The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Sabina Nawaz (see her bio below) has advised leaders at the very top - Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and executives across Fortune 500 companies. But her journey wasn’t a straight line. Starting as a software developer, nearly getting fired from Microsoft, and then pivoting into leadership development, Sabina has built a career helping thousands of leaders around the world discover what it really means to lead. In our conversation, she shares: Why pressure, not power, is the real force that corrupts leaders. How her sabbatical at Microsoft led to a life-changing career shift. The story behind her new book, You’re the Boss, and the lessons drawn from 12,000 pages of executive feedback. The surprising role theater and even stunt fighting played in shaping her leadership skills. Why integrity matters more than authenticity and how busyness has become one of the biggest traps for managers. Sabina also introduces practical tools like the “Yes List” and “Micro Habits,” making leadership development actionable instead of theoretical. Her insights are candid, data-driven, and deeply human—a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about impact.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About Sabina: Sabina Nawaz is an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. Sabina routinely gives speeches each year and teaches faculty at Northeastern and Drexel Universities. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. She has written for and been featured in Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, NBC, Nasdaq, and MarketWatch.  

Michael Mackie is back on The Corporate Couch, and this time, he’s here to talk about his brand-new book, You Have 4 Minutes: My Life as an Unlikely Celebrity Interviewer. With more than three decades of encounters with Hollywood’s biggest names, Michael shares the hilarity, awkwardness, and unforgettable moments that shaped his unlikely path into entertainment journalism. We cover the accidental purple cover photo, why the book has exactly 52 chapters (hint: the B-52s), and what it was like to land a foreword written by Cindy Wilson herself. Michael also opens up about his sobriety journey, giving up sugar for a year, surviving a stroke, and how discipline shaped his writing process (at one point cranking out a chapter a day). Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mackie story without laugh-out-loud moments, like a wrestler’s ill-timed digestive mishap or asking Anna Nicole Smith, “When was the War of 1812?” Michael brings the same mix of humor, humility, and heart to this conversation that he brings to the pages of his book. Whether you’re fascinated by celebrity culture, curious about resilience, or just in need of a good laugh, this episode is the perfect preview of a book that’s as bite-sized and bingeable as it is heartfelt. Here is the Amazon Link for Michael's book: https://a.co/d/225B7C7.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.

Rusty Arnold’s story (see his bio below) begins with a hammer in hand at age 10 and a forklift under his control by 13. Today, as COO and soon-to-be CEO of Frontier Forest Products, Rusty has built his career from the ground up, shaping not just businesses but also the people around him. In this conversation, Rusty shares: Lessons learned from growing up on construction sites and how they shaped his work ethic. Why curiosity and a love of people have been the through-line in his career. His “Web of Success” philosophy for helping employees grow in their own unique ways. How human connection is being lost in business and why it’s still the secret to long-term success. His perspective on leadership in today’s multigenerational, tech-driven workplace. From high school parties with 400 guests to thoughtful reflections on servant leadership, Rusty brings both humor and wisdom. This is a conversation about grit, growth, and grounding leadership in relationships that last.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About ​Rusty: ​Rusty Arnold is the current COO and soon-to-be CEO of Frontier Forest Products, where he’s been helping grow the business from the inside out for nearly a decade. Starting in construction at age 10 and managing job sites by 13, Rusty’s built his career from the ground up literally. He’s done it all, from swinging a hammer to trading commodity lumber and leading teams across the building materials industry. Since joining Frontier in 2015, he’s become a co-owner (10%) and has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint. When his buyout is complete in late 2025, Rusty will officially assume the role of CEO, continuing his mission of servant leadership, strong customer relationships, and steady, strategic growth. Outside of work, Rusty is a creative and adventurous soul; he welds, builds, hikes, mountain bikes, practices yoga, and loves live music. He’s also developing a podcast to help students find their passions and purpose. But at the center of it all is family, his wife Tiffany and their three amazing kids, Vera, Beck, and Olivia.

For the first time in history, four generations, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are working side by side. Jeff Utecht (see his bio below) has spent over 20 years helping leaders bridge these divides, and he brings a global perspective shaped by living in three countries, founding multiple businesses, and consulting with Fortune 500 companies. In our conversation, Jeff and I explore: How each generation views work, success, and leadership differently Why skill-based hiring is overtaking degree-based hiring The long-term effects of the 2008 recession on Millennials and Gen Z How COVID accelerated the shift toward remote and fractional work Why embracing generative AI is the next essential leadership skill Jeff’s insights are both practical and forward-looking, reminding us that thriving in the future of work means embracing diversity of age, thought, and technology.    This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About ​Jeff: ​Jeff Utecht​ is a global consultant, entrepreneur, and expert in generational leadership and generative AI. With a career spanning over 20 years, Jeff has worked with organizations around the world to bridge generational divides and foster thriving workplaces. A Gen Xer with firsthand experience teaching Millennials and Gen Zers, Jeff brings a unique perspective on how the four generations in today’s workforce can collaborate effectively. His work has supported Fortune 500 companies, helped create onboarding programs, and guided leaders to embrace the evolving definitions of work, success, and engagement. With experience living in three countries, founding multiple businesses, and presenting at global forums like the UN, Jeff is here to inspire us to rethink leadership in a multigenerational workplace that is ever evolving.  

Six months, six happy-hour-type conversations and we’re just getting started. In this special edition of It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Marc Shaffer and I pour a couple of beers and dive into what’s been on our minds lately: The “five types of wealth” and why time wealth may be the most overlooked. How boredom, stillness, and slowing down fuel creativity and joy. The wisdom in quotes that stick from Ryan Holiday to Seth Godin to Lao Tzu. Why it’s okay to stop “optimizing” and just enjoy the moment. The value of connecting with new people (and how a 10-question icebreaker can spark great conversations). We also swap stories about golf outings, charity cooking classes, and rediscovering the joy in everyday connections. This one’s about savoring life’s crooked turns, honoring what matters most, and remembering that the best ideas often come when you step away from your to-do list. Pull up a chair (and maybe a drink), it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere.   This episode is brought to you by Searcy Financial. Your financial future begins with a simple question: Where do you want to be? At Searcy Financial, we help successful individuals and families through our mission to simplify your financial journey, empowering you to enjoy life and wealth on your terms. The question sparks a conversation that goes beyond numbers, helping us understand what truly matters to you and the kind of financial plan that aligns with your life goals. It also allows us to identify potential challenges and opportunities so we can proactively address them. The outcome is a plan that empowers you to acquire, grow, and preserve your wealth.   If you would like to sign up to be notified of updates on Marc's “One for All” book, including the release date, or to sign up for the Searcy Financial Wealth Matters email newsletter, use the links below:   ​- Marc's Book "One for All": Keep Me Updated!   - "Wealth Matters" newsletter: Sign Me Up!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Donna Griffit (see her bio below), world-renowned storyteller and pitch alchemist who has helped clients raise over 2 billion dollars through the power of compelling narratives. From starting her first business as a seven-year-old clown to becoming a communications coach at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, Donna shares her fascinating journey through drama therapy, corporate training, and ultimately finding her calling in the startup world during the 2008 recession. In this episode, Donna reveals the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when pitching, why excitement and fear are essentially the same thing with different branding, and how she created an AI version of herself to analyze investor pitch decks. She discusses her book "Sticking to My Story," shares memorable moments from training sessions around the globe, and explains why the deepest human wish is simply to be seen and acknowledged. Whether you're preparing for your first job interview, leading a team, or pitching your next big idea, this conversation is packed with practical insights about communication, storytelling, and finding your professional Ikigai (that sweet spot where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all intersect).    

In this Special Edition (short) episode, I sit down with Jourdan Mercurio Lewis, COO of Blue Ocean Search Firm, to talk about her remarkable journey from business owner to stay-at-home mom to a new career in recruiting. Jourdan shares how she brings authenticity and consulting-style depth to an industry often known for transactional relationships. Her story highlights the courage to pivot, the value of adding humanness to work, and the lessons learned from redefining success. Along the way, Jourdan answered important questions, including: What made recruiting attractive to her, given her past career history? How does she see the recruiting industry today versus the way she and her team operate? Why does Blue Ocean position itself as recruiting consultants? What sets them apart from the traditional recruiter reputation? What trends does she see shaping recruiting in the next 2–3 years? This 19-minute conversation is both personal and professional, showing how career detours can lead to more meaningful paths forward.   This episode brought to you by... In today’s hiring world, finding top-tier talent can be extremely difficult. How do you want to differentiate your company in a highly competitive search pool? Do you want to fish in a crowded Red Ocean or stand out in a bright blue one? At Blue Ocean Search Firm, we empower visionary leaders with breakthrough hiring strategies, proprietary technology, and trusted partnerships to build transformational teams – all while maintaining the human element.  As a Corporate Couch listener, you receive 50% savings on Blue Ocean Talent Acquisition fees. Contact Blue Ocean Search Firm Here and mention "The Corporate Couch". To learn more about Jourdan, please visit their website: About Us.

Join me as I sit down with John Mercurio (see his bio below), CEO of Blue Ocean Search Firm and a 30-year veteran of the human and animal health industries. In this candid conversation, John shares his remarkable journey from making $17,000 at Deluxe Check Printers to becoming a successful executive, all without finishing college. John opens up about the pivotal moment when someone took a chance on him despite lacking the "required" degree, launching a career that would span Fortune 500 companies like Alcon and Bausch & Lomb. He discusses his transition from human health to falling in love with the animal health industry, his entrepreneurial ventures, including a barbershop with his daughter, and ultimately founding Blue Ocean Search Firm at age 62. This episode tackles the outdated hiring practices that still plague many companies, where talented candidates are eliminated in final rounds simply for lacking a diploma. John and Jeff dive deep into why cultural fit and authentic talent should matter more than credentials, and how modern recruiting technology combined with human insight can identify the best candidates, whether they're actively looking or not. You'll also hear John's passionate take on bringing decency back to the hiring process, his advice for new graduates and first-time leaders, and why the entrepreneurial mindset he showed in fifth grade (selling gum to classmates) has been the real driver of his success. Whether you're a hiring manager, job seeker, or someone who believes talent comes in many forms, this conversation will challenge how you think about credentials versus capability in today's evolving workplace.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About ​John: John Mercurio is the CEO of Blue Ocean Search Firm and a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience spanning the human and animal health industries. His career began in ophthalmology sales with a Fortune 500 company, where he earned multiple President’s Club and Salesperson of the Year honors. From 2008 to 2024, John held key roles in the animal health sector, including Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, and Director of Business Development, developing high-performing teams across sales, management, and executive leadership. Driven by a passion for talent development and strategic growth, John launched Blue Ocean Search Firm to help organizations optimize their recruiting systems and build exceptional teams. Outside of work, John is a proud husband, father of four daughters, and grandfather to four. He enjoys time with family, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and playing pickleball.

In this 20-minute special edition, I welcome back my very first podcast guest, Harry Campbell (Website), for a candid and heartfelt conversation about his Get-Real Mindset for Caregivers. Harry shares the deeply personal journey of supporting his wife, Kris, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor just 10 months after their wedding. Drawing from his leadership experience and his bestselling book Get Real Mindset, Harry outlines his three-step framework, Absorb, Assess, Adjust, for facing life’s unexpected challenges. We discuss the traits that make great caregivers, the mental battles of “Why me?” and FOMO, and the importance of optimism grounded in reality. Harry also opens up about his own Parkinson’s diagnosis, how he’s managing it, and the role of compartmentalization in balancing caregiving, parenting, and professional leadership. Whether you’re a caregiver yourself or simply navigating life’s twists and turns, Harry’s wisdom offers both comfort and practical guidance.   To book Harry to speak on caregiving or leadership (100% of his gross speaking fees and book proceeds go to Head for the Cure - see below), go to: https://www.harryscampbell.com/contact   Here's the link to register for the August Kansas City event and/or donate to Head for the Cure via Team Kris Campbell:   https://impact.headforthecure.org/team/626570/

Join me as I sit down with Staci Cross (see her bio below), the fearless entrepreneur behind Enjoy Pure Food + Drink. In this captivating conversation, Staci shares her remarkable journey from television advertising executive to restaurant founder, including her incredible ability to land major clients through cold calling, including securing Johnson & Johnson for her Baby Basics company with a cold call to the switchboard. Discover how Staci built Baby Basics into a $2.5 million business distributing educational DVDs to 95% of hospitals nationwide, only to watch it dissolve when streaming replaced physical media. But perhaps more importantly, learn about the profound lesson that changed everything: how "strangling" her vision with too tight a grip nearly killed her restaurant dream, and how letting it breathe ultimately led to Enjoy's success.  From her childhood dreams of running an orphanage complete with detailed business plans at age nine, to speaking fluent Haitian Creole, to the four-year journey of raising $700,000 and partnering with James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Smith, Staci's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of serving others through business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a recent college graduate, or a seasoned professional looking for inspiration, this episode offers invaluable insights on cold calling confidence, pivoting after failure, building company culture, and the delicate balance between pursuing your vision and allowing it room to grow.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on podcasting with you. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.   About ​Staci: ​Staci Cross is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Enjoy Pure Food + Drink, a fast-casual restaurant concept built around whole, organic, and minimally processed foods. With a deep belief that vitality and success begin with what we eat, Staci created Enjoy as an oasis for busy, health-conscious people seeking clean cuisine, cold-pressed juices, and vibrant, on-the-go nourishment. Her mission is rooted in service—helping others feel their best so they can live their fullest lives.​ Before launching Enjoy in 2012, Staci co-founded Baby Basics, where she led national partnerships with powerhouse brands like Johnson & Johnson, Disney, and Procter & Gamble. She also spent over a decade in broadcast media as a senior television account executive.​ A proud graduate of the University of Kansas with a background in journalism and advertising, Staci brings a blend of creative vision, strategic leadership, and heart-centered purpose to everything she does.