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PODCAST

The Executive Connect Podcast

The Executive Connect Podcast

The Executive Connect Podcast Executive Connect is a leadership and business podcast for operators, builders, and executives focused on real-world execution, growth, and long-term value creation.Hosted by Melissa Aarskaug, the show brings together founders, investors, and senior leaders to unpack what actually works across business strategy, wealth building, AI, and leadership. These are not theoretical conversations. Each episode is grounded in experience, hard-earned lessons, and practical insight

business management

All Episodes

56:19

How Great Leaders Allocate Capital, Navigate Change,...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/10/06

What separates leaders who can grow a business from those who can guide an entire organization through transformation?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Alex Dixon, advisor at GMA Consulting and former CEO of Resorts World, to discuss the intersection of finance, operations, governance, technology, and enterprise leadership.Alex shares how his early experience in investment banking shaped the way he evaluates businesses, tells financial stories, and thinks about

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25:29

How to Build a Powerful LinkedIn Brand With AI...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/10/05

Is your LinkedIn profile actually building your reputation, or is it still functioning like an outdated online résumé?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Al Kushner, author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage, to discuss how professionals can use LinkedIn and AI to increase visibility, strengthen credibility, and turn passive profiles into active business assets.Al explains why a strong LinkedIn presence goes beyond adding more connections. He breaks down the importance of

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59:31

How Genomics Can Help Leaders Understand Stress,...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/10/01

What if some of the habits affecting your leadership performance are not simply mindset issues, but patterns connected to your individual biology?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Jennifer Little-Fleck, a molecular biology expert who translates complex genomic science into practical insights for leadership, communication, and personal performance.Jennifer introduces the idea of “unpatched code” and explains why she believes generalized health and performance

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44:41

How Founders Fix Pricing, Sharpen Go-to-Market, and...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/29

What if your startup does not have a product problem, but a pricing, positioning, or customer problem?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Alex Shartsis, founder and CEO of Skip and Silverwood, to discuss why so many founders undercharge, chase the wrong customers, and mistake activity for real go-to-market traction.Alex explains why charging early gives founders better feedback than free users, how highly targeted micro campaigns can outperform mass outreach, and

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38:47

How Leaders Turn AI Into Smarter Strategy, Marketing,...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/28

Is your business actually using AI strategically, or just adding tools because everyone else is?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Angela Tipton and Travis Franklin to discuss how leaders can connect AI, marketing, automation, and business strategy without getting distracted by every new tool hitting the market.Angela shares how companies can stay flexible when markets shift, build AI into the customer journey, and keep technology aligned with measurable business

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52:53

How AI Agents Can Scale Your Business Without...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/24

What if AI could handle the pursuit of opportunities without replacing the human presence that actually builds trust?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Terry Higgs, entrepreneur and founder of SpeakerRealm, to discuss how AI agents and operating systems are changing business development, personal branding, and what one person can realistically accomplish.Terry explains how he built a system that researches speaking opportunities and podcasts, matches them against a

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34:56

How Self-Directed IRAs Give Investors More Control...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/22

What if your retirement account could invest in more than stocks, bonds, and mutual funds?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Kaaren Hall, founder of uDirect IRA Services and author of The Self-Directed IRA Handbook, to explain how self-directed IRAs can give investors access to alternative assets such as real estate, private equity, private lending, precious metals, and other investments outside traditional Wall Street offerings.Kaaren breaks down how these

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27:30

How Hybrid Work, Office Design, and AI Are Reshaping...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/21

Are employees really resisting the office, or are they resisting workplaces that no longer give them a reason to show up?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Ciara Peter, Senior Vice President of Product at Robin, to discuss how hybrid work is changing workplace strategy, office design, company culture, and the employee experience.Ciara explains why employees are still interested in working together in person when the office creates real value through collaboration,

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50:01

How Strong Leaders Build Trust, Develop People, and...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/17

What separates a leader people willingly follow from one who simply holds the title?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Marcylle Combs, an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and longtime leader in the home care and hospice industry, for a candid conversation about developing people, leading through uncertainty, and building a legacy that lasts beyond business success.Marcylle shares why her leadership philosophy comes down to honesty, humility, and honoring others. She

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46:06

How Founders Build Predictable Growth Systems Without...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/15

What happens when you leave corporate, lose the built-in structure, and suddenly have to become the strategist, marketer, salesperson, and operator all at once?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Javier Lozano Jr., a fractional growth leader who helps B2B companies build repeatable go-to-market systems and move from reactive marketing toward more predictable growth.Javier explains why entrepreneurship often becomes chaotic when founders try to do everything at once,

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41:46

How Self-Leadership Builds Trust, Presence, and...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/14

What if the way you lead others is limited by how well you lead yourself?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Regina Huber, transformational leadership coach, speaker, and author of Living My Freaking Amazing Life, to discuss why self-leadership is the foundation of sustainable leadership.Drawing from a career shaped by multiple continents, cultures, and leadership environments, Regina explains why authenticity, presence, mindset, emotional awareness, and connection

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47:15

How Better Leadership Builds Stronger Teams |...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/10

What if poor leadership is costing your company far more than low morale?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, an experienced leadership advisor who has worked with government leaders, Fortune 500 executives, family businesses, and global organizations, to examine why leadership should be intentionally designed rather than simply inherited.Shaheena explains how mediocre leadership can quietly show up through turnover, disengagement, stalled

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46:34

How High Earners Build Wealth, Reduce Taxes, and Gain...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/08

What if earning more money is not the same as feeling secure, building wealth, or creating financial freedom?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Hilary Hendershott, founder and chief advisor of Hendershott Wealth Management, Certified Financial Planner, and creator of the Money Operating System, to discuss why financial confidence often has very little to do with income.Hilary explains how deeply rooted money beliefs can shape spending, saving, investing, and even

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39:53

How High Performers Optimize Health, Hormones, and...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/07

What if your lack of energy, focus, or progress is not a motivation problem, but a sign that your body is under-recovered?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Mauro Stara, founder of Six Pack CEO, to discuss why high-achieving executives often sacrifice their health while building successful careers and businesses.After experiencing burnout and heart-related health issues while working in banking, Mauro began looking beyond traditional fitness plans and quick fixes

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52:53

How Human Capital Creates Competitive Advantage | Dr....

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/03

What if your company’s biggest untapped investment is not technology, real estate, or another acquisition—but the people already inside the business?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, USA Today bestselling author, executive coach, and longtime human resources leader, to rethink how organizations hire, develop, and invest in talent.Cynthia challenges the traditional view of employees as a labor cost and introduces a different approach:

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47:28

How High-Performing Leaders Beat Burnout, Reclaim...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/09/01

What happens when you look successful on the outside but feel exhausted, pressured, and disconnected on the inside?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Grace Najean, keynote speaker and high-performance leadership coach, to discuss what she calls “achievement fatigue” and why success powered by stress eventually comes at a cost.Drawing from years of coaching founders and executives, along with her spiritual training, Grace explains why leadership performance is

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24:07

How Leaders Use Storytelling to Build Trust,...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/08/31

Why do some leaders make people lean in while others struggle to make their message stick?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Marcia Layton Turner, award-winning ghostwriter and business strategist, to discuss why storytelling has become one of the most valuable leadership skills in business.Marcia explains how stories give facts and ideas context, helping executives build trust, communicate vision, strengthen thought leadership, and create a deeper connection with

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22:44

How Mid-Market Companies Can Become AI-First Without...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/08/27

What if the biggest AI opportunity inside your company is not another chatbot, but an entirely different way of working?In this episode of AI First Principles, Brian speaks with Sid Bharath about why mid-market companies are falling behind larger enterprises and AI-native startups—and what leaders can do about it. Sid explains why adopting AI is both a strategy and execution problem, especially for companies still relying on disconnected software, repetitive administrative work, and employees

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45:28

How Founders Turn Ideas Into Strategy and Momentum |...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/08/25

What if your best idea is not failing because it is bad, but because you have not built the identity, clarity, and structure required to bring it to life?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Deevo Tindall, a strategic ideas architect who helps founders, executives, and creators turn fragmented ideas into clear strategies, compelling messages, and ventures people can understand.Deevo explains why business strategy often begins much deeper than tactics. Past

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29:13

How to Turn Employee Training Into Measurable...

The Executive Connect Podcast ·

2026/08/24

What if your employee training looks productive on paper but changes almost nothing once people return to work?In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Dr. Carrie Graham, an adult learning and training strategist who helps organizations connect employee development to measurable business performance.Drawing from her background in sports medicine, adult learning, and nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Graham explains why attendance, completion rates, and post-training

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193 results

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