer the junk removal business by turning a chore people avoid into an exceptional customer service experience. Then, he scaled that success into two more home-service brands, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine under the O2E Brands banner. His philosophy, which he detailed in his book “WTF (Willing To Fail)”, stems from his belief in the power of dreaming big, taking risks, and learning from mistakes. Through franchising, he’s giving thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to live their dreams of business ownership. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Brian’s entrepreneurship journey started when he saw his neighbor doing a car wash across the street. He immediately created his own and competed on price. The ability to walk into the candy store in those days and buy him and his friends whatever they wanted mad…

Check out part 2 of my exclusive Veecon coverage from Minneapolis this past May. There’s no one background, industry, or way of life that can describe the community that makes up VeeFriends… BESIDES maybe that everyone is a character, as you’ll come to see in this part two of my time documenting Veecon. From daredevils like Simon “Wild Wallaby” who sold a good portion of his belongings to get into the VeeFriends NFT game, to established industry veterans like Tom Bilyu of Impact Theory, who was on his way to speak about at a panel with Steve Aoki (no big deal) about their upcoming NFT collaboration. I got the pleasure of covering a WIDE range of different VeeFriends from different backgrounds. I also got the pleasure of reconnecting with POZcast Alumni like Matt Higgins, and another pretty cool guy named Gary that was pretty popular at this event for some reason… There’s even more packed into this episode than I can fit in a quick description, so be sure to check this one out to c…

Creativity is at the foundation of the value that NFT’s hold and protect, and few are happier about that prospect than artists rushing in to innovate the space. Gary Vee's first annual Veecon, held in Minneapolis mid May, was a true renaissance of creation, technology and community force driving the creation of an industry, an ecosystem of creative control, financial freedom, and a new canvas to unlock a world of new possibilities. So what better way to kickoff this POZcast exclusive event coverage than with the real creatives behind these experimental new projects? I was lucky enough to speak to creators of all different backgrounds– those that have been long established in the world of traditional and street art, as well as those that are hoping to use the world of NFT’s as a platform to launch their own legacies. Check this one out to hear a few quick words from Gary Vee speaking at an opening press concert hosted at renowned restaurant Fhimas, LA-based artist Stix AKA Steven M…

Rich Rosen is the founder and CEO of Cornerstone Search. Since 1996, he’s been working solo (until his recent first hire just this year!), and has placed over 900 software executives and sales professionals with emerging software companies across the United States. Through Cornerstone Search, Rich is ranked by Forbes as one of the top 50 recruiters in America in 2020 and 2021 (#20 in 2021.) Rich was also recently named one of the top 100 Recruiters by Moore's Essentials, and one of the Top 10 Recruiters to follow by Dualta Doherty. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Rich actually started out working as a stockbroker with Dean Witter, where he learned the power of long hours and aggressive cold calling. He also learned about how to really research companies and wade through the BS of the stock broker/analyst world. Also known as the “Cold Call Killer” (which is not a serial killer pseudonym for the record), Rich has made a career off of his ability to pick up the phone and make things…

Joining me on this roundtable #ThePOZcastLIVE episode are Kelli Hrivnak, Ben Nader, Adam Broda, and Dan Roth. Kelli is the founder of Knak Digital, which specializes in executive recruitment for technology, digital marketing, and creative talent. Ben Nader is the founder of Recruiter Empire, the largest growth network for recruiters and soon-to-be recruiters. Adam Broda is the founder of Broda coaching, which helps non-tech candidates transition into tech and engineering roles. Dan Roth is a neurodiverse recruiter who also runs the largest job seeker platform on LinkedIn. Join us for an honest discussion about the nature of the labor market, what mistakes are being made by candidates and employers, and much more about the future of work. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: One thing everyone can agree on– it’s currently a job seeker-focused market, and even borderline candidates are getting paid way above the rates they would warrant in a more typical job market. Part of pay transpare…

Shelley Zalis is the CEO of The Female Quotient, an internationally renowned thought leader, movement maker, and champion of equality. She is also a pioneer for online research, becoming the first female chief executive ranked in the research industry’s top 25. Today, Shelley works with Fortune 500 companies and impact organizations to advance equality in the workplace. Through its signature pop-up experience, the Equality Lounge®, along with the Global Exchange and advisory services, The Female Quotient has created an international community of women rising up to catalyze change. A firm believer in giving back with generosity, Zalis is a proud mentor to women around the world. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Shelley grew up in a home with three sisters, being the second oldest of four. She says although some sisters can be competitive, hers always had a great relationship where they were different from one another, but supported each other. Like many of us, Shelley’s first job…

Bracken Darrell is the CEO of Logitech, a world leader in new and innovative products that connect people via digital experiences. Bracken joined Logitech in 2012 and has helped completely revitalize the brand that once created PC accessories. Now, Logitech makes products that enhance our ability to connect over multiple digital platforms. Bracken has had a ton of experience leading at landmark companies like Procter and Gamble, General Electric, Whirlpool, Braun, and more. Each unique experience with different brands in different markets has made him an expert in running and growing world-class brands. This Episode’s Heavy-hitters: Bracken’s time working with Braun in Germany internationally taught him about the importance of actively incorporating multicultural people into team meetings. Since those people are more likely to be introverted due to cultural or language barriers, it’s important to seek out their input and be receptive to their communication styles as well. Bracken’…

Joining us in this rare installment of #thePOZcastLIVE is Heather Parady, Andy Storch and Kevin Logan. Heather Parady is the host of the Community Builders in Web 3.0 podcast. Andy Storch is my OG in the Web3 space, an author, and host of the My NFT Journey podcast. Kevin Logan is a rockstar recruiter and my business partner in Probably Nothing Talent. In this episode, we dig right into the wonderful world of Web3, where to start as a newbie, projects we love, and how this will change the world we live in. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: NFTs so far are a speculative investment at best and it’s too early to know everything there is to know about the space. The best way to get ahead is to educate yourself as much as possible, and then take risks that you’re comfortable with. Another safe bet to make is on the people and community. Web2 was much more focused on building a following, but this technology is all about forming credibility with the members of your community. It’s importan…

Chris Do is the director, CEO and Chief Strategist of Blind, an Emmy award-winning motion design studio which he ran for over 2 decades. Since founding Blind back in 2014, Chris reluctantly made his first YouTube video which altered the trajectory of his life and career. That’s when he founded The Futur—an online education platform with the mission of teaching 1 billion people how to make a living doing what they love. Chris is also a Vietnamese immigrant who understands building himself from the bottom up. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: A true shining example as a kid, Chris’s father worked his way up, as an immigrant that didn’t speak the language, from a bus boy to the Chief Engineer at a semiconductor factory. Another formative moment was when Chris had a messy breakup that led him to a dark period in his life, where he missed out on going to all the top design schools he had dreamed of. He made a promise to himself while attending a community college, and committed to a lif…

Stephen Powers is a creative entrepreneur, Grammy-winning record producer and the CEO of Wisdome LA, an immersive, multi-media art park in downtown LA that many are calling “the future of entertainment.” That’s no accident, as Stephen has deep roots in the music industry, having founded dozens of record companies and produced albums for the likes of Tina Turner, the Beach Boys and many more. At Wisdome, with its five geodesic domes and dizzying audio and visual technological capacities, there is no longer the traditional divide between artist and audience. Early in his life, he headed off to MIT as a teen to pursue a degree in molecular biology. But a chain of events led him down a very different path in life, where Stephen was forced to find true tenacity to build an incredible life and journey. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Wisdom LA is based on the concept that Domes are the most optimal way to experience live entertainment. Stephen explains that they’ve created a Dome compose…

Howard Bloom is an author, and previously worked as one of the most prominent publicists in Rock & Roll history for a few names you might know, like Michael Jackson, Prince, Bob Marley, Billy Joel, AC/DC, Kiss, Aerosmith, Phil Collins, REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, and Run DMC. That all changed in 1988 when Howard developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and was bed ridden for 15 years. Slowly, he began to recover, and with that recovery came a renewed passion for science that he had since his days as a young man. Howard has written six books including How I Accidentally Started The Sixties, Global Brain, and The Lucifer Principle. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: What drew Howard into music was the artist’s relationship with their own souls, and the art of expressing them through music. When Howard was young, he got a taste of what live performance was like when he attended a show and had an out-of-body experience. Then, Howard’s motivation for actually becoming a publicist was to be able to …

Manda Kalimian is an award-winning author, speaker, advocate, and founder. She has spent over two decades spearheading science-backed education and research to bolster rewilding initiatives for horses and the environment. As the founder and president of the CANA Foundation, her work to help to rewild America’s wild horses and lands have been championed by top magazines, women’s organizations, politicians, and distinguished journalists. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Part of Manda’s infatuation with horses is because they’re “man’s mirror.” She knows them to be sentient beings that have accompanied human beings throughout generations of civilization. One of the most personally horrifying elements of the horse kill buyer trades for Manda was learning that her friends and colleagues in the horse racing world didn’t really care about the horse slaughter that goes on. Some of them were even complicit in it when it came to retiring their “broken” and “lame” horses. Manda feels like qu…

Todd Kaplan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Pepsi. In his role, he oversees all brand creative, communications and commercial execution across Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar, while building a long term strategy and new product innovation for the brand overall. He has implemented a unique “culture in, brand out” approach, which has led him to develop big cultural moments, like bringing J. Lo and Shakira to the 2020 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime show, making history as the first two Latina artists to headline the event. More recently, he put together the 2022 halftime show with landmark Hip Hop and R&B acts like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige and 50 Cent. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Todd started the first student-run ad agency in the country after observing how poor marketing and targeting was in on-campus advertising. Todd’s entry point into Pepsico was approaching Indra Nooyi at a speaking event at his Alma Mater, Yale. He impressed Indra, the …

Sarah Noll Wilson is an executive leadership coach, author, and President and CEO (Chief Edge Officer) of Sarah Noll Wilson Inc. Working with CEO's, HR leaders, and organizations that care deeply about their employees and understand the connection between employee development, employee satisfaction, and organizational success, Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. specializes in transforming relationships from good to great.  Through her work as an Executive Coach, an in-demand Keynote Speaker, Researcher, and Bestselling Author of “Don’t Feed the Elephants”, Sarah Noll Wilson helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make. She also hosts the podcast “Conversations on Conversations”, is certified in Co-Active Coaching, Conversational Intelligence, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s: Sarah was massively into theatre when she was younger. She had an instructor that once said if his students weren’t fully inve…