In this episode, host Shawn Ellis interviews Mike Lee, former coach of elite athletes like Steph Curry and Joel Embiid, who now focuses on empowering leaders and organizations. Mike shares his journey from sports coaching to dealing with personal challenges like depression, and how embracing presence and mindfulness transformed his life and career. The conversation dives into practical tips for overcoming anxiety, burnout, and remaining present in both professional and personal settings. The epi...
Sep 10, 2024•40 min
In this episode, host Shawn Ellis explores the theme 'Community Is Your Competitive Advantage.' He reflects on personal experiences, including his marriage, book release, and speaking at Toastmasters' 100th Annual Convention, to demonstrate the critical role community plays in achieving success and well-being. As an introvert, Shawn shares insights on the importance of building and maintaining a supportive network to navigate life's challenges and thrive. Practical steps are offered to help list...
Aug 28, 2024•25 min
In this special episode of The Better Life Better Business Podcast, host Shawn Ellis engages in a heartfelt discussion with his partner and now-fiancée, Megan. The conversation revolves around the significance of connection and community in their lives, particularly within the framework of 'Five Cs to Adapt & Thrive.' Shawn discusses his journey toward embracing community despite his introverted nature, and Megan shares her experiences with resilience in her personal life and professional wo...
Mar 01, 2024•31 min
In this episode, we explore the concept of the 'monkey trap' — a metaphor for how our own refusal to let go of certain beliefs, fears, or lies can hold us back in life. Shawn highlights the importance of self-awareness and courage in releasing these 'traps' to move forward personally and professionally. Listen and you'll be encouraged to examine your own 'traps' and consider whether they are serving you or holding you back. For more inspiration and guidance to support you on your journey to crea...
Feb 15, 2024•14 min
Are you a leader on a mission to create a culture that's Built to Thrive? Then this episode is for you! Host Shawn Ellis discusses the recent impact of Sesame Street character, Elmo, asking on social media, 'how's everybody doing?' Not only does the massive response speak to the power of community and connection, but it also provides a powerful lesson to leaders about the importance of showing your employees that you care. In addition to advocating for new leadership principles that balance prod...
Feb 07, 2024•22 min
Let's take a trip back in time to 2012! In this episode, Shawn shares a clip of him rehearsing for his very first "This Moment Matters" speaking engagement. In this 15-minute segment, you'll be reminded of just how important "this moment" is, and you'll also be inspired to be more present and more engaged for more of the moments in your life and work. Shawn also walks you through his "Box It Up" exercise, which is a tool you can use when life becomes a little too full and frazzled. For more insp...
Jan 30, 2024•21 min
If you're feeling lost or uncertain in a season of change, this episode is for you. In it, Shawn reads his latest ebook titled Adapt & Thrive: 5 Keys (or C's!) to Cultivate Resilience and Growth in Times of Change. Listen and you'll discover the antidote to anxiety, confusion, fear, doubt, and isolation - 5 signs that you've slipped into survival mode - so you can get on the road to making your next chapter, your best chapter. For more inspiration and guidance to support you on your journey ...
Jan 23, 2024•20 min
We all have those ideas or desires that just keep nagging at us, that won't let us go. Those "hunches" or "callings" that say, "Come, follow me." In Shawn's return to The Better Life Better Business Podcast, he reflects on 20 years of business ownership and offers inspiration and encouragement to do that thing you've been wanting to do, that won't let you go - whether it's something big like starting a business, or something small like smiling at someone at the grocery store - because you just n...
Jan 11, 2024•21 min
Feeling like you might be at a pivot point in your life? Been feeling stuck, like it may be time to make a change? Or maybe you're a leader, and you're sensing disruption in the marketplace, so it's time for your company to pivot in some way. If any of this rings true, you're going to love this episode of The Better Life/Better Business Podcast as Shawn Ellis, Founder of The Speakers Group, is joined by Adam Markel , author of Pivot: The Art and Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life ....
Oct 24, 2017•41 min
As a sales professional, do you ever feel like you're riding a self esteem roller coaster--up and down, from one sales call to another? As a sales manager, are you looking for a proven strategy to help your people become revenue rock stars? Are you beating your head against the wall trying to figure out how to win back some of your most valuable clients that you've lost through the years? If you said YES to any of those questions, you're going to love this episode of The Better Life/Better Busin...
Oct 03, 2017•36 min
Leadership speaker and business coach, Ron Minatrea , joins Shawn Ellis on this episode of The Better Life/Better Business Podcast to share some good advice to help all leaders--but especially "middle leaders"--find more fulfillment and achieve greater success, at home and at work, by aligning their vision, values and leadership for life.
Jan 20, 2015•27 min
Motivational speaker and marketing and sales expert, Scott Toland , joins Shawn Ellis on this episode of The Better Life/Better Business Podcast to share some good advice to help corporate executives, small business owners, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and marketing professionals perform at a higher level and reach their goals.
Nov 25, 2014•40 min
You don’t have to be the next Steve Jobs — or even hire the next Steve Jobs — to be a breakthrough innovator in your industry. Ken Tencer , innovation expert and co-author of Cause A Disturbance , breaks the myth that breakthrough innovations have to be "big" and complicated, and he shows you how to identify the innovative idea with the most potential for your business. You'll also discover how innovation is critical to business growth, employee engagement and retaining top talent....
Jul 10, 2014•25 min
Keith Ferrazzi ’s book, Never Eat Alone , redefined networking in the modern world. Nearing it’s 10th anniversary of release, a revised and expanded edition has just been published, and Keith joins Shawn Ellis on this episode of The Better Life/Better Business Podcast to share some of his latest insights.
Jul 08, 2014•22 min
Why should a customer do business with you over your competition? It's a question nearly 4,000 CEOs could not answer clearly, but in this interview, Jaynie Smith , author of Creating Competitive Advantage and Relevant Selling , shares seven criteria for identifying YOUR competitive advantage so you can close more sales and rise above commodity status in your market.
Jun 19, 2014•25 min
In this interview, Scott Edinger , coauthor of The Inspiring Leader , shares insights on the ONE thing that impacts revenue growth, employee engagement and productivity in an organization; three ways to inspire your people (while being true to yourself); three activities that are likely consuming your organization's precious resources; and what REALLY makes an innovative organization....
May 27, 2014•29 min
Janice Marturano shares insights from her new book, Finding the Space to Lead: A Practical Guide to Mindful Leadership . Topics include: why mindfulness is essential for leaders, the four fundamentals of leadership excellence, what compassionate leadership is really about, and much more - including how to find space in your life TODAY with the simple act of a "purposeful pause."...
Jan 23, 2014•32 min
Dr. Rick Hanson shares advice from his new book, Hardwiring Happiness , about how we can tap into the hidden power of everyday experiences to change our brains and our lives for the better. Discover why your brain has a negativity bias, and how to overcome it by "taking in the good" for just 10-30 seconds at a time to increase overall happiness....
Nov 08, 2013•26 min
Joel Zeff, author of Make the Right Choice, has shared his experience and insight on success, innovation, communication, leadership, teamwork, passion, and fun with more than 1,500 companies, associations, non-profits, and government entities over the past 15 years. On this episode of the Better Life, Better Business podcast, he shares some of the essential lessons that improvisational [...] Read online at Does improv comedy hold the key to creating a positive, innovative and productive work lif...
Jul 17, 2012•15 min
Harry Paul, co-author of six books - including the best-selling FISH! series - is our special guest on today's edition of the Better Life, Better Business podcast, and he talks with Shawn Ellis about lessons learned from the Pike Place Fish Market and how to create a workplace where everyone chooses to bring energy, passion, and [...] Read online at Harry Paul reveals the ONE word that can boost morale and results - and more tips to help you create a more fun (and more effective) workplace ....
Jul 10, 2012•21 min
Today on the Better Life, Better Business podcast, Shawn interviews Diane Sieg, a self-professed "recovering adrenaline junkie" who now helps people move from "chaos to calm" in their lives and businesses as an author, inspirational speaker, life coach and yoga teacher. Listen in as Diane shares: What 20+ years as an Emergency Room nurse taught her [...] Read online at Learn how to go from "Chaos to Calm" in your life and business with Diane Sieg ....
Jun 28, 2012•18 min
On today's episode of the Better Life, Better Business podcast, Chip Eichelberger, the former international point man for Tony Robbins who has been "switching on" convention audiences for almost 20 years, shares his strategies for keeping his energy up, staying motivated in tough times, and more. Listen in as host Shawn Ellis interviews Chip and learn: [...] Read online at "Get Switched On" and learn success secrets from Chip Eichelberger, former point man for Tony Robbins ....
Jun 21, 2012•12 min
Vicki Hitzges is known for helping companies create Cultures of Encouragement. On today's episode of the Better Life Better Business podcast, Shawn Ellis, founder of The Speakers Group, asks Vicki for her best advice on a variety of important issues facing companies and employees today. Listen in and learn: Zig Ziglar's secret for dealing with [...] Read online at Vicki Hitzges on how to deal with rejection in sales, how NOT to motivate your employees, and the one thing we all have in common ....
Jun 19, 2012•15 min
On July 4, 2005, a successful marketing executive - founder of one of the top 50 digital marketing firms in the US - set out on a journey and an adventure... to ride around the world, alone on his motorcycle. He returned three years later - after traveling over 62,000 miles across five continents - [...] Read online at Take a trip around the world with Allan Karl - aka the "WorldRider" - and learn valuable lessons for life and business ....
Jun 14, 2012•19 min
Who would have thought that two seemingly different worlds — the world of Jazz and the world of business — would have so much in common? As it turns out, the elements that create a successful jazz quartet are exactly the same components critical for sustaining a highly effective business team. On today’s episode of [...] Read online at Does a jazz ensemble hold the answers for navigating the uncertainties in business today? - An interview with Michael Gold of Jazz Impact ....
Jun 12, 2012•23 min
Known for his practical, street-savvy style, leadership expert Robert Thompson’s fusion of real-life stories and conversational techniques connect with his audience at an intimate, intense and individual level. His refreshing approach to leadership is both thoughtful and thought provoking, engaging participants in open, honest and authentic interaction. On today’s episode of the Better Life, Better [...] Read online at Robert Thompson debunks some of the biggest myths about leadership, answers h...
Jun 07, 2012•16 min
For over 20 years, communication expert Mimi Donaldson has been captivating audiences "from the Fortune 500 to the just plain fortunate," sharing the stage with prominent keynote speakers such as Gen. Colin Powell, Katie Couric, and Maya Angelou, among others. She's also the best-selling author of books such as Bless Your Stress, Negotiating for Dummies and most recently, Necessary Roughness: New [...] Read online at How do you survive a boss who’s a bully? How do you prepare for a difficult con...
Jun 04, 2012•26 min
On today’s episode of the Better Life, Better Business podcast, Shawn Ellis, founder of The Speakers Group, asks Carol Grace Anderson, motivational expert, speaker and best-selling author of Get Fired Up without Burning Out, for her best advice on how to do just that - especially in the midst of life's challenges. Read online at How do you get fired up and stay fired up in the midst of change and challenging circumstances? Carol Grace Anderson shows the way ....
May 24, 2012•23 min
In case you haven’t noticed yet, the theme around here is maximizing this moment, and I often think of it in terms of investing this moment. By that, I mean will you engage in this moment in a way that yields benefits (to you or someone else) for a long time to come, or will the […]
Aug 11, 2011•7 min
Last week, I wrote about the need to get the shoulds out of our lives — referring to the “should do” items that weigh us down because we keep thinking about them… but not doing them! As a remedy, I said we need to either delete them, file them away for another day, or get them […]
Jul 27, 2011•9 min
