ADVANCE: Take Your Next Step with Mike Acker

Ep 24 | Advance your leadership, career, & life through SELF LEADERSHIP with Andrew Bryant [Season 2]

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 24 What is meant by self-leadership? Why is it an essential skill to cultivate as a leader? In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike interviews Andrew Bryant about all that and more. Andrew Bryant is a coach, leadership facilitator, motivational speaker, the Founder of Self-Leadership by Andrew Bryant and the author of 3 books on self-leadership, including The Self-Leadership Playbook. Passionate about all things leadership, Andrew has always kept himself open t...

Ep 23 | Stand out with Your Unique Selling Proposition & Positivity with Marley Majcher [Season 2]

Ep 22 | Transfer Proven Principles into Business Success with Patrick Parker [Season 2]

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 22   Learning how to launch, grow, and successfully run your business? In today's episode of the Advance Podcast, learn the secrets to exceptional entrepreneurship from athlete-turned-entrepreneur Patrick Parker, who runs not one but five successful businesses! Over the last five years, Patrick has built out five different software companies, two of which are now venture-backed, and all of those are generating over a million dollars in revenues. Patrick's entrepren...

Ep 21 | Shaping the Future of Business through Employee Experience & Feedback with Michael Yinger [ Season 2 ]

Ep 20 | Integrity - The secret of inspiring and motivating your entire company to achieve success with Jeffrey Klubeck [ Season 2 ]

What does it mean to be a leader of integrity, and what does integrity mean in the workplace? Companies with a culture of integrity know that when the value drives employees, they understand and execute their responsibilities ethically and proactively, hold themselves accountable for their results, and are – in short – a true asset.   In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike interviews coach and author Jeffrey Klubeck about the importance of integrity at work and how it powers organiza...

Ep 19| The 11 Universal Qualities of 5-Star Employees with Danielle Mulvey [ Season 2 ]

There are good employees and there are excellent employees. There are also those employees you know aren’t performing well enough to stay or progress in your company. But to begin with, on what basis do you assess your employees’ performance? What makes a five-star employee? Does a two-star employee have to stay a two-star employee? How can they grow themselves?   Find answers to all those questions in this episode of the Advance podcast with Mike and his guest Danielle Mulvey. Danielle re...

Ep 18| Discover Your Leadership Style to Make or Break Your Career with Robert Jordan [ Season 2 ]

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 18   Have you ever considered what kind of leader you are or would make? Do you work best under chaos, or are you someone who works best when things are clear? Can you multitask?    Whatever your leadership type, this episode would be helpful for you. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike interviews Robert Jordan about the four different styles of leadership he has described in his book, ‘Right Leader, Right Time’. You’ll learn what makes the four kinds of ...

Ep 17 | Growing Confidently Amidst Doubt, Uncertainty, and Unease with Amy Wong [ Season 2 ]

Many of us are living in fear: fear of something in the future or regret and resentment about things in the past. However, if we live in the present moment, we can achieve peace of mind despite any uncertainty. Amy Wong joins Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast to discuss how to live in the present and on purpose. Amy explains the cause of our dissatisfaction, resentment, and anxiety in life and shares some actionable insights on overcoming them, which she has also discussed in her ...

Ep 15 | Resilience from Prison to PhD with Dr Stanley Andrisse [ Season 2 ]

If you think you know enough about the power of resilience, you probably haven’t heard Stanley Andrisse’s story. After a series of wrong choices early on in life got him into prison – for 10 years, he knew it would take nothing but strong will, determination, and untethered resilience to succeed in his dream of becoming a doctor. Fast forward to today, Stanley is a Ph.D. and MBA holder, a doctor, author, and entrepreneur, who aims to change the lives of others with criminal convictions “thro...

Ep 17 | The Secret to Success in the Hospitality Industry With Nick Mautone [ Season 2 ]

Ep 16 | Accept or Solve Conflict to do Better and Feel Better at Work With Liz-Kislik [ Season 2 ]

It's not always easy to get things done, especially when people have different opinions or when they disagree on the organizational goals or processes. Most of us would rather avoid conflicts and arguments, but there are enough reasons you should sometimes not, which we're exploring today. Join Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews Liz Kislik, a consultant, coach, speaker, facilitator, and contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Entrepreneur. She speaks wi...

Ep 14 | Strategy, Multiplication, and Breakthrough with Simon Severino [ Season 2 ]

If your business is struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital landscape, today's episode would teach you how the agile method of working was invented to help you overcome it. Join Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews Simon Severino, a Business Strategy Advisor for SaaS or Services Businesses. Simon shares the common bottlenecks entrepreneurs experience in their journeys and how to overcome them using the methods explained in his book, Strategy Sprints...

Ep 13 | Schmooze Your Way to Success With Cody Lowry [ Season 2 ]

At just 11 years old, Cody Lowry had learned to face rejections and discovered the power of persistence in transforming your life. Launching his career as a salesperson, Cody grew in knowledge and worth over the years, taking up multiple roles as an author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, and "schmoozer". The last one is also a concept we're breaking down in detail today that Cody also talks about in his book, SCHMOOZE - What they should teach at Harvard Business School. In this episode,...

Ep 12 | Purposeful Relationships and Meaningful Communication With Lisa Morton [ Season 2 ]

The world has changed, and with it, the way people lead. The days of the commanding leader are over. Modern leaders need to be firm but kind, they need to build trust, be open to input from others, and support their team. In other words, they need to be value-driven and effective communicators. This is true of leaders at all levels, from business CEOs to first-time managers. It’s about being a leader for the 21st century. Join in this episode with Mike and his guest Lisa Morton, who’s the F...

Ep 11 | Get Promoted and Get More of What You Want With Michael Wenderoth [ Season 2 ]

Networking is a competence for every employee or entrepreneur looking to advance their career. The better you are at building relationships, the higher your chances of getting yourself promoted. Also, the expertise to build relationships can be learned. It's a skill you can develop, as will be discussed in this episode of the Advance podcast. In this episode, Mike speaks with Michael about competence and incompetence in business. While many of us are looped in thought that repeatedly questi...

Ep 10 | The Art & Science of Effective Storytelling with Mark Carpenter [ Season 2 ]

Do you believe that stories are the best way to get your message across? Maybe you should. Stories are more than just a craft; they're a fundamental part of how we communicate with each other and the world. In this episode of Advance, we’re joined by author, speaker, and facilitator Mike Carpenter, who discusses all the power and scope of storytelling. They discuss what happens in people's minds when listening to stories and how to put your message across while engaging in storytelling by s...

Ep 9 | Business Storytelling is Dead; Build a Strategic Narrative Instead Advance With Guiallaume Wiatr [ Season 2 ]

Storytelling has, for the longest time, remained a fundamental component of business and culture. But in the last few years, it has undergone a transition to strategic narratives, as our guest Guiallaume Wiatr reveals today. What explains this change? Join in this episode to know as Guiallaume Wiatr talks about it in great detail. Comparing business storytelling with strategic narratives, Guiallaume explains how companies are growing beyond the former way so that it doesn't only engage cust...

Ep 8 | Why Speaking Gives You Leverage As a Leader [ Season 2 ]

A lot has been talked about the importance and power of public speaking. But do you know it has a marketing benefit too? With the right preparation and a few hacks, public speaking can be turned into a powerful marketing strategy that can help you get your business off the ground and make your name known in your industry. Today, Mike interviews established public speaker and coach Odell Bizell. Odell shares his take on the marketing benefits of public speaking and the ways to become an effe...

Ep 7 | Keep your team focused through speaking & leadership [ Season 2 ]

Having a vision — and being able to communicate that vision to your team — is key to being a great leader. There’s an undeniable link between speaking and leadership, knowing which is key to business success. In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike talks to you about the 3 essential questions to ask yourself before attending a speaking event and how they help determine the purpose, importance, and effectiveness of your speaking. You’ll learn about why you must be led by a vision – be i...

Ep 6 | Speak and Lead Team Members [ Season 2 ]

What is the most effective way to communicate with your direct reports? Have you considered guiding them with questions, helping them figure out solutions and improvement ways by themselves, or do you still follow the traditional lead-with-answers methodology? In this episode, Mike discusses why the former method is the most effective in leading your team with confidence while naturally instilling in them qualities of accountability and responsibility. You’ll learn the three Ps to asking q...

Ep 5 | Speak and Lead Team Members [ Season 2 ]

What is the most effective way to communicate with your direct reports? Have you considered guiding them with questions, helping them figure out solutions and improvement ways by themselves, or do you still follow the traditional lead-with-answers methodology?  In this episode, Mike discusses why the former method is the most effective in leading your team with confidence while naturally instilling in them qualities of accountability and responsibility. You’ll learn the three Ps to asking q...

Ep 5 | Get Rid of Fillers in Public Speaking & Even Conversations [ Season 2 ]

Why do you think so many of us use fillers in communication, stammer when stressed, and are unable to reach the audience's minds through our words? Because sometimes, we need some time to think before we say something. And the best way (we think) we can buy that is by using fillers or other inefficiencies in communication.  Today, Mike coaches podcaster and content creator Adam Macias on communication, LIVE on the Advance Podcast. Kill your fillers and communication discrepancies as Mike ch...

Ep 4 | Zoom Better [ Season 2 ]

Technology is progressing at an exploding pace. Since the pandemic, remote conversations and conferences have increased, something that wasn’t normal to most of us before. But whatever the cause, we’re all forced to adapt to the change. And it starts with learning effective virtual communication. In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike teaches you how to make the best out of virtual conferencing and communication by sharing the three specifics to doing it right. He teaches you to conve...

Ep 3 | Creative Risks and Scaleable Leadership [ Season 2 ]

As an entrepreneur, "losing" is a risky word. But though victory is enthralling, it's also fleeting; there'll always be another mountain to climb. Failure teaches you something new every time. This is why failures shouldn't bother you so much; it is never about winning or losing; it's about winning or learning, as Nelson Mandela once said. In this episode, Mike is joined by Serial Entrepreneur Jonathan Shroyer. Jonathan shares all about building successful businesses, learning from failures...

Ep 2 | Innovation, Perseverance, & Trust with Jeff Wright [ Season 2 ]

The world is full of naysayers, and often, the things we say to ourselves are just as bad. But the question is if you don't believe in yourself, who will? Holding yourself back from success is the easy route, but no one will care more about your success than you. Jeff Wright started an exploding business by just believing in himself, and success came calling. In this episode, Jeff sits with Mike to explore his path to success, including how he got started and overcame the challenges. He als...

Ep 1 | The Five Drivers of Success [ Season 2 ]

What is your definition of success? How do you plan on achieving it?  In this episode, Mike shows you the five different drivers of success. These include education, expertise and experience, emotional intelligence, communication, and work ethics. Tune in to learn the skills in detail.   EPISODE 1 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS What are the five drivers of success? 02:49  Education What type of success do you want? Does it require formal education, or does self-education help? Success is no lon...

Ep 46 | A Proven Way to Increase Your Influence with Chandler Bolt

FREE BOOK OFFER! https://learn.self-publishingschool.com/published-relaunch?relaunch_partner=Mike%20Acker INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 46 Perhaps you've been musing over your idea for a book for years now. Maybe you've spent a couple of months writing down your ideas, or you've even attempted to write the whole thing. But something is always getting in the way. When you're supposed to be writing it, you're busy with work; when you have free time, you can't find the motivation to focus. And som...

Ep 45 | Market Your Message with Tim Fitzpatrick (part 2)

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 45 Marketing is more than just advertising. Though anyone can advertise their product, it takes skill to generate interest, create brand awareness and sell products and services. How do you do that? In part 2 of Mike’s conversation with Tim Fitzpatrick, we learn in detail about marketing fundamentals and how to put them into action. Tim talks about the free resources he’s offering for our listeners at the Advance podcast and how you can make the best use of them! F...

Ep 44 | From Plan to Market with Tim Fitzpatrick (part 1)

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 44 It’s rare to find someone who isn’t aware of the importance of marketing today -- be it their brand, message, business, or even themselves. But how informed are we when it comes to discovering, growing or expanding our target audience? Tim Fitzpatrick joins Mike in this episode of the Advance Podcast to provide actionable insight for businesses or entrepreneurs to find, understand, and work with their target audiences. We’ll explore marketing fundamentals, how to...

Ep 43 | Storytelling, Arts, and Science with Speaker Sriram Emani

Check out Sriram's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com Or invite him to speak - [email protected] --- INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 43 Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do - it's how we communicate, it's how we build relationships, and most importantly, it's how we entertain each other. Of late, business teams are starting to understand the power of this art to try to bridge this distinction between arts and management.  In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike inter...

Ep 42 | Negotiation, Mediation, and Communication with Rosalie Fisher

Check out Rosalie's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com Or invite her to speak - [email protected] --- INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 42 What makes communication so tricky in conflicted and diverse settings? Why do we get awkward or angry? Why do we get easily threatened and frustrated? What can we do about it?  To answer these questions (and much more!), Rosalie Fisher joins Mike on this episode of Advance Podcast. Dr. Rosalie Fisher is a professor at Arizona State University and ha...

Ep 41 | Most People Don't... But You Do - Bart Berkey shares his wisdom!

Check out Bart's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com Or invite him to speak - [email protected] --- INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 41 Hospitality is an increasingly competitive field, with success almost entirely dependent on human connection. If you want to know how to achieve success in this field, this episode is for you. Today, Mike interviews Bart Berkey, the winner of the 2021 best luxury hospitality award, keynote speaker and host of the podcast, Most People Don't, But You Do. ...

Ep 40 | Dream Equal and Gen Z Influence with Ina Bhoopalam

Check out Ina's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com Or invite her to speak - [email protected] --- INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 40 Most people don’t think about the concept of gender stereotyping until they become an adult. However, gender discrimination starts as early as childhood - at the age of six, to be exact. Ina Bhoopalam, the young Founder and Executive Director of Dream Equal, dug into the issue when just in high school. Having faced gender stereotyping as a student, she w...

Ep 39 | Creativity, Hard-work, and Excellence with Speaker Shawn Conrad

Check out Shawn's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com Or invite him to speak - [email protected] --- INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 39 Life can be simple or complex — depending on how we choose to live our lives. We all lead different lives, and, as such, we use different tools and techniques to make sure we’re accomplishing the things we need to accomplish. That’s where prioritization and preparedness come into play. Shawn Conrad is a man of many talents - he’s a renowned speaker, ar...

Ep 38 | Social Entrepreneurship & Tech for Good with Pamela Hawley

Check out Pamela's Keynotes at www.audacityspeakers.com Or invite her to speak - [email protected] --- INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 38 Is social good just the same as Corporate Social Responsibility? Pamela Hawley, Founder and CEO at UniversalGiving, shares with us her incredible life founding and running a tech-for-good company, and all the while enjoying the responsibilities that come with her job. Universal Giving is an award-winning nonprofit that helps people give and volunteer ...

Ep 37 | How to Become a Paid Speaker or Influencer

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 37 It is true that becoming a paid public speaker (or influencer) is one of the most attractive career choices today or simply a great side-hustle. But talking in front of a crowd requires you to master some skills that are absolutely necessary. What are these skills? How can you master them? Let’s find out. Learn how to build yourself as a speaker, the foundation sources you need to stay in the game, and much more from Mike Acker in this episode of the Advance pod...

Ep 36 | Ease Anxiety and Fear in Speaking, Leadership, & Life

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 36 One of the things that keep you from being a great public speaker is anxiety. We invest so much of our energy thinking over and over the worst-case scenarios and in the process, fall short of giving our best each time. In this episode, Mike talks about easing our anxiety during public speaking. He shares four highly useful strategies to improve our speaking. And the best part? These apply to events of any scale, be it high-profile interviews, online meetings or l...

Ep 35 | Hacking Executive Leadership with Emily Sander

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 35 Many of us aspire to be promoted and move up the corporate ladder, at one point or another in our lives. But what does it take to get to the top? Is there a specific career strategy you can follow to get yourself promoted? In this episode of the Advance Podcast, Mike speaks with author and leadership coach Emily Sanders about getting to the top of the leadership structure at your company. Emily discusses her book, Hacking Executive Leadership, shares how she land...

Ep 34 | Lead Kids - Speak to Kids about Business Finances

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 34 It can be a tricky conversation to have, but teaching your kids financial management from a young age can help instill good money habits now and into the future. When you show them how to make money and what to do with the money earned, you’re equipping them with business skills early on in their life. In this episode, Mike Acker shares how to speak to your kids about finances and how to raise their learning bar to help them achieve what they’re truly capable of....

Ep 33 | Lead Kids - Teaching Entrepreneurial Skills

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 33 If you think that your kids cannot understand business fundamentals at a young age, this episode will do the job of flipping your thoughts over. Teaching your kids basic entrepreneurial skills now could help pave their way for future endeavors. Today, we learn the four simple questions you could ask your children to teach them business fundamentals at an early age and what areas of entrepreneurship you're showing them in the process. Mike shares exactly how he i...

Ep 32 | Lead Kids - How to communicate money management

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 32 Money management is undoubtedly a crucial skill your kids will have to learn as they grow up. By teaching them that when they're little, you're preparing them to make great financial decisions later in life. Over the next three weeks, we'll be talking about leading and speaking to your kids in a way that sets them up for success in the future. In today's episode, Mike discusses the importance of teaching kids money management at an early age and how to do that in...

Ep 31 | Be Present

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 31 One of the most effective skills of a good speaker is their ability to be in the moment while they deliver. Reliving the past or constantly worrying about the future takes away the opportunity of presenting well when you have to. How do you cultivate the habit of being in the present? In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike discusses our tendency to gravitate towards the future or regret past experiences while communicating. We learn how to converge our tho...

Ep 30 | Write a Book

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 30 Are you someone who has a story, idea, or expertise to share with people but are hesitant to write a book?  When you write and publish your book, you establish yourself through it. It is an incredible way for you to convey that you and your ideas are here to stay. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike Acker shares his journey writing his top-rated books, discusses the benefits of writing books, and how to do it. We also understand ghostwriting as a means t...

Ep 29 | Make Friends and Impact People

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 29 Do you sometimes feel like you need someone outside of your family to talk to or spend time with? That’s why we all need friends in our life. Now that the world is still in lockdown conditions, good friends could make you feel less isolated.  In today’s episode of the Advance podcast, Mike shares the importance of friendships and discusses a few ways by which you can make good friends in life. He digs into his experience trying to find friends in the past and exp...

Ep 28 | Reverse Engineer Your Life

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 28 How can you reverse engineer leadership so as to succeed personally and professionally? Why is understanding your goals paramount to becoming a good leader? In this episode, Mike breaks down the process of accomplishing goals for anybody heading without or losing track of their vision in life. Learn why it is necessary to map your target before you start out on your venture. EPISODE 28 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS How does reverse engineering apply to leadership goals?...

Ep 27 | Rambling Wastes Money

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 27 Are you a Rambler? If so, do you know how that impacts your audiences and clients? Rambling makes you lose not only time and interest, but also money.  Join Mike Acker in today’s episode as he talks about rambling in leadership and communication, walks you through the different types of rambling, and gives actionable advice to help you get over it. Listen in! EPISODE 27 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS What are the three different types of rambling? 2:50 The first type o...

Ep 26 | Leading Through Family Decisions with Dr Christopher Brown

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 26 Knowing how to be lead through family decisions is as important as leading your way through your professional life. Learn how you can achieve the feat as Professor Christopher Brown walks us through the process.  Dr. Christopher Brown is the author of the famous book, Ready to Kindergarten, and specializes in the whole area of leaving your kids in school. In this episode of the Advance podcast, Mike speaks to him on leading your child through the early stages of ...

Ep 25 | Empower People with Belief

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 25 Self-empowerment happens when you start believing you can. When was the last time you had somebody help you believe in yourself and your potential?  Join Mike Acker on this episode of the Advance podcast as he shows you how to empower oneself with the belief by walking you through a framework that tells you how to do that. He also talks about micromanagement and how it can bring employee motivation levels down. Listen in today and learn how to empower yourself an...

Ep 24 | The Human REACH with AJ Mizes

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 24 Are you someone who is or will be seeking a job opportunity right now or in the next coming months? We are all in a wholly different world today, and the process of looking for jobs is not the same as it used to be before. How do you adapt to the changing times and find the next best step to landing your dream job?  Join Mike Acker on this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews A. J. Mizes, a talent and human potential enthusiast with over a decade's wor...

Ep 23 | The Hollywood Approach to Life with Kristina Paider

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 23 Do you realize that every one of us, right now, is designing our lives? Kristina Piader tells us why it is so by walking us through the many lessons she learned in her career as a Hollywood screenwriter. Join in to learn the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Time-based) process of setting goals in the industry and what you can imbibe from it!  Kristina has been a Hollywood screenwriter for 23 years. She has studied with the major Hollywood i...