Episodes

Greg Selkoe is a serial entrepreneur and a true cultural architect. He’s best known as the founder of Karmaloop, one of the original streetwear and e-commerce pioneers that went from an idea to a global brand doing over $180 million a year at its peak. Greg’s lived the full entrepreneurial arc. The insane highs of hypergrowth, the painful reality of watching it all come apart, and the even harder work of rebuilding with real intention and clarity. Today, he’s the Co-Founder and CEO of XSET, a next-gen gaming and lifestyle organization sitting at the intersection of content, community, and culture, and honestly redefining what a modern brand can look like. What I love about Greg is how real he is. He doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. He talks openly about leadership, failure, resilience, and what it actually takes to build something that truly resonates with people in the real world, not just on a pitch deck. Connect: XSET: https://xset.com Instagram: (Greg Selkoe): https://www.insta…

My guest on episode #495 of #thePOZcast is Jay Paterno—author, coach, media voice, and a leading thinker on the future of college football. Jay spent over two decades coaching at the Division I level, including 17 years at Penn State, and brings a rare inside view of leadership under extreme pressure. He’s the bestselling author of Paterno Legacy and Hot Seat, and his latest book, BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football’s New Era explores how big money, NIL, mental health, and constant scrutiny are reshaping the sport. Jay is also the son of legendary coach Joe Paterno, a perspective that has deeply shaped how he thinks about leadership, responsibility, and legacy—while still forging a path very much his own. Today, we’re unpacking what college football’s evolution can teach all of you. In this episode, Adam Posner interviews Jay Paterno, a former college football coach and author, discussing the evolution of college football, the impact of NIL, and the importance of acc…

First aired 10/20/23 My guest E294 of #thePOZcast is Julia Menez, points strategist and founder of Geobreeze Travel! Geobreeze Travel is a platform that focuses on travel hacking and providing insights on maximizing the potential of credit card points and miles for remarkable travel experiences and financial growth. Prior to Geobreeze, Julia worked for 9 years as an actuary for Cigna Health. In addition to her great, viral social media content, where she breaks down bite-sized travel hacks, she also hosts the Geobreeze Travel podcast. After traveling to more than 30 countries before the age of 30 and saving thousands of dollars each year with points and miles, Julia distills the strategies from top award travelers around the world in the Geobreeze Travel podcast and creates content about how to use everyday business and personal expenses to earn luxury travel for next to no cost. For more on Julia, please visit: Free points 101 course: www.geobreezetravel.com/freecourse Instagram…

My guest on episode #494 on #thePOZcast is Neal Tricarico, Co-Founder of the Endurant Movement and the Endurant Show, mission-driven platforms transforming grief into purpose through community and storytelling. After losing his son Anthony to suicide, Neal now channels decades of leadership and coaching into advocacy for mental health, suicide prevention, and neurodiversity. With deep love and lived empathy, Neal leads with vision and vulnerability, ensuring no one walks through pain alone. In this deeply emotional conversation, Adam Posner speaks with Neal Tricarico, co-founder of the Endurance Movement, about the profound impact of grief following the loss of his son, Anthony. They explore themes of love, resilience, and the importance of community in navigating mental health challenges. Neal shares his journey of transforming grief into purpose through advocacy for mental health and suicide prevention, emphasizing the need for open conversations and support systems. The discuss…

On episode #493 of #thePOZcats, Adam Posner interviews Ashley Heard, founder of Manager Method, discussing the critical aspects of leadership development and the challenges faced by first-time managers. Ashley shares her journey from law to corporate life, emphasizing the importance of proper training for managers to avoid setting them up for failure. The conversation explores various management styles, the significance of the Pause, Consider, Act framework, and the role of AI in enhancing human connection in the workplace. Ashley also discusses her new book, The Manager Method, and the need for continuous leadership training in organizations. About: Ashley Herd, founder of Manager Method and one of the most practical voices in leadership development right now. Ashley helps organizations turn first-time and experienced managers into confident, capable leaders through real-world training that actually sticks. With a background as a General Counsel and Head of HR, she’s seen firstha…

In episode #492, Adam Posner welcomes Kati Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and bestselling author, to discuss the importance of mental health and the nuances of emotional well-being. Kati shares her journey into the field of therapy, sparked by her own experiences with family therapy as a teenager. The conversation delves into various topics, including the significance of language in shaping our emotions, the concept of 'eldest daughter syndrome,' and the patterns of behavior that lead individuals to repeat unhealthy relationship dynamics. Kati emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and communication in therapy, offering practical advice for improving mental health and relationships. Throughout the discussion, Kati highlights the challenges of navigating emotional patterns and the impact of societal expectations on personal growth. She also introduces her new book, "Why Do I Keep Doing This?", which explores the reasons behind repetitive behaviors and the journey…

On episode #491 of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner welcomes Nir Bashan, a keynote speaker and bestselling author, to discuss the importance of creativity in the workplace. Nir shares his journey from Hollywood to advertising, emphasizing that creativity is a skill anyone can cultivate, not just those who identify as 'creative.' He highlights the need for organizations to foster a culture of creativity, especially among frontline employees who can implement innovative solutions in real-time. Nir also discusses the impact of social media on human connection and the importance of in-person collaboration for effective problem-solving and creativity. Learn More: thesolutionmindset.net is out now on Wiley and Sons books LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirbashan/

On episode #490 of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Kimberly Storin, CMO of Zoom, to discuss her career journey, the importance of curiosity in leadership, and the evolving marketing landscape in a hybrid work environment. Kim shares insights on building relationships with finance, defining organizational culture, and the resurgence of experiential marketing. They explore the balance between AI and human engagement, strategies for effective remote work, and the need for nonprofits to communicate their impact. Looking ahead, Kim emphasizes the importance of multi-generational collaboration in the future of work and redefines success as having fun and continuous learning. Kimberly Storin, the CMO at Zoom, where she leads global marketing and communications. Prior to Zoom, Kim held marketing leadership roles at tech companies ranging from SaaS start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, and was an M&A consultant at Deloitte earlier in her career. She lives in Austin, is deeply involved wit…

In this episode of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner speaks with Jason Walker, co-founder of ThriveHR Consulting, about the evolving HR landscape, the impact of AI on talent acquisition, and the importance of empathy in the workplace. They discuss the challenges job seekers face in a competitive market, the concept of 'job hugging,' and the benefits of fractional HR services. Jason emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt to AI while maintaining a human touch and offers actionable advice for job seekers to personalize their approach in a challenging job market. Jason Walker is the cofounder of Thrive HR Consulting and one of today’s leading thinkers in modern HR. Jason is an industry veteran, global speaker, and trusted talent advisor who’s helped companies transform their people practices through massive shifts—AI, workforce transformation, M&A, you name it. He and his partner launched Thrive HR to give organizations fractional, high-impact HR support across exec coaching, DEIB, emp…

On this episode of #thePOZcast, Brooke Dukes discusses the misconceptions surrounding hard work, particularly for women, and emphasizes the importance of intuition and self-care in achieving success. She shares her personal experiences with burnout and illness, advocating for a more balanced approach to work and life. Brooke Dukes — a powerhouse Behavioral Business Strategist, international best-selling author, speaker, and host of Burn On, Not Out. She’s the founder of BMD Consulting, where she helps CEOs and executive teams scale their companies without sacrificing their sanity or their soul. A former Fortune 500 leader turned serial entrepreneur, Brooke brings more than 20 years of expertise in leadership development, sales performance, and cultural transformation. She blends behavioral science, neuroscience, Human Design, and lived leadership to create systems that actually stick because they’re built around how humans really work. She’s the creator of the GRACe™ Communication…

On episode #487 of #thePOZcast, Adam and Jeff Williams discuss the common misconceptions surrounding organizational transformation, emphasizing that while a small percentage of the workforce may be enthusiastic about change, the majority are often resistant or indifferent. He highlights the importance of engaging all employees in the transformation process, rather than assuming their support based on leadership declarations. Williams argues that business leaders must invest more in understanding and facilitating this change among their teams to achieve successful outcomes. Jeff Williams — a global leader in HR and business transformation who has driven growth at some of the industry's biggest names. Jeff is now President and CEO at Aptia, and is helping shape one of the company’s most critical business lines. Previously, Jeff served as Vice President of Enterprise and HR Solutions at Paychex, where he led a $1.5 billion P&L, helped the company become America’s market-share leader …

In episode #486 of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Kelly McGinnis, a corporate innovator and strategic growth leader at Thermo Fisher Scientific. They discuss Kelly's journey in corporate America, her unique approach to leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the balance between ambition and personal fulfillment. Kelly shares her insights on hiring for culture, the myth of the 100-hour work week, and the significance of mental marination for effective leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust in leadership, the challenges of delegation, and the importance of redefining success beyond traditional metrics. Kelly McGinnis — a powerhouse corporate innovator, strategic growth leader, and all-around trailblazer redefining what success looks like in business and in life. As President of Business Operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kelly has rewritten the playbook on growth — turning complex challenges into billion-dollar opportunities and driving transf…

My guest on episode #485 of #thePOZcast is Jordan Gaspari, one of the rare people who actually grew up dreaming of becoming an agency recruiter — it’s literally in his DNA. Following in the footsteps of his dad and role model, Richard Gaspari, who spent over 40 years in the industry, Jordan mastered the art of recruitment throughout the 2010s as a top performer at Randstad Technologies. He became the go-to talent partner for Fortune 500 heavyweights like Wells Fargo, McKesson, UnitedHealth Group, and Cigna. Then, just seven days after losing his father in 2018, Jordan honored his legacy by inventing a new word — and a new way to do business: Exclusent — blending “exclusive” and “talent.” Since then, Exclusent has taken off, earning a 2025 Inc. Magazine Power Partner Award and becoming one of the most recognized agencies in the Southwest. Their secret? Merging A.I. and authenticity to transform hiring across their Core 4 focus areas: Enterprise Architecture, Information Technology,…

My guest on episode #484 of #thePOZcast is Joe Nicchi, the founder of CVT Soft Serve — the Los Angeles ice cream brand that started from a refurbished Mister Softee truck named “Charlie” and grew into a national phenomenon. Within months of launching, Joe made headlines for his bold stance on influencer culture and a surprise Bill Murray cameo that helped cement CVT as an LA staple. Today, his soft-serve empire spans from trucks to grocery aisles, with CVT’s first-of-its-kind ice cream pouch named “LA’s Food Item of the Year” by Eater LA and now sold in over 3,000 stores nationwide. His story is one of grit, creativity, and the sweet taste of turning a street-corner idea into an American brand success story. Let’s get into it. CVT Soft Serve is available in grocery stores across the country, including Wegmans, Safeway, Price Chopper, Central Markets, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and available for delivery nationwide through Healthy Goodness. Find a full list of stores at www.cvtsoftserv…

First aired 7/21/23 I am thrilled to welcome someone that I hold in the highest regard and deeply respect for HOW he conducts himself in the world, Tom Bilyeu! He is the co-founder of the 2014 Inc. 500 company Quest Nutrition — a unicorn startup valued at over $1 billion — and the co-founder and host of Impact Theory. Tom’s mission is the creation of empowering media-based IP and the acceleration of mission-based businesses. Personally driven to help people develop the skills they will need to improve themselves and the world, Tom intends to use commerce to address the dual pandemics of physical and mental malnourishment. Tom is a forever student of life. His obsession with mastering skills has molded him into a well-rounded leader, battle-hardened and unafraid to fire moonshots. He is a relentless agent for change, here to see how far he can push his own potential and the potential of others. Fun fact, Tom's Impact Theory NFT project was the first NFT that I purchased! Check o…

First aired 11/04/22 Perfecto Sanchez is a decorated military veteran with two combat tours to Iraq, who was originally born and raised in NYC by way of a tough Jamaican mom and later, West Point. He has over 10 years of corporate marketing and impact strategy experience, from launching Kraft’s most successful innovation to date, to launching Brooklyn’s first Organic Christmas Tree Company. Perfecto currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Keep The Change; an impact strategy shop that serves a wide portfolio of clients across the U.S. from household name brands and foundations to national institutions and international nonprofits. Not to mention he was the first American to row across the North Sea, a project to raise awareness for Ocean Sustainability. you don’t want to miss it. Learn more about Perfecto and his organization at www.morechange.co

Watch: https://youtu.be/HY24p5cvS5A On episode #478 of #thePOZcast, I welcome Lindsey Scrase, the Chief Operating Officer of Checkr. Checkr is the data platform that powers safe and fair decisions. They are a technology company that helps their customers assess risk, modernize hiring, and cultivate trusted relationships in their workplaces and communities. We go deep into fraud in the hiring process and how to remove bias within, and the reasons behind it. This is a must-listen-to episode for all Talent and HR practitioners alike. Candidates will learn best practices as well. She brings over 20 years of experience across sales, account management, operations, business development, partnership strategy, and growth functionalities. Prior to Checkr, Lindsey spent 10 years at Google Cloud, where she played an instrumental role in growing the business to over six million paying Google Workspace customers and scaling the Google for Startups Cloud Program. Learn more: https://che…

WATCH: https://youtu.be/DsMZz4FvfyE My guest on episode #477 of #thePOZcast is Matt Medved — Co-Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of Now Media, the award-winning Web3 media and tech company behind NFT Now, The Gateway, and NFT100. Named by Yahoo Finance as one of the top 10 most influential figures in Web3, Matt has spent his career at the intersection of culture, media, and technology — helping creatives thrive in the new digital economy. Before launching Now Media, he led content at Modern Luxury, reimagined SPIN magazine for a new era, and founded Billboard Dance, turning it into the global authority for electronic music. A former human-rights researcher turned DJ-producer, Matt’s story spans global stages from Tomorrowland to Africa’s biggest radio airwaves — all built on a mission to empower creators through innovation. Learn More: https://nowmedia.co/subscribe Follow Matt on all socials at @MattMedved & @NowMedia

First Aired 1/30/21 On E128 of The POZcast, I’m joined by Jordan Harbinger, who hosts the Top Ranked iTunes podcast, “The Jordan Harbinger Show” with over 11 million monthly downloads. Jordan and I kick it off by talking about his early career, and his first endeavor into coaching and helping people learn the art of networking, relationship building and self-improvement. In 2018, Jordan started a new show completely on his own. That same year, he had amassed a huge following which led to his recognition by Apple. Jordan and I discuss some of my favorite interviews that he’s held, as well as some of his most memorable moments. From Kobe Bryant to Anthony S. Luciano recounting mob hits coordinated against the pope, Jordan has dissected his fair share of crazy stories. We also talk about the responsibilities that a podcast host has to their listeners, including the spread of information, when to be objective and when to call out a guest for lack of transparency, and how hosts can be …

My guest on episode #476 of #thePOZcast is Michelle “Mace” Curran — a combat veteran, former fighter pilot, and only the fourth woman ever to fly Lead Solo for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. These days, she’s on a mission to help people flip fear on its head and take bold action. She’s the author of The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear Into Your Superpower, a book packed with lessons from the cockpit about courage and confidence. A LinkedIn Top Voice with content reaching millions, Michelle blends fighter-pilot grit with humor and heart. She’s also written bestselling children’s books, appeared on shows like The Kelly Clarkson Show and CBS Evening News, and inspired audiences at companies from Microsoft to SpaceX. At the core of it all, Michelle’s mission is simple: to help us turn fear into fuel and lead with boldness. Get her book! The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower (which is available now wherever books ar…

My guest on episode #475 of #thePOZcast is Carlos Ventura Jr, the CEO and founding partner of Feast & Fettle, a premium meal delivery company. The Boston Globe recognized them as one of New England’s fastest-growing private businesses. Since 2018, he has led the company’s growth from a neighborhood chef service to a vertically integrated hospitality brand on track to exceed $50 million in annual revenue. Before founding Feast & Fettle, Carlos worked at Citi, Goldman Sachs, and Deliveroo. He serves on the board of College Visions, an organization supporting first-generation college students. In 2025, he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year New England. Learn more: Feast & Fettle - feastandfettle.com Connect w/ Carlos @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosventuranyc/

#thePOZcast Live from RecFest Nashville 2025 – Featuring Steve Levy & Friends! When you bring legends, learning, and BBQ together… you get pure recruiting gold. Episode #483 of #thePOZcast, powered by Juicebox.ai, captures the heart and humanity of RecFest 2025 — the outdoor festival where the TA community truly shines. Steve Levy — on curiosity, community, and why great recruiters listen first. Brian Petroski (EXP) — on scaling engineering hires and keeping it human. Leslie Harrah & Kim Johnson (Fortified Health Security) — on culture, cybersecurity, and staying connected. Taylor Hunter (Gaylor Electric) — on tech stacks, ATS headaches, and sourcing hacks. Carmen Scanlon (Belong HQ) — on startup energy, belonging, and meaningful networking. This episode is everything RecFest stands for: learning, laughter, and the love of the craft. Thanks to our friends at Juicebox for sponsoring these episodes. Juicebox helps teams win the talent war—the leading AI recruitin…

The Power of the Recruitment Community: Live @ RecFest USA 2025 Recruiters, creators, leaders — this one’s for YOU. From AI and authenticity to IVs of iced coffee and Ferris wheel dreams, this episode of #thePOZcast Live from RecFest Nashville has it all. I sat down with a few legends doing the work and shaping the industry: Omar Khateeb (CEO, JobPixel) — on why vibe is everything in content, staying authentic, and never chasing algorithms. Allyn Bailey (SmartRecruiters) — on storytelling, brand experience, and using tech to actually connect people to purpose. Jamie Leonard (RecFest Founder) — on what makes RecFest magical, community over competition, and why it really feels like Sunday Funday. Vicky Liu (Juicebox.ai) — on joining a rocketship startup, Series A momentum, and working with a team full of “biggest brains.” Nicky Russell & Dan Lockhart & Shantel Lubinger (Advisor360 + SonderMind) — on quality of slate, rejection done right, and remembering we’re humans fir…

My guest on episode 474 of #thePOZcast is Jay Williams, the Founder—and as he proudly calls himself, the “Big Bird”—behind Free Bird Southern Spring Water. After a 25-year run in real estate, where he developed over a billion dollars’ worth of housing projects, Jay traded boardrooms for bottling lines. With zero industry connections but a whole lot of hustle, he built Free Bird from the ground up to deliver one simple promise: real water, for real people. Sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Free Bird is more than just a beverage—it’s a salute to the backbone of America. No buzzwords, no gimmicks, just damn good water that resonates with those who work hard and live harder. Jay’s story is about reinvention, authenticity, and proving that sometimes the boldest move is starting over. Learn more & connect: https://drinkfreebird.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drinkfreebird/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-williams-a47939159/