Tired of pushy sales tactics that don't fit your personality? In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with Matt Biggar, an online business coach who's built his entire business philosophy around authentic relationships instead of aggressive sales strategies. Drawing from his journey through YouTube burnout, multiple business pivots, and working alongside his wife, Matt shares a refreshing approach to business growth that prioritizes trust over tactics.
You'll learn:
✅ Why most coaching approaches focus on problems instead of opportunities
✅ How to use AI as a digital employee without losing your authentic voice
✅ The relationship tracker system that focuses on 100 key connections
✅ Why celebrating existing clients beats acquiring new ones through ads
✅ How to build trust-based sales systems that don't feel pushy
✅ The power of alignment over objection handling in sales conversations
✅ Why your existing network holds more opportunities than you realize
✅ How atomic habits can transform your business practices
Matt also shares his personal journey overcoming alcohol addiction, the importance of human dynamics in business relationships, and why he believes AI will never replace the ability to identify critical opportunities. Plus: Richard's hilarious experiment using Claude to create a committee of 12 famous advisors (including Tony Robbins and Attila the Hun) to solve business problems.
Bonus: The simple podcast strategy that drives referrals naturally and why perfectionism can be both a strength and a weakness in business.
🎯 Ideal for: Entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and business owners who want to build sustainable businesses through authentic relationships rather than high-pressure sales tactics.
📞 Connect with Matt Biggar for holistic business coaching that addresses both internal and external growth challenges.
Think AI is the solution to everything? Think again. In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with Ben "The Automator" Christensen, who has automated over 300 full-time positions and saved companies $16 million—but warns against the blind rush to automate everything. Drawing on real-world disasters (like an AI agent that deleted an entire database) and years of hands-on experience, Ben reveals the dark side of AI adoption that nobody talks about.
You'll learn:
✅ Why AI assistants can be more defiant than human employees
✅ The critical importance of "human in the loop" systems
✅ Why context windows make AI terrible for long-form projects
✅ How AI lies constantly (and why lawyers are getting disbarred)
✅ The coming political and economic backlash against AI
✅ Why voice AI bots get into screaming matches with customers
✅ The Gartner Hype Cycle and where we are right now
✅ Why using ChatGPT to rewrite your resume could backfire spectacularly
Ben also shares his prediction about the coming AI winter, the physical limitations hitting data centers, and why treating AI "like a smart dog" is the best approach. Plus: Richard's hilarious experiment trying to write a novel with Claude (spoiler: it went horribly wrong).
Bonus: Ben's method for getting better AI results using "second and third order principles" and scratch pads, plus his technique for AI-generated social media content that fooled people for 6 weeks.
🎯 Ideal for: Business leaders, tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone considering AI implementation who wants to avoid costly mistakes and understand the real limitations of current technology.
📞 Connect with Ben "The Automator" Christensen for automation consulting and fractional CIO/AI officer services.
From Communist spy to corporate executive—this isn't fiction. In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with Jack Barsky, a former KGB deep-cover agent who spent 10 years undercover in America before choosing love over loyalty and quitting the spy game. Drawing on his unique background from East German Communist training to American corporate boardrooms, Jack reveals the surprising leadership lessons that work in both espionage and business.
You'll learn:
Why trust is the #1 ingredient in both spying and leadership
How to read people in under 5 minutes (a survival skill that translates to business)
The secret to managing technical talent and engineers
Why quick decision-making beats endless analysis
How his programming background made him a better manager
The leadership lessons hidden in HBO's Chernobyl series
Why "know yourself" is the foundation of career success
Jack also shares fascinating details about his 5-year KGB training, how he assumed a dead child's identity, why he told the KGB he had HIV to escape, and how the FBI eventually found him 9 years later. Plus: his take on the Ukraine conflict and why nuclear accidents worry him more than intentional launches.
Bonus: The hilarious truth about what James Bond movies get wrong about real espionage (spoiler: everything).
🎯 Ideal for: Leaders, managers, executives, and anyone interested in the psychology of influence, decision-making, and what happens when spy skills meet corporate America.
📞 Connect with Jack Barsky on LinkedIn
Hashtags: #Leadership #CorporateSuccess #SpySecrets #ManagementTips #BusinessStrategy
The Hidden Link Between Vulnerability and Pricing — Joe Rockey Jr. Returns to Talk Sales Strategy
Why do some people charge $25 and others $300 for the same service? It’s not always about skill. In this powerful episode of Leaders and Their Stories, sales coach and author Joe Rockey Jr. returns to unpack the real reason pricing works—or doesn’t.
From emotional buying triggers to vulnerability as a pricing lever, Joe and Richard dig deep into what drives premium pricing, customer trust, and long-term sales success.
You’ll learn:
What if everything you thought success meant… wasn’t really yours?
In this heartfelt episode of Leaders and Their Stories, leadership coach Doris Walsh joins Richard Lowe to explore what happens when high-achieving professionals hit a crossroads—torn between a thriving career and the deeper pull of family, identity, and meaning.
Doris shares her journey from corporate life to coaching, including the wake-up call that arrived in her 40s and the power of asking, “What do I actually want?” Richard opens up about his own transformation through grief, photography, and learning to let go of toxic relationships.
This conversation is funny, raw, and deeply reflective—packed with real-life examples, emotional truths, and the permission to change… even after 50.
In this powerful episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe welcomes Trevor Sumner, CEO of IGenie and a seasoned tech entrepreneur with over 25 years in the game. Trevor shares how his AI startup is transforming consumer insights for major brands like Coca-Cola, Bayer, and Unilever—replacing unreliable survey data with real-time analysis of billions of online signals across TikTok, Google, and Instagram.
From the explosive AI hype cycle to the practical, personal benefits of using tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, Trevor offers grounded, insider wisdom. He and Richard discuss how AI is not just streamlining operations but redefining what lean, high-impact teams can achieve. With real stories of AI shaving hours off content creation, reimagining competitive analysis, and even improving personal health outcomes, this conversation brings AI down to earth.
The episode also explores deep societal implications: the future of entry-level jobs, the demographic collapse, and how automation could offset shrinking populations in countries like Japan and China. Through it all, Trevor maintains a cautious optimism: AI won't replace people—but those who use it wisely will outperform those who don't.
Whether you're a tech executive, founder, marketer, or just curious about where AI is really heading, this episode offers clarity, insight, and actionable takeaways for navigating the next wave of transformation.
In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe speaks with award-winning health coach, author, and fitness expert Rico Caveglia, founder of the Ageless Living Lifestyle. Rico shares practical tips and powerful truths about aging, energy, longevity, and why most people are growing old far too soon.
Rico believes we’re designed to live to 125 in good health, and that aging doesn’t have to mean becoming old, sick, or tired. He breaks down the real causes of premature aging—and how to avoid them.
🎯 Highlights include:
💡 Learn how to build a lifestyle that supports strength, energy, and clarity for decades to come.
📘 Grab Rico’s book: Ageless Living
In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with leadership expert, author, and national speaker Pat Welsh to explore a powerful, practical framework for becoming a more impactful leader.
Pat introduces his Warrior-Servant-Leader model—a three-part mindset built on courage, service, and influence—and shares real-life stories from his time in law enforcement and beyond. He explains why true leadership is rooted not in power or position, but in values, moral compass, and community.
🎯 Highlights include:
Whether you're running a business or leading in your community, this episode offers timeless advice on how to lead with integrity, purpose, and humility.
🧭 Learn more about Pat at: https://warriorservantleaderpodcast.com
In this powerful episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe (The Writing King) sits down with Rob Fenstermaker to explore what it truly means to live with the warrior spirit. Rob shares his journey from corporate burnout to personal awakening and now devotes his life to helping men rediscover their inner strength, truth, and purpose.
They dive into the importance of personal truths, boundaries, accountability, and integrity in leadership, family, and community. Rob discusses his coaching process, the role of empathy, and how real warriors know when to stand firm—and when to regroup. Together, they tackle tough topics like betrayal, addiction, pornography, toxic masculinity, and how modern men can lead lives of purpose instead of passivity.
Packed with raw insights and practical wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for men seeking transformation, fathers aiming to lead by example, and anyone who believes leadership starts within.
Getting your IT or cybersecurity project approved shouldn’t feel like storming a fortress. In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with veteran tech executive Matt Walker to unpack why so many tech proposals fail—and how to fix it. Drawing on decades of experience from cybersecurity to desktop support (including NASA and Kennedy Space Center), Matt breaks down the psychological and strategic steps to win executive buy-in.
You’ll learn:
Matt also shares his favorite books for mastering influence and how emotional intelligence beats technical brilliance when it comes to getting results.
Bonus: A hilarious (and terrifying) true story about a multi-million dollar deepfake scam in Hong Kong.
📚 Mentioned Books:
🎯 Ideal for: IT leaders, cybersecurity professionals, CIOs, and anyone trying to get budget or approval for tech initiatives in today's AI-powered world.
Guest: Michelle A. Hardwick
Host: Richard Lowe
When menopause hits, it affects more than just one person. Michelle A. Hardwick, healer and author of Menopause Wingman, joins Richard Lowe to unpack the silent suffering many couples endure. From hormone shifts to emotional upheaval, Michelle lays out strategies for both women and their partners—especially men—who often feel confused, helpless, or pushed aside. In this candid conversation, Richard and Michelle discuss communication gaps, intimacy changes, childhood trauma triggers, and the importance of showing up with compassion and curiosity.
Key Topics:
In this eye-opening episode of Leaders and Their Stories, Richard Lowe—The Writing King and Ghostwriting Guru—sits down with Vladimir Ingerman, a Soviet-born oil and gas expert whose 35-year career has spanned Siberian oil fields to the heart of America’s shale revolution. Vladimir shares how he helped modernize Soviet drilling operations, brought Western tech to Russia through Halliburton, and developed breakthrough methods to reduce shale drilling costs and pollution in the U.S.
Discover what it was like to manage high-stakes energy projects across two superpowers, how leadership shaped his career, and why he believes love and teamwork matter just as much as technical brilliance. We also explore how AI is and isn’t impacting energy—and what future innovators need to know.
📌 Topics covered:
🎙️ Don’t miss this global perspective on energy, technology, and leadership from a man who’s shaped them all.
In this insightful episode, Richard interviews Dan Shinder, founder of Drum Talk TV and Advanced Social Marketing. With a blended family of 11 kids and a global fanbase spanning 130 countries, Dan shares how he turned his passion for music into an 8-figure media empire—without ads or SEO. From the power of mindset to the psychology of marketing, Dan breaks down how emotional resilience, storytelling, and continuous learning are the real keys to thriving in both business and life.
👉 You'll Learn:
➡️ Why your inner circle determines your personal and professional growth
➡️ The surprising power of forgiveness and self-talk in leadership
➡️ How NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) shapes buyer psychology and marketing success
➡️ Why niching down isn’t an excuse—and what really drives brand visibility
➡️ How Dan built a million-fan brand organically using “social media on steroids”
➡️ The real-life impact of learning from mentors—including war veterans and industry icons
📘 Books & Concepts Mentioned:
👉 "People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It" by Larry Winget
👉 Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for leaders
👉 Positive self-talk, daily affirmations & journaling
✍️ Richard Lowe: https://thewritingking.com
#Leadership #MindsetMatters #MarketingPsychology #DrumTalkTV #DanShinder #EmotionalIntelligence #Ghostwriting #TheWritingKing #CommunicationSkills #BusinessGrowth #NLP #Forgiveness #PositiveSelfTalk #LeadersAndTheirStories
In this insightful episode, Richard interviews Nikhil Raval — author, TEDx speaker, and leadership consultant — on how businesses can better understand and engage the next wave of talent: Generation Z. Nikhil shares stories from his book Target Gen Z, his journey from Wall Street to consulting in Asia, and how he's helping companies prepare for the multi-generational future of work.
👉 You’ll Learn:
👉 How Gen Z sees leadership, loyalty, and career development
👉 Why understanding generational context improves team culture
👉 The silent threat of ageism — and how to fix it
👉 Why writing a book helped Nikhil pivot and build credibility
👉 How to thrive in a workforce with four generations at the table
📘 Books & Resources:
In this insightful episode, Richard interviews Rhonda Bowen, founder of an international consultancy based in Germany since 1987. Rhonda helps “BEST” professionals (Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology) communicate effectively across both geographical and organizational cultures. From global teamwork to boardroom misunderstandings, Rhonda unpacks what it really takes to lead with clarity in today's multicultural business world.
👉 You'll Learn:
➡️ The difference between geographical and organizational culture — and why both matter
➡️ Why technical leaders must learn to speak the language of business
➡️ How introverts and extroverts process communication differently
➡️ Why cross-cultural misunderstanding can tank even the best projects
➡️ The power of matching (not just setting) expectations in leadership
➡️ How AI is transforming leadership, decision-making, and mentorship
📘 Books & Concepts Mentioned:
👉 "People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It" by Larry Winget
👉 AI as a digital assistant for leadership development
👉 Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and expectations management
📲 Connect with Rhonda:
🌐 Site: https://rhondalbowen.me/
✍️ Richard Lowe: https://thewritingking.com
🎙️ Build Leaders, Not Followers | Terry L. Fossum on Leadership That Transforms
Welcome to Leaders and Their Stories with Richard Lowe — The Writing King and Ghostwriting Guru.
In this powerful episode, Richard interviews Terry L. Fossum — Air Force veteran, bestselling author, and award-winning speaker — on what it really means to lead. Drawing on decades of military, business, and nonprofit experience, Terry breaks down the five core principles of true leadership: how to inspire others, develop future leaders, and lead with purpose, not ego.
You’ll Learn:
👉 Why real leaders create other leaders — not just followers
👉 Why people don’t care about KPIs — but will die for a cause
👉 How to believe in others so they can believe in themselves
👉 The importance of giving credit and building confidence
👉 Why great leaders push people out of the nest — and let them grow
Books & Topics Mentioned:
👉 There Are Two Types of Leaders… (forthcoming anthology)
👉 The Ghostwriting Advantage by Richard Lowe
👉 Scouting America’s mission: growing honorable men and women
👉 Leadership lessons from Cold War bombers, reality shows & real life
Connect with Terry: Google “Terry L. Fossum” or find him on LinkedIn
🔗 Richard Lowe: https://thewritingking.com
🎙️ In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, Richard Lowe interviews Urmi Hossain—self-published author, speaker, mentor, and advocate for women in leadership. They explore the cultural challenges of identity, the impact of Toastmasters on developing leadership skills, and how Urmi balances a career in finance with her passion projects.
👉 What it means to grow up between cultures (Bengali, Italian, Canadian)
👉 How leadership is more about inspiration than titles
👉 Lessons from running a Toastmasters club through the pandemic
👉 The importance of in-person connection for creativity and motivation
👉 Why women still face uphill battles in male-dominated industries
👉 Thoughts on Gen Z, AI, and adapting to a changing workforce
🌐 Connect with Urmi: Search “Urmi Hossain” on LinkedIn or YouTube
📘 Her book: Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Intrusional Struggle (Available on Amazon)
📅 Hosted by Richard Lowe – https://thewritingking.com
In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, Richard Lowe sits down with seasoned tradesman and contractor Shawn Abling to discuss leadership from the ground level. Shawn shares hard-won insights about the damage caused by poor leadership, how morale is destroyed when leaders don’t lead by example, and how a hands-on, embedded approach can transform even the most unmotivated team.
From union job sites to leadership in action, this candid conversation explores what real leadership looks like when you're in the trenches—and why it matters more than ever.
In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, ghostwriting expert Richard Lowe sits down with Michael O’Brien, Managing Partner at Shield Venture Capital, to pull back the curtain on venture capital funding. From early-stage fundraising missteps to why raising more money can be easier than raising less, Michael shares what every founder needs to know about capital, planning, and finding the right investors.
Whether you're building a startup or just curious about how VC works behind the scenes, this episode is packed with sharp advice and real stories from the front lines.
Description:
In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, Richard Lowe interviews Arnaud Lucas—engineering leader at Cambridge Mobile Telematics—on what it really takes to lead in the tech world.
🎯 Topics covered:
If you're in tech, management, or leadership, this conversation is for you.
👉 Subscribe for more inspiring interviews from real leaders.
📍 Find Arnaud on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasarn
📍 Learn more about Richard Lowe: https://thewritingking.com
📧 Need a book ghostwritten? Let’s talk.
#LeadershipPodcast #TechLeadership #ArnaudLucas #ManagementTips #WorkCulture #ExtremeOwnership