Welcome to another episode of Thrive, the show that helps you turn today’s uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage. This week, host Meredith Elliott Powell sits down with Verl Workman, a serial entrepreneur, renowned real estate coach, and the author of Raving Referrals. Verl brings his incredible personal story of rising from poverty to industry leadership, sharing how resilience, relationships, and a “STUPID goals” mentality transformed his trajectory. Together, they dive deep into the power of building authentic connections, why referrals are the lifeblood of any thriving business, and actionable steps you can take—no matter your industry—to unlock the doors to growth when times feel most uncertain. Get ready to discover why relationships are your greatest currency, how to set game-changing goals, and the one habit you need to build right now to propel yourself through ambiguity and into success.

https://workmansuccess.com/

https://ravingreferrals.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/verlworkman/

Welcome to another episode of Thrive, the podcast that helps you turn uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage. I’m your host, Meredith Elliott Powell, and today we’re diving into the rewarding and sometimes misunderstood world of franchising. Whether you’re exploring business ownership, looking to scale your operations, or just curious about what it takes to make it in the franchise world, you’re in the right place.

Joining me is Mark Siebert, founder of the iFranchise Group and a leading expert in franchising. Mark shares insider insights on why franchising can be a powerful growth strategy, what makes a business ready to franchise, and the key differences between successful franchisors and franchisees. He covers everything from planning for uncertainty to averting common pitfalls, so you can move forward with confidence in any business landscape.

And there’s a special bonus for Thrive listeners: Mark is offering a FREE chapter from his book, “How to Franchise Your Business.” Even better, if you mention this podcast on his website, you could receive a complimentary copy of the entire book to help you on your franchise journey. Just head over to ifranchisegroup.com and drop in the name “Powell” to unlock these resources.

This episode is packed with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and valuable tools for anyone ready to level up in business—so plug in and get ready to thrive!

https://www.ifranchisegroup.com/

Welcome to Thrive, the podcast where we turn uncertainty into your greatest competitive advantage. In this episode, host Meridith Elliott Powell sits down with Scott Leese, founder of Leese Consulting, whose incredible story of overcoming severe illness and launching a successful sales career is both inspiring and full of actionable lessons.

Scott opens up about facing life-threatening health challenges in his 20s and how that experience shaped his relentless drive and perspective on life and business. Meriedith and Scott explore how adversity can fuel success, the importance of urgency, and practical strategies for building resilience, especially in today’s unpredictable world.

From surviving “the hardest thing” to becoming a top sales leader and entrepreneur, Scott shares his journey and provides invaluable advice on adapting to change, building a personal brand, and why entrepreneurial thinking matters more than ever. Tune in for wise, motivating insights to help you set the stage for your own success—no matter what life throws your way.

https://scottleeseconsulting.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese/

Welcome to Thrive! I’m your host, Meredith Elliott Powell, and today we’re taking on a topic that every leader faces but most want to avoid: workplace conflict. I’m thrilled to welcome my guests, Karin Hurt and David Dye, the dynamic duo behind Let’s Grow Leaders and the authors of "Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict."

Karin and David are here to share research-backed insights on why workplace conflict is on the rise, what’s really driving it, and—most importantly—how to handle it with confidence. We’ll talk about their four dimensions for productive collaboration, practical habits for teams, and some of the best phrases you can use to turn conflict into a true advantage.

If you’re looking for real-world solutions to take the stress out of difficult conversations and build a stronger, more innovative team, this episode is for you. Let’s get started!

https://letsgrowleaders.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hurt/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdye/

Welcome to this episode of Thrive, the podcast where we dive into proven strategies to help you turn uncertainty into your biggest competitive advantage. I’m your host, Meredith Elliott Powell, and today we’re exploring one of the most essential—and often misunderstood—aspects of professional success: networking. But not just any networking. Our guest, Michael Forman, a true expert in building connections, introduces us to the concept of strategic networking.

Together, we’ll unpack why cultivating relationships matters now more than ever, how true connection is much more than just trading business cards or attending Zoom calls, and why even the most introverted among us can master the art of networking with just a little practice—and the right mindset. You’ll hear real-world advice on where to start, how to overcome the fear of rejection, and why Michael believes following up is just as important as making the initial connection.

Whether you’re new to networking, looking to sharpen your skills, or hoping to help your team unlock the power of relationships, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you grow, succeed, and profit. So, get ready to take notes—your next big opportunity may be just one strategic conversation away!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelforman/

https://www.michaelaforman.com/

Hey there, and welcome to another episode of Thrive! Today, we're chatting with Carson Heady, the ultimate Salesman on Fire, who's been shaking things up at big names like Microsoft, AT&T, and Verizon. Join host Meredith Elliott Powell as she dives into Carson's unique strategies that help you turn all this market craziness into a winning play. You'll get the scoop on how personal branding can really set you apart and hear some down-to-earth advice straight from Carson's books, "A Salesman on Fire" and "The Show Must Go On." Whether you're looking to step up your sales game or need a fresh perspective, this episode's packed with everything you need to get inspired and ready to take action. Tune in and let’s get thriving!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsonvheady/

https://carsonvheady.wordpress.com/

Hey there, welcome to another episode of Thrive! Today, Meredith Elliott Powell chats with the amazing Mike Robbins about keeping your head in the game when everything around you feels like a rollercoaster. Mike's got a cool story—from almost making it big in baseball, an injury changed his path, leading him to become a top speaker and coach in leadership. They dig into why connecting with people on a real level and having the right mindset is a game-changer for team success. Plus, they share how to turn all this uncertainty into your secret weapon. If you’re looking to make sense of the chaos and find your groove in today’s crazy world, you won’t want to miss this episode!

https://mike-robbins.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/

Welcome to Thrive, where we turn uncertainty into your competitive edge. I'm your host, Meredith Elliott Powell, and today we're uncovering the essence of human connection with personality strategist Angel Tucker. In an AI-dominated world, Angel emphasizes the importance of understanding and communicating effectively with others. From her start with motivational tapes at Amway to becoming an expert with the DISC model, Angel’s insights highlight how genuine communication can transform relationships and organizational success. Join us as we explore building trust, improving negotiation skills, and fostering a culture of effective dialogue. Get ready to thrive by mastering the art of human connection.

https://usingdisc.com/

https://usingdisc.com/shop/