From Trauma to Triumph: Building Multiple Successful Businesses
The Executive Edge
Episode 217 Released September 18, 2025 Guest: Jose Berlanga - From Trauma to Triumph: Building Multiple Successful Businesses Website: https://joseberlanga.com Episode Overview In this episode, Sue Firth interviews Jose Berlanga, a Houston-based entrepreneur who has built success across multiple industries despite facing significant early-life challenges. From overcoming severe childhood trauma to creating thriving businesses in real estate, construction, food service, and petrochemicals, Jose shares his unique perspective on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the art of building...
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Mastering Strategic Change with Dan Roberts
The Executive Edge
Released September 4, 2025 | Episode 216 Episode Summary In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with leadership and strategic change advisor to explore the critical human element of organizational transformation. Drawing from extensive experience in change management and organizational development, Dan shares practical strategies for helping companies navigate change successfully while maintaining team engagement and momentum. Guest Bio Dan Roberts is a leadership and strategic change advisor with a background in behavioral psychology and business. His career has...
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From Goldman to Growth: Strategic Partnerships, AI Adoption, and Building Exit-Ready Businesses: A conversation with Candice Elsmore
The Executive Edge
Released July 24, 2025 Interview with - Former Investment Banker turned COO, Strategic Partnerships Expert Guest Background Candice Elsmore brings extensive international experience across four continents: South African origins: Grew up in Johannesburg Education: London Business School, Wharton (US) Career progression: Investment banker at Goldman Sachs → COO roles → Strategic partnerships in tech/fintech Current location: Middle East (UAE) Specialization: Working with startups, blockchain companies, and financial disruption technologies Key Discussion Topics Investment Banking...
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Colostrum & Health with Freddie Rostand
The Executive Edge
Episode 214 Released: July 10, 2025 The Story wife Liz has MS and was declining rapidly - could barely walk ¾ mile before collapse. Traditional medicine offered little hope, according to Freddie. An Australian journalist friend shared how bovine colostrum got his wheelchair-bound wife walking again. Within weeks, Liz could walk miles and her life transformed. What is Colostrum? First milk produced after birth, known as "liquid gold" Contains 400+ bioactive ingredients Acts like an "operating system" for biological processes Used for 5,000+ years in traditional medicine Farmers have always...
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Leadership is a Skill, Not a Position
The Executive Edge
Episode 213 Released June 26, 2025 Episode: Leadership is a Skill, Not a Position Guest: Andy Coley - Leadership Development Expert & TEDx Speaker of the Year Episode Overview Join Sue Firth as she interviews Andy Coley, a leadership development expert who transitioned from tech to transforming how people think about leadership. Andy shares his personal journey from IT professional to TEDx Speaker of the Year, revealing why leadership is a learnable skill rather than an automatic privilege of position. Key Topics & Timestamps Andy's Background & Career Transition (5:00-12:00) ...
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Finding Work-Life Balance with Lauren Taubes
The Executive Edge
Episode 212 Released June 12, 2025 Guest Bio brings over 20 years of experience in fashion technology, with a unique background spanning trend forecasting, retail training platforms, ERP systems, and data analytics. She holds a degree in apparel merchandising with a minor in business and currently serves as Director of Business Development at Seventh Online, where she helps fashion companies optimize their merchandise planning through advanced technology solutions. Key Topics Discussed Fashion Technology Evolution Journey from trend forecasting at WGSN to SaaS platforms Experience at...
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In Your Power: Regaining Control, Reducing Stress & Preventing Burnout - with Dr Sharon Melnick
The Executive Edge
Episode 212 Released May 29, 2025 Episode Overview In this episode, Dr. Sharon Melnick reveals the critical difference between being "in power" (having a position) versus being "in your power" (having personal agency). Drawing from her 10 years of research at Harvard Medical School and extensive coaching experience, she provides practical strategies for leaders to manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain peak performance. Key Topics Covered The Three Pillars of Being "In Your Power" Agency - Having options and the ability to influence your situation Sovereignty - Maintaining your...
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From Chaos to Clarity: Why Project Management Is the Secret Weapon for Strategy Execution
The Executive Edge
🎙️ The Executive Edge – Episode 210 Guest: Professor Adam Boddison, CEO of the Association for Project Management Host: Sue Firth Released: May 15, 2025 Episode Summary: In this episode, Sue Firth is joined by Professor Adam Boddison to unpack the underestimated power of project management in modern business. As the CEO of the Association for Project Management, Adam shares his unconventional career journey — from teaching secondary school math to leading a major charity through a financial turnaround, and now championing strategic delivery at the helm of a major professional body....
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Finding Purpose, Creating Joy, and Building a Business That Makes a Difference - Jeff Bogensberger
The Executive Edge
Episode 209 Released May 1, 2025 In this compelling episode, Jeff Bogensberger, a former corporate executive turned purpose-driven entrepreneur, shares his candid story of transformation after hitting a life crossroads at age 50. Jeff opens up about the personal losses, disillusionment with corporate life, and global events that pushed him to radically change direction. Fueled by a desire to make people happier and life more fun, Jeff founded **The Laughing Otter**, a multimedia and events company designed to spread positivity, support social causes, and make a genuine impact—especially for...
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What millennials can teach us about leadership
The Executive Edge
Episode 208 Released April 17, 2025 Millennials aren’t broken — the leadership model is. In this week’s podcast, bestselling author & exec coach joins Sue Firth to unpack how a gift-centered leadership approach is the future of work. Visit for more. Also, connect with Sue on:
info_outlineEpisode 196
Released October 24, 2024
An interview with Dennis Franczak, 20 Year CEO with experience in building companies, leading business transformation, maximizing operations efficiency, driving revenue growth, increasing profitability and increasing valuation for M&A.
He is also founder of brightmatteradvisors.com.
Dennis talks about his experience of burning out, hitting the wall, his role as a business leader and the impact of burn out on his business. He also talks candidly about how he built himself up again and made the decision to help other executives avoid a similar path.
Show notes:
Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more.
Also, connect with Sue on:
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Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall