With Guests Episodes

In this conversation, Erik sits down with Tony Camero, founder of Scend Technologies and creator of TrustMesh, to explore one of the most foundational (and misunderstood) forces in human systems: trust. Together, they unpack how trust actually works between people, why our current digital systems distort it, and what happens when trust becomes computable—without becoming surveilled or centralized. This episode moves fluidly between philosophy, economics, blockchain, AI, leadership, and real-wor...

In this thought-provoking conversation, Erik sits down with Parth Vaghasiya, a technology and business leader from Gujarat, India, who’s quietly pioneering what it means to lead at scale with AI in emerging markets. Together, they unpack the hard truths about AI deployment: why most organizations struggle not because of the tech, but because of trust, clarity, and leadership habits. Parth doesn’t speak in trends—he speaks in frameworks, from firsthand experience building AI-integrated teams acro...

Dr. David Nickelson is a clinical psychologist, attorney and business strategist whose career spans Capitol Hill to corporate boardrooms. In this episode, Erik explores how David’s rare combination of expertise makes him a true polymath—and what lessons leaders can draw from his multidisciplinary lens. From telehealth legislation in the ‘90s to modern AI governance, David brings a layered, practical, and deeply human perspective on leadership, influence, and adaptation. 👤 About the Guest David ...

Victor Almeida joins Erik from Ecuador to talk about what it really takes to build and scale a digital company in Latin America. From leading operations at Promotick Mexico to bootstrapping a startup from scratch, Victor offers raw insight into navigating thin margins, unstable infrastructure, and investor skepticism. But what shines brightest is his human-first leadership, scrappy mindset, and a deep belief that meaningful change starts with people who are willing to take a risk—even when the o...

What if the next big innovation came from a box cutter? Erik sits down with Bruce Vojak—advisor, executive, and author—to explore the surprising, human-driven process of innovation inside mature industries and companies. They unpack the difference between optimization and renewal, the danger of solving the wrong problem, and why some of the most impactful innovators are names you’ll never know. This conversation is a masterclass in shifting paradigms, staying curious, and creating the conditions...

In this episode, Erik sits down with Brett Jesson, a strategic leader driving growth at a global business process management enterprise. What unfolds is a conversation that transcends business talk and drills into trust, culture, and the very human side of leadership. From career pivots to hiring with humility, Brett shares how he’s learned to lead small, high-performing teams in big, complex systems—without losing sight of what makes people thrive. It’s a masterclass in emotionally intelligent ...

In this bold and honest conversation, Erik sits down with Jeremy Brady, National Sales Manager at G Adventures, to explore what it really takes to lead high-performing teams in 2025. They unpack why the old sales playbook doesn’t work anymore, how to build a values-driven hiring process, and why “culture fit” isn't just a buzzword—it’s a strategic advantage. Jeremy shares hard-earned insights from leading through COVID, reinventing hiring practices, and learning how to create psychological safet...

In this episode, Erik sits down with Chase Damiano, former COO of Commonwealth Joe and founder of Human at Scale, for a conversation about structured experimentation, leadership evolution, and building a life—and a business—you actually want. From nitro cold brew to nervous system regulation, this conversation traverses tactical operations, deep self-inquiry, and how we unlock team performance by letting go of control. 👤 About the Guest Chase Damiano is a leadership strategist, executive coach,...

In this episode, Erik sits down with sales and leadership strategist Monique Lecomte for a raw, generous conversation on the dynamics of leadership, healing, and relational growth. Through the lens of her experience—from working with incarcerated teams to coaching senior executives—Monique reveals how personal wounds, cultural systems, and relational patterns show up in our work, and what it really means to lead with presence rather than performance. 👤 About the Guest Monique Lecomte is a keyno...

In this episode, Erik sits down with coach and former pro athlete Ann Rivera for a wild, gritty, and deeply human conversation on what it really takes to perform at your peak—when the odds are stacked, the rules don’t fit, and you have to reinvent the game to stay in it. From cold-calling European volleyball teams in the pre-internet 90s to coaching executives in Spanish boardrooms, Ann’s story is an unfiltered look at how survival mode, punk rock rebellion, and sheer audacity became her persona...

What does it really take to thrive in the hyper-competitive world of quick-service restaurants? Erik sits down with Craig Dunaway, President of Penn Station East Coast Subs, to unpack the operational DNA of successful franchises, the post-COVID evolution of the restaurant industry, and what many leaders get wrong when scaling through franchising. With nearly four decades of experience in the franchise world (from Papa John's to Penn Station), Craig drops hard-earned wisdom on leadership, operati...

In this deep-dive conversation, Erik sits down with brain health expert Eric Collett to expose one of the biggest blindspots in leadership and longevity: your brain is not fixed—and it might be failing you in ways you can’t see. From inflammation and energy production to cognitive performance and misdiagnosis, this episode unpacks a radically empowering view of brain health as a strategic tool—not a static trait. If you’ve ever struggled with focus, burnout, mood swings, or “fog,” this episode ...

In this powerhouse episode, Erik sits down with renowned sales leader and consultant Gene McNaughton to break down what it really takes to turn around underperforming teams and drive scalable growth. From Gateway to Tony Robbins to 160+ consulting clients, Gene shares the exact frameworks he uses to ignite sales orgs—plus the truth about why most change efforts fail. This is a masterclass on sales leadership, self-investment, and building organizations that actually execute. 👤 About the Guest ...

In this grounded, friendly and insightful conversation, Erik talks with Cassandra Asleson — a seasoned newborn care specialist and postpartum consultant who helps families move out of chaos and into confidence during one of life’s biggest transitions. They unpack how leadership shows up in home life and work, how guiding others in their most vulnerable moments mirrors leading teams, and why support systems matter just as much as systems. If you’re a leader, parent, or both — this episode gives y...

In this candid and energizing conversation, Erik sits down with Michael Bostarr — a coach, creative, and former sales leader who made a bold pivot from performance-driven achievement to values-based leadership. Together, they explore how to shift from chasing external validation to living and leading with clarity. Michael shares the real story behind walking away from big roles, the surprising weight of “almost” success, and what happens when you build your identity from the inside out. Whether ...

In this episode of I Have Some Questions..., Erik sits down with culture strategist and bestselling author Chris Dyer to unpack the hardest leadership question of our time: how do you lead through relentless, accelerating change? From the elephant sitting on your chest to the myth of perfect AI adoption, this conversation dives into practical, human-first strategies for thriving in chaos. Chris challenges CEOs to fire themselves from the job they think they have and step into a radically differe...

Erik sits down with Dr. Helmut Love—entrepreneur, spiritual thinker, and former Atlanta mayoral candidate—for a bold conversation about the future of capitalism, personal responsibility, and what it means to lead with love in a fractured political system. From incarceration reform to the failures of socialism, they explore what a “responsible capitalism” might look like in practice—and what’s keeping us from building it. Dr. Love offers provocative insights rooted in faith, data, and lived exper...

In this powerful conversation, Erik sits down with mindset coach and author Sandy Cohan to dig into what grit really is—and what it definitely isn’t. From youth sports to corporate leadership, Sandy breaks down the habits, standards, and mental frameworks that shape resilient, high-performing individuals. Whether you're raising a gritty kid or trying to become a more disciplined leader yourself, this episode will shift how you think about perseverance, pressure, and personal development. 👤 Abou...

In one of the most gripping interviews yet, Erik sits down with Alan Bell—mortgage expert, former film lab engineer, and team-builder extraordinaire—to dissect a rare and bold professional move: the collective exit of 14 team members from one company to another. This episode explores leadership, loyalty, team dynamics, and how to know when it’s time to make a leap—not alone, but together. 👤 About the Guest Alan Bell is the founder of Ring the Bell Home Loans, a mortgage professional with a rich...

Tullio Siragusa has led in New York, London, Silicon Valley, and Latin America—and his leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy, not ego. In this conversation, Tulio and Erik dive into the real mechanics of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, intention-based design, and how adversity reshapes who we become. From losing it all in the 2008 crash to reshaping how leaders think, this is a vulnerable and high-level look at what it really takes to evolve as a human being and a leader. 👤 About t...

In this episode, Erik sits down with Kim Willis, a speaker coach and story mentor who helps founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs reclaim their voice by getting radically honest about the stories they tell—and the ones they avoid. In this conversation, Kim shares how years of being a high-performing communicator eventually led him to disconnection, what it took to find his way back, and why story isn’t just a tool for influence—it’s a path to self-recovery, alignment, and leadership that actual...

What if workplace training wasn't passive, boring, or easily ignored—but instead felt like an unforgettable lived experience? In this conversation, Erik sits down with Cortney Harding, a pioneer at the intersection of VR, AR, and AI in corporate training, to explore how immersive technologies are redefining how humans learn, lead, and empathize at work. From empathy-driven virtual experiences to AI-powered avatars that practice with you 24/7, Cortney shares why most corporate training is broken...

Erik sits down with Andrew L. Anderson, coach, author, and master communicator, to unpack what it means to live with conviction, interrupt the scripts we’re stuck in, and lead with both vulnerability and strength. From red shoes to real suffering, Andrew shares how pattern disruption, faith, and belief shape his work and life — and why being your brother’s keeper is very different from trying to be your brother’s savior. 👤 About the Guest Andrew L. Anderson is a coach, author, and speaker with ...

Erik sits down with Rose Archer, founder of the Luscious Supper Club—a sold-out monthly dining experience that’s as much about human connection as it is about exquisite food. What started as a side hustle from her Northeast Bend home has become a sought-after ritual for those craving beauty, belonging, and a return to the sacredness of breaking bread. Rose shares the deeply personal roots of this venture, the philosophy behind the mystery, and how staying fiercely authentic has become her greate...