AGL 406: Conscious Conversations with Chuck Wisner

About Toby Toby Mills is the founder and CEO of Entopy, a leading innovator in supply chain visibility based near Cambridge, UK. Under his leadership, Entopy transitioned from a hardware-focused business to a pure-play software company in 2020, driving an impressive 300% year-on-year growth. Before launching Entopy, Toby held several management roles in the retail sector, gaining valuable experience that now informs his approach to transforming supply chain technology. Today We Talked About Background Digital Twins Replicating the physical in digital terms Testing Components Predicting Critical Infrastructure Data inputs GenAI The future of AI in business leadership and decision-making Human Handoffs Find a clear purpose first Connect with Toby LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Ali Ali is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who thrives at the intersection of technology and business. Early in his career, he built software for startups, scaleups, and enterprises, working on systems capable of handling over a billion customer requests an hour. These weren't just technical feats—they were lessons in solving real-world problems through engineering. It didn't take Ali long to realize his true passion was entrepreneurship. He had an instinct for breaking down businesses, understanding how they worked, and spotting opportunities to create value. By 2013, he identified problems he could confidently solve and started building ventures around them. Today We Talked About Ali's background Generative AI Data Engineering Application Development Go from MVP to PMF Sprint Zero Celebrate wins Go back to your Why? Playbook Connect with Ali LinkedIn Website Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Lisa Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She is a Certified Dementia Care Trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. In her 25-year career as a community counselor, private adviser and Regional Director of senior care facilities, she helped thousands of families and caregivers understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Skinner’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families how they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and offering workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. For more information contact her at www.AuthorLisaSkinner.com Today We Talked About Lisa's background Alzheimer's Dementia Alzheimer's is trippling world wide Risk Factors - Genetics, Age, Gender APOE4 Heart Disease - increases inflamation Diabetes Sleep Apnia is coorliated to Alzheimer's disease lifestyle choices Mixed Dementia What to do? Inflamation from Ultra-Processed and Processed Foods Mediterranean Diet Stimulate Your Brain (start at a young age) Walking Support my friend Greg's Walk To End Alzhiemer's Connect with Lisa Book LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Michael Michael Reddington is an expert at moving people from resistance to commitment. He is an executive resource, Certified Forensic Interviewer, President of InQuasive, Inc., and author of The Disciplined Listening Method. Michael’s public speaking career began in his teenage years as he travelled around New England educating audiences on the benefits of including students with, and without, disabilities in the same classrooms. His speaking endeavors simmered for several years as he facilitated training courses for investigators at the organizations where he was employed. Michael’s ascent as an influential instructor was supercharged when he was recruited to join Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates (WZ). His time at WZ proved to be the capstone of Michael’s investigative career. In addition to running WZ’s investigations division and serving as a contract interrogator Michael travelled the world teaching federal investigators, law enforcement officers, private sector investigators and human resource professionals how to obtain the truth with non-confrontational interrogation techniques. While working for WZ Michael’s research and experience led him to two critical realizations. First, the best leaders and the best interrogators capitalize on the same two core skills – vision and influence. Second, the cognitive processes that lead interrogation suspects to truthfully state “I did it”, employees to say “I’ll do it” and customers to say “I’ll buy it” are essentially identical. These realizations motivated Michael to broaden his perspective and create The Disciplined Listening Method by integrating research and best practices from across the spectrum of business communication with non-confrontational interrogation techniques. With his methodology in place Michael transitioned away from WZ, founded InQuasive and dedicated himself to teaching executives how to activate the truth by applying strategic, ethical observation and persuasion techniques. Michael has facilitated over 1,500 sessions and educated over 15,000 participants from over 50 countries. He has been invited to lead his sessions across the United States, Canada, Ireland, The United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Michael consistently facilitates custom seminars and workshops for companies ranging from the Fortune 500, to mid-size businesses. He frequently serves as an educational resource for CEO peer networks including the Young Presidents Organization, Vistage and The Renaissance Executive Forum. Michael often speaks at conferences for groups including the National Retail Federation, The Society of Human Resource Management, The Association of Talent Development and beyond. He also leads programs for Universities including The Kellogg School of Management, The Harvard Extension School, Cornell and the DePaul Legal Clinic. On stage Michael leverages his interrogation expertise, business experience and vast content library to deliver customized, engaging and educational programs with the goals of solving real problems in real time. He understands that the more he resonates with an audience, they quicker they will be able to apply the techniques they learn. With Michael, it is never a workshop or keynote presentation, it is always an experience. Today We Talked About His background What are we doing in advance to make it easier for people to speak up? Trust vs. Faith Create opprotunities to demonstrate to people that they are safe Be vulnerable Refraine from judgement Blame never solves the problem Accountablility Focus on Outcomes - OKRs Use this as a way to help grow the person "Time is the enemy of Empathy" Time creates stress Prioritizing Speed, we sacrifice quality "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." What is disciplined listening? Understand how every interaction potentially impacts both their short- and long-term goals

About Chuck Chuck Wisner is a thinker, a coach, and a teacher in organizational strategy, human dynamics, and leadership excellence. For the past twenty-five years, he has served as a business and personal consultant and an advisor to leaders in high-profile companies in several industries. His methods are anchored in years of leading-edge research, theoretical development, and the practical application of the foundations of conversations. Chuck earned an architectural degree from the Boston Architectural College, and for fifteen years he worked at HKT Architects in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he served as a partner for ten years. His first position after his career in architecture was as a senior affiliated mediator with the Harvard Law Mediation Program. He was among the first to be certified through the Mastering the Art of Professional Coaching program at the Newfield Institute. He then became a specialist in organizational learning and leadership as an affiliate with MIT’s Center for Organizational Learning. Chuck is currently working as an advisor with leaders and their teams at Google, Rivian, Apple, Tesla, DTE Energy, and PSEG, all Fortune 200 companies. His client list has included Harvard Business School, the Detroit Mayor’s Office, General Motors, Shell, and Chrysler Motor Company. Chuck lives in New England with his wife, Kata, an artist. They have two sons, who are living their creative dreams in New York City. Today We Talked About Chuck's Background Conversations Music Architecture Leading Conversations Awareness 4 Types of Conversations Storytelling Facts Emotions Opinions Collaborative Creative Commitment Desires are lovely, but they are a trap Concerns are powerful, but we forget to talk about them (Authority) Understand the power dynamics Standards based judgements, we forget to talk about them Trust Sincere Reliable Competent Connect with Chuck LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About John John Munsell is the co-founder of Bizzuka, an AI consulting firm focused on artificial intelligence strategy and implementation. With a career spanning over 25 years in marketing, software development, financial services, and sales, John brings a wealth of experience to the AI industry. He is also an Adjunct Instructor of Artificial Intelligence at Louisiana State University, contributing to the academic field while leading Bizzuka. His work centers on helping enterprise leadership teams develop AI competency frameworks and upskill their workforces. John is the creator of the AI Strategy Canvas, a fundamental methodology for seamlessly integrating AI technologies across various business departments. Through his corporate training programs and the CXO AI Roundtable, John has personally trained over 200 corporate executives and managers, equipping them with practical AI applications to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and foster innovative new product development. Today We Talked About John's Background Digital Agency AI Training Prompt Engineering Training Data for the AI Context is King AI Strategy Canvas Getting Excellence from Gen AI Object Oriented Prompting? Persona development Connect with John LinkedIn Website Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Kevin Kevin is the father of the Virtual Assistant and a Silicon Valley innovator, serial entrepreneur, CEO, and futurist. He was INC Magazines’ Entrepreneur of the Year, a CNBC top Innovator of the Decade, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Chair of Silicon Valley Forum, Planet Forward Innovator of the Year nominee, featured for 5 years on TechTV’s Silicon Spin, and inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame. He has 94 worldwide patents and led pioneering work on the first cellular data smartphone (AirCommunicator), the first human-like AI virtual assistant (Portico), soundproof drywall, high R-value windows, AI-driven building management, Generative AI for QA automation, supply-chain auctions, and the window/energy retrofits of the Empire State Building and NY Stock Exchange. Today We Talked About Kevin's background OnStar Virtual Assistant AI What do people want? Someone to do your bidding Connect with Kevin LinkedIn Website X Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Rand Rand Selig has an MBA from Stanford and earned undergraduate degrees in mathematics and psychology. He has managed hundreds of complex projects in his career and has run his own financial services firm for over 35 years. He has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He was a Little League coach and Scoutmaster and has served on numerous boards for decades. He is a roll-up-your-sleeves conservationist committed to helping others and Mother Earth by making annual philanthropic contributions. This book is based on extensive research and a wide range of experiences he has had going through life. Having a high set point for happiness and being relentlessly positive has been invaluable to him in overcoming his challenges and setbacks. He is committed to personal growth and is willing to learn from his mistakes. Rand believes he can design his own life and believes others can too.  Rand takes time every week to rest and recharge. He loves reading, watching movies, hiking, and playing tennis. He lives with his wife of 42 years in Mill Valley, California. They have two children and two granddaughters. Today We Talked About Rand's background Designing your life Courage to make choices Editing your story Cultivate relationships Trust Don't Balance work and life... integrate. Create a portfolio. The difference between leadership and management Managing Up Why having purpose is so important Tools and Habits that can help along the way Lists and Journals Annual, Monthly, Weekly, Daily plans Slow down.  Take time for yourself What's your plan for? Connect with Rand Website LinkedIn Book Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Topaz Topaz is an Emmy award-winning writer, director, and experience design architect. He is an Edmund Hillary fellow and Sundance/Skoll stories of change fellow. His works have been selected to Cannes, Sundance, IDFA, and SXSW; featured in New Yorker magazine, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times; and have garnered an Emmy for new approaches to documentary and Two World Press photo awards for immersive storytelling and interactive documentary. He is currently the founder and executive director of the experience design studio The Skin Deep. Topaz studied philosophy at UC Berkeley and Oxford University. He speaks four languages and currently lives in Mexico with his wife and two children. Today We Talked About Topaz Background Asking Questions Questions should be gifts Create the Space for questions Create the boundaries and the intention Create the agenda Who ask the question, has the power Ask a connected question People want to be seen Conversations need to be safe... they don't have to be comfortable. Sitting in the discomfort of the question Be Graceful, in your discomfort Be vulnerable... by listening THE AND { } 12 Questions Connect with Topaz Website YouTube Book LinkedIn Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!

About Jim As a professional in the marketing and advertising industry since 1988, Jim has a deep understanding of the local, state and regional marketplace and he provides the communication tools and strategies necessary to reach key target audiences with powerful messages carefully designed to get results. He loves to help people simplify, clarify and amplify their marketing messages so their best customer prospects listen, read, watch and RESPOND in meaningful ways. Originally from Hopewell, Pennsylvania, Jim is a 39 year resident of Morgantown. He graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Advertising from the Perley Issac Reed School of Journalism in 1988. He has extensive experience in leadership positions with media companies in newspaper (The Dominion Post), television (WBOY – 12NEWS), cable (Rutter Media), direct mail (VALPAK), radio (100.9 FM) and Internet. Jim is 55 years old and is currently active in, and has held leadership positions with the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce (6 year Board Member), PACE Enterprises (Board President 5 years), Rotary Club of Morgantown (Past-President), Mountaineer Chapter BNI (Leadership Team), and the West Virginia Miracle Baseball League (Founding Board member and 16+ year coach). Jim is also the author of “Marketing Matters” book and the founder and host of Positively West Virginia, a weekly iTunes podcast that highlights business leaders making a positive contribution to West Virginia. Jim lives in Morgantown with his wife Rebekah Matuga, and has two children Dylan (30 years old) and Jordan (28 years old). Jim and Rebekah have two Chihuahuas Daisy and Petunia. Jim and Rebekah are active volunteers with Chestnut Ridge Church, Chestnut Mountain Ranch, Rotary International, Miracle League baseball, United Way, and love to spend time in the outdoors traveling, fishing, camping and adventuring. They both have a passion for making West Virginia a better place for all. Today We Talked About Jim's background Media background Creating SaaS products Mentors and Coaches Life Long Learning Culture and Strategy Givers Gain AI in media Humble Influence - Followership Connect With Jim LinkedIn Website Positively West Virginia Leave me a tip $ Click here to Donate to the show I hope you enjoyed this show, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe and leave me a rating and review, even one sentence will help spread the word.  Thanks again!