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Episode 39: Why AI Is Not the Differentiator Anymore with Todd Raphael, HR Tech and B2B Marketing Leader

2026-10-2849:27

Todd Raphael has spent three decades working across human resources, recruiting technology, media, and B2B marketing. From HR Magazine and ERE to Eightfold and SkyHive, Todd has watched the HR technology industry evolve and now helps companies figure out what makes them different. In this episode, we talk about: Why so many HR tech companies are starting to look the sameWhy having AI is no longer enough to stand outHow to turn product capabilities into measurable business outcomesWhy companie...

Why Trust Comes Before the Big Deal with Erin Flynn (Strategic Sales Professional at BigSpeak)

2026-10-1340:41

Erin Flynn is a salesperson at BigSpeak, a speaker’s bureau based in Santa Barbara. She has worked across sales, corporate development, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and long-term strategic relationship building. In this episode, we talk about: - Why being liked is not the same as being respected - How trust is built through action and consistency - Why great salespeople make life easier for their clients - How to balance quick wins with strategic accounts - Why new reps nee...

Episode 37: Why Building a Real Industry Takes More Than a License with Marianne Bays (Cannabis Policy Leader and Business Builder)

2026-09-2931:56

Marianne Bays is a founding board member and vice president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association. Before cannabis, she worked as a personnel psychologist, management professor, and corporate consultant. Now, she is focused on building a more sensible, sustainable cannabis industry in New Jersey. In this episode, we talk about: - How Marianne moved from corporate consulting into cannabis - Why cannabis policy is different state by state - How New Jersey is trying to create an opportun...

Episode 36: Why Builders Are Not Gamblers with Oliver Libby (Venture Capitalist, Founder, and Author of Strong Floor and No Ceiling)

2026-09-1540:51

Oliver Libby is a venture capitalist, founder, author, and cross-sector builder. He co-founded HL Ventures, helped build The Resolution Project, and recently published Strong Floor and No Ceiling, a vision for how America can rebuild opportunity without limiting ambition. In this episode, we talk about: - Oliver’s family history, legacy, and Nobel Prize lineage - Why every generation has to earn what it inherits - How venture capital can be more builder than gambler - Why founders need Sherpa...

Episode 35: Why You Should Never Bet Against New York with Kevin Appleby (Managing Partner at RUHL)

2026-09-0333:36

Kevin Appleby is the managing partner at RUHL, a New York City-based MEP design and engineering consulting firm focused on building electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise commercial and residential buildings. In this episode, we talk about: - How Kevin helped bring a 70-year German family business to New York - Why New York City is one of the hardest markets to break into - Why networking matters more in closed industries - How handwritten letters can still beat automated out...

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