Entrepreneurship Episodes

From Corporate Boardrooms to Small Business Breakthroughs: Ingredients for Success with James Orsini Stay On Course Podcast | Host: Julie Riga | Guest: James Orsini What does it really take to build a thriving small business and how do the lessons of the Fortune 500 world translate to the entrepreneurial journey? In this candid and inspiring conversation, Julie Riga sits down with seasoned executive James Orsini to unpack the mindset shifts, operational disciplines, and leadership principles t...

Stop Chasing Maybes: The Perfect Fit Client Method for B2B Sales Success Overview In this transformative episode, Julie Riga sits down with Nicoleta Hajek, founder of Pro Sales and the voice behind Empower Sales by Nico, for her very first podcast appearance. Nicoleta reveals her powerful Perfect Fit Client Method - a simple yet revolutionary approach that helps SME founders and technical teams build repeatable B2B sales systems. Together, they explore the three-part framework (FIT, IMPACT, URG...

From PodFest to Purpose: Building Your Podcast Legacy Through Growth and Connection Guest: Junaid Ahmed, Home Studio Architect and Host of Hacks and Hobbies: Passion to Profit Stories Host: Julie Riga Overview In this inspiring episode recorded live at PodFest 2026, host Julie Riga connects with Junaid Ahmed for their second annual PodFest conversation. Junaid, known as the Home Studio Architect and host of Hacks and Hobbies: Passion to Profit Stories, shares powerful insights on podcast growt...

Leading Change When The Old You No Longer Works: Navigating High-Stakes Transformation with Heart-Centered Leadership Guest: Lin Coughlin, Executive Coach & Strategic Advisor Host: Julie Riga Overview In this powerful episode, Julie sits down with Lin Coughlin, an executive coach who spent 20 years in C-suite roles leading transformative change. Lin shares her wisdom on navigating high-stakes inflection points, building constituencies for change, and why leading bold transformation requires bo...

Brain-Based Leadership: How Awareness, Curiosity, and Presence Transform the Way You Lead Guest: Tracy Benson, Top 1% LinkedIn Coach & Brain-Based Leadership Expert Host: Julie Riga Overview Join Julie Riga as she sits down with Tracy Benson, a top 1% LinkedIn coach and brain-based leadership expert who has spent over three decades helping senior leaders create clarity, alignment, and real performance. Tracy blends neuroscience, leadership psychology, and practical business strategy to give l...

This episode marks an exciting milestone for the podcast. After launching in 2022, the show has officially begun charting on Apple Podcasts, and the momentum is just getting started. The focus for this year is clear and ambitious becoming a Top Ten podcast in the Entrepreneurship category. Listeners are invited into the Before I Lead community on Skool, a free space designed for small business owners who want greater visibility, stronger leadership skills, and real connection. The community off...

Beyond the Game: How One NBA Player Transformed Adversity Into Impact Guest: Gary Forbes, Former NBA Player, Published Author & Founder of Soul Survivors Host: Julie Riga Overview In this inspiring episode of the Stay On Course podcast, host Julie Riga sits down with former NBA player Gary Forbes to explore what happens when life takes you beyond the game you thought would define you. Gary shares his powerful journey from professional basketball to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, revealing the...

Embark on an unbelievable journey with Blaine Bartlett, a leadership expert and bestselling author, as he unveils the secrets to entrepreneurial success and the soul of business on the latest episode of the Stay on Course Podcast. Discover the transformative power of mindset, overcoming fear, and the terror barrier as essential steps in personal and professional growth. Dive deep into the realms of imagination and learn how it shapes reality, driving innovation in the business world. Blaine Bart...

From Corporate Ladder to Freedom: The Franchise Path to Business Ownership Guest: Doris Fink, President of Plan B 2000 Inc | Host: Julie Riga Overview Julie sits down with Doris Fink, who turned an unexpected $300,000 opportunity into two decades of helping professionals create their Plan B. Doris shares her journey from single mom working three jobs to successful business owner, revealing the truth nobody talks about—why the first two years are hardest and how franchise ownership provides the ...

The Bravery Effect: How to Lead Yourself Before You Lead Others Episode Overview What if the key to your greatest success isn't waiting until you feel confident but acting despite your fear? Marine Corps veteran Jill Schulman reveals why professionals are stuck in comfort that masquerades as happiness, and how developing bravery transforms your career and life. Drawing from 25 years of leadership development and positive psychology research, Jill shares three evidence-based ingredients to build...

2025 Highlights: The Doctor of Connections & Building Momentum for 2026 Guest: Theresa Benvenuto, Doctor of Connections Host: Julie Riga Episode Type: Special Holiday Edition - Year in Review Overview In this special holiday edition, Julie sits down with Theresa Benvenuto (affectionately known as "Benvenuts" and the "Doctor of Connections") to reflect on an extraordinary year of growth, transformation, and meaningful relationships. Together, they celebrate the wins, share lessons learned, and ...

Building Trust & Psychological Safety: The Workplace Wellness Toolkit Guest: Malka Shaw, LCSW - Psychotherapist & Trauma Specialist Host: Julie Riga | Stay On Course Podcast Overview Trust is the defining leadership challenge of 2026. In this transformative episode, psychotherapist and trauma specialist Malka Shaw shares her innovative ARC Method for creating psychological safety in the workplace. With over 25 years of experience and expertise in workplace dynamics, Malka reveals why cultural...

Managing Your Thoughts to Create the Life You Want Guest: Amy Kemp, Founder & CEO of Amy Kemp Incorporated Host: Julie Riga Overview In this transformative conversation, Julie sits down with Amy Kemp, author of "I See You," to explore how thought habits shape every aspect of leadership and success. Amy shares her powerful philosophy: you can't outwork your thought habits. Discover three essential ingredients for creating the life you want—the stories you tell yourself, setting goals with bounda...

Stay On Course Podcast - Episode Show Notes Lead Louder: How Storytelling & Psychological Safety Transform Team Performance Guest: Jesse Pudles, CEO & Founder of SpotCorp Host: Julie Riga Overview In this powerful episode, Julie sits down with Jesse Pudles, the visionary CEO and founder of SpotCorp, where creativity meets compassion in workplace transformation. Jesse shares how his company uses theatrical innovation, bold facilitation, and the ancient art of storytelling to help teams build psy...

Reimagining Wine: From Intuition to Innovation with Visionary Leadership Guest: Amanda Thomson | Host: Julie Riga Join Julie Riga as she sits down with Amanda Thomson, CEO and founder of B Corp Certified Noughty, to explore how intuition, vision, and curiosity can transform not just an industry—but your entire approach to entrepreneurial leadership. A former BBC Arts broadcaster and Le Cordon Bleu Paris alum, Amanda shares the purpose-driven journey behind creating premium alcohol-free wines an...

Future-Ready Mindset: Breaking Free from Change Fatigue Guest: Allister Frost | Host: Julie Riga Join Julie Riga as she sits down with Allister Frost, global keynote speaker, award-winning author, and former Microsoft leader, to explore what it means to build a future-ready mindset in a world of constant transformation. With over 10 years of leadership experience and a passion for helping professionals break free from change fatigue, Allister shares the purpose-driven framework that helps leade...

The Ultimate Networker: Building Connection, Confidence, and Legacy Guest: George Dubec | Host: Julie Riga Join Julie Riga as she sits down with George Dubec, founder of The Ultimate Networker and The Founder’s League, to explore what it means to build a purpose-driven network rooted in leadership, integrity, and growth. With over 50 years of experience in business, entrepreneurship, and mentorship, George shares the mindset and values that helped him lead with clarity, build authentic relatio...

Falling in Love with Leadership: Transform, Evolve, and Lead with Alignment in loving memory of Omazing Rashed 🌍 Summary: In this inspiring Stay on Course podcast, host Julie Riga explores a powerful leadership journey of transformation, evolution, and alignment with Omazing Rashed, a multidisciplinary healer, entrepreneur, and founder of Empower Caravan. Together they dive deep into the soul of authentic leadership, teaching how to resolve conflict, liberate the self, and evolve as both a perso...

Stay On Course Podcast - Episode Show Notes Flex Your Resilience Muscle: The Three Pillars of Leading Through Change Guest: Sheena Eizmendiz, CEO & Founder of The WellBiz Host: Julie Riga About This Episode Julie sits down with Sheena Eizmendiz, a resilience champion and CEO of The WellBiz, a boutique consulting firm driving organizational development and cultural transformation. Sheena is a bestselling author and keynote speaker who blends positive psychology with strategic leadership to help...

Know Your Numbers: The Three Essential Ingredients for Small Business Success, In this powerful episode of Stay On Course, host Julie Riga and guest Anthony Velocci, a fractional CFO, reveal why knowing your numbers is the foundation of small business success and financial freedom. They explore how leadership, legacy, and expert strategy converge when entrepreneurs finally confront the fear of finances and step into clarity and abundance. Anthony shares practical steps for setting realistic tar...

🎙 Smart CIOs Do This: The Unspoken Rules of Cybersecurity Leadership with Andrew Griffiths In this expert-driven episode, legacy CEO and cybersecurity strategist Andrew Griffiths joins Julie Riga to share the 3 essential ingredients smart CIOs use to protect and transform their organizations: visibility, proactive planning, and strategic implementation. With roots in Jamaica and a passion for technology, leadership, and purpose, Andrew reveals why today’s IT leaders must evolve, stay alert, and ...

"Ridiculously Easy" Customer Experience Secrets with David Avrin Summary: Julie Riga sits down with David Avrin, one of the world’s most in-demand customer experience speakers and author of "Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With." David reveals why businesses lose customers to friction (not competitors), how to future-proof your client interactions, and why "speed" is the new loyalty driver. Packed with laugh-out-loud stories and actionable fixes for broken customer journeys. 🔥 Key Takeaway...

Scaling Business to 6 and 7 Figures: Insights on Success with Che Brown This episode of Stay on Course features Che Brown, a renowned business coach for CEOs and leadership coach for executives, as well as the founder of Easy Sales Hub and innovator of the Evergreen revenue model. With his extensive experience in scaling businesses to six and seven figures, Che shares his three ingredients for success, which have helped him and his clients achieve remarkable career fulfillment and executive care...

Bridging Generations: Helping Seniors Thrive in a Digital World with Anne Goldberg Summary: In this episode of Stay on Course, Julie Riga sits down with Anne Goldberg, an educator dedicated to helping seniors confidently navigate smartphones and digital technology. Anne shares her inspiring story of empowering older adults to stay connected, independent, and engaged, and breaks down her three key ingredients for success when learning new skills later in life: commitment, curiosity, and overcomin...