Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business

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Mood Matters: Why Leaders Can’t Ignore How Their Teams Feel with Dr. Mary Donohue, The Digital Wellness Center

2026-02-1050:47

The mood of your team members is essential. Not just for business - for their personal well-being, too. It’s truly amazing what can happen to your productivity, culture, and sales when you’re feeling good. So, what’s the best way to do that? We wanted you to learn from someone with a ton of experience helping leaders & their teams with all of this, so we welcomed on Dr. Mary Donohue, CEO of The Digital Wellness Center. They help teams experience the transformative power of Mood Elevation Technology. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: Cultivating Culture Virtually with Nancy Koziol, couch + cork

2026-02-0413:31

Whether your teams have fully returned to the office or you have settled into a remote, hybrid, or decentralized work environment, cultivating culture continues to be a hot topic. Many leaders opt for in-person events to bring people together, but this may not be feasible. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear from Nancy Koziol, Founder & Wine Educator at couch + cork. She leads a team of internationally certified wine experts to deliver seamless, stress-free virtual wine tastings for corporate clients. Taste the full episode here

Classics: Overcoming the Biggest Challenges That Take Down Leaders

2026-02-0344:17

There are many things that can distract even the very best leaders. Those include the lack of prioritization, leaning too far into empathy, the inability to give timely & direct feedback, and the desire to be liked over being respected. In these scenarios, it’s essential to maintain focus and strong strategic oversight. In this episode, we take our 40+ years of combined experience paired with the many leaders we have coached and contextualize what happens, why, and what to do about it. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: Leading through Uncertainty with Gwen Hammes, Cro Metrics

2026-01-2818:57

Just when you think you’re settling into the new normal, something else changes on a macro scale. That’s the reality we’re living in. When you’re faced with so much uncertainty, leadership becomes even more important than usual. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear from Gwen Hammes, Co-CEO of Cro Metrics. They’re the #1 experiment-led growth marketing agency. Listen to the full episode here

The First AI-Powered Advertising Agency with Dave Metcalf, Steve Metcalf, and Jimmy Smith, Ad Legends

2026-01-2701:13:36

Today, we are going to do something a bit different. We’re doing an exposé of an intriguing new business that is for sure going to flip the creative & advertising world. What if instead of using ChatGPT for creative campaign ideas, you could source an AI resource full of marketing, advertising, and creative experts? It’s called Ad Legends, and today we have Founders Dave Metcalf, Steve Metcalf, and Founding Ambassador (and returning guest) Jimmy Smith on the show. Ad Legends is the world’s first fully-functional AI-powered advertising agency. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: Avoiding Digital Ad Fraud That Kills Your ROAS with Rich Kahn, Anura

2026-01-2113:40

Bots are everywhere. Yes, there are reasons to be worried. Fortunately, there are some good agents out there cracking down on the bad guys - and bringing back our confidence in media spending. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear from Rich Kahn, Co-Founder & CEO of Anura. They eliminate invalid traffic in real time - stopping bots, malware, and human fraud before they drain your budget. Catch to the full episode here

How Marketing & Branding Boosts PE-Backed Firms with Marc Rust, Consequently Creative

2026-01-1901:06:11

Historically, many PE-backed firms don’t take marketing & branding seriously. They think building a brand is irrelevant and takes too long, especially for the aggressive timelines often found in private equity. What if we told you building a brand and then marketing that brand can actually work as a shortcut to the results you want AND increase your valuation? We wanted you to learn from an expert with a ton of experience here, so we welcomed on Marc Rust. He’s the Managing Director of Consequently Creative (CQC), who helps private equity increase portfolio company valuations & navigate change with brand momentum. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: How to Win as an Underdog Brand with Paul Mellor, Mellor&Smith

2026-01-1413:33

Sure, it’s nice to be the category leader. But, there can only be one leader - making many of us underdogs. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear from Paul Mellor, Founder & Managing Director of Mellor&Smith. They’re an advertising agency specializing in getting Underdog brands NOTICED. Make sure to check out their 13½ Ways to Grow Your Underdog Brand. And listen to the full episode here

Leveraging LinkedIn the Right Way to Grow Your Business with Gabe Lullo, Alleyoop

2026-01-1201:01:07

Are you making the most of LinkedIn? We’re all on it, but the vast majority of us are missing out on its true potential to qualify leads, build pipelines, and connect social data directly to revenue. Cold outreach on LinkedIn has many pitfalls, but if you’re smart about it, it can be an unbelievable way to grow your business. We wanted you to learn from the master of cold calling on LinkedIn, so we welcomed on Gabe Lullo. He’s the CEO of Alleyoop, a global leader in business development as a service. You’ll also love his Do Hard Things podcast. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: How to Overcome Generational Challenges in the Workplace with Mark Beal, Rutgers University

2026-01-0716:52

Differences between generations aren’t anything new. But, this generation entering the workforce - mainly Gen Zers - seems to be throwing all of us for a loop. We’ve heard a lot about struggles with communication, motivation, and accountability. What’s going on here?! In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear from an expert on all things generational differences, Mark Beal. He’s the Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Communication at the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, a Keynote Speaker, and the Author of several books on Gen Z. Check out the full episode here

The Power of the OKR Framework (Objectives & Key Results) with Philipp Schett, Wave Nine

2026-01-0647:54

We’re always talking about how to create strategic plans and then execute them with intention for immediate action and measurement. As we like to do on this show, we bring forth many different approaches and ways of thinking, because we know not every tool is a one-size-fits-all. Today, that focus is on the OKR framework aka Objectives & Key Results. We wanted you to learn from an expert who knows OKRs better than anyone, so we welcomed on Philipp Schett. He’s the Founder of Wave Nine, the #1 OKR consulting firm. You’ll also love their free OKR Crash Course. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: How to Build Unconventional Cultures That Thrive with Gui Costin, Dakota

2025-12-3112:15

It’s a unique time for company culture. From dilemmas about flexible work schedules to generational gaps, leaders are throwing up their hands trying to figure out how to motivate without micromanaging. It might just take an unconventional culture to thrive. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear from a thought leader who’s built just that, Gui Costin, the Founder & CEO of Dakota and Author of The Dakota Way and Millennials Are Not Aliens. Listen to the full episode here

Classics: 4 Questions to Help you Refresh Your Personal Brand

2025-12-2901:15:19

Our book on personal branding is launching in early 2026! Stay updated on the launch at ForthRight-Business.com & ForthRight-People.com New Year, New You! We all know the flood of trends, and usually tricks, to overhaul our lives that come with a new year. Resolutions tend to fail because people look for a quick fix and try unsustainable methods to make big changes in a short amount of time. The way to make sure your resolutions translate to true, lasting life impact is by addressing them in context of your Personal Brand. We discuss 4 questions for doing just that. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: How to (Re)Build Accountability in the Workplace

2025-12-2414:58

Every time we turn around lately, we’re having discussions about accountability - with our clients, in our coaching sessions, and now on this podcast! A lack of accountability can be one of the biggest downfalls of an organization - it erodes trust and culture, causes even top performers to suffer, and leads to an overall lack of focus and delivery of business goals. In this Quick Hit, we’ll reveal how to build (and rebuild) accountability in the workplace. Catch the full episode here

Classics: 4 Ways to Lead at Any Level

2025-12-2343:48

The fundamentals of leadership remain the same, no matter your level. Lead at any level by believing you’re a leader, having a POV, having followers, and testing-and-learning your leadership practice. There are also some characteristics that can sometimes get in the way of us being the leaders we were meant to be. Find out what they are, and what to do about them. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: Are Google Ads Dead? Your Digital Performance Marketing Questions Answered with Anthony Chiaravallo, Vallo Media

2025-12-1816:03

Are Google Ads dead? The answer may surprise you. Digital ads - along with other performance marketing vehicles - can feel like a black box. Even for the most skilled at managing these campaigns, it can be difficult to predict the behavior of the algorithms. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear Anthony Chiaravallo, the Founder & CEO of Vallo Media. Listen to the full episode here

Classics: 4 Personal Brand Truths Every Leader Should Know

2025-12-1657:25

Our book on personal branding is launching in early 2026! Stay updated on the launch at ForthRight-Business.com & ForthRight-People.com Most successes and failures in business can be tied back to a leader’s ability to be aware of and manage their personal brand. Characteristics like empathy, ingenuity, and thoughtfulness are critical to bond people. If you have these as a leader, you are probably doing better than most. Now more than ever, it is critical to be more intentional in your pursuits, which means inherently recognizing who you are at your core and understanding how this will impact your behaviors and actions, which will ultimately define your business. In this episode, we outline the 4 Personal Brand Truths Every Leader Should Know. We highlight a founder we appreciate for embodying these truths, Kevin Systrom of Instagram. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: Becoming a Credible Spokesperson for Your Business with Peter Murphy Lewis, Strategic Pete

2025-12-1014:22

Traditionally, being a spokesperson meant you were the person fronted for interviews with media. This is still the case, but the definition has broadened as the media channels have broadened. How do you become a credible voice for your business when communicating across channels? In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear Peter Murphy Lewis, the Founder & CEO of Strategic Pete. Catch the full episode here

Classics: 4 Tips for Boosting Rising Leaders

2025-12-0846:15

You want to be a leader. How do you take that into your own hands? Get very clear on your personal brand and clean out what is not serving you, develop your vision and declare it out loud on repeat, surround yourself with supporters and hire a coach, and build your reputation and skills beyond your current role. Take these to heart and you’ll be on the right path to keep rising in your career. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Quick Hits: Overcoming the Biggest Challenges That Take Down Leaders

2025-12-0316:31

There are many things that can distract even the very best leaders. Those include the lack of prioritization, leaning too far into empathy, the inability to give timely & direct feedback, and the desire to be liked over being respected. In this Quick Hit, we take our 40+ years of combined experience paired with the many leaders we have coached and contextualize what happens, why, and what to do about it. Listen to the full episode here

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Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business