School for Startups Radio

December 18, 2024 – SupportLogic Krishna Raja and Cognito Forms Jennifer Dellacroce

Krishna Raj Raja – Founder & CEO of SupportLogic, Inc. and Author of  Support Experience. How Innovative Companies Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Win the Hearts, Minds, and Wallets of Customers
Krishna Raj Raja delves into how AI is helping companies strengthen customer loyalty – an increasingly essential strategy for growth in today’s competitive market. Krishna’s work reveals how AI is shifting the focus of customer support from reactive to proactive, predicting emotional escalations, and helping companies preemptively resolve issues. His innovative approach to AI redefines what it means to truly “listen” to customers. With over a decade of hands-on experience in AI and customer experience, Krishna’s background as a founder and engineer gives him a rare combination of technical and strategic insight. He’s led initiatives at SupportLogic that have transformed customer engagement for global brands like Salesforce and HPE, giving him an exceptional, real-world perspective on how AI can drive business success. One of the most interesting points Krishna addresses is the concept of “silent churn” – when a customer is unhappy but doesn’t voice it, leading them to eventually leave. AI can detect these signals early, allowing companies to take action before it’s too late. This would be an exciting topic to explore with your audience, particularly as more companies aim to focus on long-term customer retention rather than new acquisitions.Jennifer Dellacroce – President of Cognito Forms
Jennifer Dellacroce is the President and co-founder of Cognito Forms, a workflow productivity platform that enables non-developers to build applications for their organizations. She serves as a product expert with over 20 years of experience in software development. Jennifer is based in South Carolina, bringing experience from previous roles at notable IT consulting and web development companies. She holds a degree in Engineering from the University of South Carolina. With a robust skill set that includes web design, UI/UX and more, Jennifer contributes valuable insights to the industry. Jennifer’s commitment to technical excellence and continuous innovation has been crucial to Cognito Forms’ success. This dedication ensures the platform is consistently meeting users’ evolving needs.

December 16, 2024 – Corporate Espionage Robert Kerbeck and Side Road Link Forester

Robert Kerbeck – Corporate Spy and Author of Ruse: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street
Robert Kerbeck’s true crime memoir, RUSE: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street is the story of how a wannabe actor became the world’s greatest corporate spy. Frank Abagnale, author of Catch Me If You Can, said, “Kerbeck has mastered the art of social engineering, or what he calls ‘rusing’, and taken it to a whole new level,” while the New York Journal of Books wrote “Kerbeck’s astounding spy story is fraught with tension.” Robert’s previous book MALIBU BURNING: The Real Story Behind LA’s Most Devastating Wildfire, won a SoCal Journalism Award, the IPPY Award, and the Best of LA Award. Robert is also the creator and host of the Soho House Lit Salon @ Soho Malibu where recent guests have included ESPN sports media figure Stephen A. Smith and John Densmore from The Doors.Link Forester – Co-Founder & Principal at OnPointWealth and Author of The Side Road: Finding Joy and Purpose through the Twists and Turns of Life
Link Forester possesses a rare blend of humility, faith, and a good sense of humor — all of which have enabled him to grow through the trials of becoming a parent much earlier than planned, a risky career change, and the tragic death of a son. After graduating from Auburn University (B.S. Building Construction, 1987), Link began his career in sales at IBM. Five years later he took a leap of faith into the financial services industry, where he continues to lead a thriving financial planning and wealth management business. A native of Atlanta, GA, Link is an avid golfer and member of Perimeter Church. He and his wife Carla spend much of their free time on Lake Lanier with their three children, two daughters-in-law, three grandchildren, as well as their dog Bailey, their cat Boots, and plenty of good wine.

December 13, 2024 – Sex Talk Dr. Stephen Furlich and Trauma is a Catalyst Carrie Rickert

Dr. Stephen Furlich – Author of Sex Talk: How Biological Sex Influences Gender Communication Differences Throughout Life’s Stages
Dr. Stephen Furlich is the author of Nonverbal Epiphany: Steps to Improve Your Nonverbal Communication. He is also the best-selling author of a breakthrough book, Sex Talk: How Biological Sex Influences Gender Communication Differences Throughout Life’s Stages. He has taught and researched communication at the university level for over 20 years. He has taught a variety of communication courses with the main focus of better understanding oneself and others. Often, his research projects and the courses that he taught, complemented each other and lead into innovative directions. Dr. Furlich has been an associate professor at Texas A&M University since 2018 and served as an assistant professor there for five years prior to that. He has presented at many conferences, including: DFW Metroplex Linguistics Conference, Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference, E-Learning Conference, National Communication Association Conference, Southern States Communication Association Conference, International Academy of Business and Public Administration Disciplines, and International Conference of the American Pragmatics Association. Dr. Furlich, who was recently interviewed by One America News Network, has been published in numerous journals, including: Texas Speech Communication Journal, Kentucky Journal of Communication, The Florida Communication Journal, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Academic Exchange Quarterly, Journal of Integrated Social Sciences, and Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. His communication paradigm is from a receiver’s perspective. This places the emphasis on the listener to better understand from the speaker’s perspectives and as a speaker emphasizing understanding from the listener’s perspectives. Both of these become more challenging as differences increase between the speaker and listener. Dr. Furlich has become fascinated with technological advancements in science that have enabled a better understanding of communication. Without these scientific advances, understanding communication is quite limited. This line of research has inspired him to write this book to bring together many different scientific studies to better understand the role of biology with nonverbal communication cues. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas Tech University. He resides in McKinney, Texas.Carrie Rickert – Principal at Nomis Advisors and Author of Trauma is a Catalyst 
Carrie Rickert brings more than fifteen years of coaching experience, working with 300 CEOs and small business owners in deep-dive analysis for understanding their concerns, needs, and areas of improvement, for themselves and for their business. This, plus her own trauma recovery process makes her ideal to coach others going through their own post-acute trauma journey. Carrie has examined her own life, post-trauma, and wondered… now what? Through a lot of determination and resilience, she has created the life she wants to live. Carrie’s true passion is in helping others navigate their own murky waters – to provide support when it seems like there is no roadmap. Carrie has a BS in Clinical Psychology from Towson University and an MFS in Forensic Sciences from George Washington University. Carrie is the creator and host of the Podcast, Transformational Trauma and Healing.

December 12, 2024 - Adversity Advantage Chris Greco and Entrepreneurial Environmentalist Wayne Elliott

Chris Greco - Author of 8 Steps to Overcoming Everyday Adversity
 
Chris Greco is a dedicated father, husband, and CEO known for his faith, underdog grit, and perseverance. His boundless energy and core values approach have been instrumental in uniting organizations to achieve goals that once seemed unattainable. In 2023, as CEO, Chris successfully turned around a retail technology company, safeguarding employee jobs and delivering returns for investors. The former CEO of the largest food distributor in the US praised him, stating, “Greco took a company from nothing and turned it into an industry-wide success.” Earlier, in 2016, he led the growth of a mobile technology provider, culminating in a $1.3 billion exit. In 2008, he orchestrated a transformative go-to-market strategy for one of America's largest telecom providers, generating over 1,000 new subscribers daily during the competitive launch period of Apple’s technology. Chris’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at Fortune 500 firms such as AT&T, Sprint, Symantec, and Avast. At Symantec and Avast, he served as Vice President of Sales, domestically and internationally, driving growth and managing key partnerships. His tenure at these leading companies has equipped him with a deep understanding of technology and go-to-market strategy. Chris firmly believes that the foundation of any thriving organization, whether a family or a business, lies in its people and the unwavering trust they place in their leadership. He is committed to helping his team overcome adversity, whether facing everyday work challenges or life-changing events. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris serves as a Board Director, advisor to growth-stage companies, volunteer, and keynote speaker. He resides in Kansas City with his wife, two children, and their rescue dog.Wayne Elliott – Ship Recycling and Strauss Naturals Advocate
 
Wayne Elliott has been in the ship recycling business for 40 years. His company can take a 1000-foot-long ship and reduce it to a pile to reusable materials. He has grown into other areas such as battery recycling. He recounts his life-changing experience with SHD, a health supplement he stumbled upon after battling angina and its debilitating symptoms. Struggling with leg cramps, shortness of breath, night sweats, and chest pains, Wayne also grappled with anxiety and a lack of energy, resigning himself to the fate of heart-related issues that plagued his family. However, upon learning about SHD through a friend in Vancouver and being inspired by studies from renowned institutions like Harvard, Wayne decided to give it a try. Astonishingly, within two weeks of taking SHD, he noticed improvements in unexpected ways – his hearing returned, and his respiratory system cleared, leading to a significant boost in energy. Over the course of three months, Wayne transformed into a revitalized version of himself, feeling as energetic as he did decades ago. This transformation propelled him into a new phase of life where he actively engaged with others, becoming a spokesperson for Jim Strauss, the creator of SHD. Wayne’s involvement extended to radio shows and lectures, allowing him to share his incredible journey with thousands of people suffering from various health issues. His enthusiasm and dedication to natural health solutions led him to become a regular guest on radio networks in the USA and Canada, where he continued to spread the word about his positive experiences with SHD and its miraculous effects on individuals dealing with diabetes, heart disease, low energy, and clogged arteries. Wayne’s story highlights the power of painless, safe, and affordable health products, emphasizing the beauty of solutions that genuinely work. His gratitude towards Jim Strauss and the Strauss Heart Drops is profound, as he believes that without this intervention, he might not have been alive today, reinforcing the transformative impact of natural health remedies in the face of life-threatening conditions. Strauss Naturals is sponsoring the show with support for our radio-minute segments. Wayne says very simply that their products saved him. He became an advocate for the company and has been working with them for 29 years.

December 11, 2024 – Former Xero CEO on Change Steve Vamos and Triple Fit Strategy Mehak Gandhi

Steve Vamos – Former Xero CEO and Author of Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change
Steve Vamos is an author, speaker and advisor with over 40 years’ experience in the global technology and digital media industries as a CEO and Board Director. He has lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Asia. Steve was CEO of ASX-listed technology company Xero from April 2018 to January 2023, where he led a team of more than 4,500 people around the world. Previously, Steve served as Managing Director of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, CEO of ninemsn and Managing Director of Apple Asia Pacific. Steve has served as a non-executive director of Telstra, Fletcher Building, Medibank Private and David Jones and as a non-executive director and advisor to a range of Australian organisations, from start-ups to large established companies. Through Shifts and Shocks is Steve’s first book.Mehak Gandhi – Head of Research at Valuecreator and Co-Author of Triple Fit Strategy: How to Build Lasting Customer Relationships and Boost Growth
Mehak Gandhi is the Head of Research at Valuecreator, Switzerland,where she designs and implements B2B growth accelerator programs and next-generation sales organization strategies. She has conducted research and training programs with leading global companies including Allianz, Konica Minolta, Maersk, Schneider Electric, Sennheiser, Schindler, Thermo Fisher Scientific, VAT, and WMF/Schaerer. Simply put: It’s time for companies to rethink their growth logic and strategy. Imagine how much more value would result if companies no longer operated in a transactional buyer-seller relationship, but instead as a singular team. If they could collaborate on decisions around planning, execution and resources like they were one company , they could orchestrate growth together. Instead of the narrow-minded “product selling” playbooks that businesses have long followed, the authors lay out the Triple Fit Strategy framework where customers are at the heart of three core “fit” areas: planning, execution and resources. Helping companies escape the product-centric mindset, their decades-long research shows that companies who apply Triple Fit Strategy contribute 10x more to their customers’ success and can double account values in less than three years. The book also draws from extensive training and advisory work with Fortune 100 and global companies (Microsoft, Coca-Cola, GE, BASF, Sonos, Best Buy and more), including Danish shipping giant Maersk, which unlocked hundreds of millions of dollars in new business opportunities using the Triple Fit Strategy with a New Zealand-based customer. With a database of 10,000+ cases, TRIPLE FIT STRATEGY introduces an entirely new approach to business. Complete with practical steps to invite your customers and stakeholders into your company’s internal process, businesses will also be able to better evaluate customer relationships and allocate resources for faster breakthroughs.

December 09, 2024 – Chinese Village to E&Y Winner Jenny Jing Zhu and Dealing w Grief Richard John Allen

Jenny Jing Zhu – Founder of Lush Decor and Author of Dream Weaver: Finding Strength & Purpose in Life’s Twists and Turns
Jenny Jing Zhu – Would you believe that a girl from a remote village in Shandong, China, without electricity or basic amenities, could one day stand as a Chairwoman on the global stage? This is my story—my journey from humble beginnings to the forefront of entrepreneurship and empowerment. My early years were filled with determination to change my family’s fate. From working as a hotel maid, an esthetician, to running a dry cleaning business and even starting a matchmaking service for successful women, each step was a leap towards a bigger dream. The adventure took a daring turn when I moved to the United States in my mid-20s, with little English, starting as a nanny before diving into design studies. The real test came in 2008, during the financial crisis. With a one- year-old baby by my side and on the brink of single motherhood, I founded Lush Décor Home. My path was not easy, strewn with business betrayals, two amicable divorces, and a leap into the unknown world of private equity for my first business exit. Despite initially not knowing what “PE” stood for, I navigated my way to financial freedom and handed over the torch to a talented leadership team, led by a woman CEO, as I embraced the role of Chairwoman of the Board. This journey has been about more than just overcoming challenges; it’s been a process of continuous learning and standing up after countless failures. Today, I am a dedicated champion for girls and women everywhere. Through sharing my story, I aim to instill hope and strength in those who find themselves in the shoes of my younger self or facing similar battles. So, if you asked me years ago if I believed that girl from the village could achieve all this, my answer would have been fueled by hope, but shrouded in doubt. Yet, here I am. This narrative is living proof that with unwavering determination, the support of professional communities, and the courage to take risks, breaking barriers and achieving dreams isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. To everyone facing their own set of challenges, remember: Your beginning does not define your destiny. With each step forward, you too can transform your dreams from mere fantasies into your reality. Let’s embark on this journey of empowerment together, breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible. As a champion for female entrepreneurs, I serve as the Founder of USPAACC’s Women Initiative Strategic Empowerment (WISE) and the Founder of the Jenny Jing Zhu Collective in partnership with Gold House. Additionally, I hold the position of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) DEI Officer and Garden State Board Member. I earned EY’s New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a national nomination in the consumer category in 2019. I had the distinction of being inducted into the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame in 2024 after being named a recipient of the 2021 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. In 2021 and 2022, Lush Décor was named a 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led Companies by WPO. Inc. Magazine named Triangle Home Fashions | Lush Décor a 2022 Top 500 Fastest Growing Company.
Richard John Allen – Author of Heavenly Realms: A Journey Into The Unknown: Discovering the Mysteries of Heaven and the Afterlife
Richard John Allen, known professionally as John Allen, is a British-born, North Carolina-based author who found his calling as a writer following a profound personal loss. On November 23, 2020, he lost his father to cancer, a devastating event that altered the trajectory of his life and inspired him to leave his corporate career to become a bestselling author on Amazon, focusing on the subject of grief. His choice of pen name, John Allen, honors his late father. In his debut book, Keep Calm and Cope with Grief, Allen shares his personal journey of loss, detailing how his family navigated the challenges of a funeral, writing obituaries and eulogies, managing wills and finances, and recognizing signs from his father. One Amazon reviewer described the book as “well-written” and praised its ability to help readers bridge the gap from overwhelming grief to easier coping. Allen’s second book, Life After This, explores how past civilizations coped with loss, as well as various religious perspectives on life after death. The book provides practical advice for readers seeking ways to connect with loved ones who have passed away. His third book, Nature’s Reach, delves into how nature’s inherent beauty and gifts can aid individuals in coping with the multifaceted layers of grief. Allen believes that God has provided the tools for healing through the world around us. Across his works, Allen combines his personal experiences, thorough research, and interviews with others, including those who have had near-death experiences, to offer readers a fresh perspective on managing grief. Recently, Allen completed his fourth book, a children’s guide to coping with grief, slated for release in early summer 2023. Born and raised in Liverpool, England, Allen grew up in a working-class city known for its humor, kindness, and camaraderie, traits that profoundly influenced his outlook on life. Despite the financial challenges of his youth, the community’s wit and generosity shaped his perspective on resilience and connection. He fondly recalls Liverpool’s spirited humor, particularly its lighthearted sarcasm and deep passion for football (soccer). Throughout his career, Allen worked for some of the world’s largest corporations, accumulating valuable experiences and memories. However, the losses of his father and father-in-law compelled him to leave the corporate world and pursue writing full-time. Allen comes from a religious family and holds strong faith-based values while maintaining an open mind grounded in logic and common sense. At 16, he briefly considered becoming a priest, a decision that surprised his parents but ultimately gave way to other paths. Through his writing, Allen seeks to help others understand the universal yet deeply personal nature of grief. He believes that everyone receives unique signs, skills, and gifts to navigate life’s joys and sorrows. His mission is to share these insights through his books, research, and interviews, offering hope and comfort to those who have experienced loss.

December 06, 2024 – Fire Soul Leadership Ulla Sommerfelt and Mental Health Expert Mike Veny

Ulla Sommerfelt – Exited Founder and Author of Firesoul Leadership: An Entrepreneur’s Blueprint for Fueling Growth, Igniting Creativity, and Crafting a Culture of Compassion
Ulla Sommerfelt is the cofounder and CEO of an award-winning design consultancy, Ulla Sommerfelt has seen firsthand the vital role culture plays in the success of an organization. Starting with a small team, her company, EGGS, grew rapidly to more than 130 people of twenty-seven nationalities and became one of the most successful design houses in Norway by creating an antidote to the prevailing start-up culture of burnout, infighting, and power games that leaves both employees and founders feeling like they’re making huge sacrifices without receiving much in return. Ulla Sommerfelt is a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, and keynote speaker with a passion for helping organizations create impactful change. Her company, EGGS, is one of the most successful design houses in Scandinavia. Her new book, “Firesoul Leadership: An Entrepreneur’s Blueprint for Fueling Growth, Igniting Creativity, and Crafting a Culture of Compassion,” offers invaluable insights for leaders looking to transform their workplaces. Learn more at FiresoulLeadership.com.Mike Veny – Mental Health Expert and Author of Fill Your Cup: The Exhausted Educator’s Guide to Emotional Wellness
Mike Veny is a Leading Mental Health expert available to discuss mental health crisis, workforce, criminal mindset and more. Mike has been celebrated as one of the top 5 mental health motivational speakers, sharing this honor with the esteemed Brené Brown. In addition to being a world-class keynote speaker, he’s a facilitator for employee well-being, a podcast host, and the author of several books, including the best-selling book, Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. As a child, Mike was expelled from several schools, attempted suicide, and spent time in psychiatric hospitals for extended periods of time. His path to eventually becoming a motivational speaker became evident at an early age when he learned how to convince the staff to discharge him. His groundbreaking work as a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® earned him the Innovation & Excellence Award in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, his commitment to mental health advocacy was recognized with the NAMI New York State 2023 Leader Of Mental Health Awareness award. Moreover, as a recipient of the PM360 ELITE Award, Mike is acknowledged among the 100 most influential figures in the healthcare industry, highlighting his significant impact and contributions. His expertise and life experience have been featured on ABC, NBC, and CBS news.

December 05, 2024 – Entrepreneur & Environmentalist Wayne Elliott and Body of Change Dr. Lisa Cooney

Wayne Elliott – Ship Recycling and Strauss Naturals Advocate
Wayne Elliott has been in the ship recycling business for 40 years. His company can take a 1000-foot-long ship and reduce it to a pile to reusable materials. He has grown into other areas such as battery recycling. He recounts his life-changing experience with SHD, a health supplement he stumbled upon after battling angina and its debilitating symptoms. Struggling with leg cramps, shortness of breath, night sweats, and chest pains, Wayne also grappled with anxiety and a lack of energy, resigning himself to the fate of heart-related issues that plagued his family. However, upon learning about SHD through a friend in Vancouver and being inspired by studies from renowned institutions like Harvard, Wayne decided to give it a try. Astonishingly, within two weeks of taking SHD, he noticed improvements in unexpected ways – his hearing returned, and his respiratory system cleared, leading to a significant boost in energy. Over the course of three months, Wayne transformed into a revitalized version of himself, feeling as energetic as he did decades ago. This transformation propelled him into a new phase of life where he actively engaged with others, becoming a spokesperson for Jim Strauss, the creator of SHD. Wayne’s involvement extended to radio shows and lectures, allowing him to share his incredible journey with thousands of people suffering from various health issues. His enthusiasm and dedication to natural health solutions led him to become a regular guest on radio networks in the USA and Canada, where he continued to spread the word about his positive experiences with SHD and its miraculous effects on individuals dealing with diabetes, heart disease, low energy, and clogged arteries. Wayne’s story highlights the power of painless, safe, and affordable health products, emphasizing the beauty of solutions that genuinely work. His gratitude towards Jim Strauss and the Strauss Heart Drops is profound, as he believes that without this intervention, he might not have been alive today, reinforcing the transformative impact of natural health remedies in the face of life-threatening conditions. Strauss Naturals is sponsoring the show with support for our radio-minute segments. Wayne says very simply that their products saved him. He became an advocate for the company and has been working with them for 29 years.Dr. Lisa Cooney – Author of The Body of Change: Using Your Body To Heal, Love, and Empower Yourself
Dr. Lisa Cooney, PhD, LMFT, is a leading expert in personal transformation and trauma recovery, focusing on Soul Therapy, Life Coaching, and Spiritual Transformation. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California & Texas) / Doctor of Psychology. Creator of the groundbreaking Live Your ROAR(R), she has transformed the lives of thousands, helping them overcome childhood abuse and achieve a “Radically Orgasmically Alive Reality” (ROAR(R)). Dr. Lisa’s work is rooted in her “I’m Having It!… No Matter What!” philosophy and the principles of choosing for yourself, committing to growth, collaborating with the universe, and creating the life you dream of.

December 05, 2024 - Entrepreneur & Environmentalist Wayne Elliott and Body of Change Dr. Lisa Cooney

Wayne Elliott has been in the ship recycling business for 40 years. His company can take a 1000-foot-long ship and reduce it to a pile to reusable materials. He has grown into other areas such as battery recycling. He recounts his life-changing experience with SHD, a health supplement he stumbled upon after battling angina and its debilitating symptoms. Struggling with leg cramps, shortness of breath, night sweats, and chest pains, Wayne also grappled with anxiety and a lack of energy, resigning himself to the fate of heart-related issues that plagued his family. However, upon learning about SHD through a friend in Vancouver and being inspired by studies from renowned institutions like Harvard, Wayne decided to give it a try. Astonishingly, within two weeks of taking SHD, he noticed improvements in unexpected ways – his hearing returned, and his respiratory system cleared, leading to a significant boost in energy. Over the course of three months, Wayne transformed into a revitalized version of himself, feeling as energetic as he did decades ago. This transformation propelled him into a new phase of life where he actively engaged with others, becoming a spokesperson for Jim Strauss, the creator of SHD. Wayne’s involvement extended to radio shows and lectures, allowing him to share his incredible journey with thousands of people suffering from various health issues. His enthusiasm and dedication to natural health solutions led him to become a regular guest on radio networks in the USA and Canada, where he continued to spread the word about his positive experiences with SHD and its miraculous effects on individuals dealing with diabetes, heart disease, low energy, and clogged arteries. Wayne’s story highlights the power of painless, safe, and affordable health products, emphasizing the beauty of solutions that genuinely work. His gratitude towards Jim Strauss and the Strauss Heart Drops is profound, as he believes that without this intervention, he might not have been alive today, reinforcing the transformative impact of natural health remedies in the face of life-threatening conditions. Strauss Naturals is sponsoring the show with support for our radio-minute segments. Wayne says very simply that their products saved him. He became an advocate for the company and has been working with them for 29 years.Dr. Lisa Cooney - Author of The Body of Change: Using Your Body To Heal, Love, and Empower Yourself
 
Dr. Lisa Cooney, PhD, LMFT, is a leading expert in personal transformation and trauma recovery, focusing on Soul Therapy, Life Coaching, and Spiritual Transformation. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California & Texas) / Doctor of Psychology. Creator of the groundbreaking Live Your ROAR(R), she has transformed the lives of thousands, helping them overcome childhood abuse and achieve a "Radically Orgasmically Alive Reality" (ROAR(R)). Dr. Lisa's work is rooted in her "I'm Having It!... No Matter What!" philosophy and the principles of choosing for yourself, committing to growth, collaborating with the universe, and creating the life you dream of.

December 04, 2024 – Veteran Advocate Paul Lawrence and Give Yourself Permission Cortney McDermott

Paul Lawrence – Businessman, Author, & Passionate Veteran Advocate
Dr. Paul R. Lawrence Paul R. Lawrence is a businessman, author, and passionate Veteran advocate. He has 35 years of experience solving management problems in large, complex organizations. As a private sector executive, he was a consulting Partner at two Big-Four accounting firms and a Vice President in two Fortune 500 companies. He is a government management thought leader, having written several books on the subject. For almost three years, Lawrence served as Under Secretary of Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, unanimously confirmed by the Senate on April 26, 2018. As Under Secretary, he was in charge of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) leading a team of 25,000 people with an operating budget of $4 billion, administering $120 billion in benefits annually. He implemented proven business practices, streamlined the bureaucracy, and created a public presence rebranding VBA as an organization successfully supporting Veterans. During his time as Under Secretary, Veterans received more benefits faster and at lower cost than any time in VBA history. His 2021 book, “Transforming Service to Veterans: How I Pursued Performance Excellence at VBA,” describes the accomplishments during his time as Under Secretary. In 2023, to make the benefits experience easier for Veterans, he wrote “Veterans Benefits for You.” He serves on the Board of Trustees of Purpose Built Families, a nationally-accredited nonprofit that delivers compassionate, informed care to address underlying causes of Veteran homelessness and on the Board of Shield of Sisters, a nonprofit that works with women survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. He is also a Senior Advisor to Search & Acquire, a nonprofit focused on helping Veterans become CEOs via Entrepreneurship through Acquisition. He was selected three times by Federal Computer Week as one of the top 100 public service leaders. In 2019 he was recognized as Government Executive of the Year by Service to the Citizen. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Lawrence earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in economics from Virginia Tech. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He is an Army Veteran, having completed his ROTC requirement as an Airborne-qualifiedCortney McDermott – Motivational Speaker, TEDx Speaker, and Bestselling Author of Give Yourself Permission: Be Confident Be Happy Be You: Master the Habits to Transform Your Life, Your Personal Development, Confidence, Self Improvement, Business Skills & Winning Leadership
Cortney McDermott is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and human potential expert, with a Master of Science from the London School of Economics. Her work in the field of self-development and business strategy has been featured in Inc., Women’s Health, SUCCESS, The Huffington Post, FOX News, and many other mainstream business and lifestyle media.

 Cortney’s career highlights include her time as an executive at Vanity Fair Corporation, Vice President at Sustainability Partners Inc., and then running her own businesses, with clients and audiences at Universal Music Group, Google, Nike, and Virgin Unite.
Cortney speaks four languages and lives between Italy and the US and hangs out on Richard Branson’s private island, Necker.