Monday Morning Radio

In his classic hit, American Pie, released in 1971, songwriter Don McLean intones: "I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before but the man there said the music wouldn't play." Every time host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart hears that verse, he's reminded of rock 'n roll concert promoter Barry Fey, who over the course of his three-decade career organized mega-shows featuring Jimi Hendrix, The Who, U2, Rolling Stones, Three Dog Night, and many other music legends. Fey died eight years ago, age 74, but the story of his unconventional path to success lives on. This week, Dean plays highlights of his two interviews with Fey and demonstrates why the rocker was an entrepreneurial and marketing genius. [Pick up a copy of Barry Fay's 2011 book, Backstage Past, featuring forewards by Pete Townshend and Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne.] Photo: Barry Fay, FeylineOriginally Posted: May 6, 2013Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: March 8, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes

The landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars has reignited the public's interest in space exploration and possible associated commercial opportunities. Christine Nobbe, an educator, space enthusiast, and past president of St. Louis Space Frontier, has been dreaming about conducting classes on the moon — or perhaps Mars — her whole life. When host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart caught up with Christine in September 2018, the two of them discussed the coming age of entrepreneurs in space and the prospects for small businesses to participate in the push to the stars. Listen in on this Best of Monday Morning Radio episode as the two space buffs explore out-of-this-world business concepts and opportunities. Photo: Christine Nobbe, Educator and Space EnthusiastOriginally Posted: September 16, 2018Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: March 1, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 34:12

Azi Hendi and her husband, Dr. Ali Hendi, now in their fourth year of operations, are the founders of Luminora, a stylish clothing line designed to protect women from the sun's harmful rays. When they were featured on Monday Morning Radio in August 2018, they were still feeling their way as entrepreneurs, aware of the great potential but also struggling with the realities of being small business owners. Monday Morning Radio host Dean Rotbart forecast they would be a success, and by all outward appearances, he was correct. Luminora's offerings now include resort wear, fashionable activewear, and even matching facemasks. It's been bone-chilling cold over the past couple of weeks in most of the country. So Dean thought a reminder that bathing-suit weather and summer are only 119 days away would be in order. Listen in as Azi and Ali shine some light on both their accomplishments and their frustrations as first-time entrepreneurs. Photo: Azi Hendi, LuminoraOriginally Posted: August 13, 2018Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: February 22, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 44:56

Which of the following sentences do you think conveys costly, erroneous "business think"? This is the way we've always done it; no reason to change now. You get what you pay for. We can probably do that ourselves. The customer is always right. The correct answer is "E" – all of the above. As business consultant Jack Quarles first explained to host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart in March 2017, American companies pay a massive penalty for buying into outdated thinking. Jack's book, "Expensive Sentences," is an international bestseller and will make you think twice about bogus business aphorisms. Photo: Jack Quarles, "Expensive Sentences"Originally Posted: March 13, 2017Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: February 15, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 43:52

Sarah Cooper has become a TikTok superstar. Her hilarious video lip-syncs to the voice of former President Donald Trump made her a national celebrity, even serving as a substitute host for Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night ABC talk show. Host Dean Rotbart knew Sarah was special when he interviewed her four years ago about her half-serious, half-humorous book, "100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings." Sarah was inspired to write the book after sitting through boring meetings at her previous employers, Yahoo! and Google. This week on a Best of Monday Morning Radio episode, Dean reprises his 2017 conversation with Sarah, and "objectively speaking" – as you'll hear [Trick #19], he's still the best podcast host on the planet. Photo: Sarah Cooper, 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in MeetingsOriginally Posted: April 10, 2017Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: February 8, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 30:06

Fifteen years ago, three college friends holed up in a yurt in Santa Barbara, California, and set about engineering a new sales and marketing software platform designed specifically to help small businesses succeed. Today, Ontraport and its 120-plus employees power thousands of global businesses, and serve as a role model for how any size business can attract and retain high-quality, fulfilled employees. Ontraport founder and CEO, Landon Ray, first shared his blueprint for building a profitable corporate culture with host and award-winning reporter Dean Rotbart in November 2014. If anything, Landon's guidance is even more relevant now. Photo: Landon Ray, OntraportOriginally Posted: November 8, 2014Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: February 1, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 23:07

The global office real estate market – both for tenants and landlords – is in total chaos. Even after the Covid-19 pandemic has passed, America's workplaces will never return to the old normal. Chris Kane, a former senior real estate executive with The Walt Disney Company and the BBC, has reimagined tomorrow's workplace. In his new book, Where is My Office? Chris spells out what it will take to make the office an attractive place to work and serve as a means of invigorating employee productivity. Where will you and your employees be working in the years ahead? Chris shares his forecast with host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart. [Pick up your own copy of "Where is My Office?" here.] Photo: Chris Kane, Six IdeasPosted: January 25, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 53:38

Peet's Coffee & Tea, which will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year, has more than 200 retail outlets and is sold in more than 14,000 grocery stores across the United States. The Boston Beer Company, whose best-known brew is Samuel Adams, was founded in 1984 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The company produces which produces beers, hard ciders, hard iced tea, spiked sparkling water, and high alcohol kombucha. Peet's and Boston Brewing share a lot in common. Both companies began with a single visionary crafter. Both grew large by attracting a niche following of deeply loyal customers. And both saw fit, eventually, to ask Dave Burwick, a former executive at PepsiCo and Weight Watchers, to take charge of their businesses. When host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart interviewed Dave back in May 2016, he was president and CEO of Peet's, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary. Today, Dave runs the Boston Beer Company, also serving as president and CEO. In both cases, Dave's specialty, as he described it, is "scaling the smallness" — a method that allows businesses to remain true to their founding principles, while constantly keeping pace with the changing times. Dave's is a recipe for growth and success that every entrepreneur should know. Photo: Dave Burwick, Boston Beer CompanyOriginally Posted: May 9, 2016Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: January 18, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 26:44

How do you say "One Thing" in Chinese? Or Spanish. Or Russian? Since Jay Papasan first spoke with host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart in April 2013, Jay's mega-bestseller, The One Thing, co-authored with Gary Keller, has been translated into 40 foreign languages. The wisdom contained in their book, obviously, is universal. Jay's premise is that everyone should decide on what matters most in their personal and work lives, and then focus their energy on one thing at a time. Voted one of the Top 100 Business Books of all time, The One Thing, from the incomparable Bard Press, is one life-changing concept that you can't afford to miss. [Pick up your own copy of "The One Thing" here.] Photo: Jay Papasan, "The One Thing"Originally Posted: April 29, 2013Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: January 11, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 26:42

The lucky children in Mrs. Hassenger's 4th grade class at Brown Elementary in St. Joseph, Michigan, have no idea what a superstar entrepreneur their teacher is. Sarah Hassenger launched her home-based business, Four Black Paws, in 2010, working after school and on weekends to hand-sew the doggie bow ties and related accessories. Since host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart first spoke with Sarah in April 2016, her line has expanded dramatically to include an organic collection; dog treats, toys and shampoo; and even t-shirts, hats, headbands, and scrunchies for her loyal two-legged followers. Sarah Hassenger continues to demonstrate that solopreneurs can succeed even in a dog-eat-dog world. While Dean is on book leave, we hope you'll enjoy this Best of Monday Morning Radio re-airing. Photo: Sarah Hassenger, Four Black PawsOriginally Posted: April 25, 2016Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: January 4, 2021Monday Morning Run Time: 30:26

Author Jen Sincero has turned being a "Badass" into a mini-industry, incorporating books, audiobooks, notecards, calendars, refrigerator magnets, even a "Badass" talking button. She is also a success coach who helps people transform their personal and professional lives at seminars, speaking engagements, and in newsletters. When host and award-winning reporter Dean Rotbart first interviewed Jen in June 2013 for his Business Unconventional radio program, few people had heard of her fresh-off-the-presses book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. Dean takes no credit for the book's amazing global success, charting at the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list and selling more than three million copies in 35 languages. But in this Best of Monday Morning Radio replay of his 2013 interview, you will hear for yourself why Jen's book and career took off like a badass muscle car. [The Jen Sincero "Badass" Library: You are a Badass; You are a Badass Every Day; You are a Badass at Making Money; and Badass Habits: Cultivate the Awareness, Boundaries, and Daily Upgrades You Need to Make Them Stick.] Photo: Jen Sincero, "You Are a Badass"Originally Posted: June 17, 2013Best of Monday Morning Radio Update: December 28, 2020 Monday Morning Run Time: 26:23

After a year in which all of our lives have been turned topsy-turvy, the notion that we can be in full command of our lives going forward may seem fanciful. But Dr. Paul Napper, a renowned psychology expert and business consultant, has developed a science-based approach to living life on our own terms. In his latest book, "The Power of Agency," co-authored with Dr. Anthony Rao, Dr. Napper outlines seven empowering steps that anyone can use to take charge of their life. Of the seven principles, Dr. Napper tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, one that is particularly important during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis is to associate yourself with supportive positive people who you can learn from. Hear all seven of Dr. Napper's steps now and start off 2021 fresh; ready to succeed regardless of what life throws your way. [Resolve to purchase your own copy of "The Power of Agency" here.] Photo: Dr. Paul Napper, Performance Psychology Consulting Posted: December 21, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 51:16

Bill Fox is helping businesses in the United States design the workplaces of the future, from, of all places, his base in Estonia. American-born and educated, Fox is co-founder of Forward-Thinking Workplaces and the author of The Future of the Workplace. With more than three decades of experience in project management and leading successful transformations, he's now focused on helping organizations get more done with fewer people. In addition to his own leadership experience, Fox tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart that to formulate his "Forward-Thinking Workplaces" approach, he interviewed more than 100 top global business leaders and executives. To learn how your workplace can become forward-thinking, and to discover why Fox runs his operations out of Estonia, you'll have to listen in for yourself, right now. [Pick up your own copy of Bill's book, The Future of the Workplace: Insights and Advice from 31 Pioneering Business and Thought Leaders, here.] Photo: Bill Fox, Forward-Thinking WorkplacesPosted: December 14, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 44:53

Matt Murray, editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, describes Joann S. Lublin as relentless, blunt, persistent, honest, collegial, exhaustive, and exhausting. Joann, arguably the nation's top authority on careers and management, is the author of the forthcoming book, Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life. For the book, she interviewed 86 executive moms and 25 of their grown daughters to document the rapidly changing landscape facing women in the "C-Suite." Power Moms, says host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, is not only for women on the rise or already at the top but also for men who still have lots to learn about making parenthood work for all employees. Photo: Joann S. Lublin, Power MomsPosted: December 7, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 44:51

Charles Duhigg is the mega-bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better. His books use masterful storytelling and real-life examples to help readers be more productive, and improve all aspects of their lives. Shortly after The Power of Habit was first published in 2012, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart interviewed him for this podcast. Earlier this month, Dean caught up with Charles again to discuss both books and how he applies the lessons of his writing to his own life. This week on Monday Morning Radio, peel back the covers and delve into the mind of one of this decade's most successful business authors. Photo: Charles Duhigg, AuthorPosted: November 30, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 43:06

Tim Ringo has some unconventional ideas about how owners and CEOs can inspire greater productivity from their employees and turbocharge their companies' profitability. Among these: hire people on the Autism spectrum, forget about requiring a college degree for job candidates, and use robots to replace employees who hold repetitive, mundane jobs — retraining the displaced workers for better, higher-paying positions. Tim, with more than 30 years in the Human Resources field, is the author of the newly published book, "Solving the Productivity Puzzle: How to engage, motivate and develop employees to improve individual and business performance." This week, Tim shares with host Dean Rotbart why he believes America is entering a "perfect storm" of new opportunities for employees and organizations. Photo: Tim Ringo, Solving the Productivity PuzzlePosted: November 23, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 42:06

Four-time Olympic athlete Ruben Gonzalez likes to recite the Proverb "Iron sharpens iron," in explaining the philosophy of his new Facebook group, the Goal Achievers Club. Launched earlier this month, the group not only relies on Ruben himself for success and leadership tips, it draws on its growing roster of accomplished owners and entrepreneurs to share the wisdom of their experiences. Host Dean Rotbart first interviewed Ruben — a much-in-demand corporate speaker and author — four years ago, when the two discussed how he overcame a lack of athletic talent to become the first Olympian ever to compete in four Olympic games in four different decades. This go-around, Ruben shares the formula he's using to attract and grow a quality membership to his Goal Achievers Club and why other ambitious entrepreneurs might want to sign up (it's free, of course). [Note: Listeners can register as a member of Ruben's Goal Achievers Club and get a free copy of his popular e-book at RubenU.com.] Photo: By TimeinaBottlePhotographyPosted: November 16, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 44:42

The first interview that Kanye West granted after his July 4th announcement that he would run for president was to Randall Lane, editor and chief content officer of Forbes. It was no coincidence that Kayne chose Randall and Forbes. Randall's story, posted four days later, quickly attracted more than 3.1 million page views. These days, Forbes.com is an internet juggernaut, attracting a larger daily U.S. page view count than The New York Times, The Washington Post, or Wikipedia. It is #1 among all business websites when it comes to attracting Gen Z and millennial readers. In the final installment of his three-part Editors-in-Chief series, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart plumbs Randall's playbook to discover how Forbes has reinvented itself to serve a 21st-century entrepreneurial audience. Photo: Randall Lane, ForbesPosted: November 9, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 46:06

More than 30,000 global makers and innovators registered for the recently concluded Fast Company Innovation Festival, a virtual cornucopia of influential speakers ranging from the CEOs of Verizon and Novartis to celebrities including Robert Downey Jr. and Michelle Pfeiffer. Credit Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Mehta and her team at Fast Company for attracting a young, progressive, business-centric audience, much like the readers of the 25-year-old trendy magazine. This week, in Part Two of his Editors-in-Chief series, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart speaks with Stephanie about her career and her magazine's unique focus on innovation in technology, leadership, and design. If you weren't one of the lucky ones to attend the Innovation Festival, hearing what Stephanie and Dean have to say might just be the next best thing. [Did you miss last week's podcast featuring Adi Ignatius, editor-in-chief of the Harvard Business Review? You can stream or download it here.] Photo: Stephanie Mehta, Fast CompanyPosted: November 2, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 1 Hour, 8 Minutes

Host Dean Rotbart, an award-winning journalist, has been peeling back the curtain of the nation's most influential business newsrooms for more than two decades. This week he begins a three-part series of oral histories that he's recently conducted with three powerful editors-in-chief. Adi Ignatius His guest this week is Adi Ignatius, who has overseen the influential Harvard Business Review since 2009. Adi shares with Dean HBR's updated approach to helping owners and managers create healthier, better-run, more successful companies. Next week, Dean speaks with Fast Company's Stephanie Mehta about her career and her magazine's focus on innovation in technology, leadership, and design. In the final episode of the series, Rotbart holds court with Randall Lane, editor and chief content officer at Forbes, which focuses on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. You won't earn an MBA after listening to these three influential journalists, but you'll feel as if you have. Photo: Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business ReviewPosted: October 26, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 1 Hour, Three Minutes and 30 Seconds

When McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Chick-fil-A, and the Green Bay Packers were searching for ways to turn their managers into leaders who employees would want to follow, they turned to Jill Ratliff, an executive coach with more than 25 years of Fortune 100 human resources management experience. By making surprisingly few and modest changes, as Jill outlines in her new book — Leadership Through Trust and Collaboration — owners and managers can become results-driven leaders who not only inspire their colleagues but also get much greater satisfaction from their work. "Let's just end the debate; leaders are not born, they're made," Jill tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart. Hear her proven formula for success exclusively on this week's Monday Morning Radio. Purchase your own copy of Leadership Through Trust & Collaboration here. Photo: Jill Ratliff, Jill Ratliff Leadership Posted: October 19, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 49:36

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the massive number of people who've lost their jobs, it should come as no surprise that America is in the midst of a small business startup boom. The Wall Street Journal reports that applications for new employer identification numbers — an indicator of new business launches — are up by 18.5% over 2019, and growing at the fastest rate since 2007. Which is perfect timing for authors Jonathan Littman and Susana Camp, whose recently released book, The Entrepreneur's Faces, relies on real-life profiles of small business founders to help owners find their individual innovation style and edge. The good news, Littman and Camp tell host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, is that people from all backgrounds and walks of life can master the challenges of entrepreneurship. Purchase your own copy of The Entrepreneur's Faces here. Photo: Susanna Camp and Jonathan Littman, The Entrepreneur's FacesPosted: October 12, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 54:19

Imagine a professional baseball league with teams located in Small Town America, such as Garden City, Kansas; Roswell, New Mexico; Trinidad, Colorado; and Tucson, Arizona. Now imagine you're tapped to manage one of these independent league teams — featuring a squad of not-ready-for-prime-time players — and trying to win a national championship. Finally, ask yourself, if such a challenge existed in real life (it does), what lessons might you discover about competing, recruiting, and marketing your team that also apply to small businesses? Bill Rogan, the 2019 rookie manager of the Tucson Saguaros, joins host Dean Rotbart this week to share the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat managing a team far from the big city. Pick up your own copy of Bill Rogan's "Life Ain't the Same in the Pecos League" here. To add your name to the list of those who would like more information about joining Bill and Dean at a Pecos League game next season, email [email protected] and be sure to include your name and phone number. Photo: Bill Rogan, Manager, Santa Fe FuegoPosted: October 5, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 51:42

In 1996, Dave Nassaney's wife, Charlene, suffered a massive stroke that left her severely speech impaired and paralyzed on her right side. Dave, a USC graduate, entrepreneur, and service station owner, had no one to turn to and few resources to help him handle the tricky navigation he faced. Like that of thousands of other entrepreneurs who each year find themselves in similar situations, Dave's challenge was not merely how to manage for a couple of weeks or even months. That's hard enough. He soon realized his new family responsibilities would be with him for years, even decades to come. Indeed, it's now nearly 25 years later, and Dave remains Charlene's primary caregiver. Dave turned his family's misfortune into a business, CaregiverDave.com, that instructs other caregivers — especially entrepreneurs — how to handle unexpected caregiving duties. Dave is the author of "It's My Life Too: Thrive and Stay Alive as a Caregiver." He is also a much-in-demand public speaker, a radio host, and a frequent media guest. Dave's insights, says host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, are especially valuable as we continue to struggle with COVID-19, which has spawned more first-time caregivers over the past six months than in any era since the scourge of polio. "Even if such a crisis never comes knocking at your door, there are some valuable lessons that we can all learn from how Dave was dealt a truly awful hand, and yet, using ingenuity, dedication, determination, and persistence converted his experience into an invaluable service for others," Dean notes. Photo: David Nassaney, CaregiverDave.comPosted: September 28, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 36:30

Women entrepreneurs are starting and running businesses in record numbers. Today, the number of women-owned firms in the United States is more than double what it was in 2000. Yet, as Madeline Pratt knows from first-hand experience, women in business face unique obstacles on the path to success. So Madeline, founder of the "female-forward" consultancy, Fearless in Training, specializes in helping other women level the playing field when it comes to technology, accounting, and business in general. For those who have XY chromosomes (i.e., Men), host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart says Madeline is a great model for creating a business concept with a mission and targeted audience. Her entrepreneurial insights, he adds, are universal. [Note: Did you know that Monday Morning Radio is now available to stream or download from Amazon Music Podcasts? Also, subscribe for free at Apple Podcasts.] Photo: Madeline Pratt, Fearless in Training Posted: September 21, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 39 minutes

Sandi Masori is a small business alchemist, turning doctors, real estate agents, insurance salespeople, financial planners, and all variety of entrepreneurs into authors. Sandi, owner of ExpertBook4U.com, has leveraged her experience writing books about decorating with balloons into a lucrative business and a platform for coaching others on how to follow in her footsteps. Not to burst your balloon, but as Sandi tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, her method is more likely to help you grow your business, practice, or sales than it is to land you a megabucks book advance. The good news, Sandi says, is that if you start today, your "business authority" book will be available from Amazon.com before the year is out. Book It! by Sandi Masori is available now from Amazon.com. Are you already a self-published author or do you plan to be? You can sell your book at GutenbergsStore.com, and receive a better cut of sales than Amazon offers. Contact host Dean Rotbart at 303-296-1200 for details. Photo: Sandi Masori, ExpertBook4U.com Posted: September 14, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 53:05

Black Enterprise magazine is marking its 50th Anniversary in 2020, dedicated to educating, inspiring, and uplifting readers. The magazine's founder, Earl G. Graves Sr., who passed away earlier this year, was already a successful entrepreneur when he began the magazine in 1970, and headed multiple businesses in his lifetime. Unlike most other business magazines, the editorial staff at Black Enterprise often practice what they preach, simultaneously reporting for the publication and running their own outside entrepreneurial ventures. This week, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart speaks with one of the magazine's longest-serving top editors, Alfred Edmond, Jr., about his successful business, A2Z Personal Growth Enterprises, aka GrownZone.com. GrownZone delivers "relationship education" to business owners who often don't recognize the strong correlation between the success of their love life and the profitability of their companies. Alfred's book, Loving in the Grown Zone, co-authored with his wife and business partner, Zara Green, is a no-nonsense guide to making healthy decisions in the quest for loving, romantic relationships of honor, esteem, and respect. The book will be of particular interest and help to anyone who has messed up when it comes to their romantic relationships. Loving in the Grown Zone makes a wonderful graduation gift for high school or college students, allowing them to avoid the mistakes that so many couples make. You can purchase copies of the book here. Photo: Alfred Edmond, Jr., GrownZone.comPosted: September 7, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 56:43

As CEO of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies, Mike Weinberger helped build the chain to 500-plus franchises, and then oversaw the 2015 sale of the brand to a global leader in the quick-service restaurant industry. Mike is back, this time as COO of Unity Rd., a Denver-based cannabis dispensary franchiser that is a leader in the rapidly expanding $30 billion legal marijuana industry.As Mike tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, today's cannabis marketplace is teaming with the type of potential - as well as risk - not seen in the U.S. since prohibition ended in December 1933. Listen in as Mike spells out the unique challenges and opportunities that today's dispensary owners face. Photo: Mike Weinberger, Unity Rd.Posted: August 31, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 47:51

Carrie Melissa Jones is a master-builder of so-called "Brand Communities," which go way beyond common social networking and online forums to cement a life-long sense of belonging among core customers, employees, and even vendors. Done right, brand communities can dramatically enrich the success of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The devil, of course, is in the details. Carrie is co-author of "Building Brand Communities: How Organizations Succeed by Creating Belonging." As important as who successful brand communities seek to attract, she tells host Dean Rotbart, are who they consciously choose to alienate. Pick up your own copy of Carrie's book here. Photo: Carrie Melissa Jones, Gather Community ConsultingPosted: August 24, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 49:22

You're sitting at an outdoor café and an important client of yours spots you. He comes over and extends his hand in greeting. Do you shake it or do you risk offending him by saying that you're adhering to social distancing rules? Likewise, you've scheduled a video conference with a prospective customer. You're both working from home. What do you wear? Business casual? Business dress? Shorts and a t-shirt? The rules of business etiquette in the coronavirus era have had to be rewritten, which is just fine with etiquette expert Maryanne Parker, who observes that since the days of Louis XIV of France, what is and isn't appropriate has been an ever-evolving standard. Maryanne, an author and owner of Manor of Manners, joins host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart to address a variety of common, modern etiquette dilemmas that business owners face. Be sure to pick up a copy of Maryanne's latest book, Posh Overnight: The 10 Pillars of Social Etiquette. Photo: Maryanne Parker, Manor of MannersPosted: August 17, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: One-hour, one-minute, and 37-seconds

TikTok is the seventh most popular social-media app worldwide, with 100 million users in the U.S. alone. TikTok celebrities, such as Chef Vivian Aronson – with 20 million-plus likes on TikTok – have used the short-video platform to become highly successful internet entrepreneurs. But Chinese-owned TikTok is facing political headwinds, with India already banning the service and the United States threatening to do likewise. The future of TikTok is unclear. It might be acquired. It might be shut down. Or it might find another resolution to the crisis it is facing. In June, host and award-winning reporter Dean Rotbart hosted an invitation-only briefing — "Understanding TikTok and How It Can Turbocharge Your Sales" — featuring Vivian and other TikTok cognoscenti. On this week's podcast, Dean shares a replay of that invitation-only panel and provides an up-to-the-minute postscript with Evan Morgenstein, a social media rainmaker and CEO, of multiple companies, including The Digital Renegades, The Food Renegades and CelebExperts. Whether or not you "TikTok," this week's podcast will prove invaluable when it comes to understanding what it takes to be a successful social media influencer and how companies can turn to TikTok and similar platforms to, indeed, turbocharge their sales. Don't miss our June 15th podcast, The Emerging Cold War Between the United States and China Explained, with guests Lingling Wei and Bob Davis, reporters for The Wall Street Journal. Photos: VIvian Aronson and Evan MorgensteinPosted: August 10, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

INTRODUCTION A: On this week's podcast, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart interviews the co-founders of surefoot, a boutique agency offering an experienced, nimble team of strategists, designers, developers, and data analysts obsessed with growing companies like yours. INTRODUCTION B: On this week's podcast, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart and his guests, the co-founders of surefoot, a boutique agency that has run more than 4,200 strategic A/B tests resulting in dramatic improvements turning online visitors into paying customers. Whichever introduction you prefer, you'll hear Wizard Academy alumnus Brian Schmitt and his partner, Laura Stude, explain their uncanny ability to boost online sales of clothing, gadgets and dozens of other product categories and services. Brian, Laura, and their team at surefoot are conversion optimization gurus. They use A/B testing and other sophisticated analytical tools to determine how improvements to their clients' websites – colors, content, graphics, placement, and functionality – can boost sales. In their experience, they report, clients get back nearly ten times as much as they spend with surefire. That's a staggering ROI. Photos: Brian Schmitt and Laura Stude, surefoot.mePosted: August 3, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 50:18

"I believe that capitalism is the most significant man-made invention ever." So declares this week's guest Dan Bruder, a respected author, business strategist, and educator. Dan is fully aware that his viewpoint isn't politically correct. Indeed, it conflicts with millions of dissatisfied Americans and protestors who blame the economic and political system that vests our country's trade and industry in private hands society's many ills. But rather than turn to socialism, or even Marxism, as some people advocate, Dan says capitalism can be refocused to best address its failures and the inequalities that have arisen over the past 50 years. Dan's book, "The Blendification System: Activating Potential by Connecting Culture, Strategy, and Execution," teaches capitalism as a means of not only generating profits for owners and shareholders, but also for enriching the lives of employees and customers. And, importantly, of building better communities as a result. More than a philosophical treatise on private ownership and the good it can do, Blendification is also a "roll-up-your-sleeves and take these steps" playbook that shows readers how to transform theory into reality. Listen in as Dan and host Dean Rotbart, an award-winning financial journalist, discuss the merits of making better applications of capitalism to ensure it works well for everyone. To order your copy of "The Blendification System," click here. Photo: Daniel M. Bruder, The Blendification SystemPosted: July 27, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 51:02

Why be an ordinary entrepreneur when you can become a "Celebrity Entrepreneur" and watch your bottom line grow along with your reputation? Clint Arthur, a Wizard Academy alumnus, trains business owners on his "scientific formula" to land TV interviews, paid speaking engagements, VIP invitations, and book contracts. As their visibility grows, so do their bank balances. Join Clint and host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart as they pull back the curtain on how reputations are manufactured, and reveal why merit alone has very little to do with modern celebrity status. Register here for Clint Arthur's "Medical Marketing Miracle Conference" in Atlanta, featuring Dr. Oz, Dr. Drew, Jocelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General, and astronaut Mike Massimino. Purchase a copy of Clint's "Celebrity Entrepreneurship" book here. Photo: Clint Arthur, Celebrity EntrepreneurshipPosted: July 20, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 1 hour 3 minutes

When the COVID-19 shutdowns hit, entrepreneur Edwin Dearborn, an author and veteran advisor to small businesses, faced a double whammy: His Las Vegas-based consulting group helped clients grow their brands and sales by relying heavily on live, face-to-face conferences, exhibitions, and speaking engagements, the kind that Vegas is famous for hosting. But since the social distancing quarantines began in March, the in-person conference and workshop industry has imploded, and with it, the opportunities for in-person branding. Rather than call it quits, Edwin and his partner launched a new consultancy — Green Dragon Communications — that uses Zoom, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other digital platforms not only to promote his clients but also to attract new clients to Green Dragon. In these unprecedented times, Edwin tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, entrepreneurs must be willing to discover and exploit the opportunities created by the new business environment or fade into oblivion. Photo: Edwin Dearborn, Green Dragon CommunicationsPosted: July 13, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 41:50

Former British Prime Minister and global diplomat Tony Blair credits Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, founder of CSE Consulting, with developing "the science of decision-making" and helping him resolve tough choices. Einhorn, a master problem-solver, business consultant, author, and public speaker, is the developer behind the AREA Method, an increasingly popular framework that allows executives, politicians, and even investors to make better choices, especially when the stakes are high. When you're trying to answer significant business or personal questions, those with large and long-term repercussions, Cheryl tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart that her proprietary method will lead to better outcomes and a more efficient, less-stressful, decision-making process. One high-impact decision that is actually easy to make, is not to miss this week's valuable edition of Monday Morning Radio. To order your copy of Cheryl Strauss Einhorn's Problem Solved: A Powerful System for Making Complex Decisions with Confidence and Conviction, click here. To order your copy of Investing in Financial Research: A Decision-Making System for Better Results, click here. Photo: Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, CSE ConsultingPosted: July 6, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 54:25

After scrutinizing Microsoft, Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon daily for more than five years, Alex Kantrowitz decoded the single secret they all share: No matter how large these and other successful tech giants grow or how established they become, they still run their companies with the mentality and risk-taking attitudes of a startup. Alex, who earlier this month launched his own independent newsletter and podcast called "Big Technology," recently published "Always Day One: How the Tech Titans Plan to Stay on Top Forever." To successfully compete with the Amazons and Googles of the world, Alex tells host and award-winning reporter Dean Rotbart, today's companies of all sizes not only have to adopt an "Always Day One" approach, they have to execute it better than the tech titans themselves. The alternative, he warns, is "Day Two," or stasis, where most once-profitable companies operate, leading inevitably to irrelevance, followed by a gradual decline culminating in total failure. Did you miss Monday Morning Radio's live panel, "Understanding TikTok and How It Can Turbocharge Your Sales"? Download the replay at https://tinyurl.com/Replay-TikTok. Discover how you can put TikTok to work for your brand, and why it's better than other social media platforms. Photo: Alex Kantrowitz, Always Day OnePosted: June 29, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 49:13

Working from home? Stealing from your employers at home? In the new COVID-19 era, ripping off employers is easier and more common than you might imagine. The coronavirus outbreak has been a boon to employees who are willing to steal from their companies, as fraud and embezzlement are harder to prevent and detect when a company's workforce is able to cheat remotely. In addition, when employees must rely on video teleconferences and personal email accounts and cell phones, it increases the vulnerability of their employers to cyber-crime and theft of sensitive intellectual property. Doug E. Cash and Trent L. Leavitt are white-collar crime specialists with Eide Bailly, one of the country's most respected and most trusted CPA firms. Doug is one part crime fighter and one part prevention expert. Trent is a cyber-detective, providing computer forensics, cell phone forensics, and eDiscover. This week, Doug and Trent join host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart to inform business owners how to prevent their companies from falling victim to coronavirus-inspired criminals, and how to detect small problems before they grow into financial nightmares. Download a free Eide Bailly special report, "How to Deal with Fraud Risk in a COVID-19 World," prepared by guest Doug E. Cash, here. Hear our January 2020 episode, Who's in Your Wallet? How to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Dishonest Workers, featuring Doug Cash and two other distinguished panel members, here. __________ This episode marks the beginning of our 9th year producing this podcast, which launched in June 2012. Since our first episode, more than 750,000 listeners — most of them owners of small businesses and professional practices — have tuned in to gather actionable insights from their peers and from a who's who of small business coaches and consultants. A complete archive of this podcast, featuring nearly 400 full episodes, is available for free here. Subscribe to Monday Morning Radio on Apple Music here. Photo: Doug E. Cash (l) and Trent L. Leavitt, Eide Bailly Posted: June 22, 2020 Monday Morning Run Time: 61 Minutes

U.S.-China trade relations has been bumped off the front pages of American newspapers lately, as the toll of COVID-19 and race-related protests take center stage. But over the long-term, the U.S.-China trade conflict will have consequences for all American businesses – spreading from the political arena to every nook and cranny of our economy. Two of the most astute observers of this global financial story are Bob Davis and Lingling Wei, distinguished reporters for The Wall Street Journal. Bob is a Pulitzer Prize-winning senior editor who covers economic issues from the paper's D.C. bureau. Lingling, who until earlier this year reported for the Journal from China, is now based in New York, where she continues to focus on the intersection of Chinese politics and the economy. Together, Bob and Lingling have written a terrific book looking at the roots and the consequences of the U.S.-Chinese trade conflict, titled: "Superpower Showdown: How the Battle Between Trump and Xi Threatens a New Cold War." Published just last week, Superpower Showdown draws on Bob and Lingling's vast experience covering the topic – having conducted 100s of interviews with government and business officials in both the U.S. and China -- to trace how relations between the two superpowers went sour – and how the prospects for global peace and prosperity are threatened by the current stand-off. Bob and Lingling have worked together covering U.S./China relations for more than seven years. Having the perspective of both the Americans and the Chinese make their book, Superpower Showdown, especially compelling reading. Click here to hear a preview of Monday Morning Radio's free, live, panel "Understanding TikTok and How It Can Turbocharge Your Sales." Co-Hosted by Dean Rotbart and Evan Morgenstein, founder of The Digital Renegades, the panel takes place on June 18th at 11:30 am EDT. Registration is available at http://tinyurl.com/MMRTikTok. Preview our new Monday Morning Radio community, Small Business Paramedics, featuring expert advice on how to buttress your business and reach your goals. Coming Summer 2020. Photos: Bob Davis and Lingling Wei, Superpower ShowdownPosted: June 15, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 59 minutes 25 seconds

Todd Sattersten is an author, literary agent, editor, blogger, and since January 2019, deputy publisher at Bard Press, the boutique house responsible for the success of The Little Red Book of Selling, The Gift of Struggle, The One Thing, and, of course, the incomparable Wizard of Ads Trilogy by Roy H. Williams. Todd makes his living, in part, by trying to forecast where consumer taste in reading — specifically in business books — will be a year or two down the road. He is an acute observer of the industry; what's hot, what's not, and what's likely to be the next in-demand topic. Whether you're already an author, a would-be author, or an avid reader, as host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart explains on this week's edition of Monday Morning Radio, Todd's analysis of current trends in the book industry and what's driving them is intelligence that every owner and professional can profit from. Click here to hear a preview of Monday Morning Radio's free, live, panel "Understanding TikTok and How It Can Turbocharge Your Sales." Co-Hosted by Dean Rotbart and Evan Morgenstein, founder of The Digital Renegades, the panel takes place on June 18th at 11:30 am EDT. Registration is now open at http://tinyurl.com/MMRTikTok. Preview our new Monday Morning Radio community, Small Business Paramedics, featuring expert advice on how to buttress your business and reach your goals. Coming Summer 2020. Photo: Todd SatterstenPosted: June 8, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 1 hour, 7 minutes

[Monday Morning Radio listeners are eligible to register for "Understanding TikTok and How It Can Turbocharge Your Sales," an invitation-only live video conference on June 18th. Sign up here.] Zero to $1 Billion in a relatively short time is the stuff that entrepreneurial dreams are made of. Yet, a number of recent starts ups have done just that. In his new book, Billion Dollar Brand Club, veteran journalist Lawrence Ingrassia takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the secret sauce used by Harry's, Warby Parker, Dollar Shave Club, Third Love, and other disruptors to take the express train to the top. Ingrassia, a highly regarded former senior editor at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times, tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart that every company – regardless of its size or ultimate potential – can glean practical lessons from the entrepreneurs who he profiles in his book. Will you be the next member of the Billion Dollar Brand club? To order your copy of "Billion Dollar Brand Club," click here. Photo: Lawrence Ingrassia, Billion Dollar Brand ClubPosted: June 1, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 54:15

When Kevin Vallely isn't working his "day job" as an architect, he can be found on one of many adventures, such as breaking the world record for the fastest unsupported trek to the geographic South Pole. When Amy Posey, a management consultant and former leadership expert with Deloitte, isn't at her desk, she's might be found paragliding, or joining Kevin in crossing Baffin Island in the Canadian High Arctic in winter, on foot. Both Kevin and Amy describe themselves as extreme adventures, and in their new book Wild Success, both offer seven key lessons business leaders can learn from their experiences pushing themselves to do the seemingly impossible. Although host Dean Rotbart has never raced to the South Pole or soared hundreds of feet off the ground in a harness below a fabric wing, this week he quizzes both Kevin and Amy on the extreme adventure of entrepreneurship. Photo: Kevin Vallely and Amy Posey, Wild SuccessPosted: May 25, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 51:21

It if wasn't so serious, it would almost be laughable, the contortions that people employ to open public doors without using their hands in the current coronavirus culture. The most common methods involve elbows, knees, and feet. For those who aren't contortionists, Dave Jabbas, a small business owner for the past four decades, and proud Wizard Academy alumnus, suggests a better solution. Touch-free doors that make each workplace and public facility safer and less threatening. Dave, founder of WholesaleLocks.com, is one of the nation's foremost experts on touch-free doors, and he joins host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart this week for a hands-on, hmmm, make that a "hands-off" tutorial on how any workplace, retail store, or restaurant can better serve their employees and customers with a simple wave of the hand. Dave is perfect proof that you don't need to live in Silicon Valley or have an Ivy League MBA to be a business innovator and visionary. Preview our new Monday Morning Radio community, Small Business Paramedics, featuring expert advice on how to buttress your business and reach your goals. Coming Summer 2020. Photo: Dave Jabas, WholesaleLocks.com Posted: May 18, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 37:49

When the history of the COVID-19 pandemic is written, it is certain to include many examples of government overreach and outright stupidity. The State of Maine will be a prime exhibit. With a total population of fewer than 1.5 million citizens, and only a fraction of New York's coronavirus deaths, the governor of Maine has imposed some of the most draconian lockdown rules in the nation. For residents of Maine, particularly those requiring regular dental treatments for ailments such as gum disease, the result has proven disastrous. This week, host and award-winning reporter Dean Rotbart speaks with a panel of four distinguished dentists who explain the serious health risks to patients who are locked out – whether in Maine or any other state – and also the economic ripple effect of shutting down dental practices and other health providers to all but emergency care. Included on Dean's panel is a Floridian, Dr. Samuel B. Low, who is an internationally renowned periodontist, academic, and expert on the risks of delaying dental care. Photos: Dr. Samuel B. Low, Dr. Daniel L. Steinke, Dr. David H. Pier, and Dr. Ted MorganPosted: May 11, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 57:28

When you think of today's entrepreneurs, who comes to mind: Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Mark Cuban, or Jeff Bezos? Wrong. Today's entrepreneurs are the owners of hair salons, restaurants, car washes, jewelry stories, and tens of thousands of other small businesses and professional practices that comprise the modern economy. In his new book, "The Soul of an Entrepreneur," author David Sax debunks just about every stereotype people have about founders, including their backgrounds, motivations, and measures of success. "David has his finger on the pulse of today's entrepreneur, much as author Studs Terkel did in his seminal 1974 book, 'Working,' says host Dean Rotbart. "Genuine entrepreneurs who hear this podcast will take comfort in knowing their dreams and struggles are shared by so many others, while nine-to-five workers will discover the truth behind the entrepreneurial myth." To order your own copy of "The Soul of an Entrepreneur," click here. Photo: David Sax, The Soul of an EntrepreneurPosted: May 4, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 47:31

Host and award-winning journalist, Dean Rotbart, and his multi-talented wife, Talya, recently co-authored a book about two Canadian entrepreneurs, Margaret and Riyaz Adat, who have become global role models for do-it-yourself charitable projects. The book, Perfectly Ordinary, Yet Extraordinary, recounts how the Adats, an upper-middle-class couple, used determination, focus, love, and limited personal resources to rescue a woebegone school in faraway Arusha, Tanzania, from the brink of collapse. This week, Margaret and Riyaz join Rotbart to share their experiences and lessons-learned, noting that anyone, no matter their resources, really can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The Rotbarts are donating 100% of the profits from their book, available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble to the students and faculty of the J.K. Nyerere School in Arusha. Photo: Margaret & Riyaz Adat, "Perfectly Ordinary"Posted: April 27, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 57:02

Wayne B. Titus III, a CPA whose Plymouth, Michigan, financial advisory firm, AMDG Financial, has assets of more than $150 million, digested all 800-plus pages of the $2 trillion CARES Act legislation to help his clients take full advantage of the various government programs aimed at helping employers and employees weather the COVID-19 shutdown tsunami. CARES is complex, and without a guide such as Titus, many owners and entrepreneurs stand to overlook aspects of the mammoth government program that could make the difference between survival and bankruptcy. One step, in particular, is critical for all employers, Titus explains to host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, who dubs Titus, "a small business paramedic." Discover Titus's #1 recommendation this week exclusively on Monday Morning Radio. Pick up a copy of Wayne Titus's small business primer, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Financial Well Being, here. Photo: Wayne B. Titus III, AMDG FinancialPosted: April 20, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 37:11

Too often entrepreneurs and business owners burn out, giving up on the dreams that propelled them in the first place. It happened to Dr. Dravon James, a pharmacist, and successful movie and stage actress. Having grown up in poverty on the South Side of Chicago, she eventually overcame multiple personal and professional hardships and formulated an approach that all of us can use to rekindle the fire within. Today, Dr. James is a successful author, consultant, and motivational speaker. Regardless of the obstacles we face, Dr. James tells host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, we can rediscover our passion for what we do and pursue the life of our dreams. Pick up a copy of Dr. James's new book, Freedom Is Your Birthright, here. Photo: Dr. Dravon James, Everyday PeacePosted: April 13, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 41:15

More than a decade ago, Robbie Kellman Baxter – a graduate of both Harvard University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business who worked as a strategy consultant at Booz-Allen & Hamilton – coined the phrase "The Membership Economy" to describe the trend of consumers to embrace subscription-based products and services. Popular examples include: Stitch Fix, Dollar Shave Club, Netflix, BarkBox, and Freshly. Now, in her just published book, The Forever Transaction: How to Build a Subscription Model So Compelling, Your Customers Will Never Want to Leave, Baxter details how any business – big or small – can create and attract membership clients and keep them for a lifetime. Especially as people hunker down in response to COVID-19, Baxter, founder of the consulting firm, Peninsula Strategies, tells host and award-winning reporter Dean Rotbart that subscription-based business models are proving invaluable. To purchase a copy of The Forever Transaction, click here.To order fresh-roasted coffee from Creature Coffee, click here. Photo: Robbie Kellman Baxter, Peninsula StrategiesPosted: April 6, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 47:41

In October 2019, host and award-winning journalist Dean Rotbart, invited Michael Craig on Monday Morning Radio to detail his quixotic quest to build a three-headed company, Creature Coffee, selling specialty blends at pop-up expresso bars, online, and at his bricks-and-mortar coffeehouse in Austin, Texas. Everything was going according to plan for Craig until a few week's ago when Austin's South by Southwest mega-event was cancelled due to coronavirus, and rapidly thereafter the city's mayor ordered all dining areas closed. Like tens of thousands of American small business owners, overnight, Craig found his business endangered, and his many baristas without work. Not just a statistic, this week Craig shares his very personal struggle to survive the fallout from coronavirus and live to fight another day. Photo: Michael Craig, www.CreatureCoffee.coPosted: March 30, 2020Monday Morning Run Time: 21:50