Building Podcasts to Run the Media for Tomorrow
Release Date: 01/27/2025
Building Human-Centered Workplaces in the Age of AI
On the Brink with Andi Simon
As our workplaces grow more complex and technology accelerates, one skill set is becoming more essential than ever: emotional intelligence. In this compelling episode of On the Brink, I spoke with Jeremy Williams, an emotional intelligence coach and consultant based in Paris, whose journey from sailing instructor to sales professional to global coach reveals how transformative emotional awareness can be—especially in our rapidly digitizing world. Jeremy’s mission is simple yet profound: help individuals and teams enhance their self-awareness, empathy, and influence to become better...
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The Real ROI: People and Culture Drive Business Value
On the Brink with Andi Simon
In times of uncertainty, knowing what your business is worth—and how to protect or grow that value—can feel elusive. You are never sure what business you are really in. What should you do? How can you retain the value you have created and prepare for the next growth phase, or even the exit strategy? On this recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Bookbinder. Dave is a business valuation expert whose groundbreaking work focuses on an often-overlooked truth: your people are your most valuable asset. Dave, the author of joined me to...
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How Nicole Loftus Is Disrupting Venture Capital
On the Brink with Andi Simon
In this inspiring episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicole Loftus, a powerhouse entrepreneur with a bold vision to democratize access to venture capital. As the founder and CEO of Pop Venture Enterprises, Nicole is doing more than imagining change—she’s building it. Nicole’s journey began, as many transformative ones do, with a disruption—not of an industry at first, but of her own life. Raised in a traditional, working-class Italian family near Chicago, Nicole was expected to follow a conventional path. But after a personal turning...
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Erika Baez Grimes: Purpose-Driven Business Transitions
On the Brink with Andi Simon
Are you ready to sell your business? It may be time to pass your family firm to the next generation. What do you do? Where do you begin? How can you ensure that you follow your values and transition your business with purpose, kindness, and profit? Maybe it is time to meet Erika Baez Grimes. What is the Human Side of Business Transitions? In this compelling episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we delve into the human side of business transitions with Erika Baez Grimes, a seasoned business broker, M&A specialist, and purpose-driven entrepreneur. Erika's extensive experience as a Senior...
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Women, #WorkSchoolHours Can Transform Your Life
On the Brink with Andi Simon
Imagine a ten-year-old girl in New Zealand watching an army commercial and declaring, "That's what I want to be". This simple declaration set Dr. Ellen Joan Ford on a transformative journey, a journey of leadership, service, and a new way of thinking about work. Her story is not just inspiring, it's a call to action for all of us. Women are asking for flexible work for working parents. Our businesses want the talented women to be able to focus on both their families and their workday. It is a time for changing how businesses treat women. In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had...
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Navigating the Management Maze: Tips for New Leaders
On the Brink with Andi Simon
On this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I'm thrilled to welcome back Dr. Karl Hebenstreit—organizational psychologist, executive coach, speaker, and now the author of a powerful new book: Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide and Toolkit of Management Fundamentals. Karl's insights will be eye-opening if you're a leader, manager, or anyone asked to take charge without much training or clarity. His central message? Everything is a conversation—and when expectations aren't explicit, confusion and conflict inevitably follow. From Enneagram to Explicit Expectations You...
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Meet India Gary-Martin, the New Chair of the Women Business Collaborative
On the Brink with Andi Simon
This podcast is about an amazing woman and her journey from Wall Street to Purpose-Driven Leadership. Meet India Gary-Martin’s and listen to her amazing journey to Chair the . On this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the great pleasure of speaking with India Gary Martin—an accomplished global executive, entrepreneur, and now the new Chair of the Women Business Collaborative (WBC). India’s story is more than a professional journey—it’s an inspiring narrative about opportunity, resilience, and leadership rooted in purpose. A Global Journey Rooted in Advocacy India began...
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Organizations Must Embrace Human-Centric Design
On the Brink with Andi Simon
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the disconnect between people and their work has never been more apparent—or more urgent to address. That’s why I was thrilled to welcome Brent Kedzierski, a renowned expert on the future of work and human-centric design, to the On the Brink podcast. Brent’s mission is clear: to improve the human condition at work, one experience at a time. With more than 35 years of experience—including as Head of Learning Strategy and Innovation at Shell—he brings unique insight into why digital transformation fails, how people resist...
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Gloria Bohan: From School Teacher to Travel Titan
On the Brink with Andi Simon
How you might ask, did Gloria Bohan transition from being a Schoolteacher to an amazing Travel Titan. Welcome to a special episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, where we spotlight remarkable women entrepreneurs in our series, Wisdom of Women Entrepreneurs with Purpose: Hear Their Voices. I'm thrilled to kick off this journey with Gloria Bohan, a true trailblazer in the travel industry and the visionary founder of Omega World Travel. Starting with Passion, Building with Purpose Gloria's story is nothing short of inspiring. In 1972, she was a schoolteacher with no business experience, let...
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Unlocking the Power of Authenticity: Tammy Cho on Healing, Leadership, and Self-Love
On the Brink with Andi Simon
What if your face could reveal your deepest emotional blocks? What if your burnout, self-doubt, or imposter syndrome were not flaws—but signals calling you back to your truest self? In a recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I sat down with the remarkable Tammy Cho, a self-love and energy leadership coach based in British Columbia. Tammy is not just a coach—she’s a healer, a mentor, and a guide who helps leaders and entrepreneurs reconnect with their authentic selves. Using a unique combination of face and body analysis, psychosomatic therapy, human design, and NLP, Tammy helps...
info_outlineOn this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we explore the fascinating world of podcasting—its past, present, and potential future. Joining me are two extraordinary guests: Chad Parizman, founder of Adder Communications and a podcast consultant with years of experience helping brands harness the power of audio, and Mark Schaefer, a renowned marketing expert, author, and podcaster. Together, we delve into the transformative role of podcasts in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
Meet our Guests: Mark Schaefer and Chad Parizman
Podcasting’s Emergence and Growth
Podcasting has exploded, with over 4.2 million podcasts worldwide and a steadily growing audience. Chad’s journey began at Pfizer, where he introduced podcasting as a tool for internal and external communications. His experience revealed podcasting as a medium with endless possibilities for storytelling, marketing, and engagement. He emphasized that podcasts aren’t one-size-fits-all—they can be interview-based, documentary-style, seasonal, or entirely unique. The key, according to Chad, is to let the content dictate the format, not the other way around.
Mark’s introduction to podcasting stemmed from curiosity and a desire to expand his expertise beyond blogging. His strategy? Start small and sustain joy. “To stand out,” he explains, “you’ve got to be great and passionate about what you’re doing.” Over 13 years, Mark’s podcast evolved with rotating co-hosts, reflecting his belief in relevance—matching passion and skills to the needs of the audience.
Why Podcasting Works
Both guests agree: podcasting is about authenticity, trust, and human connection. Unlike polished social media or video content, podcasts offer a raw and personal experience. As Mark points out, “A podcast is one of the last bastions of truly human, authentic, and trusted content.” Chad adds that technology, including AI tools, is making it easier than ever to focus on creating compelling content while automating time-consuming tasks like editing and research.
The Future of Podcasting
Relevance and purpose remain at the heart of successful podcasts. As Chad notes, listeners are increasingly drawn to niche content tailored to their interests, often willing to pay for it through subscription services. Mark believes podcasting will remain a critical medium for building authentic relationships, both for individuals and brands.
AI also looms large in podcasting’s future. While tools like voice synthesis can assist with production, Mark and Chad agree that the human element will always be essential for building trust and emotional connections.
Key Takeaways
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Podcasting’s Personal Connection
- Podcasts thrive on authenticity and human connection. Great podcasts make listeners feel like they’re part of a meaningful conversation, not just an audience.
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Creative Formats for Great Podcasts
- Break away from traditional weekly interviews. Experiment with formats like solo episodes, seasonal releases, or well-researched documentary-style series.
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The Future of Podcasts is Niche
- Listeners are seeking content that resonates deeply with their interests. Building a small but loyal audience is often more impactful than chasing mass appeal.
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AI Can Enhance Podcasting
- From editing to show notes, AI tools streamline production, freeing creators to focus on storytelling and delivering value. However, authenticity remains key.
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Monetization Through Passion and Purpose
- Podcasts with clear goals and dedicated followings are increasingly supported through subscriptions and direct listener funding. Be top of heart, not just top of mind.
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Podcasting’s Future is Bright
- With a growing listener base and its unique ability to build trust, podcasting is poised to remain a dominant medium for content creation and marketing.
Final Thoughts
Podcasting is no longer just a hobby; it’s a powerful medium for storytelling, brand building, and connecting with audiences on a deeper level. Whether you’re a podcaster, a listener, or considering starting your own show, this episode offers insights into how to thrive in this exciting and ever-changing space.
Let us know your thoughts—where do you see podcasting heading next?
Other Podcasts you will enjoy include:
407: Shaping the Future: Dr. Emily Springer on Responsible AI in Business
396:Mark Schaefer: The Customer is Changing. How Can We Build a Community Through Marketing?
406: The Greatest Journey of a Woman Entrepreneur in Mental Health: Dr. Barbara Brown’s Story
Additional resources for you:
- My two award-winning books: Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in Business and On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights
- Our latest book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, coauthored with Edie Fraser and Robyn Freedman Spizman
- All of our white papers, particularly those on Blue Ocean Strategy
- Our website: Simon Associates Management Consultants
Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow. Let's Talk!
From Observation to Innovation,
Andi Simon, PhD
CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
[email protected]
@simonandi
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