Special Guest: Anna Liotta

Episode Description
Stress is no longer occasional. It is constant. And if leaders are honest, many are running on empty while trying to inspire confidence in everyone else. In this powerful episode, Meridith Elliott Powell sits down with Hall of Fame speaker and generational expert Anna Liotta to unpack what is really happening inside our bodies when uncertainty accelerates.

Anna introduces the concept of the vagus nerve and explains why nervous system regulation may be the most overlooked leadership skill in today's marketplace. When change is moving at record speed, when expectations are rising across generations, and when leaders feel pressure from every direction, the ability to calm your internal response becomes a strategic advantage.

This conversation is practical and eye-opening. From micro resets you can use in the middle of a meeting to understanding the difference between being triggered and living in a triggered state, Anna provides tools that immediately reduce reactivity and increase clarity.

If you are feeling tired, wired, burned out, or simply stretched too thin, this episode will remind you that leadership begins with regulating yourself. When you create calm, you create capacity. And when you build capacity, you build competitive advantage.

https://annaliotta.com/

With Special Guest: Colleen Stanley

Episode Description
In a marketplace defined by disruption and disengagement, mentorship is no longer optional. It is a strategic advantage. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell welcomes emotional intelligence expert and bestselling author Colleen Stanley to explore why mentorship is one of the most underutilized leadership tools today.

Together, they challenge the outdated belief that mentorship must be formal, time-consuming, or hierarchical. Instead, Colleen reframes mentorship as something that can happen in moments, conversations, and daily interactions.

This episode shows leaders how emotionally intelligent mentorship builds trust, closes skill gaps, strengthens culture, and drives performance, even in the middle of uncertainty.

https://www.salesleadershipdevelopment.com/

With Special Guest: Jake Stahl

Episode Description
Influence is not about persuasion tactics. It is about understanding how people actually make decisions. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell is joined by sales neurostrategist Jake Stahl to unpack the psychology behind influence, communication, and behavior change.

Jake explains why most people speak to the wrong version of their audience and how leaders and sales professionals can learn to communicate at the brain level. From nonverbal signals to reframing conversations, this episode offers a deeper look at what it really means to own the room.

If you want to be heard, trusted, and remembered in today's crowded marketplace, this conversation delivers the tools to do exactly that.

https://thejakestahl.com/

With Special Guest: Amy Lessinger

Staying stuck is a decision, even when it does not feel like one. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell sits down with former RE/MAX President Amy Lessinger to discuss what it truly takes to create transformation in your career, leadership, and life.

Amy introduces the concept of the irreversible step, the moment where you stop hedging, stop waiting for certainty, and fully commit to what comes next. Through powerful stories and practical insight, she explains why ownership, truth, and decisive action are the foundation of meaningful change.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders who know something needs to change and are ready to stop circling the decision.

https://www.amylessinger.com/

With Special Guest: Dr. Cindy McGovern

Too many leaders know what they want to say but never give themselves permission to say it. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell is joined by Dr. Cindy McGovern, known as the First Lady of Sales, to explore why so many capable, accomplished professionals struggle to trust their own voice.

Dr. McGovern introduces the idea of internal permission and explains how unseen influences, past conditioning, and internal narratives quietly hold people back. From boardrooms to everyday conversations, this lack of permission creates hesitation, regret, and stalled progress.

This conversation is both practical and deeply human. It offers a clear path for quieting the noise, reclaiming intuition, and taking confident steps forward, even when certainty is nowhere to be found.

If you are ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start leading, selling, and living with clarity, this episode will challenge you to trust what you already know.

https://drcindy.com/

With Special Guest: Brynne Tillman

LinkedIn is no longer optional, but most professionals are still using it the wrong way. In this episode, Meridith Elliott Powell welcomes LinkedIn strategist Brynne Tillman to break down how to build real relationships, credibility, and opportunity on the platform without gimmicks or automation.

Brynne explains why connect and pitch is killing trust, how to leverage your existing network more effectively, and how to turn LinkedIn into a daily business development tool rather than a distraction.

This episode gives leaders and sales professionals a clear, practical approach to standing out and creating value in a crowded digital marketplace.

https://brynnetillman.com/

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/