Play Your Position With Mary Lou Kayser

Six months of radical honesty, self-care, and self-love can transform your life. Original blog post: https://maryloukayser.com/give-yourself-six-months/  My latest book -- The River Only Runs One Way -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here Join the 1200+ leaders who read my newsletter "Field Notes" by clicking here. Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! Best social places to connect with me:  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

You are in for a treat today, Team PYP! My guest, Blair Bryant Nichols, takes us inside the world of speaking in a post-pandemic world. If getting on real and / or virtual stages is part of your big picture in the coming years, you will want to take notes. Lots of wisdom drops now! Blair Bryant Nichols, Owner of BBN Creative Management for Diverse and Mission-Driven Talent, is a seasoned expert in building strategic speaking platforms for speakers and business leaders. With a background representing top authors and managing diverse projects for founders, entrepreneurs, and celebrities, Blair specializes in helping his clients understand the strategic landscape of public and corporate speaking, emphasizing the need for a diverse portfolio of offerings to compete effectively. Blair holds an M.B.A. from UCLA-Anderson with a specialization in Entertainment Management and a B.A. in Literature from American University, complemented by his post-grad training at the Columbia Publishing Course. Outside of work, Blair

Kyle Mau is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background. At the age of 24, he made a pivotal decision to leave his corporate engineering role and relocate  to Eastern Europe, eventually settling in Kyiv, Ukraine. As a permanent expatriate and property  owner in Ukraine, he is deeply integrated in the local culture and business landscape. There, he successfully launched and managed a widely-read blog, amassing over 1 million readers a  year at it’s peak. Additionally, Kyle co-founded Selo Olive, an esteemed olive oil company based in Croatia shipping directly from family farm to consumer. With a keen eye for talent and opportunity, Kyle went on to establish HireUA, a premier staffing  and recruiting agency specializing in connecting skilled Eastern European professionals with  Western companies. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Kyle relocated his family to Poland but maintained  his commitment to fostering international connections for Ukrainians. Today, Kyle focuses on business growth and strategy, entrusti

Today's guest is Brett Snodgrass, a distinguished real estate investor with 15+ years of expertise. Brett is a versatile entrepreneur excelling in flipping, creative financing, and business scaling. As the driving force behind SIMPLE QUARTERS, his team handles 250+ property transactions annually while also orchestrating 50+ creative financing deals for passive income. Seamlessly integrating faith and business acumen, Brett extends opportunities and spreads the mission of God. An active member of The Collective Genius, Brett contributes to philanthropy, supporting missions like Transforming Futures. Featured on prominent podcasts and hosting “The Iron Deep Podcast,” Brett thrives with his team. Passionate about ministering to entrepreneurs, he founded Iron Deep in 2021, a unique men’s community focusing on purpose in Christ. Imperfect yet driven, Iron Deep is a band of brothers encouraging personal and professional growth, prioritizing significance over success. Brett, a devoted family man, values impactful mi

"Do the right thing even if it's not in your best interest," says today's guest, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland "Oak" McCulloch. Our conversation is full of insights like this. With Oak's stellar military background coupled with his work as a leadership coach and keynote speaker, today's episode provides plenty of examples of how we can all focus on developing our leadership practices. Oak is the author of the 2021 release, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be. Oak is also an internationally recognized speaker who gives talks on leadership and success. Both his books and his talks are based on his 40+ years of leadership in the U.S. Army and subsequent civilian positions, Oak highlights principles that will benefit today’s leaders and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. Connect with Oak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oakland-mcculloch-34293256/ On his website: https://www.ltcoakmcculloch.com/  = = = = = Have a story you want to share with me? Reach out on LinkedIn or Ins

When people enter the retirement phase of their lives my guest Tyson Ray describes what's left for them in three parts: the Go-Go Years, the Slow-Go Years, and the No-Go years. His mission is to help people have enough money to fund all three with plenty left over. In today's episode, we have a lively conversation about money, investing, and how to work with a financial advisor so you get the most of what you have to invest. Enjoy! About Tyson Ray Senior wealth advisor, philanthropist, and author Tyson Ray, based in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, has over 25 years of experience in his field. As CEO and founding partner of FORM Wealth Advisors, Tyson is dedicated to helping clients live better lives. He seeks to add value by helping clients understand the future consequences of their actions, aiming to provide perspective in an industry often trying to scare clients. In his book, Tyson introduces the Total Relationship™ framework to help financial advisors fully understand their clients’ needs. While sharing client

What can happen when we choose to pay attention to what and who is around us? This episode originally appeared on my blog here: https://maryloukayser.com/i-didnt-look-at-my-phone/  = = = = = Have a story you want to share with me? Reach out on LinkedIn or Instagram (links below) Looking for exclusive writing and resources on leadership, creativity, personal growth, and writing? Join the 1200+ who enjoy reading my newsletter "Field Notes" by clicking here. = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social?  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

This is a really fun episode. It's rare that I get to talk to two amazing guests at the same time. "Mike&Bo" aka Mike Merrigan and Bo Kort are best friends and they also have built a successful real estate investment portfolio together that funds their freedom. Over the past 30 years, Mike and Bo have acquired hundreds of properties and built over 43 companies. Now, they want to teach others how two small-town guys from Arizona did it—and how you can too. Are you fed up with the typical financial freedom "gurus"? Mike & Bo are the breath of fresh air you've been so desperately needing. These guys are the real deal! Connect with Mike & Bo here: https://mikeandbo.biz/  = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connect

When was the last time you took a few minutes and acknowledged how far you've come in your life? In today's episode, I'm flying solo, talking about how powerful it is to look back and identify just how much you've actually achieved (even when sometimes it doesn't feel like it). = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social?  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Get ready to dive deep into the world of IT transformation with Dan Branco, the ultimate Chief Technology Officer for hire. With a wealth of experience helping organizations maximize their IT investments, Dan is the go-to expert for overcoming a myriad of challenges. Is your tech team struggling to keep pace with stakeholder demands? Are legacy systems holding you back from innovation? Do you need to scale up for a major tech project? Or perhaps you're eager to embrace cloud services but unsure where to start? Cybersecurity concerns keeping you up at night? Looking to boost your digital maturity? Fear not, because Dan has the solutions you've been searching for. His expertise extends far beyond the boardroom, as he'll also share invaluable insights on excelling in multiple fields and conquering lifelong anxiety. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into his upcoming book! Whether you're a CEO seeking to revolutionize your organization's tech strategy or simply intrigued by Dan's journey, this interview promises

My guest today is Michelle LaBrosse, a powerhouse in project management and innovation. As the Founder & CEO of Cheetah Learning, Michelle brings her dynamic expertise to the forefront, sharing insights from her incredible journey as an Aerospace Engineer and former Air Force Officer. Discover the secrets behind Cheetah Learning's groundbreaking methodologies that have earned global recognition, including being named the 2008 Professional Development Provider of the Year by the Project Management Institute. Michelle's accolades extend further as she's celebrated as one of PMI's 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management. In our conversation today, Michelle unveils her remarkable story of growth and leadership, from her engineering roots at Syracuse University and the University of Dayton to her transformative experience at Harvard Business School. With features in over 1000 publications and a dedicated readership of over 50,000 through her Know How Network column, Michelle's impact on project managem

With me today is Kyle Smith, CPA, a dynamic finance expert on a mission to empower small and medium-sized businesses. From his early days navigating Austin's bustling financial scene to his pivotal role as Director of Finance at Celis Brewery, Kyle's journey is one of passion and dedication. Discover how Kyle's expertise evolved at Scalefactor, where he advised clients across diverse industries, and culminated in co-founding Strata Cloud Accountants. Join us for a dynamic conversation as Kyle shares his secrets for aligning personal and company goals, equipping businesses with the financial savvy needed to thrive in today's competitive landscape. Learn firsthand about the founding principles behind Strata Cloud Accountants, where values of family and freedom drive their mission to provide clients with financial liberation. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a visionary leader committed to helping businesses and business owners achieve greater profitability. Tune in and be inspired by Kyle Smith

John Miller is the founder of Scribewise, a content marketing agency that helps B2B firms grow through demand generation and thought leadership. With a dedicated team of talented writers, designers, and strategists, John’s mission is to humanize complex business conversations. They develop and deliver captivating, audience-centric content that builds trust with Scribewise’s clients’ future customers. John is the leading champion for courageous marketing. He believes that the business landscape is in dire need of a transformation from vanilla to vibrant. He’s committed to swinging for the fences and infusing excitement into the corporate world, a passion that culminated in the authorship of his compelling book, “Playing It Safe Sucks: A Manifesto for Courageous Marketing.” John and his team at Scribewise help mid-sized B2B firms modernize their marketing by developing and executing content marketing programs that forge enduring, trust-based relationships with their ideal customers. In a world that often fixate

How do you get people to trust you when they don’t even know you? If you aren’t a thought leader, you’re a commodity. There’s no middle ground. And the most powerful, exciting, and fun way to rescue yourself from the commodity trap is by having a book of your own. My guest today is New York Times bestselling author and the world’s most experienced ghostwriter Michael Levin, who is responsible for the writing, editing, planning, and publishing of more than 1,000 books over a 30-year career. He has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, LA Times, Boston Globe, and many other top outlets. Michael's ghostwriting clients include Boeing and Ford CEO Alan Mulally, baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, motivational speaker Zig Ziglar (he edited Zig’s last book), NFL legend Pat Summerall, and countless other leaders in business, sports, broadcasting, real estate, finance, insurance, and many other fields. Today, Michael is going to talk about how you can get your own book done quickly and e

There are three main reasons why so many of us love March Madness. In today's episode, I talk about them and how they connect to the bigger picture of playing our positions. = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social?  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

My guest today is Aaron Marcum. Aaron Marcum has spent over two decades founding and scaling award-winning, multi-million-dollar enterprises that have left an indelible mark on North America. His journey began in the healthcare sector, where his leadership transformed the home care industry. Through his second startup, Aaron revolutionized the lives of countless entrepreneurs and millions of seniors receiving care. He pioneered the Best of Home Care® award program, setting a new industry standard for quality measurement. Recognized with numerous accolades, Aaron’s visionary leadership and service have earned him a national speaking platform since 2006. He thrives in empowering audiences to effect positive change in both personal and professional spheres. Beyond his business success, Aaron embraces life as a devoted husband, father, Christian, and strategic leadership coach with a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied under luminaries like Dr. Mart

Anna Maria Ponzi is the former owner and past president of Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. From the age of four, she’s had the rare experience of working in every aspect of the winery. She helped plant its original vines, worked on the bottling line, hosted guests in the tasting room and has made countless national and international sales calls. Anna Maria has served the state’s wine industry in myriad ways, including serving as an early ambassador for Oregon wine both nationally and internationally while building Oregon wine country into a travel destination.  After earning her degree in journalism from the University of Oregon, she worked in Boston’s publishing industry until returning to the rural family business in 1991. Soon after, she was joined by her winemaking sister and the two young women trailblazed the growing tide of female vintners. Simultaneously, they grew the business from an annual production of 10,000 to over 50,000 cases and increased its vineyard holdings from 20 to 140 ac

Some non-obvious takeaways about leadership from the movie Oppenheimer which has been nominated for 13 Oscars this year. = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social?  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

In today's episode, David and I explore the profound journey of leadership and how it evolves with time. Reflecting on his own path, David has come to realize that leadership isn't just about titles or positions—it's a dynamic journey that evolves with time and experience. From his early days in the Boy Scouts, where he first tasted leadership responsibility, to building and leading teams in his business ventures, every step has been a lesson in growth and accountability. What's truly fascinating is how his perception of leadership has shifted—from leading himself to guiding a team, and now, nurturing leadership qualities in his own son.  One of the big takeaways for David about leadership as he reflects on his own journey is this: Leadership isn't confined to the boardroom; it extends into our personal lives, shaping our roles as parents and mentors. Embracing this multifaceted aspect of leadership brings richness to our experiences and opportunities for continuous improvement. Let's remember, leadership is

How is AI changing the way we play our positions? In today's episode, I share my thoughts about this as well as a few of the AI tools I use in my workflow for time efficiency, productivity, and creativity. The world isn't what it used to be -- AI is here. We owe it to ourselves to stay on top of what's happening. AI Tools for Your Consideration ChatGPT https://chat.openai.com/  Claude ai https://claude.ai/  Lensa ai https://lensa.app/  Otter ai https://otter.ai/  Brainstory ai https://www.brainstory.ai/  Perplexity ai https://www.perplexity.ai/  PYP Episodes Mentioned on Today's Show https://playyourpositionpodcast.com/dirk-van-reenen/ https://playyourpositionpodcast.com/tony-wall/ https://playyourpositionpodcast.com/brigitte-piniewski/ https://playyourpositionpodcast.com/jason-shen/  https://traffic.libsyn.com/playyourposition/AINottheProblem.mp3  = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the p