EP 267 - Get Up. Get Dressed. People Are Counting on You – Marc Dann | Paper Napkin Wisdom
Release Date: 07/10/2025
EP 294 - Rest. In. Peace.
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Some episodes of Paper Napkin Wisdom are easy to listen to, packed with energizing insights and clear strategies for growth. Others are heavier — not because they lack value, but because the wisdom forces us to pause, reflect, and wrestle with the uncomfortable. Episode 294 is one of those conversations. This week, Govindh sits down with three little letters we all know: RIP. We’ve all said them. We’ve read them on tombstones, typed them in comments, whispered them at funerals. But how often do we really consider what they mean? And what happens when they appear in the midst of...
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EP 293 – Steven Rothberg: If a Customer Wants to Pay More, Let Them
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When you sit down with someone like Steven Rothberg, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of , you expect to hear insights about hiring, technology, and the future of work. What you might not expect is a napkin that sums up decades of wisdom in a sentence so straightforward it almost sounds too simple: “If a customer wants to give you more money, find a way of making that happen. $$$” At first glance, it feels like sales advice. But during our conversation, it became clear that Steven’s napkin is less about sales tactics and more about mindset. It’s about curiosity,...
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EP 292 - Edge of the Napkin #3: “Who’s the best partner you ever had? (Secret) … It’s you.”
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Partnership is one of the most powerful words in leadership and in life. We spend years searching for the right business partner, co-founder, or even life partner. But here’s the twist on this week’s Paper Napkin Wisdom: the greatest, most important partnership you’ll ever have is not with someone else—it’s with yourself. The napkin for Episode 292 asks the provocative question: “Who’s the best partner you ever had?” And then delivers the unexpected truth: (Secret)… it’s you. In this episode, Govindh dives deep into the nature of the...
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EP 291 – Jennifer McKenna - The Prosperity Formula: Familiar → Faith → Fulfillment
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Jennifer McKenna, founder of JMac Consulting, is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, and creator of The JMac Method. With decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations through transformation, Jennifer has built her reputation on blending practical business strategy with a deep commitment to values, authenticity, and growth. She has coached Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to align who they are with what they do. On Paper Napkin Wisdom, Jennifer shares her Prosperity Formula — a deceptively simple but powerful framework to help...
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EP 290 – Andrew Safnauer: Find Your Way Over the Wall
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is captured on a single napkin: “Find your way over the wall.” At first glance, it’s a simple metaphor. But as Andrew shares, this idea has been a recurring theme throughout his life and career, one that continues to guide him...
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EP 289 - The Edge of the Napkin: Friction vs. Flow
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In Episode 289 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman takes us deeper into the next evolution of his work: The Edge of the Napkin. This isn’t just about wisdom captured in simple strokes anymore — it’s about stepping into the tension between friction and flow, and understanding the rhythms of creativity and growth. The napkin for this episode sets the stage: a stick figure caught between jagged lines of friction and the upward curve of flow, alongside two key modes — Seminal (Spark) and Gestational (Build). At its heart, the question posed is simple but powerful: Are...
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EP 288 – Katy Spada: Build the World You Wish Existed
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When Katy Spada sat down with me on Paper Napkin Wisdom, she brought a napkin that was more than just words — it was a challenge: “Build the world you wish existed for your younger self, and for those who come next.” Katy isn’t just an entrepreneur. She’s a mother of two (ages 7 and 4), a storyteller, and the founder of , a lifestyle and apparel company that’s grounded in values of creativity, heritage, and intentional living. What makes her story remarkable is how deeply personal it is. As she says, she never set out to be an entrepreneur — she calls...
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EP 287 – Permission, Structure, and Social Media Success with Sam Toles
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman welcomes Sam Toles, a digital media pioneer and storyteller with decades of experience building audiences, brands, and communities. Sam is the CEO and co-founder of , a platform designed to transform civic engagement by helping communities and governments create stronger, more transparent conversations online. Sam’s career has spanned leadership roles at MGM, Vimeo, Bleacher Report, and Warner Bros., and throughout it all he has stayed focused on how creativity, structure, and permission come together to unlock growth. His...
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EP 286 - Introducing the Edge of the Napkin
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In this special episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I (Govindh Jayaraman) take a step back to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together — over 280 episodes filled with wisdom, stories, and lessons from incredible leaders, entrepreneurs, and difference makers. The napkin for this episode reads: “Introducing the Edge of the Napkin.” It’s a phrase that captures both a transition and an expansion. The napkin has always been a place for distilled wisdom — one sentence, one thought, one principle that could change everything if applied. But now, we’re venturing into...
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EP 285 – Kendra MacDonald: Building a Career That Grows With You
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Careers aren’t meant to be lived on repeat. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we sit down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, a leader who has spent her career helping organizations innovate, adapt, and push boundaries. Kendra has been recognized for her work in transformation and leadership across industries, and she brings her wisdom to the napkin with a deceptively simple but powerful message. On her napkin, Kendra wrote: “Make sure your career is 25 years, not 1 year 25 times. What will you learn this year?” This phrase, first...
info_outlineMarc Dann is no stranger to high-stakes leadership. As a former Ohio Attorney General and now a tireless advocate for consumer rights, Marc brings a seasoned perspective on accountability, resilience, and purpose. In Episode 267 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, he shares a deceptively simple, yet profoundly powerful mantra that has anchored his professional and personal comeback: “Get up. Get dressed. Go to work. People are counting on you.”
These aren’t just words Marc scribbled for effect—they are a lived commitment forged in adversity. After resigning from public office in 2008, Marc found himself in a moment of deep uncertainty. But instead of retreating, he focused on rebuilding.
“When I read the pitch to submit for this, I immediately thought of a situation that happened right after I resigned office,” Marc explains in the episode. “I had clients who still needed me. I had to show up.”
And show up he did. Marc didn’t just reenter the legal profession—he doubled down on his mission to protect and serve. Today, he represents clients in housing disputes, foreclosure defense, and consumer protection cases. His firm stands as a beacon for people navigating hard times—because Marc knows what it’s like to be in that place.
Showing Up Even When It’s Hard
Marc’s napkin is a call to action, especially for leaders. In times of transition, scandal, or failure, it’s tempting to stay hidden. But Marc reminds us that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.
“Getting dressed wasn’t about the suit. It was about stepping into responsibility,” he says.
This episode isn’t about politics. It’s about leadership that gets up anyway. It’s about not letting the worst day define your every day. It’s about remembering that your team, your family, your community—they’re counting on you. And your job is to show up for them, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Marc also talks about how this mindset continues to guide his team’s work. They represent individuals going through some of the most stressful experiences of their lives. For his team, showing up isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of trust.
5 Key Takeaways from Episode 267 – Marc Dann
1. Your Presence Matters More Than Your Perfection No matter how messy life gets, showing up with integrity can still have massive impact. 💡 Take Action: Identify one situation where you’ve been avoiding engagement—show up intentionally this week.
2. Leadership Is a Daily Decision Marc reminds us that leadership is not a title, but a commitment you make every single day. 💡 Take Action: Start your morning with a grounding phrase or mantra—Marc’s napkin is a great place to begin.
3. Purpose Can Be Reclaimed After Failure Failure isn’t the end. Marc’s comeback story proves you can re-earn trust by taking responsibility and doing the work. 💡 Take Action: Reflect on a past setback—how could it become a launching point for deeper purpose?
4. People Are Always Counting on You, Even If You Forget Whether you're a CEO, a parent, or a team leader—your consistency matters. 💡 Take Action: Send one message of gratitude or encouragement to someone who counts on you. Remind them you’re here.
5. Rituals Ground Resilience “Get up. Get dressed.” is more than just literal—it’s a ritual that roots Marc in action when emotions run high. 💡 Take Action: Create a simple daily ritual that signals it’s time to lead—even if you’re not feeling it.
Marc Dann’s story isn’t about never falling—it’s about what happens after you do. His Paper Napkin Wisdom offers a battle-tested reminder: leadership is showing up with purpose, especially when you don’t feel like it.
What’s your version of “Get up. Get dressed. People are counting on you”?
Write it down. Snap a picture. Share it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom—and remind someone else that their presence matters, too.
Contact Marc Dann