Episodios

  • AI Ethics, Empathy & The Future of Work | Yuying Chen-Wynn

    AI Ethics, Empathy & The Future of Work | Yuying Chen-Wynn
    Oct 28 2025
    What if technology isn’t replacing humans but revealing what makes us more human? In this episode of Executive Connect, Yuying Chen-Wynn, founder and managing director of Wittingly Ventures, former Microsoft executive, and MIT alum, shares how empathy, adaptability, and experimentation are redefining what great leadership looks like in the age of AI.

    With over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation across four continents, Yuying reveals how leaders can balance innovation with ethics, create cultures that embrace change, and implement AI responsibly without losing trust or creativity. She breaks down the mindset shifts every executive needs to thrive in a world where change is constant and curiosity is currency.

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why empathy is the most underrated skill in AI transformation

    • How to build guardrails for ethical and responsible AI use

    • The three traits every leader needs to thrive with technology

    • Why fear, not failure, slows innovation

    • What the future of work will really look like in the next five years


    If you want to lead through disruption, drive transformation, and stay human in a world of machines, this conversation will change how you think about the future of leadership.

    ⏱️ Chapters

    00:00 Why You Can’t Start with Regulation
    00:40 From Microsoft to Global AI Leadership
    02:00 Lessons from 20 Years Across Four Continents
    04:00 What Global Transformation Teaches About Culture
    05:20 AI as a Strategic Business Enabler
    07:00 How Natural Language Changed Everything
    09:00 The Role of Empathy in Leading Transformation
    11:00 Why Leaders Must Spend 80% Listening
    13:00 The Hidden Fears Behind AI Resistance
    14:00 Building Guardrails for Ethical AI
    16:00 What Every Company Needs Before AI Adoption
    18:00 Skills That Define Future-Ready Leaders
    19:00 Adaptability, Learning, and the Power of Tinkering
    21:00 Why Curiosity Beats Credentials
    23:00 Human Connection in a Digital World
    25:00 How Employers Are Redefining Talent and Hiring
    27:00 The Next Five Years of AI and Work
    29:00 What Automation Will Really Look Like
    31:00 Redefining Productivity and the Workweek
    33:00 Embracing AI Without Losing Humanity
    35:00 Technology as an Amplifier for Creativity
    36:00 Where to Learn More About Wittingly Ventures

    🔗 Connect With Yuying Chen-Wynn

    Website → https://www.wittinglyventures.com
    LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuyingchenwynn

    🎧 Subscribe to Executive Connect

    Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/the-executive-connect-podcast/id1816477167
    Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/1zggDnblvD9Pa0Nn37o1TD

    Connect With Us

    Website → www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube → Executive Connect YouTube Channel
    LinkedIn → Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram → @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok → @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook → Executive Connect
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    37 m
  • How to Build a Strong HR Foundation as an Entrepreneur | Vicky Brown

    How to Build a Strong HR Foundation as an Entrepreneur | Vicky Brown
    Oct 27 2025
    Thinking of leaving the corporate world to build your own business? Before you hire your first employee, you need a solid HR foundation. In this episode of Executive Connect, Vicky Brown, CEO of Idomeneo Enterprises and author of How to Manage Your Employees and Stay Out of Court, shares how to avoid the costly HR mistakes that can sink a growing company.

    Vicky reveals how she transitioned from HBO executive to entrepreneur and built a thriving HR consultancy that helps small businesses stay compliant, lead with confidence, and scale their teams the right way. You’ll learn how to classify employees correctly, when to outsource HR, and why your first hire should never be payroll. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner looking to grow without getting buried in compliance issues, this episode will save you time, money, and stress.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Leaving corporate life and starting over as an entrepreneur
    02:00 How a mentor pushed Vicky into starting her first business
    04:30 The top HR mistakes new entrepreneurs make
    06:00 The truth about independent contractors and employee classification
    07:00 What exempt and non-exempt really mean for small business owners
    09:00 How to avoid the most painful HR audit mistakes
    10:00 What to focus on when building your HR foundation
    11:30 Why every entrepreneur needs HR help from day one
    13:00 Transitioning from solo hustler to effective team leader
    14:20 How your company only grows as much as you do
    15:40 The art of delegation and letting go
    17:00 Scaling your business by scaling your people
    18:00 Why continuing education is the key to retention and growth
    20:30 Cross-functional training and developing well-rounded employees
    22:00 When to hire an HR professional and how to find the right one
    25:00 The pros and cons of outsourcing vs. using a PEO
    27:20 Final advice for entrepreneurs on building strong teams
    29:20 How to connect with Vicky and access her free HR toolkit

    Key Themes:
    • HR strategy for entrepreneurs

    • Employee classification and compliance

    • Scaling small business teams

    • Leadership development and delegation

    • Building a foundation for growth

    • Outsourcing HR effectively

    • Avoiding payroll and audit mistakes
    Connect With Vicky Brown:

    Download the free HR startup guide: vickybrownhr.com/podcastgift

    Connect With Us:

    Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

    Social:

    LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook: Executive Connect
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    30 m
  • Why High Earners Stay Broke (And How to Escape the Trap) | Chris Miles

    Why High Earners Stay Broke (And How to Escape the Trap) | Chris Miles
    Oct 23 2025
    Making six figures but still feeling broke? You’re not alone. In this episode of Executive Connect, financial freedom expert Chris Miles reveals why so many high-income professionals are secretly trapped in what he calls the “High Income Hamster Wheel.” He explains how traditional financial advice like saving more, paying off debt, and maxing out your 401(k) actually keeps you stuck and broke, and what to do instead.

    Chris shares his story of going from over a million dollars in debt to retiring twice before 40, and the counterintuitive strategies he used to escape the trap by focusing on cash flow, liquidity, and passive income over accumulation. If you’re tired of feeling like your high salary still isn’t enough, this episode will show you how to build true financial freedom and live life on your terms.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 The moment that changed Chris Miles’ entire view of money
    02:45 Why traditional financial advice keeps you broke
    05:10 How Chris went from debt to financial independence twice before 40
    07:42 The trap of being asset rich but cash poor
    10:33 Why your 401(k) and IRA might be your biggest mistake
    13:02 What it really means to make your money work for you
    15:40 How high earners can lose everything by locking away their money
    18:04 Why your financial advisor doesn’t want you to retire early
    21:19 The biggest myths about saving, risk, and returns
    25:11 What wealthy people do differently with their money
    28:36 Turning equity into income, a smarter way to think about your home
    31:50 Real examples of clients who replaced income with passive cash flow
    35:24 Why boring investments are often the most profitable
    38:03 The mindset shift from saving for retirement to building freedom
    41:26 How to rewire your financial beliefs and stop chasing income
    44:18 Final advice, know your why and design wealth around it

    Key Themes:
    • Financial freedom vs. high income

    • Cash flow over accumulation

    • Passive income strategies

    • Escaping traditional financial advice

    • Liquidity, leverage, and control

    • Rethinking retirement planning

    • How wealthy people think differently
    Connect With Us:

    Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    Watch full episodes on YouTube: Executive Connect YouTube Channel

    Social:
    LinkedIn: Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram: @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok: @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook: Executive Connect
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    51 m
  • From Underdog to Unstoppable: How to Command Your Message and Build an Empire with Jeremy Ryan Slate

    From Underdog to Unstoppable: How to Command Your Message and Build an Empire with Jeremy Ryan Slate
    Oct 16 2025
    What does it really take to go from unremarkable to extraordinary?

    In this episode of Executive Connect, Jeremy Ryan Slate, author, CEO of Command Your Brand, and host of the top-rated Jeremy Ryan Slate Show, shares how to rise above the noise, turn setbacks into strength, and command attention in a chaotic media world.

    From studying ancient Rome to building a modern media empire, Jeremy reveals how hard work, courage, and smart communication, not luck, drive lasting success. You will learn how to use life’s motion, outwork your competition, and grow your influence through clarity, storytelling, and consistency.

    If you have ever felt like the underdog with something big to say, this episode will show you exactly how to make people listen.

    What You Will Learn:
    • Why underdogs win and the mindset behind extraordinary success

    • How to use adversity and motion as fuel for growth

    • The secret to commanding attention in today’s noisy media landscape

    • Why clarity beats volume when building a personal brand

    • How to get featured on the right podcasts, not just the biggest ones

    • Practical PR and communication strategies that build trust and impact

    • Why efficiency, not balance, is the real key to intentional living

    Chapters:

    00:00 | Why the World Needs More Underdogs
    01:04 | From Studying Theology to Building a Media Empire
    03:09 | The Journey from Hobby Podcaster to CEO
    04:20 | Lessons from History and What Makes Great Leaders
    06:00 | Outworking Talent The Real Edge of High Performers
    09:46 | Turning Adversity into Strength
    14:11 | How Leaders Cut Through the Noise in Modern Media
    16:20 | Why Conversations Drive Connection and Influence
    20:28 | What Great Podcast Guests Get Right
    22:48 | Impact Over Vanity Choosing the Right Platforms
    25:29 | Why Great Partners Give Back and Amplify Each Other
    28:03 | The Myth of Balance and Power of Intentional Living
    30:39 | Teaching Kids the Value of Hard Work
    32:16 | AI, Efficiency, and the Future of Productivity
    33:10 | Using Motion How to Turn Challenges into Strength
    34:31 | Where to Connect with Jeremy Ryan Slate

    Connect With Jeremy:

    Website → commandyourempire.com
    Podcast → The Jeremy Ryan Slate Show

    Subscribe to Executive Connect:

    Apple Podcasts → Listen on Apple
    Spotify → Listen on Spotify


    Connect With Us:

    Website → executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube → Executive Connect YouTube Channel
    LinkedIn → Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram → @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok → @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook → Executive Connect
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    35 m
  • Why Hustle Culture Is Breaking You (And How to Fix It) | Jennie Blumenthal

    Why Hustle Culture Is Breaking You (And How to Fix It) | Jennie Blumenthal
    Oct 14 2025
    Guest:

    Jennie Blumenthal

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Episode Overview:

    What if working harder isn’t actually working?

    In this episode of Executive Connect, Jennie Blumenthal, former PwC partner, bestselling author of Corporate Rehab, and executive coach, shares how hustle culture is quietly breaking high performers and what to do instead.

    Jennie reveals her story of leading a $200 million global business while burning out behind the scenes and how she created The REHAB Method to help leaders trade overwork for sustainable success. She explains how to balance productivity with rest, rewire your leadership mindset, and build empathy-driven cultures that outperform grind culture every time.

    If you are a high-achieving professional ready to redefine success on your own terms, this conversation is your roadmap to thriving without burnout.

    What You Will Learn:
    • The hidden costs of hustle culture and how to recognize burnout early

    • How to rewire your leadership mindset for balance and clarity

    • Ways to boost performance through rest, creativity, and reflection

    • How empathy and trust drive stronger results and retention

    • How to lead authentically in the evolving future of work
    Chapters:

    00:00 | Why Hustle Culture Fails Leaders
    02:19 | Jennie’s Journey From PwC Partner to Founder
    07:07 | The REHAB Framework Explained
    14:00 | Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit of Leadership
    20:00 | The Future of Work and the End of Burnout
    26:00 | Finding Your Growth Zone
    31:00 | Leading With Empathy and Results
    36:00 | Final Advice and Where to Connect

    Connect With Jennie Blumenthal:

    LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennieblumenthal/
    Website → https://www.corporate-rehab.com

    Subscribe to Executive Connect:

    Apple Podcasts → Listen on Apple
    Spotify → Listen on Spotify

    Connect With Us:

    Website → www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube → Executive Connect YouTube Channel
    LinkedIn → Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram → @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok → @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook → Executive Connect
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    38 m
  • How Remote Teams Are Fixing Healthcare’s Burnout Crisis | Beth Lachance

    How Remote Teams Are Fixing Healthcare’s Burnout Crisis | Beth Lachance
    Oct 13 2025
    Guest:

    Beth Lachance

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Episode Overview:

    The healthcare burnout crisis is real and getting worse. Staff shortages, administrative overload, and rising operational costs are pushing medical professionals to the edge.

    In this episode of Executive Connect, Beth Lachance, CEO of Global Medical Virtual Assistance (GMVA), shares how remote teams are helping medical practices regain balance, restore patient care, and scale sustainably.

    From redefining “outsourcing” to rebuilding culture across continents, Beth explains how insourcing remote medical talent is transforming the future of healthcare.

    If you want to understand how to combine human touch, efficiency, and innovation, this episode is your blueprint for leading through disruption.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • Why burnout and staff shortages threaten modern healthcare

    • How remote medical teams are closing the operational gap

    • The truth about virtual assistants and the “outsourcing” myth

    • How to build culture, accountability, and retention globally

    • The balance between AI automation and human connection

    • The three biggest takeaways for medical leaders in 2025


    Chapters:
    00:00 | Healthcare’s Burnout Crisis: Why It’s Getting Worse
    01:16 | From Athlete to Healthcare CEO: Beth’s Journey
    03:46 | Seeing the Need and Launching GMVA
    05:48 | How COVID Proved Remote Staffing Works
    07:22 | Breaking the Stigma Around Virtual Assistants
    09:54 | Building Culture and Accountability Across Borders
    12:23 | Servant Leadership in a Global Workforce
    13:12 | The Difference Between Outsourcing and “Insourcing”
    15:51 | Simplifying Operations with the Paint-By-Number Method
    17:30 | The Staffing Shortage: What’s Next for Healthcare
    19:33 | AI, Human Touch, and the Future of Patient Care
    23:16 | Top 3 Takeaways for Medical Leaders
    25:51 | How to Choose the Right Partner
    26:41 | How to Connect with Beth Lachance

    Connect With Beth:

    Website → www.gmva.com
    Schedule a Strategy Session → Book Here

    Subscribe to Executive Connect:

    Apple Podcasts → Listen on Apple
    Spotify → Listen on Spotify

    Connect With Us:
    Website → executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube → Executive Connect YouTube Channel
    LinkedIn → Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram → @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok → @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook → Executive Connect
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    27 m
  • How to Stop Coasting and Take Control of Your Life | Chris Robinson

    How to Stop Coasting and Take Control of Your Life | Chris Robinson
    Oct 9 2025
    Guest:
    Chris Robinson

    Host:
    Melissa Aarskaug

    Episode Overview:
    Are you drifting through your days busy but not fulfilled? In this episode of Executive Connect, Chris Robinson, international speaker, executive vice president at Maxwell Leadership, and author of From Drift to Drive, reveals how to wake up your potential and live with true intention.

    Chris shares how to identify where you’ve gone on autopilot, build clarity about what you really want, and take consistent daily action toward it. From his seven-step framework to the “learn a little, do a little” philosophy, you’ll walk away with tools to break out of complacency and start driving your life forward with purpose.

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure what’s next… this episode is your wake-up call.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • How to spot “drift” and the silent danger of complacency

    • The two types of complacency and how to correct both

    • Chris’s 7-step framework for building drive and direction

    • How to sustain motivation without burning out

    • Why small daily actions compound into major transformation

    • How accountability builds consistency and confidence

    • The mindset that moves you from good to great

    Timestamps:
    00:00 | Why you might be drifting without realizing it
    00:41 | Meet Chris Robinson executive VP at Maxwell Leadership
    01:28 | What “drift” means and why it’s the silent killer of progress
    02:17 | The rumble strip metaphor how small wake-up calls save lives
    03:36 | How to spot when you’re in autopilot mode
    04:41 | The two types of complacency nearsighted vs farsighted
    05:36 | Getting 2020 vision and realigning goals with daily actions
    06:44 | The seven-step framework for moving from drift to drive
    07:43 | Gathering phase aligning books, videos, and courses with goals
    08:41 | Learn a little, do a little the secret to sustainable progress
    10:52 | Why motivation fails without daily micro habits
    13:42 | Teaching discipline and accountability through simple routines
    16:39 | How fear blocks forward motion and how to fix it
    18:19 | Lessons from baseball, parenting, and life consistency wins
    20:27 | The power of dominant thoughts and why mindset leads action
    22:17 | Chris’s own drift moment and what John Maxwell taught him
    24:55 | Feedback, humility, and never going on autopilot again
    27:31 | How Chris became VP at Maxwell Leadership
    30:45 | The one question that brings instant clarity: What do I want?
    31:42 | The advice Chris would give his younger self read and keep learning
    32:30 | Where to get the book and bonus resources

    Connect With Chris:
    Book → From Drift to Drive on Amazon
    Bonuses → drifttodrivebook.com

    Subscribe to Executive Connect:
    Apple Podcasts → Listen on Apple
    Spotify → Listen on Spotify

    Connect With Us:
    Website → executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube → Executive Connect YouTube Channel
    LinkedIn → Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram → @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok → @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook → Executive Connect
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    33 m
  • Curiosity Always Beats Passion: The Real Secret Behind 100 Patents with Ajay Malik

    Curiosity Always Beats Passion: The Real Secret Behind 100 Patents with Ajay Malik
    Oct 8 2025
    Guest:
    Ajay Malik

    Host:
    Melissa Aarskaug

    Episode Overview:
    Everyone says “follow your passion.” Ajay Malik says follow your curiosity instead. The prolific inventor behind more than 100 patents explains why passion fades but curiosity compounds — fueling innovation, leadership, and lifelong creativity.

    In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug dives deep into how Ajay turns curiosity into invention and reinvention. From building teams that thrive on freedom to leading turnarounds across industries, Ajay reveals how asking “why” and “what if” can change your life, your career, and your company.

    You’ll hear how curiosity drives breakthrough thinking, why randomness is often your best teacher, and what daily habits keep Ajay inspired to create.

    If you’ve ever wondered what separates innovators who sustain success from those who burn out — this conversation gives you the blueprint.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • Why curiosity outlasts passion in innovation and leadership

    • The mindset that helped Ajay earn 100+ patents

    • How to build high-performing teams through freedom and trust

    • Lessons from company turnarounds and reinvention

    • Why great leaders act as “reverse bosses” who empower others

    • Daily habits for staying creative, focused, and inspired


    Chapters:
    00:00 | The Power of Curiosity and Creation
    03:00 | How AI and Personalization Are Changing Innovation
    07:00 | Embracing Randomness and Opportunity
    09:00 | Lessons from Turnarounds and Reinvention
    12:00 | Building and Leading High-Caliber Teams
    17:00 | Leadership Lessons from Great Bosses
    22:00 | Gratitude, Growth, and Perspective
    27:00 | Ajay’s Creative Process and Daily Habits
    30:00 | Reflections and Advice to His Younger Self

    Connect With Ajay:
    LinkedIn → Ajay Malik

    Subscribe to Executive Connect:
    Apple Podcasts → Listen on Apple
    Spotify → Listen on Spotify

    Connect With Us:
    Website → executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube → Executive Connect YouTube Channel
    LinkedIn → Melissa Aarskaug
    Instagram → @executiveconnectpodcast
    TikTok → @executiveconnectpodcast
    Facebook → Executive Connect
    Más Menos
    33 m