Biz & Banter in the Blue Room

Stephanie Hammond

For 30 years, martial arts was her purpose, not because of the kicks or the belts, but because of what lived underneath them: the belief that people are capable of far more than they think. She spent decades watching people discover something in themselves they didn't know was there, and that was both the dopamine and the point. When she stepped away, she expected to miss it, but she found the same rush every time she helped someone break through in business, in leadership, and in life. The arena changed, but the mission stayed the same. Biz and Banter in the Blue Room is built for your morning: a spark of inspiration to start your day, plus a business takeaway you can put to work before lunch. Every guest and topic is chosen deliberately, because the conversations people need go beyond tactics into mindset, culture, and the intentional choices that separate good from great. Pour the coffee. Press play. Go build your day.

  1. 8 hr ago

    Biz & Banter E.17 | Reinvent, Pivot, Repeat with Tiyon Simpson

    Whose life are you truly living? Tiyon L. Simpson has rewritten his story more times than most people would dare. His first dream was soccer, following in his father’s footsteps. Then came music: recorder at five, piano at nine, then guitar, bass, and a music performance program. When music couldn’t pay the bills, he landed in a London private bank and spent nearly a decade in wealth management, rubbing shoulders with millionaires, sports stars, and celebrities while chasing the respect he thought that job would bring. Today Tiyon is an accredited coach, host of the Life of Someone Extraordinary podcast, and co-owner of Zotira Media, an international branding and marketing agency he runs with his wife, Rudina. In this episode, we dig into identity and why failure is an action you take and learn from. Tiyon shares why energy is reciprocal, why nothing grows in a storm, and how staying a big kid keeps him curious. He walks us through the three types of people he coaches (builders, restarters, and master builders), the lone wolf myth, and the brave decision that moved his family from the UK to Bulgaria. If you’ve ever chased a dream to make someone else proud, or you feel stuck in a life that doesn’t feel like yours, this episode is for you. Stay curious, protect your energy, and go live a life that’s truly yours. 🎙️ Connect with Tiyon 👇 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61595141763634 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiyonlsimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiyonlsimpson/ 🔍Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tiyon L. Simpson 02:08 Journey Through Sports and Music 05:54 Corporate Career and Identity 11:56 Lessons from Entrepreneurship 18:07 The Importance of Energy and Nurturing in Business 24:15 The Power of Curiosity and Energy 26:38 Coaching: A Journey of Support and Growth 29:26 Identifying Different Types of Clients 30:39 The Importance of Identity in Coaching 31:46 Lessons Learned from Coaching 36:02 The Myth of the Lone Wolf 37:49 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 41:24 Introspection: Whose Life Are You Living?

  2. 25 Oct

    Biz & Banter E.16 | Takeholder vs. Stakeholder with Ashley Randall

    Are you a stakeholder or a takeholder on your team? Culture is an operational strategy, and Ashley Randall is here to show you why. Ashley is a human services consultant and the founder of Aspiring Redirection. She brings more than 20 years in human services and is finishing her master’s in industrial and organizational psychology, with a doctorate program next. She has seen what happens when decisions get made in boardroom silos, when the fixer becomes the expectation, and when leaders look the other way until a toxic culture is already set. Steph and Ashley talk about who belongs in the room when decisions get made, why psychological safety works as risk management, and how a policy rolled out in ten minutes can cost a year of turnover. They break down why what you tolerate becomes the norm and how one person with clear boundaries can start systemic change from any seat. Ashley shares the four questions she asks in every one-on-one, her prioritization boundary, and what she does for fun (hint: tiny wooden libraries). Then Steph puts her through “Takeholder or Stakeholder? (Culture Edition),” a rapid-fire round with a few calls you may want to argue with. This episode is for you if you have ever stayed quiet in the meeting and complained in the parking lot, or if you lead a team and wonder why engagement keeps slipping. Until next time, build your culture on purpose and show up as a stakeholder in everything you touch. Connect with Ashley: https://www.facebook.com/aspiringredirection/ 🔍Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Human Services Consulting 02:56 The Importance of Human-Centered Decision Making 06:00 Bridging the Gap in Leadership 08:48 Understanding Stakeholders vs. Takeholders 11:45 The Impact of Leadership on Organizational Culture 15:01 Empowering Individuals in Non-Leadership Roles 19:11 Navigating Unwritten Rules in the Workplace 20:47 Effective Communication: What Do You Need From Me? 22:51 Creating Meaningful Conversations with Staff 24:40 Addressing Toxic Behavior in the Workplace 27:37 Setting Healthy Boundaries for Leadership 30:57 Finding Balance: Personal Well-being and Professional Life 32:32 Fun and Mindfulness: Hobbies That Recharge Us

  3. 18 Oct

    Biz & Banter E.15 | Think Again: Getting Unstuck with Kelli Post

    Feeling stuck and can’t figure out why? In this episode of Biz & Banter, I sit down with Kelli Post, keynote speaker, mindset coach, and founder of Piece by Peace. After a 25-year sales career, Kelli now teaches the conscious thinking principles that built her results and rebuilt her life. Her core message: your thoughts are instructions, and they shape your reality. We talk about why positive thinking has to be paired with conscious action, how your energy shows up in every interaction, and how visualization can boost performance and even support healing. Kelli shares how gratitude and self-talk can shift your mindset, why comparison holds you back, and how the friction you feel can be confirmation that you’re growing. We wrap with a rapid-fire round of “Instead Of,” full of simple swaps you can start tomorrow morning. If you’ve been waiting to feel motivated before you take the next step, this episode is for you. Take the first step by changing the instructions. Connect with Kelli: piecebypeacekellispeaks.com 🔎Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mindset Coaching 04:37 The Power of Thoughts and Instructions 10:09 Positive Thinking vs. Conscious Thinking 15:14 Energy and Its Impact on Interactions 20:00 Visualization and Mindset Shifts 24:17 Practical Strategies for Overcoming Stuckness 29:58 The Importance of Gratitude and Reflection

  4. 11 Oct

    Biz & Banter E.14 | The Next Play Mindset with Kacy Small

    What does a lacrosse sideline have in common with a closing table? Kacy Small is a real estate professional, a lacrosse coach, and the founder of Next Play Apparel. In this conversation he breaks down how his three worlds run on the same playbook: build a plan, stay intentional, and run through adversity when it shows up. Kacy shares how Next Play Apparel was born from one genuine conversation, how he listens for opportunity in everyday moments, and how he manages a schedule that holds this many roles. He also talks about why authentic social media content is the thread that ties his brands together, and what it takes to put yourself out there without worrying about public perception. This episode is for you if you wear multiple hats, your calendar is full, and you want every role to move the others forward. Go make your next play. Connect with Kacy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kacy_small_realtor 🔎Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:50 Coaching and Real Estate Parallels 06:05 Intentionality in Coaching and Business 08:51 The Birth of Next Play Apparel 11:46 Integrating Lacrosse and Real Estate 15:05 Managing Multiple Responsibilities 17:55 Social Media Strategy and Authenticity 20:46 Navigating Brand Deals and Content Creation 24:06 Final Thoughts and Advice

  5. 4 Oct

    Biz & Banter E.13 | The Hive Mentality and Leadership with Latoya Johnson

    What if the secret to better leadership has been buzzing around in a backyard hive the whole time? In this episode, Latoya Johnson of Grow & Glow Philly breaks down the Hive Mentality, the framework built from working a beehive and working in leadership. She talks through what bees teach us about trust, roles, and getting a group to move as one, and how she's turned those lessons into tools for building teams and community. If you've ever struggled to get a team to function without you micromanaging every move, this episode is for you. Get ready to buzz into your next big move. Reach out to Latoya here: https://www.growandglowphilly.com Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Becoming a Speaker 02:30 Discovering Beekeeping 04:54 From Skincare to Beekeeping 07:33 The Beehive Mentality in Leadership 12:38 Nature's Lessons on Leadership 14:51 The Buzz of Bees and Mental Wellness 15:20 Growing Glow: Educating Through Nature 18:00 The Importance of Natural Ingredients 19:31 Understanding the Beehive Structure 22:54 The Role of the Queen Bee 25:46 Mindfulness and Teamwork in Beekeeping 26:18 Navigating Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Dynamics 29:00 The Hive Mentality in Leadership 31:56 Mindset and Prioritization Challenges 35:43 Self-Care and Balancing Responsibilities 38:53 Lessons from Bees on Leadership 46:56 The Importance of Mentorship and Continuous Learning

  6. 21 Sept

    Biz & Banter E.12 | Marketing on a Dime with Angie DeMilo

    Do you know who's buying what you're selling? Angie DeMilo has spent her career helping entrepreneurs answer that exact question, and on this episode she sits down with Steph to break down why so many business owners skip it entirely. Angie shares how she found her footing in marketing, why treating your strategy like an ongoing experiment beats waiting for a perfect plan, and how free tools like Canva and AI have made it possible to create real content without a real budget. Her take is simple: everything has a market, you just have to find yours. This one is packed with high level marketing reminders and plenty of banter between two people who clearly enjoy talking shop. This episode is for you if you have ever felt stuck talking to everyone and reaching no one. Angie's approach turns marketing into something playful instead of overwhelming, and her energy alone will get you thinking differently about your next post. Happy Marketing! Follow Angie at @demiloenterprises. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection 03:04 The Importance of Marketing Fundamentals 05:49 Understanding Your Target Audience 08:56 Overcoming Marketing Challenges 12:00 Utilizing Free Tools for Marketing 14:59 Evaluating Marketing Effectiveness 19:00 Understanding Quirky Marketing Strategies 21:57 The Importance of Personal Connection in Marketing 25:01 Exploring Diverse Marketing Approaches 28:08 Personal Branding and Authenticity in Marketing 32:00 The Role of AI in Personalization 35:56 Embracing Risk and Consistency in Marketing

  7. 16 Sept ·  Bonus

    BONUS Biz & Banter | Utilizing the CB HOME Platform for Luxury Agents

    Hear from Coldwell Banker Luxury Marketing Specialist, Callie Galilea, what her favorite features of the HOME platform are for CB Luxury Real Estate Agents. More about HOME for CB agents: https://homeplatformworkshops.com More about HOME for non-CB agents: https://join-cbr.com

  8. 6 Sept

    Biz & Banter E.11 | Creating Meaningful Experiences with Lindsay Smith

    How are you making people feel? Keynote speaker and author of No One Needs Another Company Mug, Lindsay Smith joins the Blue Room to talk about the art of creating experiences that matter. Her philosophy comes down to one idea: the moments people remember are the ones that make them feel valued, and those rarely cost much at all. Lindsay builds her business around human significance, the belief that everyone should leave an interaction feeling like they matter. We get into why the smallest, warmest gestures leave the biggest mark, how that plays out in business and in everyday life, and what it takes to lead with that kind of intention. If you've ever wondered why the swag and the branding aren't building the loyalty you hoped for, this episode is for you. Find more about Lindsay here: https://www.lindsaysmithexperiences.com/ Happy experiencing!

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About

For 30 years, martial arts was her purpose, not because of the kicks or the belts, but because of what lived underneath them: the belief that people are capable of far more than they think. She spent decades watching people discover something in themselves they didn't know was there, and that was both the dopamine and the point. When she stepped away, she expected to miss it, but she found the same rush every time she helped someone break through in business, in leadership, and in life. The arena changed, but the mission stayed the same. Biz and Banter in the Blue Room is built for your morning: a spark of inspiration to start your day, plus a business takeaway you can put to work before lunch. Every guest and topic is chosen deliberately, because the conversations people need go beyond tactics into mindset, culture, and the intentional choices that separate good from great. Pour the coffee. Press play. Go build your day.

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