SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 5

Episode Overview:

 Welcome to the Becoming Preferred Podcast. Today, I am bringing you a special replay of one of my favorite conversations, and the timing couldn't be better. We just celebrated Thanksgiving a few days ago. For many of us, it was a time to gather with friends and family, share a meal, and reflect on our blessings.

But here's what I've come to believe. Gratitude isn't meant to be a once a year event. It's a practice, a daily discipline that shapes how we see the world, and how we move through it. Every morning as part of my journaling routine, I'm prompted with a simple question, what am I grateful for? And I've discovered something profound in that practice.

When you start your day with gratitude, you position yourself to see abundance. Not because your circumstances magically change, but because your perspective does. Now here's the thing. Gratitude is easy when life is good, but what about when you're in the middle of a storm? What about when the diagnosis is devastating? When the relationship is fractured? When the business is struggling? Can gratitude still work then?

That's exactly what my guest, Sandie Eggers helps us understand. Sandie learned the transformational power of gratitude during one of life's hardest seasons, her husband's terminal illness. And what she discovered wasn't just a coping mechanism, it was a way to navigate adversity with strength, clarity, and even joy.

So whether you're riding high from a wonderful Thanksgiving, or you're carrying a heavy burden into the season, I believe this conversation will meet you right where you are. Gratitude isn't about ignoring your struggles. It's about finding solid ground in the middle of them. Enjoy this conversation with guest, Sandie Eggers.

Guest Bio:

“Do nothing and be dead in a few days,” were the words Sandie Eggers heard from her husband’s surgeon, words that began her greatest season of challenge to date.

The two main things that enabled Sandie to weather this life storm were God and the transformational power of gratitude. Sandie is passionate about helping others by sharing what she’s learned so that they, too, can better navigate through their own life storms.

In addition to having authored the book, “Live Boldly and Embrace Joy” about her life-altering experience, Sandie also shares her knowledge through online courses, webinars, and workshops. She speaks to civic, religious, and corporate groups.

FUN FACT:

Sandie now lives in the low country. By God’s grace and blessing, she has achieved one of her personal goals: living in a place where the only “white stuff” she sees is beach sand.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.yourlifeabundant.com
• Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Each-Day-Joy-Laughing-ebook/dp/B00LK9WKVC

Insight Gold Timestamps:

04:37 The greatest adversity that I'd gone through was the terminal illness of my husband

05:55 While we couldn't control this monster called cancer….

07:11 It's easy when we're living in an environment like we're living

09:38 Your work centers a lot on fostering an attitude of gratitude

11:12 You talk about gratitude being a practice

12:12 There's some specific techniques that you can use when you're a pessimist

14:09 You can begin to see the good out of a very bad situation

14:24 Declare an International Be Kind to (Fill in Your Name) Day!

15:40 Having gratitude to something outside yourself

18:48 How does the mechanism of gratitude get us out of that place, that...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 4

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we dissect the strategies and mindset of those who are not just successful, but irreplaceable in their markets they serve. Today, we have a true master of motivation and persuasion. Our guest is Mike Lipkin, president of Environics and a strategic coach to global CEOs, and the author of 18 books on leadership and high performance, including his latest book, The Potentiator.

What makes Mike’s approach unique is his foundation in deep, social values research. He doesn't just rely on generic platitudes; he uses proprietary data on human behavior to show you exactly how and why people make decisions, trust certain leaders, and choose one provider over others.

For our audience of entrepreneurs and business professionals, Mike is here to help us unlock the ultimate skill: how to create value from thin air, communicate with irresistible conviction, and transform every single conversation into a high-impact, trust-building event.

If you are ready to stop chasing clients and start magnetically attracting opportunities, this is your masterclass. Join me for my conversation with Mike Lipkin.

Guest Bio:

Mike Lipkin helps clients navigate complex change, build strong teams and develop their personal brands/executive presence.

Mike is super-curious about clients’ hopes and dreams. He makes every conversation an uplifting experience. He uses metaphors and models to illuminate key messages. He focuses on immediate actions, while planning long-term strategies. Mike helps his clients tell their authentic story. In short, he excites clients into effective action. He is also always accessible – 24/7/365.

Mike was a senior executive at WPP Advertising for 10 years. In 2002, he founded a joint venture communication and training company with Environics, a leading research house. He is also a strategic coach to CEOs of top tier companies and a marquee keynote speaker, delivering over 50 sessions per year.

Mike is proud of his longstanding coaching relationships with CEOs and senior executives of world-class companies. He has written 18 books on leadership and high performance. He has also grown a multi-million dollar company from scratch. He has received feedback from hundreds of people that he has materially improved their lives.

Mike works with anyone who has a passion for personal evolution. His clients range from leaders of billion dollar multinationals to leaders of small companies. He also works with managers at all levels – individually and in groups.

Mike is a voracious reader of current affairs, personal biographies, and crime fiction. He works out seven days a week on the Peloton and Cross Trainer. He loves to travel with his wife to stylish destinations like Greece, France and Italy. He likes hiking in beautiful places. He mentors young talent and new immigrants to Canada.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.mikelipkin.com/
• Product Link: https://www.mikelipkin.com/books/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

02:40 I wanted to be a speaker, and yet I also had a stutter

05:47 I got depressed, I literally got clinically depressed

06:29 He wrote a book called Darkness Visible about his experience with depression

06:37 I thought, well, I'm going to write my own book on depression, and I called it

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 3

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast dedicated to transforming how you build, scale, and lead your business. Today, we have an entrepreneur whose journey proves that massive growth isn't about working harder; it's about building smarter.

Our guest is Tyler Dunagin, a multifaceted founder, operator, and inventor. His success story is a masterclass in market selection and systemization. He took a historically manual service industry—and transformed it into a scalable, tech-enabled enterprise.

Tyler doesn’t just chase revenue; he builds ecosystems. He focuses on purpose-driven solutions and culture-first leadership.

If you're an entrepreneur looking to escape the "one-person hustle," or a business professional seeking the blueprint for achieving nearly 1000% growth through operational efficiency and an impressive long-term vision, this episode is your strategic guide. Join me for my conversation with Tyler Dunagin.

Guest Bio:

Tyler Dunagin is a seasoned entrepreneur who has built and scaled multiple seven-figure companies, including Turnserv, a platform revolutionizing property turnover processes for the housing industry. His portfolio features brands like ApartmentPainters.com, LiquidLiner.com, and ApartmentFlooring.com, each designed to solve specific operational challenges in single-family and multifamily housing.

With a track record of turning underperforming ventures into profitable enterprises, Tyler combines innovation, patented technology, and scalable systems to drive growth. He also shares his insights on entrepreneurship and market trends through podcasts, interviews, and blogs.

Outside of business, Tyler is a devoted father and Cleveland sports fan who enjoys restoring vintage cars and collecting sports cards with his sons.

Resource Links:

• Website: Dunagincollective
• Product Link: Turnserv

Insight Gold Timestamps:

02:36 I've always been doing things as an entrepreneur

04:29 Eventually we were buying houses with these investors and flipping them

05:14 In the moment, it's tough to learn AND do

05:30 I got everything I asked for, and I don't like it at all

08:11 50% of renters move every single year

11:09 I got his blessing and I jumped out of corporate America

14:52 It is really hard to scale a business, to scale beyond one's own hands

15:37 I wanted to find something that was essential to everybody's daily life

18:33 We made it convenient, with a customer journey in mind

21:06 I think the very first thing is you have to understand their why

25:30 Being curious and trying to do something better in general

27:06 Giving them back more meaningful time in their day

28:50 You advise entrepreneurs to keep a visible list of delusional long-term visions

30:51 You can't work on what could be, when you are too overwhelmed by what is

32:08 I think that time lives in the margins

32:48 If it's only monetary, it's short-lived

35:53 You have to, have to, have to, understand where you're going

39:05 The second I'm into something, I'm all in

39:39 I view it more as work-life integration

42:19 The website is

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 2

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast dedicated to uncovering the strategies that make entrepreneurs and professionals the emotional favorite in the markets they serve.

Today, we’re shifting our focus from the boardroom to the hockey rink, but the lessons remain intensely relevant. Our guest today is Allan Kreda, a seasoned journalist with nearly two decades covering finance and the NHL for giants like the Associated Press, the New York Times and Bloomberg News. Allan has mastered the art of extracting the core truth, whether from a quarterly earnings report or a locker room.

He’s here to talk about his latest project: the book, Ken Morrow: Miracle Gold, Four Stanley Cups, and a Lifetime of Islanders Hockey. Morrow is one of the most uniquely accomplished athletes in history, winning the Olympic 'Miracle on Ice' gold, and the Stanley Cup in the same year.

We aren't here just for hockey stories, though. Allan's journey from investigative journalist to co-author provides a blueprint for every professional. Join me for my conversation with Allan Kreda.

Guest Bio:

Allan is a storyteller, author, and speaker who deeply values empathy and connection. Specializing in biographical storytelling, he seeks to ask the right questions and attentively listen to his subjects in order to craft accurate and heartfelt stories that honor their experiences.

Growing up in Brooklyn in the 70s, Allan developed a strong passion for hockey. He fondly recalls attending New York Rangers games with his father and brother, witnessing legendary players like Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, and Rod Gilbert taking the ice. This formative experience instilled in him a lifelong love for the sport and a commitment to sharing the stories of those who have dedicated their lives to the game.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://www.allankreda.com/
• Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ken-Morrow-Miracle-Lifetime-Islanders/dp/1637276435

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:27 The professor at the time said, well, you've got to do something in the real world

04:51 I've always been about the long game, like long process, practice and process and incremental progress

07:58  What was the core compelling narrative gap that you identified that made this book a necessary project?

10:50  All he did is work at it, and quietly excel

11:22 That was 1980 with the Miracle on Ice

13:55  Memories vary

16:45  You can get involved with that story and then the lessons are learned

18:39  They might not always like it, but they can trust it

21:03 There's no limit to research

22:42 You started by listening, not interviewing

26:50  You kind of know when you have it, and you know when you don't quite have it

29:32 She was going through it with a different eye

31:30  If you're working with someone at a publishing house that's working with you, you're 80% there

32:06  It's like the endless term paper that never ends

34:44  Playing through pain, uncomplaining, and for the team

36:07  Always turning the page, always looking to the next game, thinking long term, not fearing losing

40:24  The perseverance sort of creates moments of happenstance

40:38  True success is really defined by compound persistence and consistency

41:17 The book is called Ken Morrow: Miracle Gold, Four Stanley Cups and a...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 1

Episode Overview:

Welcome to Becoming Preferred, the podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders dedicated to building a life of purpose and prosperity. Today, we have a guest whose journey proves that the most valuable lessons are often learned in the fire. My guest is Bennett Maxwell, a serial entrepreneur who went from door-to-door selling to building a nationwide franchise empire with Dirty Dough. He's a master of turning adversity into a competitive advantage, navigating a high-profile legal battle that ultimately propelled his brand into the national spotlight.

But his story is more than just business. Bennett is an advocate for mental health and believes that true success is about building a business that supports your life, not consumes it. Today, we're talking about how he built a franchise system from the ground up, the critical mindset shifts required for explosive growth, and why he’s now focused on helping other entrepreneurs find their path to financial freedom. Get ready to learn the business playbook from a man who's seen it all. Join me for my conversation with Bennett Maxwell.

Guest Bio:

Bennett Maxwell is an entrepreneur and investor that likes to move fast and grow with other like-minded leaders.

Bennett is a serial entrepreneur, franchise mentor and mental‑health advocate. After exiting multiple companies (including Dirty Dough Cookies), Bennett now helps aspiring entrepreneurs build wealth through franchising while staying mentally resilient.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://bennettmaxwell.com/
• Product Link: https://bennettmaxwell.com/franchise/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:31 I had purchased Dirty Dough with the intent of franchising it

05:54  Even working within an organization, you can still be an intrapreneur

07:19 T he emotion's typically attached with the journey rather than the destination

09:22 A lot of people  are chasing the thing that's going to fix their life

12:21  I've contemplated bankruptcy more days than I want to admit

14:39  I hired really good advisors that had been in the game

17:40  I guess the new mission statement is freedom from constant thought to live a life of ease and gratitude

22:46  I've always been able to do what I need to do whenever I need to do it

25:58  I couldn't fully enjoy it because I could never be present

29:54  Tell everybody what you're doing and try to find really good advisors

34:10 What are your goals?

35:54  it's really hard, I think to start something, because you just don't know what you don't know

38:29 Your website bennettmaxwell.com

Connect Socially:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-maxwell-703717126/

Twitter: https://x.com/bennettmaxwell0?lang=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bennettmaxwell35

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyho7xB9vJbK7lsYCKz0iYw

Instagram:

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 36

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to the Becoming Preferred podcast, where we help you become the emotional favorite in your market. Today we are in for a masterclass on a topic that is the very foundation of all business success: marketing. My guest is someone who has spent his entire career at the intersection of brand strategy, consumer behavior, and marketing innovation.

We have the privilege of sitting down with Greg Licciardi. As the Vice President of Sponsorships and Partner Programs at the Association of National Advertisers, the ANA, he works with some of the most influential brands in the world, helping them elevate their campaigns and connect with their audience. With an MBA from Fordham and over a decade of experience as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing, he’s not just a practitioner; he's an educator who understands the principles behind what works. He’s also the author of the new book, The Holy Grail of Marketing. From American Express to Univision, Greg has consistently delivered award-winning results and today he's here to share his hard-won wisdom with all of us. Get ready to rethink how you approach your marketing efforts. Join me for my conversation with Greg Licciardi.

Guest Bio:

Greg Licciardi received his MBA from Fordham University and his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University. He has been an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Fordham and Seton Hall universities for the past ten years.

As Vice President of Sponsorships and Partner Programs at the ANA, Association of National Advertisers, he consults with leading brands on how to elevate their marketing campaigns using the ANA's vast resources and events. He has also held senior leadership roles at American Express, Univision and Worth Media Group where he has won numerous awards.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://holygrailofmarketing.com/
• Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Grail-Marketing-Greg-Licciardi/dp/B0F8KP9TNK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4EP267K9ERYG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gylKSSBpgd1EJTYsGOSWvsJ-OmqnSJ8W62eDJe8pD3d7tcz7MXDrpeX9AtE_ziw1KqzF_wMbRCy4EPL2ypRVQq4nYCMnoAOSol0dAEWtqSGlh9vfeJ74nYHuWGWqmlIKw3W-DIs

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:37 This is a really good question because marketing has changed greatly

06:11 Your book is entitled The Holy Grail of Marketing

07:19 I  started researching other companies that were doing it really well

10:06 My goal with the book is to make it the must read modern day marketing book

11:08  I love the whole point of the right message at the right time, with the right individual and in the right environment

12:04  That's the positive side of AI, personalization with authenticity

14:18  How can we stop the customer from burning calories?

16:18 In that chapter I write about how sales and marketing are increasingly converging

21:10 I still teach the four Ps of marketing: Price, Product, Placement, and Promotion

23:30  I write about that in the book. I'm so happy you brought that up...the why

24:24  He calls it, What's your because?

25:30  A lot of today is about storytelling

28:05  Brands can't lose sight of the value of brand purpose

30:26  One campaign doesn't fit all niches

33:02  You also have to be...

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 35

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to the Becoming Preferred podcast! Do you ever feel like you've hit a ceiling in your business or career? You're successful, you've got a great team, but there's a nagging feeling that you're capable of more—if only you could get unstuck. Our guest to day understands that feeling better than anyone. He's the founder of Advanced Business Abilities, a coaching company built specifically for established business owners and professionals who are ready to b reak through to that next level of growth without sacrificing their health or their values.

With over two decades of leadership experience—from launching his first business at 21 to managing a national sales force of over 300—he knows the entrepreneurial journey from the ground up. He's ditched the generic, one-size-fits-all approach to coaching in favor of something deeply personal and effective and he brings a refreshingly honest and grounded voice to the conversation, and he's here to help us do the work that actually works. Please join me for my conversation with the founder of Advanced Business Abilities, Mike Irving.

Guest Bio:

Mike Irving is the founder of Advanced Business Abilities, a coaching company designed for established business owners who know they’re capable of more—but haven’t yet found a support system that truly meets them where they are.

With over two decades of leadership experience—from launching his first business at 21 to managing a national sales force of over 300—Mike understands the highs of entrepreneurial success and the hidden costs that often come with it: burnout, disconnection, and stalled progress.

Frustrated by one-size-fits-all coaching programs that glossed over individual nuance, Mike set out to build something different. The result was Advanced Business Abilities: a coaching platform that combines deeply personal insight with practical, strategic execution.

One of the unique aspects of ABA’s methodology is the Success Predictor Profile—a proprietary tool backed by 50+ years of scientific research—that helps easily and efficiently identify a person's strengths, weaknesses, and blindspots and allows ABA to give business owners a custom blueprint for growth, performance, and alignment.

Today, Mike works with owners leading teams of 5 or more, who are not just chasing revenue but want to lead with integrity, improve decision-making, and grow without sacrificing their health or values. His approach resonates with founders who are practical, values-driven, and actively investing in their long-term success.

Whether he’s coaching in a boardroom or speaking on a podcast, Mike brings a refreshingly honest, grounded voice to the leadership conversation—always focused on helping others do the work that actually works.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://advancedbusinessabilities.com/
• Free Discovery Session: https://advancedbusinessabilities.com/individual-sales-coaching/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:36  I found a job that I could learn how to do, going door to door, doing sales and commission only

04:36  What does it take to be successful today?

08:19  If I have resistance within me, that resistance can and will activate resistance in the other person

08:40 You developed the Success Predictor Profile

12:28  It's kind of like looking at a person through the analogy of a helicopter

14:19  Identifying if there are blind spots in general, competency is super important

19:45  One of the things I was very interested in is what you call the...

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 34

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we talk to the people and hear the stories and insights that can help us build better professional and personal lives.

Have you ever wondered what separates a good idea from a truly brilliant one? Or how some companies seem to effortlessly innovate while others struggle to survive? Our guest today has made it his life’s work to answer those very questions.

Today, we're joined by Alan Gregerman, a renowned author, speaker, and consultant who believes we all have the capacity for genius. Alan isn't just about big ideas; he's about unlocking the incredible potential that exists within each of us and the organizations we're a part of. He’s going to share how a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us can lead to breakthroughs we never thought possible.

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for that next big idea or a business professional trying to foster a culture of innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Get ready to rethink how brilliance actually happens and discover the keys to becoming more creative, innovative, and successful than you ever imagined. J oin me for my conversation with Alan Gregerman.

Guest Bio:

Alan Gregerman is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, teacher, researcher, and community volunteer who is constantly trying to figure out how to unlock the genius in all of us and all of the companies and organizations we work for.

Alan believes that we all have the ability to be way more creative, innovative, and successful than we ever imagined by having a better understanding of ourselves, the world around us, and how brilliance actually occurs.

Resource Links:

• Website: https://alangregerman.com/
• Product Link: https://alangregerman.com/resources/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

05:00  I think it was your first book, The Necessity of Strangers came out in 2013

05:41  The simple notion that 99% of all new ideas are based on somebody's thinking

08:10  We're all innovative if we're curious

09:23  We often think about innovation as you know, who's got a brilliant idea

11:37  I would never start an innovative thinking session in a room with a bunch of people who come in with what they know and their expertise

13:55 I start with purpose

15:02  So, what you've done is you've paid to figure out how to be the best of the worst

16:50  I ask audiences sometimes when I'm speaking, what if Apple got into your business? What would that look like?

19:04  They need to put their best customers at the center of their business, and they need to design around them

23:34  What kind of questions should they be asking to gain truly valuable insights?

24:22 The second is what I call serendipity

25:17 Strangers matter because they think differently than I do and my friends do

27:35 We need to eat our lunch before someone else does

29:06  I don't think being clever and curious costs money

30:39  We're going to get out there and figure out how to be more amazing together

32:23 We can't behave as though the world is going to stand still

37:00  We have to create cultures in which we're open to these ideas and willing to give them a fair test

39:36  The reality is every business can sharpen its pencil

40:12  Releasing a new book called