Finding Purpose, Creating Joy, and Building a Business That Makes a Difference - Jeff Bogensberger
Release Date: 05/01/2025
Selling Your Business: What Nobody Tells You About Letting Go
The Executive Edge
Episode 224 Released January 8, 2026 This week I’m joined by , a fellow Vistage member who’s been on quite a journey – from building a manufacturing business with his brother over nearly two decades, through its sale, to running a funeral director businesses in Kent. through acquisitions, post-acquisition challenges, and the transition out of businesses. What struck me most was James’s honesty about the emotional reality of selling a business. We hear the success stories – the champagne corks, the celebration – but rarely what comes next. James opens up about what he...
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Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication
The Executive Edge
Episode 223 Released December 11, 2025 Guest: Alejandra Ramirez, Founder of Ready Cultures Episode Overview In this episode, Sue is joined by Alejandra Ramirez, an internal communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-driven businesses shape their culture from the inside out. Together, they explore why so many organisations struggle to turn their values into lived reality—and what leaders can do about it. The Culture Gap We've all seen it: values proudly displayed on office walls that bear little resemblance to how things actually work day-to-day....
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Leading with Emotional Intelligence
The Executive Edge
Episode 222 Released November 27, 2025 Audio Quality Note Please note: Due to technical difficulties with the host's microphone during recording, Sue's audio quality is below our usual standard. We've chosen to release this episode despite these challenges because the conversation offers valuable insights that we believe are too important to delay. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Episode Overview In this conversation, Swedish-born CEO and leadership coach Andreas Pettersson shares his transformative approach to leadership that prioritizes emotional intelligence,...
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Turning Adversity Into Leadership – with Ted Santos
The Executive Edge
Episode 221 Released November 13, 2025 Guest: Ted Santos, Business Strategist and Founder of Turnaround Investment Partners ----- In this episode, I sat down with Ted Santos, a business strategist who has pioneered a disruptive leadership model that challenges how executives think about change, adversity, and organisational transformation. Ted’s approach isn’t just theoretical – it’s forged from personal experience that would break most people. The Power of Early Adversity Ted’s story begins with tragedy. At just 21, he lost his mother and found himself responsible for his younger...
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Building Your Resilience Plan – with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier
The Executive Edge
Episode 220 Released 2025-10-30 Building Your Resilience Plan with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier Guest: Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Workplace Mental Health Expert, Psychologist, and Speaker If you're a busy, I suspect you've already spotted yourself in this scenario: demands are increasing, deadlines are looming, and your natural response is to lean in harder, work longer hours, and push through with the same tools that have got you here. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier to unpack why this instinct—whilst understandable—is precisely what leads...
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Mastering Salary Negotiation with John Gates
The Executive Edge
Episode 219 Released 2025-10-16 Guest: John Gates, Founder of Salary Coach Episode Summary I sit down with veteran recruiter , who shares over 30 years of insider knowledge on salary negotiation. With 75,000+ job offers under his belt, John reveals why 80% of people don't negotiate at all—and how much money they're leaving on the table. This episode is packed with practical techniques you can use immediately to maximize your compensation. Key Takeaways Why People Don't Negotiate Fear of losing the opportunity trumps everything else Most people lowball themselves at the first pay...
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Grasping Confidence with Tara Lafon Gooch
The Executive Edge
Episode 218 Released 2025-10-02 Episode Overview In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with confidence coach and entrepreneur to discuss building authentic confidence, personal branding, and the transformative power of gratitude. Tara shares her journey from corporate burnout to becoming a TEDx speaker, author, and CEO, offering practical strategies for anyone looking to step into their power and purpose. Key Topics Discussed From Corporate Success to Personal Fulfillment Tara's 2022 turning point as a corporate sales director The difference between external success...
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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...
info_outlineEpisode 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 children and underserved communities.
In This Episode:
- The pivotal life events that led Jeff to walk away from a successful executive career.
- How burnout, misaligned values, and witnessing personal tragedies pushed him to reassess everything.
- Why **purpose-driven business** can be both profitable and socially impactful.
- The Laughing Otter’s mission: spreading joy through events, positive news, children’s books, and global initiatives.
- How Jeff’s agile, partnership-focused business model enables fast, joyful, and meaningful growth.
- The role of optimism, humor, and community in healing from a divisive, negative media landscape.
- Jeff’s views on the societal effects of the dot-com boom and how capitalism has shifted away from value creation.
Plus:
- Learn how small acts—like funding a party for an orphanage in Uganda—can create huge emotional returns.
- Discover how to get involved, whether you’re an event partner, donor, or just someone with a crazy, fun idea.
📣 Connect with Jeff:
- Website: [https://laughingotter.com](https://laughingotter.com)
- LinkedIn: [Jeff Bogensberger](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbogensberger)
💡 *This episode is a heartfelt reminder that it’s never too late to redefine your path and that business success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your values—or your happiness.*
Listen now and get inspired to create your own ripple of positive change.