The Corporate Couch: Work Stories I Only Tell My Friends

In this Special Edition of The Corporate Couch, Rick Mathes (see his bio below) returns for part two of our three-part series on how Align Pain Solutions helps people relieve pain and increase mobility. In this episode, we go deeper into the science of posture and how simple, targeted movements can unlock lasting pain relief and better movement—without drugs, surgery, or endless adjustments. We cover: The difference between postural therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic care—and how they can work together. Why stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak ones might not be the answer. How postural misalignment leads to chronic pain and what you can do about it. Real-life examples of posture transformations, with before-and-after results in just one session. Simple self-tests you can do at home to check your own posture and movement patterns. Rick also shares practical tips on how to train your body to hold proper alignment, leading to better mobility, reduced pain, and improved performance in daily life. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or want to move and feel better, this episode is full of actionable insights. Tune in now and discover how small changes in movement can lead to big improvements in your health and well-being. ​ Special Offers for our Listeners: A free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions $25 off a single visit $100 off an 8- or 16-visit package. Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions​ (you can also visit their YouTube Channel for examples of their therapy -YouTube).   About Rick: Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s.​ Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels.​ When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain.​ This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.

This is the first episode where I felt at times it was one of my therapy sessions and I should have been lying on The Corporate Couch:-) I chat with the fantastic Britt Frank, licensed neuropsychotherapist, trauma expert, and author of The Science of Stuck. As the first interview of 2025—and our first licensed neuropsychotherapist—Britt brings a fresh and no-nonsense perspective on how our brains work, why we stay stuck, and what it actually takes to create meaningful change. We dive into: The myth that our brains are wired for happiness (spoiler: they aren’t—they’re wired for survival). Why asking why keeps you stuck, and how what and how questions move you forward. The real science behind procrastination (hint: it’s not about laziness). Why January is not the best time for resolutions—April is the new January. The hidden cost of remote work and how to create better transitions between work and home. Why you don’t need more empathy to be a great leader—you need curiosity. Britt also shares her personal journey, from struggling with addiction and mental health challenges to becoming a therapist, author, and keynote speaker. We even discuss her time in a cult, her love of aerial arts, and whether Jewish mothers or Italian mothers give better guilt. Britt’s insights challenge conventional thinking on personal growth, leadership, and workplace culture. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for practical ways to get unstuck, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable takeaways. Tune in for a bold and thought-provoking conversation that might just change the way you approach work, life, and your own mind.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished 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 Britt​ (Website): The Shiny Professional Stuff: Britt received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her master’s degree from the University of Kansas. She is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and trauma expert who is trained in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and SE (Somatic Experiencing). In addition to her private practice, Britt is also a speaker and an award-winning adjunct instructor at the​ University of Kansas, where she’s taught classes on ethics, addiction, and clinical social work.​ She is the author of The Science of Stuck and Align Your Mind (Penguin Random House). The Sordid Personal Stuff: Born and raised in NY, Britt struggled for more than two decades with chemical/behavioral addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, trichotillomania, crazy-making relationships, and complex PTSD.  Eventually, she found her way out of that mess (with a lot of help and a brief stint in a religious cult) and became a therapist.

In this episode, I welcome  Rich Cogswell (see his bio below), a people-first sales leader, FinTech expert, and the first international guest on the podcast. Broadcasting all the way from Singapore, Rich brings a global perspective on what truly makes a high-performing sales culture—and spoiler alert, it’s not just about hitting numbers. We dive into: The evolution of sales from the "Boiler Room" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" days to a more people-first leadership approach. Why culture—not just quotas—determines sales success. The challenges of moving from top-performing rep to sales leader (and why so many fail). Lessons from leading global sales teams across EMEA, the U.S., and APAC. Insights from his book, The Cultural Sales Leader, and his upcoming book on networking your way to success (including the poor treatment of job seekers today by many companies). Rich also shares stories from his career in FinTech, his family's deep-rooted history in Singapore, and the leadership philosophy that has helped him build winning sales organizations worldwide. Whether you’re a sales pro, an aspiring leader, or just someone who loves a good "ABC - Always Be Closing" reference, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and practical takeaways.   Tune in for a fun and thought-provoking conversation on sales, leadership, and why the best teams are built on more than just deals and data.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished 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.   Rich's bio: Richard Cogswell is a people-first sales leader. He is an organizational team builder who believes that people, vision, values, and behaviors build winning sales cultures. Richard has held multiple senior sales leadership positions within a number of industries, working across EMEA, the United States, and APAC, within startups and listed multinational companies.   Whether newly hired or promoted, or for those with experience already gained on the journey, Richard aims to show a methodology focused on how you might best lay down the foundations for exponential and sustained growth through the sales leadership function, and critically through the catalyst of culture.   Living and working in Singapore, Richard's second book, MASTERING NETWORKING: Forging your own career opportunities to create the future you deserve; will be out in 2025. You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcogswell/, or find out more from Richard at www.richardcogswell.com.

In this episode, I sit down with Nick McLean, co-founder of Four Pillars Investors, a Kansas City-based private equity firm focused on founder and family-owned businesses. Nick’s journey from industrial engineering to private equity wasn’t a straight path—he meandered through consulting, corporate roles, and entrepreneurship before finding his true passion: buying and growing businesses. At Four Pillars Investors, Nick and his team operate with a values-driven approach: Relationships as a Cornerstone for Success – Building trust with business owners and partners. Challenge the Status Quo – Pushing businesses to think bigger and grow strategically. Servant Leadership – Supporting teams by removing obstacles and empowering employees. Persistence – Staying committed in an unpredictable deal-making environment. We also discuss: - The evolution of Four Pillars Investors and what sets them apart in the private equity space. - How Nick transitioned from consulting and corporate life to buying and running companies. - Lessons learned from leading a manufacturing company at age 36. - The biggest mistakes business owners make when preparing to sell. - Why culture and relationships matter just as much as financials in a successful deal. - His insights from hosting the Ambition podcast and growing a YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers. Nick’s perspective on business, leadership, and strategic growth is invaluable for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone interested in private equity and M&A. If you’ve ever thought about buying, selling, or scaling a business, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in for an insightful conversation on deals, leadership, and what it takes to grow a business.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished 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.   Nick's bio: ​Nick McLean (LinkedIn) is a co-founder of Four Pillars Investors, a lower middle-market private equity firm based in Kansas City. Four Pillars targets founder and family-owned businesses with revenues of at least $10M. Nick did not take a straight path to the private equity world, instead meandering through a variety of entrepreneurial and corporate endeavors. Through this journey, Nick has evolved his definition of success while also getting a bit too familiar with failure. He describes himself as a “deal junkie” and is truly doing what he loves. When working with their portfolio companies, Nick often stresses the importance of building out the sales and marketing function. Partly to practice what he preaches, Nick hosts a podcast titled Ambition: The Challenges, Risks, and Rewards of Business Growth (available on all major podcast platforms and at https://www.AmbitionWithNick.com), publishes a weekly newsletter called the Mid Market Insider (https://www.midmarketinsider.co/) and creates videos for his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@NickFourPillars) that now has over 30,000 subscribers. He also published a book titled How to Sell Your Business to Private Equity (available on Amazon.com).

In this Special Edition of The Corporate Couch, I sit down with Rick Mathes (see his bio below), co-founder of Align Pain Solutions, to discuss his transformative journey from debilitating back pain to pain-free living through postural therapy. After surviving a life-altering car accident that left him with five spinal fractures, Rick was told he would never play tennis or hike again. Refusing to accept that prognosis, he discovered the Egoscue Method—a revolutionary approach to correcting posture and eliminating pain without drugs, surgery, or manipulation. We cover: ✅ Rick’s incredible recovery journey and why he rejected spinal fusion surgery. ✅ How postural therapy differs from chiropractic care, physical therapy, and other treatments. ✅ Why pain isn’t always caused by injury—but by how your body is positioned. ✅ The simple, corrective exercises that can help relieve chronic pain and increase mobility. ✅ How Align Pain Solutions helps people reclaim their movement, strength, and quality of life—no matter where they live. I’m not just the host today—I’m also a client of Align Pain Solutions, and I’ve personally experienced the benefits of postural therapy. If you’ve struggled with chronic pain or want to improve your mobility and flexibility, this episode is a must-listen! Special Offers for our Listeners: 🆓 Free 30-minute consultation with Align Pain Solutions 💲 $25 off a single visit 💲 $100 off an 8- or 16-visit package 📌 Learn more and book a free session at Align Pain Solutions 🎧 Tune in now to discover how small postural changes can lead to big pain relief and greater mobility!   Rick's Bio: Rick Mathes is the co-founder and owner of Align Pain Solutions, a postural therapy clinic based in Austin, Texas. Together with his former wife Teresa, Rick practices the ​Egoscue method, pioneered by Peter ​Egoscue in the 1970s. Rick's journey into postural therapy began after a life-changing car accident in 1992. At age 31, he suffered a severe collision on Interstate 10 outside Tucson, breaking his back in five places. After two years of intensive physical therapy, doctors told him he would never return to activities like tennis or hiking (and most likely be in a wheelchair in several years). Unwilling to accept this prognosis, Rick spent six years searching for alternatives as his pain worsened to debilitating levels. When a neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery, Rick discovered the​ Egoscue Method and began treatment at ​Egoscue's clinic in San Diego. Within three to four months, Rick experienced remarkable improvement, returning to playing tennis at a 4.5 level without pain. This transformative experience inspired Rick and Teresa to change careers and open Align Pain Solutions. Their practice focuses on correcting posture through gentle exercises rather than treating symptoms, helping clients with chronic or acute pain issues who haven't found relief through conventional therapies. Rick's approach emphasizes repositioning the body to achieve postural balance, enabling muscles to function properly without manipulation, drugs, or surgery.

I was honored to chat with Mindy Corporon (see her bio below), a leader, author, and advocate for empathy in the workplace. Mindy’s journey is one of profound loss (losing both her father and oldest son when a white supremacist killed them), resilience, and transformation—from her successful career in wealth management to her mission-driven work with SevenDays® and Workplace Healing. In our conversation, we discuss: - Her powerful story of loss and how it reshaped her life’s purpose. - The importance of empathetic leadership and how corporate leaders can better support employees through grief and life transitions. - Her innovative Human Recovery Platform™ and how it’s changing workplace culture. - Lessons from navigating career pivots and finding purpose after tragedy. - The role of kindness and connection in overcoming hate. Mindy’s resilience in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you’re a leader looking to foster a culture of compassion or someone navigating your own life transitions, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and actionable takeaways. Check out Mindy’s book, Healing a Shattered Soul, and learn more about her work at Workplace Healing and SevenDays®. Tune in now for an unforgettable conversation about healing, leadership, and the power of kindness.   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished 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.   Mindy's bio: Mindy Corporon ​(LinkedIn) is the Vice President of Strategy and Engagement with Global Care Force, where she drives sustainability through strategic growth initiatives and partnership development. Focused on aligning performance metrics with mission impact, she enhances organizational effectiveness and engagement across diverse stakeholders. As the Co-Founder of Workplace Healing and innovator of the Human Recovery Platform™ and Grief Forecast, Mindy empowers corporate leaders to transform how they support employees navigating life and loss transitions. By integrating the head-based corporate environment with empathetic, heart-based strategies, she helps build cultures rooted in trust, long-term productivity, and morale. Mindy’s vision for Workplace Healing was born from personal tragedy and a challenging re-entry into corporate life. At the height of her career as CEO of a successful wealth management firm and while raising two talented sons, her father, and oldest son were murdered by a white supremacist intent on killing Jews. This profound loss shifted her life purpose from guiding people financially to pioneering initiatives that help leaders and organizations embrace empathy and compassion. An inspirational speaker and author of Healing a Shattered Soul (2021), Mindy shares her family’s story of resilience, faith, and unwavering commitment to courageous kindness. In response to the tragedy, she and her family founded SevenDays® Inc., a foundation dedicated to overcoming hate by promoting kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. SevenDays® engages communities, businesses, and schools in its mission to Make a Ripple, Change the World. Mindy remains deeply committed to SevenDays and Workplace Healing, using her passion to help schools foster kindness and businesses lead with empathy through innovative resources, kindness clubs, and leadership tools.

Join me as I chat with Marci Weisler (see her bio below), a tech strategist and fierce advocate for female founders, about navigating career challenges, overcoming bad bosses, and staying ahead of the curve in emerging technology. Marci shares her incredible journey—from navigating toxic leadership and making bold career moves to helping businesses leverage emerging technologies before they hit the mainstream. We discuss: - The "bad boss" experience that pushed Marci to take a leap of faith in her career. - Why she’s passionate about empowering women founders and leaders. - The power of embracing cutting-edge technology—before the market is ready. - Lessons learned from working in both scrappy startups and corporate giants like T-Mobile. - Practical career advice for young professionals and aspiring leaders. Marci’s story is one of resilience, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others up. If you're looking for inspiration on navigating career challenges, breaking barriers, and staying ahead of the curve in tech, this episode is for you!   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished 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.   Marci's bio: Marci Weisler​ (LinkedIn) is a strategic digital leader in mobile, media, and ad tech who drives growth through commercializing new products; leveraging disruptive technology to improve outcomes, and developing partnerships to open new revenue streams and achieve aggressive growth goals. She takes an entrepreneurial approach to creating innovative solutions, incubating new ventures, scaling businesses, and leading teams.​ Thriving in high-growth dynamic environments, Marci has transformed both emerging and incumbent businesses by offering a fresh perspective, understanding how data and emerging technologies (such as AI)  can be applied to it to unlock revenue streams, upend existing models, and grow customer bases at both startups and brands, including T-Mobile, Kellogg’s, Time Out, and Vengo. Marci is a senior advisor at Oaklins DaSilva & Phillips, a global investment bank specializing in media, tech, and marketing, and advises startups on strategy and growth.​ She was named a Woman2Watch in Business Disruption in 2020 and is on the board of WE.DOOH, empowering women in digital out-of-home media.​ Marci passionately supports female founders and women-led businesses as co-founder of SWSI (Smart Women. Smart Ideas) Media, mentorship, and investment.

Resilience, Reinvention, and the Power of Taking Control with Deb Coviello In this episode I chat with Deb Coviello (see her bio below), also known as The Drop In CEO™, to discuss leadership, resilience, and her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, speaker, and author. Deb and I share remarkably similar career paths—both coming from corporate backgrounds, navigating unexpected exits, and ultimately finding fulfillment by forging our own way. We dive into: - The challenges of corporate life and what it feels like to get "kicked out of the nest" - How Deb turned repeated corporate rejections into an opportunity to build The Drop In CEO brand - The importance of emotional intelligence and influence in leadership - Why every professional should invest in personal branding and relationships—before they need them - Insights from The CEO’s Compass and her upcoming book, "The New CEO Playbook". Deb’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and embracing the unknown to create a career and life on her own terms. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode is packed with wisdom on navigating career transitions, leading with authenticity, and finding peace of mind in the process. Check out Deb’s books and podcasts at dropinceo.com.  Tune in for a candid, inspiring, and insightful conversation that will leave you rethinking your own career path!   This episode is brought to you by... Ever wished 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.   Deb's bio: Known as The Drop In CEO™, Deb’s superpower is lowering the temperature and elevating conversations with empathy and patience. As a speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, she teaches C-Suite leaders how to establish a “Lift, Light, Lead” environment and create calm amidst chaos or crisis. She is the author of “The CEO’s​ Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track,” and, “The New CEO Playbook: Stop Chasing Results and Start Pursuing Peace of Mind.”​ Her long-running podcast, The Drop-In CEO, is in the top 1.5% globally among Apple podcasts.

Welcome to a short-form Special Edition of The Corporate Couch (it's more of a loveseat episode:-)! I sit down with longtime sports broadcaster, speaker, podcaster, and author Joel Goldberg (see his bio below) to dive into the lessons from his second book, Small Ball, Big Dreams. Drawing from his years covering championship teams and business leaders, Joel shares how small, consistent actions lead to game-changing success—both on and off the field. We discuss: ⚾ Why the "small ball" mindset is the key to long-term wins in business and life. ⚾ Stories from the clubhouse and boardroom that prove details matter. ⚾ The importance of culture, leadership, and resilience in achieving big dreams. ⚾ How embracing daily habits creates momentum for lasting success. Packed with real-world insights, sports analogies, and leadership wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their career, mindset, or team dynamics. 📘 Get your copy of Small Ball, Big Dreams, and start building your championship mindset today! - (Amazon)   Joel's Story: Joel Goldberg broke into the sports broadcasting scene by knocking on the doors of television stations, cold calling broadcast executives, and sending out resume tapes in the 1990s.​ His career was never handed to him. Rather, it was the product of building connections and dedication, mixed with years of hard work. Joel has worked in four markets during a 30-year career, covering two World Series Championship teams and thousands of baseball games—not to mention multiple Super Bowls, NHL playoffs, and NCAA March Madness basketball games.​ Joel has had the pleasure of interviewing countless athletes, Hall of Famers, and celebrities while traveling the world, telling stories from famous stars to under-the-radar role players. His longtime job covering the Kansas City Royals as a host and reporter is a privilege, enabling him to entertain, inform, and connect fans to athletes. Through his years of storytelling and watching championship organizations succeed (and fail), he realized his access to methods executives use to build culture and championship teams translated to the corporate world.​ That’s why Joel created the Game Changer Speaking Series to help organizations win trust and build a championship culture. Access insights from Joel through his podcast Rounding the Bases or book him for your next event.

Join me as I sit down with Grant Gooding (see his bio below), founder and CEO of Proof Positioning, to discuss how emotional data is transforming market research and business strategy. With a background in mergers and acquisitions, Grant saw firsthand why so many deals fail—leading him to pioneer a groundbreaking way to measure what truly drives customer decisions. We cover: - The surprising reason 70% of business acquisitions fail. - Why traditional market research methods don’t work—and how to fix them. - The neuroscience behind how people really make decisions. - The power of finding your “A+” skill and building a team around strengths instead of weaknesses. - Lessons learned from pivoting a business and navigating industry resistance. Grant’s journey from aspiring lawyer to M&A expert (it was like getting an MBA every day) to neuroscience-driven entrepreneur is filled with insights, humor, and actionable takeaways for leaders, business owners, and anyone looking to understand decision-making on a deeper level. Listen in for a fascinating conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on leadership, business strategy, and the future of market research.   Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at jeff.pelaccio@exechq.com.      Grant's bio: Grant ​Gooding (LinkedIn) got his professional start in the mergers and acquisitions world working first on the legal side then buy-side analysis, valuations, and eventually transition management.  After roughly a decade of analyzing, valuing, and transitioning hundreds of small and mid-market businesses, Grant naturally gravitated towards understanding the 70% failure rates of acquisitions.​ After years of analyzing acquisition failures, he discovered the leading cause of transaction failures was a lack of understanding and measurement as to why customers do business with organizations.​With his MBA emphasis in qualitative marketing, Grant spent the next several years experimenting with methodologies and measurement techniques that could be used to quantify qualitative data.  After working with a nationally renowned brand analyst, Grant discovered a quant method that could be used to assess brand preferences.  With that as a starting point, he and his team utilized some principles of neuroscience and created a new methodology that accurately quantifies emotional resonance.​ After several hundred iterations, the PROOF method stands alone as one of the most compelling and accurate ways to quantify human emotion.  Today, Grant speaks all over the country in the areas of Emotional Data, an emerging field that PROOF is helping pioneer.