Episodes

Stop Treating Networking Like a Numbers Game - It's Killing Your Business Growth Most business owners waste countless hours collecting business cards and LinkedIn connections, yet struggle to generate quality referrals. After 28 years of helping professionals build genuine relationships, Daniel Andrews reveals why traditional networking tactics fail and what actually drives consistent referral business. In this candid conversation with Mike O'Neill, Daniel shares the stark reality: your number ...

"Customers will buy a lesser product from someone they like over a better product from someone they don't." - this cold, hard truth opens up a powerful conversation about trust-based leadership with sales expert Steve Landrum. In this milestone 200th episode, Steve Landrum, Principal of Etowah Sales Solutions and award-winning sales leader, shares timeless principles that transform how leaders build lasting relationships. As an outsourced VP of Sales who has earned the prestigious President's C...

"True leaders don't create followers - they create more leaders through empowerment." Here's how Julie Tilenius transformed a 24/7 emergency service company into a powerhouse of empowered decision-makers. As President of TrueSource, Julie Tilenius brings 25 years of leadership experience from MSC Industrial Supply to revolutionize how facility maintenance services are delivered. In this episode, she joins Mike O'Neill to share how empowering frontline teams to make critical decisions has become...

From Serial Entrepreneur to Venture Studio Pioneer: How John Ghiorso is Reshaping the Agency Landscape Are you ready to witness the birth of something extraordinary in the agency world? Meet John Ghiorso, a successful entrepreneur who sold his Amazon-focused agency Orca Pacific to Media Monks, only to discover that retirement wasn't his true calling. Now, he's embarking on an ambitious mission to launch five marketing agencies in just two years through his new venture studio. In this enlighten...

Before becoming a life transformation coach for elite business owners, Andrew Anderson stood crying alone in his high school bathroom stall, hiding his shoes so no one would know who was inside. This raw vulnerability shared in the podcast sets the tone for a profound discussion between host Mike O'Neill and Andrew Anderson about why external success often fails to bring internal peace. Anderson talks about a concept called "unconscious incompetence" - when successful people don't know what th...

The stock market seems complicated until you hear Glen Starr explain it. This former chemical engineer turned financial advisor breaks down investing into simple terms that even a 5th grader could understand. In this candid conversation with executive coach Mike O'Neill, Glen shares why most people focus on the wrong things when investing. His most controversial take? Stock prices only matter twice - when you buy and when you sell. Everything else is noise. Glen's practical wisdom comes from 3...

Your best employees don't quit over pay - they quit over managers who fake culture alignment. In this candid conversation, HR veteran Maggie Carrington shares hard-earned insights from 35+ years transforming workplace cultures, including a shocking story of a manager who fooled top leadership while quietly destroying team morale. Mike O'Neill and Maggie dig deep into: Why most culture change efforts fail before they start (and the critical first question leaders must answer) The hidden depar...

Most people quit when the path gets tough. Barry Slaymaker did the opposite. After leaving engineering school, Barry found himself on the back of a pickup truck in Georgia, digging silt fence in 100-degree heat. Instead of viewing it as rock bottom, he saw it as his starting point. In this candid conversation with Mike O'Neill, Barry shares how persistence shaped his journey from construction worker to President and CFO of ATC Development. Key moments include: • Why Barry chose manual labor ...

The secret weapon of high-performing leaders isn't what you think. Gratitude isn't just for Thanksgiving anymore. It's becoming the cornerstone of effective leadership. In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with David George Brooke, known as "That Gratitude Guy," to unpack how a simple shift in mindset can transform your leadership style and your life. Brooke, a former Nordstrom store manager turned gratitude expert, shares his journey from corporate America ...

In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with Mark Farmer, a decorated Air Force veteran turned HR leader, to unpack the often-overlooked strengths military veterans bring to civilian leadership roles. Mark reveals the intense leadership training military members receive before taking on management positions - a stark contrast to many civilian organizations. He shares how this rigorous preparation equips veterans with invaluable skills in communication, accountabi...

AI doesn't have feelings, but your employees do. As leaders, we must navigate the ethical minefield of AI while nurturing human potential. In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with Marlene Kreidler, a seasoned business executive turned academic, to explore the intersection of AI, ethics, and leadership in the modern workplace. Marlene shares her unique perspective on the "AI generation" - those born after 2010 who will enter the workforce with AI fully embedd...

In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill talks with Gary Searle about the power of referral marketing in today's business landscape. Gary Searle, founder of Customerse, shares his expertise on building consistent referral sources. He breaks down the five most reliable referral channels: 1. Existing clients 2. Business partnerships 3. Affiliate networks 4. Employee referrals 5. Strategic networking Mike and Gary discuss why traditional marketing tactics are losing effe...

In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit and two-time bestselling author. Damon shares a deeply personal story of how quitting alcohol 8 years ago transformed his leadership style and life. This vulnerable moment sets the tone for an honest discussion about authentic leadership. Mike digs into Damon's journey from high school baseball star to CEO, uncovering valuable insights on: • The importance of transparency in uncertain time...

Serial entrepreneur Shafqat Huq reveals why failure is his secret weapon for business success. In this episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with Shafqat Huq, a serial entrepreneur who's turned multiple ideas into thriving businesses. Huq takes us on his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his high school days selling discounted sweaters to classmates. He shares candid insights about his failures and how they shaped his future successes. "I think it means that I h...

From solopreneur to CEO: The rollercoaster of scaling a tech marketing firm. Ian Hameroff, founder and CEO of Fulcrum Group, shares his journey from a one-man show to leading a team of seven in just five years. In this candid conversation with host Mike O'Neill, Ian reveals: • The unexpected challenges of scaling a business • Why feedback is crucial for growth • How to balance fun and frustration as an entrepreneur Ian emphasizes the importance of having a "virtual board of directors" - me...

Are you tired of hearing the same old hype about AI? Get ready for a fresh perspective that cuts through the noise and delivers practical, value-driven insights. In this thought-provoking episode, Mike O'Neill sits down with Dr. Robert Joseph, a tech whiz with impressive credentials from MIT and Carnegie Mellon. But don't worry, he's not your typical academic – Joseph has a gift for breaking down complex topics in a way that even non-techies can understand. Together, they explore the true pote...

Are you a leader struggling to connect with your team? Maybe you're great with numbers but lack the "soft skills" to truly inspire. In this candid chat, leadership coach Mike O'Neill sits down with Angel Beets, CEO of recruiting powerhouse Gilman Partners. Despite leading a firm that places top execs, Angel's not your typical headhunter. Her secret? Understanding that today's leaders must be masters of communication and emotional intelligence. Gone are the days of leaders barking orders from a...

Have you ever felt like you're speaking a different language from your clients? In this candid conversation, Mike O'Neill sits down with Nancy Zare. Despite her impressive credentials (PhD from Boston College, 7 published books), Nancy's approach to sales is refreshingly down-to-earth. Gone are the scripts and high-pressure tactics. Instead, Nancy teaches a counterintuitive method based on deep listening and adapting your communication style to match your prospect's personality type. With de...

Imagine a former actress who dared to dream beyond the stage, only to find her true calling in helping others conquer their inner critic and achieve unstoppable confidence. Meet Nikki Gangemi, a certified master NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist, and founder of Mindful Matters. In this captivating episode, Nikki shares her transformative journey from pursuing acting to teaching and ultimately becoming a life coach. Prepare to be inspired as Nikki reveals the pivotal moments that pushed her to b...

Mike O'Neill sits down with Alp Kirmizioglu, the mastermind behind RangeWater Real Estate's in-house construction revolution. In this episode, Alp reveals how he transformed a 16-year-old real estate developer into a vertically integrated powerhouse. It's a tale of corporate evolution that rivals Amazon's leap into logistics. Alp shares the challenges of turning a major cost center into a profit engine, all while navigating the treacherous waters of internal politics. He explains: "Constructi...

Max Schneider was a shell of his former self. Anxiety attacks, shingles in his 20s, and a decade of non-stop work had taken their toll. That's when he decided to take a radical step - a month-long surfing and yoga trip to Costa Rica with his wife. In this eye-opening episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill dives deep with Max into his journey from corporate burnout to discovering mindfulness and movement. Max shares how that transformative month in Costa Rica inspired him to lau...

In this eye-opening episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill brings to light the dire situation in Haiti through a candid conversation with Patricia Cyr Watlington and Dr. Anany G. Prosper of the Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti. Mike sets the stage with stark statistics: - 1 in 5 Haitian children are chronically malnourished - 1 in 14 Haitian children die before their fifth birthday Patricia, born in Canada and now living in Tennessee, shares her unexpected journey into Ha...

High performers suffer in secret - in this episode, you'll find out why. Mike O'Neill sits down with Rachel Alexandria, a former psychotherapist turned somatic coach, to uncover the hidden struggles of successful people. Rachel shares insights into the world of high achievers, revealing that beneath their polished exterior often lies a sea of overwhelm, perfectionism, and people-pleasing tendencies. Mike digs deep, asking Rachel about the origins of high-performing behavior. Her response? Man...

"We've always done it this way" is the most dangerous phrase in business. How can leaders adapt and thrive? In this compelling episode of Get Unstuck & On Target, host Mike O'Neill sits down with Luke L'Heureux, COO of restaurant chain CentraArchy, to explore why putting people first is the key to success in today's rapidly changing landscape. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Luke shares hard-won insights on leadership, including: - Why creating a "guest for life" mentality is ...