Podcasting for Influence: How to Build Authority Without Ads | Mischa Zvegintzov | 631
Release Date: 03/13/2025
Leveraging Thought Leadership
What if your greatest impact as a leader begins after your "official" career ends? , former Managing Director and Senior Partner at and author of "", joins Peter Winick to share insights from his extraordinary shift from consulting titan to impactful thought leader. Joe reveals how the disruptions of COVID-19 inspired him to write his book—not just as a professional calling card, but to encourage executives to lead with heartfelt generosity and empathy. He emphasizes that legacy leadership isn't measured by revenue alone but by meaningful connections, personal growth, and empowering...
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How do you grab the attention of the smartest person in the room and introduce an idea that could fundamentally change their approach to leadership? In this insightful episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, , President of and author of The Leadership Wake Up Call, joins Bill Sherman to discuss her pioneering work in developing emotional intelligence (EQ) for surgeon leaders—a skill set largely overlooked in traditional medical training. Gina shares how her journey from managing medical device teams in Fortune 500 healthcare organizations led her to recognize a critical gap: Surgeons...
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What if the worst-performing team you’ve ever seen could become the best—without changing a single person? Today, Peter Winick sits down with , former U.S. Navy captain and author of the mega-bestseller "". Michael shares the extraordinary turnaround story of the USS Benfold—once one of the lowest-ranked ships in the fleet—and how he transformed its culture by focusing on something rare in the military: personal connection. He didn’t ask for a new crew. He didn’t get a bigger budget. What he did instead? Interviewed all 310 sailors, created personal index cards with their goals,...
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What happens when a philosopher, a pyrotechnics entrepreneur, and a tech ethicist walk into a boardroom? You get —author of , host of a by the same name, and founder of , a consultancy helping Fortune 500 companies navigate the ethical risks of AI. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, we explore the collision of ethics, emerging tech, and organizational complexity. Reid shares his unorthodox journey from selling fireworks out of a Honda to advising top executives on responsible AI. He discusses how AI creeps into organizations like a Trojan horse—through HR, marketing, and...
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How do you prepare a first-time leader to succeed when everyone’s watching? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill speaks with , former and author of the upcoming book " "(June 2025). Noel spent his distinguished career at UPS mentoring new leaders and guiding them through the challenging transition from individual contributor to manager. Recognizing a critical gap in available resources specifically designed for newly promoted frontline leaders, he decided to write the book he wished he'd had earlier in his career. Noel introduces powerful frameworks, including the "4 by...
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How do you build genuine trust when AI-driven automation floods our lives? In this engaging episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, I sit down with , author of "", to explore the irreplaceable role of authentic human connection in today's tech-heavy marketing landscape. Ashley argues that while AI can streamline content creation and amplify messaging, the core elements of trust—authenticity, empathy, and credibility—can only be forged through real human interactions. We discuss practical ways marketers can move beyond outdated funnel approaches, introducing Ashley's innovative "Content...
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What if your next client already feels like they know you—before you’ve ever spoken a word? This week on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter talks with , founder of , a peer advisory group for high-performing CEOs. Jim shares insights from advising over 125 CEOs across 40 states, leading organizations with revenues from $25 million to over $2 billion. His unique perspective offers a window into how top leaders are using thought leadership as both consumers and creators. We dig into why CEOs crave curated content that helps them grow—and why books and podcasts still dominate their...
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Have you ever wondered why some nonprofits make a huge impact while others struggle to grow? The difference isn't always their mission—it’s their ability to fundraise and scale effectively. , founder of the , joins us today to reveal why bigger doesn’t always mean better in the nonprofit sector. James spent 25 years witnessing smaller nonprofits achieve incredible results—only to remain largely invisible due to weak fundraising skills. We dive into the critical business skills most nonprofit founders lack, from building fundraising teams to understanding marketing ROI. James explains...
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What if your greatest business challenge could become your launchpad into thought leadership? Today, Bill Sherman sits down with , visionary behind and bestselling author of , to explore how a journey from entrepreneur to industry thought leader unfolds—often unintentionally. Aaron shares how his frustration with data gaps in the home care space led to the founding of a data analytics company and, unexpectedly, a national reputation as a thought leader. Along the way, he leveraged the insights of thinkers like Brian Tracy and Michael Gerber, and later deepened his impact through a...
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Can a 150-year-old New York City institution thrive in the digital age? , CEO of the iconic , joins us to reveal how they turned crisis into innovation. Founded to support immigrant communities, the Y evolved into a world-renowned cultural hub. Seth shares how, despite the initial shock of COVID-19 closures, the organization quickly pivoted, transforming itself into a global digital platform overnight. Discover how they scaled online to reach millions—expanding their audience far beyond Manhattan. Seth explains key lessons learned, including tapping into an international market hungry for...
info_outlineAre you really a thought leader—or just claiming the title?
Today's guest Mischa Zvegintzov, Chief Influence Officer at Influence Army, thought he was a Thought Leader. As a sales expert with decades of experience, he knew how to pitch. But when a podcast host bluntly told him, “You don’t look like a thought leader,” everything changed.
In this episode, Mischa shares how he pivoted from traditional sales tactics to leveraging podcast guesting as his primary vehicle for influence. He reveals how appearing on 100+ shows transformed his credibility, opened doors, and led to unexpected opportunities.
Peter and Mischa also dive into the hidden power of podcast guesting—why it's more than just getting on a mic, how to “hijack” an audience the right way, and why most guests completely miss out on maximizing their impact. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re showing up as a true thought leader or just another name in the noise, this conversation is for you.
Expect candid insights, hard-hitting truths, and actionable takeaways on elevating your brand, proving your expertise, and turning podcasting into a game-changing growth strategy.
Listen now and learn how to amplify your thought leadership without breaking the bank.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Podcast guesting is a powerful thought leadership tool – Being a guest on the right podcasts allows you to tap into established audiences, build credibility, and position yourself as an expert without heavy marketing spend.
• Most guests fail to maximize their impact – Simply appearing on a podcast isn’t enough; thought leaders must engage in strategic pre-show preparation, deliver value-driven conversations, and actively promote their episodes post-release.
• Thought leadership is about proof, not claims – Having a strong message isn’t enough; you need visible credibility. Leveraging podcast guesting effectively can create the social proof necessary to establish real authority in your space.
If you've had trouble finding the distinction between Thought Leader and Influencer check out this video by Peter Winick to learn the difference.