Authentic Avenue

Antis Roofing | Charles Antis Today, I have an especially powerful conversation for you all. My guest is Charles Antis, who is the Founder & CEO of Antis Roofing. Charles has one goal in this life, at least as far as this podcast shows -- keeping families safe and dry. In this podcast, Charles talks about that in a literal sense (he's a vivid, visceral storyteller -- and that will be obvious), but we also explore that concept as it extends to the way you lead and treat your people. Charles is an expert at the human side and the storytelling side -- and so we also talk about best practices for telling your own story -- something I think we all can learn a thing or two about. Take a closer look at Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-antis-a3b6637/ Read more about Antis Roofing's mission: https://www.antisroofing.com/ FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

CLICKON | Rich Wilson Today, my guest is Rich Wilson. He's the Founder & CEO of CLICKON, which is a new-age creative agency specializing in content tech. Today, Rich and I speak about how he got into the advertising world, beginning with the documentary-style storytelling and brand work he began with. (As someone into long-form content, I definitely related to this!) From there we explore why he's leaned into content tech, and what it means to build a platform around the creative process rather than just be a resource towards its production. We touch on the coexistence of creativity and technology (including how AI is likely not the answer), and hypothesize what brands will be asking for in the future when it comes to remote content production. I believe the agency world has a long way to go with its tech investments as a means of being agile globally and employing local talent and taste. Rich understands this, and I think you'll enjoy his perspective. Follow Rich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-wilson-bb03a855/ Learn more about CLICKON: https://www.clickon.co/ FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Retail Store Tours | Dan Hodges On this Authentic Avenue podcast episode, my guest is Dan Hodges. He's the Founder & CEO of Retail Store Tours, through which Dan leads corporate leadership teams, boards, affluent tourists, global travelers, and more through experiential tours through the world's foremost retail landscapes. Today, Dan and I talk about why he got into that business (which started with conference tours, if you can believe it, at the National Retail Federation Big Show), including how it grew from one tour in NYC to a global phenomenon. We also talk about Dan's timely entry into China in the fall of 2019, and how his experience there led to outsized growth (not business slowdown) during COVID. Finally, we move to what Dan knows best. What do you not see in a retail store, despite what you look at? And: where is the cutting edge of retail headed in 2022? You'll learn today. Follow Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-h-814a1114/ Check out Retail Store Tours: https://retailstoretours.com/ Check out the World Retail Forum: https://worldretailforum.com/ FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

GRC Advising | Geof Rochester Today, I interview Geof Rochester. Geof is the Founder of GRC Advising, and is a globally known expert in the worlds of sustainability, purpose, and everything in between. Previously, Geof has held chief marketing roles at Showtime, WWE, and The Nature Conservancy (during which time his office was across the street from this host's!). Today, we talk about what it means to be a CMO, and how it overlaps with the Chief Sustainability seat. Can both coexist? We explore that topic, as well as how to ensure the word "sustainability" doesn't just become a brand buzzword (in the way that the word "authenticity," unfortunately, has). What is posturing, and what is progress? We learn that here. Follow Geof: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geofrochester/ GRC is leading the charge in these efforts, and has some wonderful examples to show for it. See more: https://www.grcadvising.com/ Many of the recent guests I've had have been inspired by GRC's work. I encourage you to listen to the message that their founder offers here. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Afterpay | Zahir Khoja Today, I interview Zahir Khoja, who is the General Manager of North America for Afterpay. Afterpay is among a few major players in the booming "buy now, pay later" financial trend -- and its $29 billion acquisition at the hands of Square (now Block) indicates that it's here to stay. Zahir took the role in 2021, a few months before the Block announcement. On today's podcast, we focus on authentic human leadership -- specifically, how to drive change through influence rather than force. I find Zahir's perspective incredibly interesting because the only reason we met is because I was brought into the Mastercard (Zahir's previous tenure) family via an acquisition. I experienced what it was like to be acquired from an entry-level perspective -- and today we get to learn what it's like for a leader. That, plus we learn a little more about Zahir's role models, what he's learned from them, and the all-too-important definition of authenticity from his POV. Follow Zahir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahirkhoja/ Check out Afterpay: https://www.afterpay.com/en-US FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Carta | Mita Mallick Today, I interview Mita Mallick, who is a general powerhouse. She's the cohost of Brown Table Talk, a fantastic podcast offering advice and leadership lessons to women of color. She's also the Head of Inclusion, Equity, and Impact at Carta. Finally, she is a prolific content creator, having been included in LinkedIn's inaugural Creator Accelerator program. Today we talk about how to retain your authenticity even after a return to office, the reasons why great brand storytellers sometimes aren't great personal storytellers, allyship, and more. Follow Mita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/ Follow Brown Table Talk: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brown-table-talk/id1591309211 FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

MindSpark | Kellie Lauth Today, I interview MindSpark CEO Kellie Lauth, who is doing fantastic work in the world of education. Ever wanted to know how to start a school? You'll learn that here, plus what the future of continuing ed looks like within business. Follow Kellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-lauth-9b837018/ Follow MindSpark: https://www.mindspark.org/ FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Today, I take a few minutes to have a chat between you and me. No guest, no music. Just a chat about how this first year of Authentic Avenue (both the pod and the business) has been, and what's to come. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Fireclay Tile | Eric Edelson, CEO Today, I chat with Eric Edelson, CEO of Fireclay Tile. Fireclay lays claim to making the most beautiful tile in the world -- and Eric comes on the show to talk about how the journey to get there involved firing all his customers and becoming unencumbered from retail. We also talked about how this former neuroscientist instilled a mentality of employee ownership into the minds of his investors and team, to the point that he massively over-indexes on it. We speak about the implications of that, and his vision for the future, on today's episode. Check out Fireclay for yourself: https://www.fireclaytile.com/ And follow Eric while you're at it: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericedelson/ FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

AT&T | Alicia Dietsch, SVP Business Marketing Today, my guest is Alicia Dietsch, SVP of Business Marketing at AT&T. But today, instead of American Telephone & Telegraph, today we'll be reviewing some Authenticity Tips & Tricks from one of the mainstays of the telco giant. For the past 30 years, Alicia has led various parts of the business (and started with a dozen years in sales, which this host greatly appreciated) -- and today opens up about what the business marketing side of AT&T is all about (and how it differs from the consumer side you see on TV). We also chat about initiatives like FirstNet, and how AT&T is approaching a new-ish world of "B2B2P." Sit back and dial up this episode! FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Parachute | Ariel Kaye, Founder & CEO Home used to be "where the heart is." Well, right now, home is where everything is. And no one knows that better than my guest on today's Authentic Avenue. Ariel Kaye is the Founder & CEO of Parachute, a home brand which focuses on bringing comfort to the everyday. I was especially excited to interview Ariel as I've previously featured her first hire, Luke Droulez. Once a bedding brand, Parachute has extended its presence across the entire home -- and along the way, Ariel has similarly stretched her business past the inflexibilities of the past year. Today, we talk about that journey, plus what makes for the next greatest Parachuter. Seeing as it all began with better sleep, I also made sure to ask Ariel what currently keeps her up at night, along with asking for her thoughts of that grand A word I study so closely (including what that particular page in her personal dictionary says). Finally we also touch on the Homes for Dreams initiative, which is Ariel's personal way to give back via mentorship and support Black-owned businesses. Enjoy! FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Grove Collaborative | Stu Landesberg, Co-Founder and CEO Ever heard of "wishcycling"? I hadn't -- at least, not until today's Authentic Avenue. Today, my guest is Stu Landesberg. He's the Co-Founder and CEO of Grove Collaborative, a now billion-dollar sustainable home brand. They provide, among other things...shall we say "cleaner cleaning?" Between shampoo bars, lotion sticks, hand soap sheets and more, there's so much I didn't know about Grove that Stu helped me to understand. He also helped open my eyes to the brainwashing going on in the world of recycling. News flash: it's not as helpful as everyone thinks. (It's still good!! But it's benefits are overblown.) That's why Stu has committed his brand and his purpose to going plastic-free. Completely plastic-free. On today's show, we also discuss that journey, and how it plays into the authenticity the business manifests for itself as a result. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Snack's Kim Kaplan, with JUV's Ziad Ahmed On the menu for today's Authentic Avenue...a Snack. Adam is joined on the podcast by Kim Kaplan, CEO of Snack. Think of Snack like "TikTok Meets Dating." It's only fitting, then, that I'm also joined by a previous guest who is the best Gen Z expert I know -- Ziad Ahmed, the CEO of JUV Consulting. (JUV just got into the podcast game, as well! Be sure to check out Just Us Vibing.) Listen in to here more about what Gen Z desires most from tech-connected, IRL experiences today. Plus, if you've never heard the word phygital before...well, we'll take care of that for you too. Enjoy! FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Adore Me | Romain Liot, Co-Founder and COO On this Authentic Avenue, Adam is joined on the podcast by Romain Liot, co-founder and COO of Adore Me. Adore Me is a sustainable lingerie business which hopes to bring "Trust Through Transparency" to the industry. Did you know that the fashion industry accounts for 4% of global carbon emissions -- more than France, Germany and the UK combined? Romain did -- and it's so serious that he believes the fashion industry should actually shrink over time, to lessen our impact on the earth. Why, then, would he continue to grow a business within that industry? That's a question he answers for us today. Enjoy! Full transcript below. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Birchbox | Brittany Tomkiewicz On today's Authentic Avenue podcast, Adam deep-dives into the world of influencers, and within a category which has arguably leveraged them the most: beauty. Specifically we feature the Birchbox perspective today, specifically through Brittany Tomkiewicz. She's their Director of Brand Marketing, Partnerships, & PR -- and having been with the business since 2011, she has seen the evolution of the beauty influencer world. From free boxes to co-produced product, she weighs in on how thoughtful that world has gotten over time -- and what's next. Enjoy! Full transcript on the website: authave.com/podcast FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Yasso | Andy Judd, CMO On today's Authentic Avenue podcast, Adam has a sweet treat: Andy Judd, the CMO of Yasso. The brand, known for its better-for-you ice cream (yes you read that correctly), is on a path to take over novelty dessert. Today, we talk all about it. Find your favorite form and flavor of Yasso here: https://yasso.com/shop/. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Mass Luminosity | Angel Munoz, Founder, President and CEO On today's Authentic Avenue podcast, Adam learns from Angel Munoz, Founder, President and CEO of Mass Luminosity, about how to invest in suspending disbelief and defragment the human experience...all through tech. How do you maximize humans while choosing atoms over bits? Mass Luminosity has also just launched its non-beta release of Beacon, a video communications platform to rival the Zooms of the world. Check it out: https://beaconx.com/. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

LinkedIn | Callie Schweitzer, Senior Marketing Editor, LinkedIn News On today's Authentic Avenue podcast, Adam brings his career full-circle. Our guest is Callie Schweitzer, Senior Marketing Editor for LinkedIn News. (Adam had his first professional experience at LinkedIn in 2013, as an intern in NYC!) Today, Callie and Adam discuss what makes up the DNA of an authentic marketer, including specific examples of each (and specific people to follow on LinkedIn as inspiration). Also discussed: the Great Resignation / Reshuffle, aligning internal and external brand, marketing FOMO, and world-class advice. Here are a few amazing marketers you should follow on the platform (profiles linked to each): Lisa Mann, Soyoung Kang, Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, Dara Treseder, Jabari Hearn, Julian Duncan, and Andrea Brimmer. And, of course, follow Callie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callieschweitzer/. Other popular resources for marketing expertise on LinkedIn are Callie's Marketer Must Read and Jessi Hempel's Hello Monday podcast. Enjoy! Full transcript on authave.com/podcast. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam at adam@authave.com. Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

"Voice Content and Usability" | Preston So, author Today, Adam sits down with Preston So. Preston is an expert in voice tech, and is the author of "Voice Content and Usability," which launches TODAY, June 22. Check out the book here: https://preston.so/books/voice-content/. AI-powered transcript on authave.com. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authenticavenuemedia.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

AppHarvest | Jonathan Webb, Founder & CEO On today's show, AppHarvest Founder & CEO Jonathan Webb talks about AgTech (agriculture tech), the third wave of sustainable infrastructure. We talk about how, at current rates of production, we'll need two earths to provide the needed supply of food by 2050 -- and about how Jonathan is tackling that plus other systemic issues like hunger despite supply. Listen in, and check the full transcript on authave.com/podcast. FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/ Email Adam: adam@authave.com Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/. Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s