Navigating Bold Leadership and Media Strategy with Heather Adams

In this episode, I sit down with Heather Adams—a powerhouse in branding, publicity, and media strategy. Heather shares her incredible journey from government communications to leading high-impact publicity campaigns for bestselling authors and thought leaders. We talk about the bold moves she’s made in her career, the lessons she’s learned about leadership, and the importance of clarity and confidence in branding yourself or your business.

We also explore what it takes to stand out in a crowded media landscape, how to build lasting relationships in business, and the daily disciplines that help her stay grounded as a leader, wife, and mom. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable insights that will elevate your game.

Heather Adams is the founder and CEO of the communications firm Choice Media & Communications, bringing more than 25 years of brand-strategy and publicity experience to the table. She’s built a reputation for helping clients launch more than 100 New York Times best-selling books and earn national media coverage in outlets like PEOPLE, The New York Times, and TODAY.

Follow Heather on the socials @ HeatherDixonAdams

As your host and “southern girlfriend,” Heather is on a mission to help you amplify your voice, scale your brand, and build a life you love—on your terms. She blends high-level strategic insight with real-world authenticity, celebrating ambitious, driven women who want both impact and meaningful quality of life. Choice Media Communications

Each week on the podcast, Heather invites you into candid conversations with savvy entrepreneurs, brand-builders, and thought leaders. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for getting known, stories of how change-makers disrupted the status quo, and the encouragement you need to ask for what you want in business and in life.

Tune in and get ready to step into your brand boldly—and become known.

In this episode, Michael sits down with Steve Tashjian, a world class high performance consultant with a deep background in elite sports. Steve’s journey has taken him from physical therapy and performance coaching to high level consulting roles across the Premier League and the US men’s national team during their World Cup run. His mission is simple and powerful: help individuals and teams excel in high pressure environments by applying the same systems, preparation, and mindset used at the top levels of global sport.

Michael and Steve explore the intensity of the Premier League, a global powerhouse where fans live and breathe every match and where underperforming teams face immediate consequences through relegation. Michael draws a parallel between the world of professional football and the realities of modern business. Both are unforgiving. Both require consistent high performance. Both reward teams that are disciplined, adaptable, and built on strong systems.

Steve reinforces that managing pressure is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Whether you are a Premier League striker or a CEO carrying payroll, the demands are similar. Pressure reveals your habits, exposes your preparation, and tests your ability to stay composed when everything is on the line.

Michael and Steve dive deep into what separates those who crumble under pressure from those who rise. Drawing from Steve’s experience with the national team on the world stage, the lesson is clear: preparation and process win. When everything around you is chaotic, your systems and habits become your anchor.

They discuss how organizations of all types can treat pressure as a growth opportunity. High achievers are not born for pressure, they train for it. They rehearse. They refine. They use adversity as data rather than judgment. Michael highlights that leaders who adopt this mindset build teams that are far more resilient and far more adaptable to change.

The conversation shifts to the backbone of any high performing environment: systems. Michael and Steve explore how elite sports teams like Everton Football Club create frameworks that guide decision making even in constantly changing conditions. When systems are well defined and widely understood, teams can move with speed and clarity, even when the stakes are high.

Steve also speaks to the human side of leadership. Biases, emotions, and external pressures often influence decisions more than leaders realize. Great leaders build awareness around these blind spots. They collaborate intentionally. They take smart risks instead of reactive ones. Michael underscores that systems and leadership must coexist. Without systems, leaders get overwhelmed. Without leadership, systems fall flat.

Website: elevationprox.com

Episode Overview In this episode, Michael talks with San Diego-based real estate investor Justin Brennan about one of the hottest topics in housing today, the rise of the 50-year mortgage, and what it means for homebuyers, investors, and the future of urban development. Their discussion explores the practical realities behind long-term mortgages, market resilience, and the shift toward apartment investments as a sustainable wealth strategy.

Michael and Justin open with a breakdown of the new 50-year mortgage trend. While these loans may sound like a solution for affordability, Justin explains that they’re mainly amortization tools designed to reduce monthly payments, not a pathway to home ownership. Since the average homeowner stays in their property for 5.5 to 7 years, very few people will ever pay off a home under such a long-term structure.

The takeaway: it’s more about short-term cash flow than long-term payoff.

Justin shares how his upbringing in San Diego shaped his perspective. Coming from a family deeply rooted in both real estate and military service, he learned valuable lessons about risk, leverage, and resilience from his grandmother and father. His father’s experience during the 2008 financial crisis inspired Justin to take a more measured, apartment-focused investment approach that prioritizes stability and steady income.

Michael draws parallels between the cyclical nature of the auto and housing sectors, noting that true wealth often comes from those who rebuild after financial loss. Together, they examine current trends: single-family housing shortages in coastal markets, the growth of vertical construction in San Diego, and temporary oversupply in Sunbelt regions. Both agree that while red tape slows coastal development, new models for multifamily housing are creating fresh opportunities for investors.

Michael predicts a generational shift on the horizon as baby boomers eventually leave the housing market. With many holding onto single-family homes longer than ever, a massive turnover is expected in coming decades. This could lead to the redevelopment of neighborhoods into multifamily housing, reshaping the fabric of communities nationwide. Justin agrees, noting that this transition will open doors for new investors and developers focused on density and urban design.

Justin goes deep into apartment investing, emphasizing its scalability and operational efficiency. He contrasts apartment ownership with single-family rentals, pointing out reduced maintenance costs, shared insurance, and easier management structures. His key message: mastering deal analysis and financing structures is essential to unlocking the best real estate opportunities.

For those with limited capital, Justin explains how apartment syndication can serve as an entry point. With as little as $30,000, investors can join syndicates that purchase 10 to 30-unit buildings in affordable markets like the Midwest. He compares syndicators to high-level problem solvers, likening their expertise to neurosurgeons or hedge fund managers. The value lies in their ability to identify, structure, and manage complex deals that generate long-term wealth and legacy potential.

Michael and Justin discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping real estate strategy. From analyzing property data to modernizing apartment amenities like Wi-Fi, digital shopping hubs, and smart community features, AI is becoming a tool for creating scalable and livable investments. They stress that success comes from curiosity, understanding market language, and embracing innovation.

Justin closes by sharing his entrepreneurial journey—marked by persistence, calculated risk, and the ability to take action even when under pressure. He encourages listeners to use downtime productively, whether that means starting a side hustle or investing in real estate education.

His final message: the ability to endure stress and uncertainty is what separates dreamers from successful entrepreneurs.

Find out more:

https://www.brennanpohle.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBrennan

Learn more insights from Michael Levitt and thought leaders shaping the future of leadership, resilience, and success at BreakfastLeadership.com/blog.

Exiting Tech Businesses: Insights from Draven Draven, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, joined Michael to discuss his journey of building and successfully exiting two tech companies. The first was a software development agency that he scaled organically, and the second was a field service management business sold to a billion-dollar private equity group in July 2024. Draven shared valuable lessons on how taking outside investment impacts exit strategies, stressing the importance of market timing, investor expectations, and strategic foresight.

Resilience and Entrepreneurial Growth Draven opened up about his early life challenges, including being homeless at 18, and how those experiences shaped his mindset. Once something he hid, his story has now become a source of strength, teaching him resilience and empathy. Michael pointed out that Draven’s grounded approach to entrepreneurship reflects a focus on survival and practical outcomes rather than distractions. Draven shared how his mindset evolved from surviving to thriving—seeking growth and purpose beyond financial goals.

Journey to Personal Resilience Michael reflected on his own experiences of overcoming adversity, including a near-fatal heart attack and financial setbacks. These moments reinforced the importance of resilience and personal evolution. Both Michael and Draven agreed that while financial success matters, the deeper reward comes from self-development, expanding one’s potential, and learning through change. They discussed how continuous adaptation of tools, strategies, and mindsets is crucial for navigating both business and life’s transitions.

Klipboard.io’s Field Service Management Focus Draven shared insights into his company Klipboard.io, which was acquired by Carriage Commercial Systems in July 2024 and rebranded globally. Klipboard.io specializes in field service management software that empowers technicians in plumbing, HVAC, and fire equipment industries through digital tools for operations, quoting, scheduling, job management, invoicing, and accounting. Michael connected this to his own consulting experiences, emphasizing the importance of technology that simplifies processes instead of complicating them. Draven agreed, underscoring how meaningful it feels to deliver solutions that make technicians’ work more efficient and rewarding.

Benefits of Field Service Software Together, Michael and Draven explored how Klipboard.io’s platform helps field service teams streamline workflows and reduce operational bottlenecks. By automating manual processes, businesses can increase their capacity and focus on serving clients. Draven noted that many service companies still lack modern digital systems, making tailored solutions essential for improving productivity and profitability. Both emphasized the power of listening to users and designing around their real-world needs for stronger adoption and measurable results.

Collaboration and Feedback in Leadership Draven and Michael closed the conversation by discussing leadership, collaboration, and the importance of feedback in building great products and organizations. They highlighted that simplifying processes, including diverse perspectives, and inviting constructive input lead to better outcomes. Draven shared that surrounding himself with knowledgeable, thoughtful people has been key to his growth as both a leader and entrepreneur.

Connect with Draven Listeners can connect with Draven via his LinkedIn profile or his personal website. Learn more about Klipboard.io’s field service management solutions at klipboard.io.

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Episode Summary: In this episode, Michael welcomes Megan Bennett, a 23-year veteran in public relations, to discuss how authentic storytelling continues to outperform traditional advertising and paid promotions. Megan shares insights from her boutique agency’s work across the wellness, beauty, health, lifestyle, and technology sectors. Together, they explore why PR remains one of the most authentic and trusted marketing methods in today’s media landscape.

Podcast Growth and PR Strategies Michael reflects on the evolution and growth of the Breakfast Leadership Show, discussing ways to further impact his audience. Megan explains her approach to uncovering compelling brand narratives and unique angles that resonate with media outlets. The two agree that the secret to great PR lies in finding the deeper story that differentiates a brand and connects emotionally with its audience.

Crafting Effective PR Pitches Megan shares actionable strategies for crafting standout pitches in a crowded media space. She emphasizes the need to go beyond generic press releases and to develop unique, intriguing storylines that invite curiosity. Michael and Megan discuss how these approaches can lead to broader media coverage and syndication, helping brands gain meaningful visibility.

PR Lessons from the Pandemic Reflecting on the challenges of the COVID-19 era, Megan explains how her virtual PR agency adapted to rapid change by offering flexible contracts and reduced fees. Despite global uncertainty, she saw increased demand from consumer product and wellness clients who were pivoting to meet home-based needs. Michael and Megan highlight the power of adaptability, creativity, and resilience in maintaining business continuity during crises.

Remote Work and Productivity Insights The conversation turns to remote work culture. Megan shares her experience managing growing workloads in a virtual environment, while Michael notes that many businesses underestimated the productivity of remote teams. They discuss how some companies thrived by anticipating market rebounds, underscoring the value of strategic foresight and maintaining momentum during challenging times.

AI’s Role in PR and Media Relations Michael and Megan explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping public relations. Megan discusses using tools like ChatGPT to assist with research, brainstorming, and media contact discovery. Both emphasize that while AI can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace the human relationships and intuition that define great PR. They agree that integrating AI thoughtfully can amplify storytelling while preserving authenticity.

Key Takeaway: Authentic PR is not just about getting attention; it’s about telling stories that matter. By combining traditional relationship-driven strategies with emerging technologies, brands can navigate today’s complex media environment with integrity, creativity, and impact.

Learn more at: BreakfastLeadership.com Listen to more episodes: The Breakfast Leadership Show Podcast Related reads: Workplace Culture and Burnout Proof

Megan Bennett is the CEO of national boutique PR agency Light Years Ahead dedicated to helping businesses, especially small entrepreneurs, build their images, often from scratch.

Megan is known in the industry as a fearless and relentless champion of her clients, one who catapulted a small Kansas City company to a quarter-million-dollar upswing in sales after getting them featured on foodandwine.com.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! She has plenty of similar stories to tell, but best of all, she’s here to provide your listeners with plenty of insights and actionable tips to use now, even if they can’t afford to hire an outside PR company.

Episode Summary: Culture misalignment is one of the most overlooked threats to organizational performance. In this episode, we explore how a disconnect between your values and day-to-day practices can quietly undermine productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. Drawing on "Workplace Culture" by Michael D. Levitt, we identify the most common early warning signs of misalignment and share practical strategies to course-correct before it becomes a crisis.

• The definition of culture misalignment , and why it’s rarely obvious at first

• Real-world examples of value disconnects (wellness, inclusion, leadership)

• 7 subtle signs your culture might be out of alignment, including:

  • High turnover of top talent

  • Unclear or inconsistent decision-making

  • Gossip, cliques, and eroded communication

  • “That’s not my job” attitudes

  • Burnout and mental health issues

  • Lack of innovation or engagement

  • Leadership not modeling core values

• The cost of ignoring these signals

• 5 actionable strategies to realign your culture before deeper damage sets in

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with a colleague, HR leader, or your executive team. Culture change starts with awareness , and awareness begins with listening.

🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app 💬 Leave a rating or review if this helped spark ideas 📩 Contact us for culture audits or workshops at https://BreakfastLeadership.com

“Misalignment isn’t loud at first. It’s a whisper in disengagement, a shrug during meetings, a turnover stat no one wants to explain.”