Monday Morning Radio

When Brian and Sally Krichbaum bought Gilbert Chocolates in 2012, they had zero experience making or selling candy. Brian was a seasoned automotive engineer and consultant, while Sally was a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. What they shared was a taste for challenge — and for good chocolate. Founded in 1893 and beloved by generations of Jackson, Michigan, residents, Gilbert Chocolates was a hometown treasure in need of fresh energy. The Krichbaums took on the task of modernizing operations and expanding distribution while preserving the small-batch, Belgian-style quality that defined the brand. Their journey wasn't easy. "I thought retail would be simple," Brian admits. "It's not — selling is hard." Sally adds that learning the rhythms of retail, hiring and training staff, and mastering the art of tempering chocolate all came with a steep learning curve. Today, Gilbert Chocolates is thriving, with multiple locations, a booming e-commerce business, and budding national partnerships. For the Krichbaums,

Aretha Franklin sang about it. Rodney Dangerfield joked about it. And Jackie Robinson famously said, like him or not, he'd earned it. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. We are living in a period where respect is a neglected virtue — too often sacrificed in public discourse, online exchanges, and everyday interactions. Robert L. "Bob" Dilenschneider aims to change that, even if only one interaction at a time. Bob is the founder of The Dilenschneider Group, which, since October 1991, has provided strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies, professional organizations, trade associations, educational institutions, and leading families and individuals around the world. Bob's newest book, his 20th, is Respect: How to Change the World One Interaction at a Time. The book is a timely reflection on the urgent need for civility in an era of deep division. Drawing on both his life and professional experience and the wisdom of 13 admired leaders, Respect outlines five practical strategies for restoring civility and rebuilding mut

Blanchard* trains more than 150,000 people annually in 30 countries. The firm’s founder, Ken Blanchard, is one of the all-time outstanding leadership and management experts. His books, including most notably The One Minute Manager, have sold more than 28 million copies. That’s what pretty much everyone knows. However, in her new biography, Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads, veteran book editor and author Martha C. Lawrence reveals a side of Blanchard that few people outside of his immediate circle know — an exceptionally kind and generous man of deep conviction who had to overcome numerous hardships and setbacks to achieve his global stature. Martha has worked closely with Blanchard for more than two decades, following stints at Simon & Schuster and Harcourt Publishers, where she edited hundreds of books.  Catch People Doing Things Right delivers an inspiring roadmap for anyone seeking to lead with both results and relationships in mind. Blanchard, who is

In his new book, 100 Best Books for Work and Life: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You, author and publisher Todd Sattersten distills decades of reading, publishing, and advising authors into a carefully curated list of self-improvement titles. Unlike typical summaries or “listicles,” 100 Best Books for Work and Life dives deeper, offering practical guidance on why each selection matters and how readers can apply its lessons today. Todd’s recommendations include well-known volumes and far less-well-known titles. And you might be surprised at which books he decided to leave out.  Divided into 25 chapters, each featuring three to five books, Todd covers topics such as Purpose, Relationships, Teams, Mindfulness, and Influence. One of the most striking aspects of Todd’s approach is his belief that professional development cannot be separated from personal growth. A book on building better relationships, for instance, is just as valuable at home as it is in the office.  Todd is the publisher

It’s raining, it’s pouring, what vital business intelligence are you ignoring? The next explosive area of business opportunity and risk may well be weather forecasting.  The opportunity will accrue to those owners and entrepreneurs who understand that a new era of meteorology has dawned and view weather forecasting as an inextricable form of business intelligence. The risk is that myopic executives may cling to the mistaken notion that weather forecasts — “notoriously inaccurate” — are only about what to wear, how the morning commute might be impacted, and if they should bring along an umbrella when the go outside. In his new book, Cloud Warriors: Deadly Storms, Climate Chaos―and the Pioneers Creating a Revolution in Weather Forecasting, veteran journalist Thomas E. “Tom” Weber debunks two prevalent myths: 1.) That weather forecasts are frequently way off, and 2.) That the weather doesn’t have an impact on almost every company, directly or indirectly. Tom is the former executive editor at TIME who oversaw th

Most business owners obsess over driving more traffic to their websites. But as Brian Schmitt, CEO of Surefoot and a returning guest, explains, the fastest and most efficient way to grow profits is by converting more of the website visitors that companies already attract into paying customers. Surefoot is a data-driven conversion rate optimization agency for e-commerce brands and a leading authority on controlled consumer experiments — also known as A/B testing.  By testing version ‘A’ of a webpage against version ‘B,’ Surefoot pinpoints which design, headline, graphic, or call-to-action wins more customers. Surefoot’s signature methodology is what it calls the “Revenue Friction Roadmap,” a structured way to uncover what potential customers are thinking but not saying out loud. While most optimization experts aim for a 20–25% bump, Brian’s clients often see nearly double that impact: a 40–44% increase in sales from existing site visitors. Even minor tweaks, Brian explained — backed by hard data — can delive

Karen Elliott House was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for her coverage of the Middle East. Arguably, she knows more about the region, and Saudi Arabia in particular, than any other active journalist or author.  For her latest book, Why Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Matters to the World, Karen conducted more than half a dozen in-depth interviews with the 40-year-old Saudi Crown Prince, known universally as “MBS.” For global business owners and executives, the dramatic Saudi transformation over the past decade, spearheaded by MBS, presents both promise and peril: vast opportunities for investment and growth but also political and legal risks that demand careful navigation. The pace of change under MBS has astonished even veteran observers like Karen, who has traveled to the kingdom more than 45 times since the late 1970s. Today, Saudi women can drive, hold jobs across industries, and participate openly in public life. Entertainment venues — from concerts to theme park

Mike Kelly, a veteran of senior leadership roles at Michelin and Macy’s, now coaches business owners and managers through his advisory, Right Path Enterprises. His mission: to help leaders guide their organizations more effectively by first learning to lead themselves. Unlike many experts, Mike believes that genuine influence begins with leading yourself. Investing in personal growth pays dividends at work, at home, and in the community, he says. Mike is the author of Leaderfluence: Secrets of Leadership Essential to Effectively Leading Yourself and Positively Influencing Others. Among the topics Mike discusses on this week’s episode are when to trust the data over your own instinct, how to keep top talent without paying more than you can afford, and why you should encourage your employees to take risks at work. Mike also outlines seven priorities that will enable leaders to look back with confidence, knowing they stayed aligned with what matters most to them. His approach delivers a double benefit: leaders

Mick Torbay has a simple verdict on most advertising campaigns: they don’t work. “Most ads are rubbish,” he declares. “They accomplish nothing, they waste people’s time, and they waste peoples’ money. When the commercial break comes on, people stand up and go to the bathroom or turn the volume down.” It’s harsh, but accurate nonetheless. Ads created by Mick, on the other hand, are the kind that inspire listeners and viewers to turn up the volume, talk about the spots with family and friends, and remain lodged in their brains until they morph into paying customers. Mick, a wildly successful maverick marketer and one of the elite Wizard of Ads partners, is the rare expert who knows — and can explain — why some ads succeed spectacularly while most crash and burn. And he knows who most often is to blame. Brace yourself, as Mick shares his bold ideas and imaginative strategies that lead to long-lasting customer loyalty. If you’re tired of throwing away money on ads that don’t work, this is the episode you can’t a

More than 80% of Trevor Bower’s customers reorder from him within 30 days. That’s an enviable benchmark in any industry. Trevor owns AdvancedSupps, a single brick-and-mortar health supplements store in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with a robust online presence. In his ten years in business, he’s earned an international reputation for formulating unique, high-value supplements and providing unmatched customer education and service.  In a brutally competitive retail environment, Trevor has overcome the odds — not with gimmicks or giveaways, but with a strategy that any entrepreneur — in any industry — can replicate. Among the recommendations he makes: Clarify who benefits most from your products or services, and build around them. Educate your customers and prospects. Markets shift, but your values shouldn’t. Stay grounded in what works for you. Know that “trust” is your real product. Think of Trevor’s insights as the ultimate business supplement: all natural, fast-acting, and formulated to strengthen y

Overseeing a $10 billion residential and commercial portfolio, Bianca D’Alessio reigns as the  #1 real estate agent in both New York City and New York State. She also stars in HBO Max’s Selling the Hamptons. But Bianca’s rise wasn’t smooth. Early setbacks and bouts of impostor syndrome nearly sidelined her career. Instead, she built a foundation using vulnerability, intentional self-talk, and gratitude to transform herself into one of the most dynamic leaders in real estate. In her new book, Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Your Power and Lead with Lasting Impact, Bianca blends candid personal stories with actionable strategies that any business owner or entrepreneur can apply. Visit this special Monday Morning Radio “Open House” to discover the same practices Bianca uses to master her goals — and how you can apply them to achieve your own business and personal success. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Bianca D’Alessio, Mastering Intention

Gary Engels teaches business owners and entrepreneurs the disciplined sequence of steps that lead to lasting success. His wisdom isn’t drawn from an MBA program or corporate leadership seminars — it’s forged from decades on the mats. “Sensei Gary” is a serial entrepreneur, app creator, and a 4th-degree black belt in Taekwondo.  Gary’s list of ventures and partnerships is long. Among them, he is the founder of Leadership Academy, a martial arts school dedicated to developing leadership skills in students of all ages, and the creator of the Legacy Missions app, which helps users build positive daily habits.  He also serves as CEO of MyGig, which connects businesses with essential services in accounting, marketing, HR, IT, and financial optimization.  Unlike many entrepreneurs who obsess over selling, Gary has built his career on service. His approach begins with a simple question: “How can I help?” Service builds trust, trust builds relationships, and relationships drive revenue. It’s a principle that has kept

Marcy Syms became the youngest female president of a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange company when she was named to the position with her family’s business in 1983. At its peak, the Syms chain of off-price, brand-name fashion stores operated 46 outlets across 16 states, generating annual sales approaching $350 million. The chain’s slogan — coined by founder Sy Syms, Marcy’s father — was iconic: “An educated consumer is our best customer.” While Syms was not the very first off-price fashion retailer when it opened its original store in 1959, Sy and Marcy Syms went on to define the sector and dominate it until — faced with increased competition and a soft economy — Syms filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors in 2011 after more than 50 years. Marcy shares her compelling story and the story of Syms Corporation in a new book, set for release on August 26th. The book is titled Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer. “Respect,” as she explains on this week’s podcast, is the key t

In a world awash with free educational videos and paid programs from platforms such as Udemy and Teachable, Damon Lembi and his team at Learnit are thriving by delivering impressive results. Their secret? Equipping small and mid-sized businesses with the tools to outmaneuver corporate giants, while helping employees build confidence, sharpen skills, and boost job satisfaction. To date, Learnit has served over 14,000 organizations and helped more than 1.8 million professionals master new skills or improve on existing capabilities. This week, Damon delivers a masterclass on the mindset business leaders must embrace to thrive in today’s hyper-competitive landscape. It’s one of many valuable and actionable business insights we’ll hear from Damon. Please take your seats. Class is in session.  [Be sure to pick up a copy of Damon’s book, The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits and Tools] Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Damon Lembi, LearnitPosted: August 4, 2

Ken Banta is the founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, a by-invitation-only community for top-level executives. He and his firm help C-Suite executives and business owners fine-tune their management skills, build valuable new relationships, and elevate the performance of their organizations. One of Ken’s surprising recommendations is that companies do away with long-term strategic plans and instead focus primarily on the immediate horizon. “The way things move today is so quick and so unpredictable that having detailed strategies …seems to me to be really antiquated,” he says, akin to trying to predict the location of the next lightning strike. Ken is the author of Seeing Around Corners: C-Suite Wisdom from America’s Most Insightful Leaders, a powerful collection of leadership insights from dozens of wise CEOs, general counsels, and boardroom veterans. But Ken’s insights aren’t only applicable to large companies and for-profit organizations. Any effective leader can take away a great deal of actionable ad

Melissa Dinwiddie doesn’t have an MBA. She’s never worked for a consulting giant, such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting, or Bain. She is a ukulele-playing, jazz-singing, Julliard-trained dancer and improv entertainer. Yet when companies, including Meta, Google, Uber, Intuit, and Salesforce, seek fresh thinking on innovation and team creativity, they turn to Melissa for results. Melissa draws parallels between performance troupes, such as her All That Jazz improv jazz group, and business teams. To be successful, she notes, all members must listen closely, support one another, adapt on the fly, and create something from nothing.   Melissa is the founder and CEO of Creative Sandbox Solutions, communication, connection, and creativity experts. Her firm’s specialty is helping teams blast through creative roadblocks. She is the author of The Creative Sandbox Way: Your Path to a Full-Color Life, which she wrote to help readers be comfortable with and embrace their own, authentic creativity. As Melissa explains this w

Mitch Weisburgh is on a crusade to get five million people to change their minds. Literally. A lifelong educator and entrepreneur, he helps teachers and students to mindshift away from reflexive reactions to setbacks, obstacles, and low moods. Rather than give in to them, he shows members of school communities how they can adopt a reasoned mentality that seeks solutions and opportunities, and restores optimism. Mitch’s classroom approach works as well, if not better, for business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs facing professional or personal challenges. The next time your computer system goes down, or your shipment is lost in transit, or your flight is canceled, or a competitor poaches your best employee, you can react or you can mindshift and respond productively. Mitch is the author of MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success. It is the first in a planned trilogy of helpful guides focused respectively on resourcefulness, resilience, and collaboration. As Napoleon Hill

“Do it before you die.” Those five words sum up Carl Barney’s advice to business leaders and other wealthy individuals to find a deeper level of success and satisfaction by “pre-questing” meaningful gifts to individuals and institutions — not in their wills — but while they can still witness the impact of their generosity. Carl, author of the new book The Happiness Experiment: A Revolutionary Way to Increase Happiness, is a philanthropist who grew wealthy as an educational entrepreneur. He is the founder of the Prometheus Foundation, which identifies and supports independent thinkers who have innovative ideas, work smart, follow through, and achieve results. The Foundation is guided by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, with a healthy portion of Aristotle mixed in.  In his book, Carl makes a key distinction between philanthropy and pre-questing. While both are praiseworthy, pre-questing is a more personal way to express gratitude to those who’ve enriched your life, such as teachers, mentors, colleagues, and friends

Do you suffer from glossophobia? No pill or injection will cure it. But this week’s guest, Ruth Milligan, has a proven antidote for the nearly eight out of ten people who experience anxiety or fear of public speaking — also known as glossophobia. Ruth is the founder and managing director of Articulation, a 15-year-old executive communication coaching consultancy. She is also the co-author of the new book “The Motivated Speaker: Six Principles to Unlock Your Communication Potential.” Ruth was the force behind one of the earliest TEDx events in the country, TEDxColumbus, where she spent a decade observing both masterful and woeful presenters. That experience laid the foundation for her consultancy, which aims to help anyone who needs to improve their message delivery, whether before a large audience in an auditorium or an intimate group of employees and customers. In Ruth’s experience, what you say matters—but how you say it often matters more. Ruth and her colleagues at Articulation leave it to others to coac

What began as a labor of love for Jackie Lapin — traveling the world and taking captivating photos — has blossomed into a thriving business and membership community. Today, Jackie’s The Historic Traveler offers frequent blog posts, a vast library of images, curated reading lists, historical insights, and exclusive travel resources, all designed for those who share her wanderlust. Jackie is a veteran of multiple fields — including working as a pioneering female sportswriter, accomplished PR executive, and marketing strategist. She champions the idea that turning your avocation into a vocation isn’t just possible; it may be the most direct and rewarding path to success. This week, Jackie reveals her blueprint for transforming personal passion into a robust income stream. She also shares insights on how to build a successful business from the ground up. Join Jackie as she travels the world of historic sites and entrepreneurial insights. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Ro