My guest today is Sara Nay. Her journey from intern to CEO at Duct Tape Marketing is a testament to resilience and strategic growth. Her story is not just about personal success but also about empowering small businesses to thrive amidst change.

In our conversation, Sara emphasizes the need for businesses to future-proof themselves by understanding the evolving role of AI. At Duct Tape Marketing, they conducted an exercise to help team members identify tasks that could be AI-assisted, allowing them to focus on human-centric roles. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also empowers employees to leverage their strengths.

Sara's upcoming book, "Unchained: Breaking Free from Broken Marketing Models," aims to empower small businesses by advocating for strategy before tactics. She believes that small businesses can take ownership of their marketing by working with fractional CMOs and integrating AI systems strategically

Episode Minutes:

Minute 2: Intern to CEO

Minute 22: Team Engagement and Culture

Minute 35: Personal Growth and Mindset

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

Energy Management: The Leadership Superpower No One Talks About

This week, we’re challenging one of the most common myths in leadership: that optimizing your time is the key to success. The truth? Many high-achieving leaders have perfectly organized calendars and they’re still exhausted, unfulfilled, and disconnected from their most meaningful goals.

In this episode, we explore a powerful shift: managing your energy, not just your time, in service of goals that align with your authentic purpose. If you’ve been feeling drained despite “doing everything right,” this episode is for you.

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

After a decade in corporate America, she felt a calling to make a more profound impact. Her journey from a high-powered sales role to founding a nonprofit is a testament to the power of vision and determination. In this episode my guest Jessica Bartnick Co-Founder and CEO of Foundation for Choice shares her story, challenges, and the incredible impact her organization has had on countless lives.

The Leap from Corporate to Nonprofit: Jessica spent over ten years in various sales and management roles, but something was missing. "I felt unfulfilled," she recalls. The turning point came when she realized the need to give back and make a difference. This realization led her to start volunteering at a school, which eventually inspired her to establish a nonprofit focused on helping low-income students access education.

The Power of Mentorship: Mentorship plays a crucial role in Jessica's organization. By pairing students with mentors, they provide the tools and resources needed to succeed.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 10: The Turning Point

Minute 15: Overcoming Challenges in the Nonprofit Sector

Minute 35: Loll's Inspiring Story

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

How Scattered Attention is Destroying Leadership Effectiveness

This week on the podcast, I'm tackling one of the biggest threats to leadership effectiveness today: scattered attention. With executives checking email every 6 minutes and switching between apps over 1,000 times a day, it's no surprise that strategic thinking has become a lost art. But here’s the truth—this constant fragmentation isn’t just exhausting, it’s eroding your ability to focus on what matters most: goals that align with your authentic mission.

In this episode, we explore how to reclaim your focus by aligning your attention with meaningful work. Tune in, take notes, and start protecting your most valuable resource: your focus.

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

My guest today is Christian Nunes, the dynamic founder and CEO of Equity Bound Solutions

Christian, who brings a wealth of experience as a licensed clinical social worker and former trauma therapist, delves into the pressing issue of bias in AI development. She explains how the implicit biases of AI developers can inadvertently influence technology, leading to algorithmic biases.

Christian shares her journey from social work to becoming a thought leader in AI ethics, emphasizing the need for intersectional and inclusive leadership in tech. She discusses the importance of involving diverse voices in AI development to prevent harm and ensure that technology serves all of humanity equitably.

Through her work, Christian advises tech companies on addressing issues. Christian's passion for continuous learning and her commitment to social impact shine through as she offers practical advice for leaders navigating the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 10: Christian's Journey to AI Ethics

Minute 20: Addressing Algorithmic Bias

Minute 25: Challenges in Addressing AI Bias

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

Why Doing More is Making You Less Effective

Real productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. Too many high-performing leaders are stuck in a cycle of back-to-back meetings, endless tasks, and constant motion—yet making little real progress toward their most meaningful goals.

This week’s episode dives into the hidden trap of “performative productivity” and why aligning with your authentic purpose is the key to breakthrough results.

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

In this insightful interview, Jeff Hancher delves into his transformative journey from humble beginnings as a truck driver to becoming a renowned leadership trainer, keynote speaker, and author. Jeff shares the pivotal moment when he decided to leave a successful corporate career at Cintas to pursue his passion for leadership development and training.

He emphasizes the importance of providing firm feedback in leadership, a theme central to his book, "Firm Feedback in a Fragile World." Throughout the conversation, Jeff highlights the critical role of mentors in his life, recounting how their guidance and tough conversations helped shape his career and personal growth. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship, particularly during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he navigated these obstacles with resilience and determination.

Jeff also explores the concept of living authentically and the significance of building strong, supportive relationships in both personal and professional settings. He encourages leaders to embrace tough conversations as opportunities for transformation and growth, underscoring the idea that effective leadership is about driving engagement rather than mere compliance. The interview concludes with Jeff's call to action for leaders to seek continuous learning and development, whether through his book, podcast, or other resources.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 5: Transition to Entrepreneurship

Minute 10: The Power of Firm Feedback

Minute 20: Building Strong Relationships

Minute 30: Overcoming Challenges

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here

The Leadership Gap That's Sabotaging Your Best Intentions

You’re being transparent, but your team still feels guarded. Sound familiar? Michael faced this exact challenge—he was open with his emotions but unintentionally created uncertainty.

The gap wasn’t in his honesty, but in how his emotions were showing up for others. In today's Weekly Leader's Digest episode, we’re unpacking how emotional recognition—balancing hope, trust, compassion, and stability—can close that gap and build authentic leadership presence.

Bonus: Did hear my big announcement last week? I’m launching a NEW BOOK in September called The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within

To find out more about my work, please visit www.danawilliamsco.com

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Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com

The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to plan your days. Get Your copy here