The Zee Learning Podcast

Josef Katz is a senior-level marketer and CMO known for his expertise in helping startups grow. Nicknamed the “Direct Maestro” and the “Startup Marketing Guy”, Josef Katz is specialized in building strategic and growth marketing programs for startups. Josef Katz is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC). Connect with Josef Katz here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefkatz/ 

Sydney Campos believes social media can be better and live up to its potential. Join us for a lively conversation about social media, community, and human connection! Sydney Campos is an accomplished author, serial entrepreneur, and the founder of Ascend as well as the Chief of Staff of Mattermore. She is passionate about mental health, human connection, well-being, and the future of work. A strategic consultant and performance coach, Sydney Campos leads countless workshops, courses, and retreats where she helps guide people through powerful transformation and healing so they can live their purpose, own their power, and live a fulfilling, joyful life.  Over the past decade, she has guided leaders and conscious companies worldwide in realizing their full potential. Sydney Campos is also the author of two best-selling books, “The Empath Experience” and her new book, “I’m Ascending, Now What?” Both of her books are in-depth resources for human potential and embodiment enjoyed by over 65,000 readers globally and are often recommended by clinicians, coaches, therapists, and parents. Learn more about Sydney Campos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydneycampos/  “I’m Ascending, Now What?” (2023) https://www.amazon.com/Im-Ascending-Now-What-Authentic/dp/B0BKKC32DR/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=aMFGI&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=134-0995366-6082259&pd_rd_wg=YLCJb&pd_rd_r=d8909c2b-c2ef-4e08-aaac-a3e09535de39&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk “The Empath Experience: What to Do When You Feel Everything” (2018) https://www.amazon.com/Empath-Experience-What-When-Everything/dp/1507207166  Watch this interview here: https://youtu.be/KCytfJbeBYo?si=r8SHiT8rUWShdB6A  

In this episode, we're joined by Tina Liu, a seasoned financial professional based out of San Diego, California, and President of TSL Partner, a consultancy that provides fractional accounting and financial advisory services to guide entrepreneurs through every phase of their company's growth and journey. They say you should start with the end in mind.  Having an exit strategy or a plan for profitability is not only essential to the long-term success of your business, but it will transform how you approach your business in the present. Having a solid financial plan for your business is about more than just “knowing your numbers,” as you’ll soon find out. It’s also a mindset. Having a strategic, big-picture plan not only for revenue growth but also for profitability, will ensure your startup evolves into a scalable organization that ultimately becomes a valuable asset you can sell at a high value at a later date. With her sharp financial acumen and unwavering commitment to client success, Tina is revolutionizing how small businesses navigate the complexities of company building. I think her passion and enthusiasm for empowering entrepreneurs to create financially profitable businesses is infectious and inspiring as I’m sure you’ll agree. Learn more about Tina Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-liu-b146698/ TSL Partner: https://tslpartner.com/  Watch here: https://youtu.be/phAFltRxVDs?si=vTBwepiB6lxIfws8

Recorded June 8th, 2023 Zev Gotkin in conversation with Adam Karofsky. Two content writers continue their conversation about AI and its impact on the written word.  Adam Karofsky is a professional content writer and editor, and the owner of the business, ASK Writes. Adam specializes in creating content, such as articles, blogs, and books that are true to everyone’s unique voice.  Learn more about Adam Karofsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askwrites/ https://www.askwrites.com/

In his new book titled Get Over Yourself: How to Lead and Delegate Effectively for More Time, More Freedom, and More Success, Dave Kerpen teaches effective strategies for leadership and delegation. Written in a quick and readable style for the modern-day entrepreneur, manager, or leader operating in our new world of hybrid and remote work, this user-friendly step-by-step guide provides you with the tools and time-tested strategies you need to grow a successful business and lead a team without sacrificing your personal life.  Order your copy of Get Over Yourself here: https://rb.gy/0t3zm2 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NMEpo42Pkms?si=RPlrBWELvTSw_cPS Dave Kerpen is a serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and return guest to the Zee Learning Podcast. He is the cofounder and CEO of Apprentice, a platform connecting entrepreneurs with top college student talent, the cofounder of Likeable Media, a successful social media marketing agency he sold to 10Perals Studio in 2021, and the author of several bestselling books, including The Art of People, Likeable Social Media, and Likeable Business.  Dave Kerpen is a popular contributor to Inc.com, a LinkedIn influencer, and he has been regularly featured in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, TODAY, CBS's The Early Show, BBC, Financial Times, and more. Additionally, Kerpen is the executive chairman of The Nursing Beat and the cofounder of Kip.ai.

Today my guest is Jesan Sorrells, a management consultant and the dynamic CEO of Leadership Toolbox, the host of the “Leadership Lessons From The Great Books” Podcast, author of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership, and a trusted mentor and adviser to numerous startups.  With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jesan has personally trained and influenced the skills of more than 15,000 managers and supervisors spanning various industries. He and his team have made it their mission to revolutionize leadership and talent development, catering to managers and supervisors across all organizations and verticals. In this episode, we talked about Jesan's popular and fast-growing podcast, unpack what modern-day, relevant lessons today’s leaders can learn from literature, philosophy, history, and the great books of the past, and delve deeply into a discussion about humanity and AI.  This was one of the most fascinating and deepest discussions I’ve had yet on the podcast. I sincerely look forward to having more of these intellectual, higher-level kinds of conversations on this show going forward. I think you’re going to love this episode, but before we get into it, a quick word from our sponsor! Learn more: Leadership Lessons From The Great Books” Podcast: https://leadershiplessonsfromthegreatbooks.transistor.fm/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/ https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Leaders-Foundation-Intentional-Leadership/dp/0997408820#:~:text=12%20Rules%20for%20Leaders%3A%20The%20Foundation%20for%20Intentional%20Leadership%20explores,modern%20world%2C%20and%20with%20the 

Thomas Helfrich is a professional sales trainer, B2B marketer, and lead generation expert. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of InstantlyRelevant.com and the author of Never Been Promoted. On this episode, we talk about how to be relevant and capture the attention and interest of your target prospects.  Learn more: https://www.instantlyrelevant.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/ https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/

Scott Rosenblum is the President and founder of LEVEL PR, a tech-focused PR agency. His course, “PR Toolkit for Tech Startups,” can be found here: https://courses.levelpr.co/  Zee Learning Podcast listeners will get 25% off whenever they register for any of Scott’s courses by using the coupon code, zev25. This discount code is exclusively offered to ZEE Learning Podcast listeners and does not expire.  www.levelpr.co scott@levelpr.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrosenblum/  Scott brings over two decades of experience in the PR field, making him a veteran in the world of media relations and communications, particularly in the niche of tech. As the founder of LEVEL PR, he has established himself as a go-to expert in working with tech startups, media companies, publishers, adtech, fintech, edtech, and enterprise tech companies, helping them gain awareness, fundraise, and enhance their brand presence.  In this episode, we'll dive into the fascinating world of PR in the tech space. Scott will share insights, stories, and strategies that have helped his clients succeed in highly competitive industries. During our conversation, Scott and I talked about innovation and change, both in tech and in the PR industry, how to constantly push the boundaries of what's possible, the intersection between tech and PR, and how to upskill yourself and keep up with changes in your field.  We also discussed how technology has disrupted PR throughout Scott’s illustrious career in the form of digital, SEO, social media, and now, AI, and how he has adapted to these changes. With his wealth of experience, Scott has become a trusted partner to both tech startups and established tech companies, helping them navigate the complexities of the media landscape.    

Guest: Marty Nachel - Beer Educator, International Beer Judge, Author of Beer for Dummies and Homebrewing for Dummies, Head Honcho of Nachel Beer Education A great man once said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” That quote has been incorrectly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, and while I’m not sure who really said it, my guest today is a craft beer brewer who, in his own words, has been working in craft beer before it was called “craft.” Marty Nachel is a long-time Beer Educator, the author of "Homebrewing for Dummies,” the co-author of “Beer for Dummies,” and an International Beer Judge. He’s also the “Head Honcho” at Nachel Beer Education, an online course where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about beer – how to understand it, appreciate it, brew it, and promote it. You can find a link to his course in the show notes. With over three decades of beer knowledge and a wide range of industry experience, Marty Nachel can help you become an expert in the world’s oldest beverage. So sit back, relax, and crack open a cold one or fill up your pint and get ready to learn a little more about your favorite drink. Before we start, a quick word from our sponsor! Try his online course: https://www.nachelbeereducation.com/ Buy: Beer for Dummies Buy: Homebrewing For Dummies TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@martynachel

Are you a marketer or business owner interested in learning how to use AI to dramatically improve your productivity and retain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market? Then, you need to listen to this episode where we discuss how to make artificial intelligence work for you, and some AI marketing tools that will help you automate tasks, enhance your productivity, and make your workflow 10X more efficient.  Guest: Joe Apfelbaum is the founder/CEO of AJAX Union, a B2B marketing agency, an expert in AI marketing tools, and a part-time rapper.  Check out his new course to stay up-to-date with the latest AI marketing tools, tactics, and strategies: https://learn.evyrgreen.com/offers/LQpxxJGq/checkout?coupon_code=EN50OFF

Zev in conversation with Adam Karofsky. Two content writers have a heart-to-heart about writing, AI, Chat GPT, and the future.  Adam Karofsky is a professional content writer and editor, and the owner of the business, ASK Writes. Adam specializes in creating content, such as articles, blogs, and books that are true to everyone’s unique voice.  Learn more about Adam Karofsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askwrites/ https://www.askwrites.com/     

Mike Yates is an educator, entrepreneur, and learning activist. His passion and expertise lie at the intersection of education and technology and he is a big believer in the gamification of education. Only in his late 20’s or early 30’s, Mike Yates led a K-12 private school in his hometown of Austin, Texas called Alpha. According to their website, Alpha was founded by education and technology experts in partnership with parents interested in bringing true innovation to the classroom guided by the belief that kids who love school work harder, step out of their comfort zone, connect with each other, and take ownership of everything from their day-to-day life to their future. Alpha uses adaptive software and unique motivational strategies to empower students to learn at the pace and in the style that works best for them, increasing productivity while fostering passions and building life skills. Alpha uses adaptive learning technology in place of direct instruction to maximize academic learning outcomes. You can learn more about Alpha in the show notes.  Yates is currently utilizing his talents as a Senior Product Manager at Teach for America, the largest education nonprofit in the United States. You can learn more about Mike Yates and all the exciting things he’s working on in the education space on his LinkedIn profile, also linked in the show notes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-yates/ https://alpha.school/about-alpha/

Peter Shankman is an author and popular keynote speaker in marketing, brand building, social media, and customer service. In this episode, Peter Shankman and I discuss the metaverse and its implications for edtech, eLearning, and upskilling and neurodiverse education. More Peter Shankman is an author, popular keynote speaker, and authority on marketing, brand building, social media, and customer service. He is also a futurist and expert in the latest trends in digital marketing and technology. In this episode, Peter Shankman and I discuss the metaverse and its implications for edtech, eLearning, upskilling and neurodiverse education. A little about Peter  The New York Times has called Peter Shankman “a rock star who knows everything about social media and then some.” He is a 5X best-selling author, entrepreneur, and corporate in-person and virtual keynote speaker. Among his many ventures, Peter Shankman founded HARO (Help a Reporter Out), an online service for journalists to obtain feedback from the public and connect with experts on issues relevant to their reporting. Shankman founded HARO originally as a Facebook group in 2008 and it was later turned into a mailing list claiming over 800,000 sources and 55,000 journalists and bloggers. Within three years, HARO was already generating $1.55 million selling simple text ads on email blasts. In June 2010, Shankman made a successful exit, selling HARO to a large advertiser. Today, the company is part of Cision. With three startup launches and exits under his belt, Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, and advertising. He is also a sought-after expert and commentator on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the new Neurodiverse Economy.  An ADHD entrepreneur himself (like me!), he is the host of a popular ADHD podcast called “Faster than Normal.” Peter Shankman is currently Futurist in Residence at BluShark Digital, a marketing agency, where he tracks trends in the constantly changing digital landscape in order to devise cutting-edge solutions that help clients gain maximum visibility.  Peter Shankman is a fascinating guy, known not only for his out-of-the-box thinking but also for his incredible, unconventional habits and hobbies. If he’s not getting up at 3:30 am for a run followed by a cold shower or jumping out of an airplane, he’s often traveling the word and consulting. He also has a Mastermind. It was a lot of fun talking to Peter and you can learn more about him by checking out the links in the show notes. I think you’re really going to enjoy this interview, but first a quick word from our sponsor.  Learn more about Peter Shankman: https://www.shankman.com/about/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Shankman https://www.instagram.com/petershankman/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/petershankman/ https://www.fasterthannormal.com/  

In the wake of the pandemic, there is still a great deal of uncertainty in the world, the job market, and the global economy. In a trend that began about a year ago, record numbers of people started changing jobs, a phenomenon that is now known as “The Great Resignation.” Evan Francis is a futurist and a Senior Technical Recruiter at Bigeye, a big data operations platform. In this episode, Evan and I discuss what might be the reasons driving the Great Resignation. We also talk about the most sought-after skills and qualifications tech companies are looking for in job candidates, the metaverse, and the Future of Work. Learn more about Evan Francis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-francis-43198629/

Joseph Gerstel is the founder and CEO of Get Some Class, a startup that provides fun, interactive team-building events and group experiences, both virtual and in-person, for law firms and corporate organizations. A lawyer by training and profession, Joseph Gerstel started Get Some Class as a way to express his entrepreneurial and creative side while bringing more levity to the workplace.  In this interview, we talk about why team-building matters and why it's such an integral part of creating culture, cultivating team cohesion, and boosting retention, which is now more important than ever during this period of time experts are calling the “Great Resignation.” We also talk about following your dreams, reinventing yourself professionally, bringing fun to the workplace, and empowering people to be their true selves. When you think of a corporate team-building event, usually what comes to mind are uncomfortable, forced “ice breakers” or stale retreats, but Get Some Class puts its own spin on the team-building concept. In addition to the usual wine tastings, trivia, and steak nights, Get Some Class has some unconventional, out-of-the-box, funky offerings like Ha Ha Yoga, where participants take part in a yoga class while a stand-up comic pokes fun at their movements and exertions, and Coral Creations where participants paint underwater scenes under the guidance of a world-class artist while a marine biologist teaches them about oceanic eco-systems. Learn more: https://getsomeclass.com/

Just like companies and non-profit organizations, colleges and universities also need to do marketing. While an institution of higher learning is focused on education, it’s also a business. And, like other organizations, an academic institution must trade on its brand and reputation to attract its ideal students, fundraise, build key relationships with the community, and engage students, faculty, alumni, and donors.  My guest is Kasandrea Sereno. In addition to her responsibilities as a Senior Advisor for Student Success & Technology at the University of Tampa, Kasandrea Sereno is a social media strategist and the founder of Higher Ed Social, a unique social media consultancy that helps advise social media managers focused on managing the social media presence of a college or university.  Her Facebook group, #HigherEdSocial is the world’s largest network of social media managers in higher education with a membership of over 10 thousand strong, bringing social media managers at colleges and universities together to share best practices. The members of this passionately engaged community post in the group daily, asking questions, swapping anecdotes, and sharing social media strategies, tools, tips, and tricks tailored to the needs of institutions of higher learning. Kasandrea regularly holds training and workshops for her community where she shares award-winning strategies and best practices that help colleges and universities grow their brands and maintain vibrant, engaged communities across all the major social media platforms.  Kasandrea Sereno is also the founder of My Advisor Says, an organization that works with students of all ages, helping them achieve their dream of a college education. When she sleeps is anybody’s guess! Learn more about Kasandrea Sereno and Higher Ed Social: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HigherEdSocial/ http://kasandreasereno.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasandreasereno/

Mark Zides, is an entrepreneur and career mentor as well as a pioneer and leader in the eLearning industry. Mark Zides is the CEO of CoreAxis Consulting, a leading learning & development company that creates custom learning experiences and training solutions for a wide variety of businesses. CoreAxis Consulting has created custom training content for major industry players, Fortune 500 companies, and global brands including Pfizer, Amazon, Bank of America, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Takeda, just to name a few. CoreAxis’s large team of instructional designers, project managers, eLearning developers, animators, artists, and more is able to produce video, audio, and written content at scale focused on anything from onboarding to new employee training, upskilling, and routine compliance training, making CoreAxis a one-stop-shop for all things eLearning.  Mark Zides is also the author of the new book, The #PACE Process for Early Career Success, a book aimed at GenZ and younger Millennials that is designed to help you unlock the mindset, traits, and techniques needed to Plan, Apply for, Commit to, and Evaluate your ideal career path. Whether you plan to enter the corporate world, join a startup, or start your own business, The #Pace Process for Early Career Success will teach you how to build a network, master interviewing skills, leverage your personal brand, and how and when to move on to your next opportunity.  And, even if you're a little older and have been in the workforce for a while, much of the advice Mark shares in his book applies equally to those of you who are contemplating your next move or thinking of transitioning to a new career path. Drawing on over 30 years of his own experience climbing the corporate ladder, changing careers, becoming an entrepreneur, and starting his own successful company, which today employs hundreds of eLearning professionals, Mark imparts practical wisdom that will help you land your dream job or move forward in your career. The #PACE Process for Early Career Success comes out on Tuesday, April 5th and makes for the perfect graduation present for the college or graduate student in your life, who will no doubt benefit from the powerful insights shared in this book, all with a little bit of tough love and Mark’s characteristic no-bullshit, straight talk, pull-no-punches style.  You can order the book now by clicking on the link below. You can also learn more about Mark Zides and CoreAxis Consulting by clicking the links in the show notes. Order The #Pace Process for Early Career Success here: https://www.amazon.com/PACE-Process-Early-Career-Success/dp/1956450165/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1OP6KV3H6A1U8&keywords=pace+process&qid=1646766227&sprefix=pace+process%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-2  More information about Mark Zides: https://coreaxis.com/ https://www.markzides.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzides/

Purpose. We all want to have a sense of purpose in our lives. Most of us find purpose in our families, careers, or activities we enjoy. But, how do we find purpose, or meaning in life, during our final years when all, or most, of the things that once gave us a sense of purpose may no longer be part of our lives? Finding one's purpose is a notion we most often associate with youth -- people in college or at the start of their careers. And, we all know of people who had a mid-life crisis and redefined or shifted their sense of purpose in middle age or even in their Golden years. But, my guest, Anna Hall, founder of The Purpose Equation, uniquely caters to seniors and the elderly, including patients with dementia, helping them to find their purpose.  A former caregiver in an assisted living community, Anna Hall set out on a quest to help seniors find their purpose. She believes that when we are too old to work, raise a family, or do many of the activities we enjoyed throughout most of adulthood, we must redefine our purpose and gain the strength to continue living happy and fulfilling lives. Her company’s motto: “Purpose clarifies life.” The Purpose Equation provides exercises and workshops that help seniors and caregivers find their life's purpose, giving them a renewed sense of meaning and happiness. Their certified ‘Purpose Guides’ are trained to work with elderly patients in homes and senior living communities to help them unlock their “Purpose Equation,” which can give them more of a sense of joy and meaning in their everyday lives and ease transitions like retiring or moving into an assisted living facility.  Learn more about the Purpose Equation: https://thepurposeequation.com/  

Ian Oppel is the co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Restore Skills, a software (SAAS) platform that gamifies occupational and physical therapy. Restore Skills transforms any hospital room, living room, or assisted living facility lounge into a private gym. Under the watchful eye of a clinician, users master cognitive and motor skills by playing fun and engaging computer games that simulate ‘real-life’ activities that they enjoy (or once enjoyed), such as Bingo, slot machines, grocery shopping, skiing, rock climbing, and more. Connected to the Internet, the platform enables users to play these games with friends and loved ones virtually or in person, making for a fun, interactive, and social experience. An occupational therapist himself, Ian conceived of the platform as a way to help elderly users master skills while having fun and staying connected to their loved ones.  Learn more about Restore Skills: https://restoreskills.com/

B.L. Ochman is an award-winning marketing consultant, strategic content creator, podcast producer, social media marketer, and YouTube optimization expert. A trusted advisor to blue-chip companies, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits, B.L. Ochman is the creator of the What’s Next Blog and the host of the popular digital marketing podcast, Beyond Social Media.  Learn more about B.L. Ochman: https://beyondsocialmediashow.com/ https://www.whatsnextblog.com/ Twitter: @whatsnext https://www.linkedin.com/in/bl-ochman/ https://www.youtube.com/user/beyondsocialmedia https://blochman.com/