292: From Iran to Inner Freedom: Women's Voices, Breathwork, and Plant Medicine with Sepideh Eivazi
Release Date: 10/14/2025
297: Leading Without Losing Yourself: The Compass Within for Entrepreneurs & Event Leaders with Robert Glazer
The Business of Meetings
Today, we are thrilled to welcome entrepreneur, philosopher, writer, podcaster, and author Robert Glazer as our guest. Robert truly understands how values shape company culture. In his latest book, The Compass Within, he explores how values guide both personal and organizational success. Join us to discover how strong values lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity. Robert’s Journey Robert founded Acceleration Partners, a global partner marketing agency that became one of the first fully remote companies long before remote work became common. What began as an...
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296: Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly with Dr. Chloe Carmichael
The Business of Meetings
We are excited to welcome clinical psychologist and USA Today bestselling author, Dr. Chloe Carmichael, today. Chloe wrote Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety, which Deepak Chopra endorsed. Her latest book, Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly prompted Eric to reach out to her. That book received recommendations from Dr. Phil McGraw, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Patrick Bet-David, and various other thought leaders. She joins us to explore mental health, the importance of free speech, and what goes on within corporate organizations. Chloe’s...
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295: Back-of-House Brilliance: Scaling an Event Services Powerhouse with Lisa Gregory
The Business of Meetings
Today, we are delighted to welcome Lisa Gregory, the founder and CEO of Gregory Event Services. As a dynamic entrepreneur with an impressive career, Lisa understands the highs and challenges of running a business, from sleepless nights to navigating the unexpected with determination and grace. She joins us today to share her journey, insights, and lessons learned along the way. Lisa’s Journey Fueled by a passion for purposeful leadership and continuous growth, Lisa built her career in the events and marketing industry. Her company initially focused on events and marketing, but is...
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294: Reimagining Events with Digital Twins: Tech, Safety, and Storytelling with Iain Morrison
The Business of Meetings
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the incredible Iain Morrison today! Iain has spent years working behind the scenes to help global superstars bring their spectacular shows to Australian audiences. Several years ago, he launched his company, The Imagination Collaborative. He joins us today to share his journey and insights from his remarkable career in the events industry. Iain’s Journey Iain built his career behind the scenes of the world’s biggest concerts, working with global stars like Pink, the Foo Fighters, U2, Taylor Swift, and Adele. After decades of running...
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293: Exceptional Experiences: Where Luxury Meets Loyalty with Neen James
The Business of Meetings
We are thrilled to welcome Neen James, the expert on luxury experiences, back on the show today! Neen is currently releasing her fourth book, Exceptional Experiences. She is one of the brightest and most data-driven thinkers in the events business, and everything she does and writes about is grounded in research. She joins us today to share her insights on luxury experiences and discuss Mark Cuban’s thought-provoking notion that AI will encourage people to connect more in-person and enjoy exceptional human experiences more than ever before. Neen’s Journey Neen...
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292: From Iran to Inner Freedom: Women's Voices, Breathwork, and Plant Medicine with Sepideh Eivazi
The Business of Meetings
We are delighted to welcome the inspiring Sepideh Eivazi as our guest today. Sepideh is on a mission to move everyone she encounters, leaving them changed and feeling seen. She is a 2025 inductee of the Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, a Smart Speaker, a 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2025 Meetings Today Trendsetter. Her powerful TED Talk, Breath as an Act of Rebellion, has inspired audiences around the world. She joins us today to share her journey and insights. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before...
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291: Walking the Walk: From Catwalk Model to World-Class Emcee with Shannon Thaler Cherry
The Business of Meetings
Today, Eric is thrilled to welcome Shannon Thaler Cherry as his guest. Shannon began her career as a model before pivoting to become a successful journalist, emcee, and host. She now leads content sessions at trade shows, corporate events, webinars, awards shows, and other events. Tune in as she shares her journey and the nuances and facets of the dynamic career she has built. Bio: Shannon Thaler Cherry At just 26, Shannon Thaler Cherry has already built over a decade of professional experience. Today, she works as a full-time content specialist, out of NYC, contributing...
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290: From Ideas to Action: How to Win your Final Quarter with Eric Rozenberg
The Business of Meetings
When Eric did his very first public speaking experience, he almost became paralyzed with fear. But that moment also taught him a lasting lesson. Tune in today to hear what happened and how Eric discovered an antidote to fear and procrastination. Taking the First Step When you have done something once, the second time becomes easier. Action is the antidote to fear and procrastination. Procrastination vs. Action Planning and scheduling may feel productive, but without action, nothing changes. Many of us hide behind learning and preparation, but progress only comes when we move...
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289: Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance: How to Build Purpose-Driven Events with Melva LaJoy Legrand
The Business of Meetings
Today, Eric is delighted to welcome Melva LaJoy Legrand as his guest. Melva is an icon in our industry, having built an impressive career that spans the US, France, and Europe, earning numerous recognitions along the way. In this episode, she shares her journey and discusses the honors she received within the industry, offering inspiration and insights for solopreneurs and small business owners. Her Journey Melva began her career as a teacher, but her creative spark kept pulling her in a different direction. A volunteering stint at a radio station one summer introduced her to...
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288: Pause to Perform: Breath, Stress & Eventpreneur Resilience with Megan Nolan
The Business of Meetings
Today, Eric is excited to welcome Megan Nolan, the founder of Vitality Wellness in Maui. With extensive experience in yoga, mental health, and wellbeing, Megan brings powerful tools to support small business owners and professionals within the meetings and events industry. About Megan Nolan Megan Nolan is a yoga teacher and personal trainer based in Maui. She combines movement, mindfulness, and strength training to help people improve their posture, energy, and mental focus. Beyond individual sessions, she specializes in bringing wellness into the conference and events industry...
info_outlineWe are delighted to welcome the inspiring Sepideh Eivazi as our guest today.
Sepideh is on a mission to move everyone she encounters, leaving them changed and feeling seen. She is a 2025 inductee of the Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, a Smart Speaker, a 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2025 Meetings Today Trendsetter. Her powerful TED Talk, Breath as an Act of Rebellion, has inspired audiences around the world.
She joins us today to share her journey and insights.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant medicine
Sepideh’s Journey
Sepideh Eivazi grew up in Iran, navigating a life constrained by societal and political limitations. At the age of 20, she moved to the United States with her younger sister in search of freedom and opportunity. Starting from scratch, she worked in hospitality in Las Vegas, learning about the event industry from the ground up, embracing mentorship, and observing inspiring and cautionary examples of leadership. Eventually, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she joined Elevated Meeting Solutions and later launched her own wellness platform, Dawn of the Earth, which integrates tea culture, somatic breathwork, nervous system regulation, and psychedelic integration practices. Her work focuses on conscious leadership, healing trauma, and empowering others, bridging both Eastern and Western wellness traditions.
Freedom and Feminism
Sepideh shares the challenges Iranian women face under restrictive societal norms, particularly the compulsory wearing of a veil. She emphasizes the importance of personal choice, freedom, and human qualities over appearance or imposed rules.
Singing as Healing and Expression
Reclaiming her voice through singing became an emotional and symbolic act of empowerment, connecting Sepideh to her heritage and generations of suppressed women in Iran. She views singing as both a personal healing practice and a form of standing for those who cannot freely express themselves.
Mentorship and Community
Sepideh credits several mentors and supportive figures for her growth. She emphasizes the importance of showing up for others, paying support forward, and nurturing a sense of community.
Leading Beyond Burnout
Burnout is a result of prolonged stress, fight, flight, freeze responses, and neglecting emotional and physical health. Sepideh utilizes somatic breathwork to help leaders and employees regulate their nervous systems, process suppressed emotions, and create safe spaces for vulnerability and healing. She explains that burnout is preventable when organizations and individuals prioritize conscious, holistic self-care.
Plant Medicine and Integration
Sepideh views plant medicine as a tool for mental health and emotional integration, highlighting it as a catalyst for self-awareness rather than a recreational high. She works with clients to integrate insights from plant medicine into daily life, cultivating emotional intelligence, forgiveness, and presence. Her approach combines body awareness, somatic practices, and intentional reflections.
Performance, Presence, and Ritual
In high-performance industries, constant productivity and measurement can undermine confidence and well-being. Sepideh advocates rituals and presence-based practices, such as mindful breathing, sensory activation, and slowing down during daily activities, to reconnect with oneself and cultivate sustainable performance without anxiety or self-judgment.
Future Vision and Celebration
Sepideh measures success through progress and the ability to give back to humanity. She values learning, growth, and curiosity over rigid goals or timelines, viewing each step forward as a meaningful achievement for herself and others.
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Connect with Sepideh Eivazi
On her website
Sepideh's TED Talk, Breath as an Act of Rebellion