There are three main reasons why so many of us love March Madness. In today's episode, I talk about them and how they connect to the bigger picture of playing our positions. = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we...
Mar 25, 2024•12 min•Ep. 523
My guest today is Aaron Marcum. Aaron Marcum has spent over two decades founding and scaling award-winning, multi-million-dollar enterprises that have left an indelible mark on North America. His journey began in the healthcare sector, where his leadership transformed the home care industry. Through his second startup, Aaron revolutionized the lives of countless entrepreneurs and millions of seniors receiving care. He pioneered the Best of Home Care® award program, setting a new industry standar...
Mar 18, 2024•51 min•Ep. 522
Anna Maria Ponzi is the former owner and past president of Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. From the age of four, she’s had the rare experience of working in every aspect of the winery. She helped plant its original vines, worked on the bottling line, hosted guests in the tasting room and has made countless national and international sales calls. Anna Maria has served the state’s wine industry in myriad ways, including serving as an early ambassador for Oregon wine both nationally ...
Mar 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 521
Some non-obvious takeaways about leadership from the movie Oppenheimer which has been nominated for 13 Oscars this year. = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social? @maryloukayser (Instagram) ...
Mar 07, 2024•15 min•Ep. 520
In today's episode, David and I explore the profound journey of leadership and how it evolves with time. Reflecting on his own path, David has come to realize that leadership isn't just about titles or positions—it's a dynamic journey that evolves with time and experience. From his early days in the Boy Scouts, where he first tasted leadership responsibility, to building and leading teams in his business ventures, every step has been a lesson in growth and accountability. What's truly fascinatin...
Mar 01, 2024•46 min•Ep. 519
How is AI changing the way we play our positions? In today's episode, I share my thoughts about this as well as a few of the AI tools I use in my workflow for time efficiency, productivity, and creativity. The world isn't what it used to be -- AI is here. We owe it to ourselves to stay on top of what's happening. AI Tools for Your Consideration ChatGPT https://chat.openai.com/ Claude ai https://claude.ai/ Lensa ai https://lensa.app/ Otter ai https://otter.ai/ Brainstory ai https://www.brainstory...
Feb 26, 2024•16 min•Ep. 518
Linda Cohen is an international keynote speaker, consultant, author, and trainer who considers herself a kindness catalyst. She shares the ROI of kindness with businesses and associations around the world through customized interactive programs for team meetings and conference keynotes with enthusiasm and expertise. Linda believes kindness is no longer a nice to have in the workplace, but an imperative skill for leaders and employees to cultivate. She says that kindness is at the basis of every ...
Feb 20, 2024•52 min•Ep. 517
Tim Fortescue is an extraordinary communication coach who ignites transformation and drives success. With a background in basketball coaching and a passion for helping individuals grow, Tim’s journey has taken him from volunteer high school basketball coach to founding his own coaching venture, 40 Watt Coaching. His coaching philosophy centers around coaching the full human, not just a person’s speech patterns. Tim’s extensive experience includes coaching and training thousands of individuals ac...
Feb 13, 2024•54 min•Ep. 516
Jeff Bartsch is a visionary storyteller, communication strategist, and founder at Story Greenlight. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and online business, Jeff has helped shape content for clients including ABC, NBC, Universal, Disney, Apple, and many others. Jeff’s commentary has been featured in major publications including Time Magazine, USA Today, and the Associated Press. Through Story Greenlight, Jeff and his team empower business experts and leaders to tell th...
Feb 05, 2024•58 min•Ep. 515
Michele Hecken is an ex-CEO who helps high-performing leaders design an organization where each person spends at least 80% of their time working on things they love. She calls herself a contagious optimist, lover of freedom, shifter of paradigms, lifelong learner, and artist. Michele built, operated, scaled, and exited a successful business in the translation industry. She is an Entrepreneur at heart who moves fast, can’t sit still, and is addicted to personal and professional growth. She spent ...
Jan 29, 2024•57 min•Ep. 514
What trends are driving growth today and into the future? In today's episode, I explore two trends based on the research data by people who are way smarter than I am. You can check out these people here. The bottom line is, if you are looking to expand, or cash in on some consumer spending trends for your personal or professional life, this episode will give you some things worth thinking about. Enjoy! Get on my Field Notes Newsletter list here: https://maryloukayser.com/ Join my Your Life Your ...
Jan 22, 2024•20 min•Ep. 513
Jason Brown is a big fan of Jim Rohn's quote: " Use the past as a school, not a club. Don't beat yourself up!" In today's episode, you will hear Jason's leadership story including how he managed to turn an investment that didn't work out into his life's calling -- and how he helps others take charge of their financial futures. Jason Brown is a finance graduate from Wayne State University with over a decade of experience in stocks and options trading. At the young age of 23, Jason started trading...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 512
Today's guest is Dave Newell who is on a mission to “align the misaligned” — connecting leaders with systems that foster outstanding work and personal fulfillment. If you're feeling like any aspect of your current business is off-kilter, this conversation will help you find your bearings. Dave collaborates with small business leaders to implement the Five Facets of Business™ — a small business operating system — to optimize processes, foster team alignment around culture, strategy, operations, s...
Jan 10, 2024•57 min•Ep. 511
In today's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with branding and storytelling expert Emma Donovan of Dapper. As we launch a new year, the ideas Emma shares about choosing online platforms, owning your story in an authentic way, and driving the narrative about yourself and your brand are timely -- and timeless. Emma Donovan is a seasoned entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience in brand strategy and professional profiling. As co-founder of Dapper, she excels in creating innovative products ...
Jan 04, 2024•52 min•Ep. 510
Happy New Year, Part 2! In today’s episode you will hear 23 remarkable voices of the men who appeared on the Play Your Position Podcast in 2023. Below you will find a list of these men in alphabetical order by first name along with a way to connect with them. I encourage you to follow and reach out to the ones who resonate with you and your passions and goals. From financial literacy to resonating stories of resilience and the power of community, these speakers underscore the multidimensionality...
Dec 31, 2023•38 min•Ep. 509
Every year, at the end of the year, I like to take the voices of the amazing leaders I had the privilege of speaking with over the past 12 months, and putting them together into one large file where we can listen to the amazing ideas and insights and inspiration they shared. This year, I decided to do something different. I divided my guests into the women and the men. In this episode, you will hear the voices of the 13 incredible women from 2023 who shared their unique leadership journey with a...
Dec 30, 2023•27 min•Ep. 508
As we come to the end of this year, it's a natural time to reflect. The holidays and the craziness leading up to Christmas are behind us now. This is a really fertile time to do some self-examination and put the past 12 months of your life under the microscope. What worked? What didn’t? What do you wish you did more of? What unconventional adventures are calling you in the new year? Are you living a full life or are you playing it safe by someone else’s rules? All this and more in today’s episod...
Dec 27, 2023•22 min•Ep. 507
Do you have an idea for a game, toy, or household product? Wondering what it takes to get your ideas into the marketplace? Ever fantasized about pitching a product to get a licensing deal? Today's guest is April Mitchell, an expert and leader in the invention and licensing space. In our conversation, April shares her experiences inventing games and products, and getting deals from companies to have them made and distributed. She also discusses what happens when your idea isn't right for a compan...
Dec 18, 2023•52 min•Ep. 506
Are you ready for some awesome inspiration and laughs? Today's show features Andy Hite, a recognized leadership coach who supports entrepreneurs, executives, and their teams with energy and enthusiasm as they navigate the world of building businesses and lives filled with prosperity, meaning, & freedom. Regardless of the setting—be it in front of an audience, within an intimate boardroom, or during individual client sessions—Andy’s background in commercial theatre, as an actor and executive,...
Dec 04, 2023•51 min•Ep. 505
Today's guest is Jason Shen, a former national champion gymnast and an executive coach with a focus on resilience and reinvention. As CEO of Refactor Labs, he coaches entrepreneurs and teams through crucial transitions and writes about creative risk-taking in his weekly newsletter Cultivating Resilience. He has been published in TechCrunch, Fast Company, and Vox and a speaker at Grubhub, Procter & Gamble, and Pinterest. After facing multiple setbacks including layoffs, lawsuits, company fail...
Nov 27, 2023•57 min•Ep. 504
Have you ever seen a performance that moved you at the soul level? I have many times and it just happened again the other night when I was watching the Country Music Awards. I don't have a long history with country music as I've been a rock n roll girl most of my life. However, several country artists are putting out music these days I'm drawn to which is part of the inspiration behind today's episode. We can learn a lot about playing our positions more effectively from watching and studying peo...
Nov 15, 2023•19 min•Ep. 503
Richard Newman is the Founder of Body Talk, a business that helps people improve their communication and impact. In the past 23 years his team has trained over 120,000 business leaders around the world. One client gained over $1 Billion in new business in just one year using Richard’s techniques, winning 100% of their new business pitches. When Richard was 18, he started his mission to discover the core principles of communication. As part of this mission, he lived in the foothills of the Himala...
Nov 11, 2023•56 min•Ep. 502
Have you ever felt like you're in a maze, searching for the elusive exit? I definitely have. Those times in my life when my vision and direction were muddy at best, I got so caught up in the whirlwind of life, I forgot the power of having a clear vision and direction. It's like having a treasure map without 'X' marking the spot. But here’s the harsh and compelling truth: underestimating the influence of a vision can be akin to sailing without a compass—it leaves you wandering aimlessly in the va...
Nov 06, 2023•29 min•Ep. 501
Well Team -- I've achieved a new milestone here at the Play Your Position Podcast! Today's episode featuring the super accomplished, insightful, and hilarious Dr. Taylor Hartman marks number 500 of the show. 500 y'all! I am celebrating! I remember thinking way back in the dark ages of early 2014 when I first started podcasting that having 50 episodes sounded impressive. Here I am with 500 and I am proud of my work. I am honored to have had the opportunity to converse about leadership and life wi...
Nov 02, 2023•48 min•Ep. 500
What happens when someone famous dies? In today's episode, I explore this question while paying tribute to the late actor, Matthew Perry, who died at the age of 54 on October 28, 2023. Helpful Mental Health Resources Forbes Health compiled a list of recommended online resources here: https://www.forbes.com/health/l/best-online-therapy/ Always use your best judgement, do your due diligence, and get a second opinion about any health-related resources before making any commitments. = = = = = Thank ...
Oct 29, 2023•13 min•Ep. 499
In today's episode, you will hear Amina Moreau discuss the future of shared workspaces as she and her business partners see it. She is a powerhouse of ideas, full of positive energy and enthusiasm for what’s possible! Get ready to think differently about what co-working spaces are and where you have your next team meeting. Amina Moreau has a long and varied work experience. Amina began her career in 2004 as Cofounder and Executive Creative Director at Stillmotion, Inc., a five-time Emmy Award wi...
Oct 24, 2023•53 min•Ep. 498
and all your wildest dreams will come true. This is one of my favorite lines from the movie Napoleon Dynamite. In today's episode I explore the role of dreams in our lives, especially wildest dreams. What happens if we don't allow ourselves to believe in big dreams? What happens if we stop dreaming altogther? Original post: https://maryloukayser.com/vote-for-pedro/ = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps...
Oct 20, 2023•12 min•Ep. 497
Most of us are approaching our health care from an outdated, average model based on data that doesn't help anyone experience exceptional health. Get ready to have your mind blown about what's possible for each of us in coming years when what Dr. Brigitte Piniewski discusses becomes standard in the healthcare system. I haven't stopped thinking about what she talks about since we recorded this episode. She is leading the charge in something truly revolutionary. Dr. Brigitte Piniewski is a physicia...
Oct 17, 2023•52 min•Ep. 496
And sometimes getting re-routed is the best thing that can happen to us. Original post: https://maryloukayser.com/unplanned/ = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social? @maryloukayser (Instagr...
Oct 04, 2023•22 min•Ep. 495
For many businesses, trade shows are an integral piece of the marketing puzzle. By their nature, they can be hit or miss. I’ve experienced both -- and the misses are worse than a bad night's sleep. In today's episode, I dive into 5 unconventional tips for leaders who want to experience success at their next trade show or networking event. Great info for anyone who is interested in getting a higher ROI from attending a trade show or professional event. Original post: https://maryloukayser.com/tra...
Sep 30, 2023•26 min•Ep. 494