Biz-Souls

Jeffrey Hansler & Rona Lewis

Welcome to the BizSouls podcast! We talk about the business of everything and we get to the heart, soul…and humor… of business and the people who make it happen.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 225: The Great Executive Disconnect and Why Sales and Tech Need Couples Therapy

    If you've ever called customer service and ended up questioning your life choices, your sanity, and possibly the existence of organized civilization, this episode is for you. This week on Biz-Souls, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler tackle a business problem so common it has practically become its own department: the giant communication gap between sales and technical teams. What starts as a simple internet upgrade quickly becomes a masterclass in organizational dysfunction. One order becomes six. A customer becomes a moving target. A phone number disappears. An account somehow exists, doesn't exist, moved, didn't move, and may have entered a parallel universe. And yet... the executive team is asleep at wheel. One outstanding technician salvages the entire customer experience. Using a real-world customer service adventure involving internet providers, billing systems, account migrations, and enough contradictory information to make a GPS cry, Jeffrey and Rona explore why even good companies can create terrible customer experiences when departments operate in silos. The conversation dives into: • Why sales teams and technical teams often speak completely different languages • How misaligned incentives create costly customer frustration • The hidden cultural problems that technology alone can't solve • Why frontline employees often know more about operational problems than leadership • The role of Six Sigma and process improvement in reducing costly mistakes • How AI is accelerating the need for organizational alignment • Why one exceptional employee sometimes saves an entire company's reputation Along the way, you'll hear stories involving internet providers, computer repairs, Amazon reconciliation headaches, disappearing phone numbers, and enough customer service absurdity to make you wonder how organizations stay in business at all. The surprising lesson? Most customer experience failures aren't caused by bad employees. They're caused by systems that force good employees to work with bad information. When sales, service, operations, technology, and leadership fail to communicate, customers don't see departments. They see one company and wish they could collaborate with a smarter company. And when that company acts like five different companies arguing with each other, trust disappears faster than Jeffrey's phone number in a Verizon database. Whether you're a business owner, executive, salesperson, manager, consultant, or simply someone who has ever screamed "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!" while dealing with customer service, this episode offers practical insights, painful truths, and plenty of laughs. Because in business, communication isn't just a soft skill. It's infrastructure. And when the infrastructure fails, everything else starts buffering. Related Biz-Souls Episodes: Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! A Unique Way of Connecting Communities • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+127+Piccles • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20127 Episode 128: Insuring HR is Taken Care of With Innovative Approaches • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+128+Tobias+Kennedy • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20128 Episode 132: Slay the Villain of Culture Stagnation • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+132+Stephanie+Angelo • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20132 Episode 137: Giving and Receiving Instructions – A Playful Journey • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+137+Giving+and+Receiving+Instructions • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20137 Episode 141: Mature Gnome with Ego: Building a Strong Defense with Humor • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+141+Mature+Gnome+with+Ego • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%2014

    14 min
  2. Jun 22

    Episode 224: Cognitive Dissonance: The World's Most Annoying Companion

    Remember when Windex was suggested as the solution to cleaning a clapboard? Neither do we. Well, actually, Jeffrey does. Repeatedly. This week's episode of Biz-Souls begins with household confusion, questionable cleaning advice, and a closet door that apparently became an escape room challenge. Naturally, this leads directly into one of psychology's most fascinating concepts: cognitive dissonance. Because that's how Biz-Souls works. Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler dive into the mental tug-of-war that happens when our beliefs, actions, and reality refuse to cooperate with one another. Why do smart people reject good ideas? Why do sales professionals cling to "maybe" prospects like they're winning lottery tickets? Why do political arguments often leave both sides even more convinced they're right? Blame the gatekeeper. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of psychologist Leon Festinger, Rona and Jeffrey explore how our brains are wired to seek consistency—even when consistency isn't helping us. From leadership and sales training to social media debates and organizational change, they unpack why new information often feels threatening and what it takes to move past that resistance. You'll discover: • Why the fear of loss is often stronger than the promise of gain • How cognitive dissonance quietly sabotages learning and growth • Why storytelling is one of leadership's most powerful change tools • The surprising connection between improv games, executive speaking, and organizational transformation • Why people rarely change until their backs are against the wall • How to recognize when your own internal "gatekeeper" is blocking progress You'll also meet Ralph. Who is Ralph? Ralph is the name Rona gives to the little mental bouncer standing at the door of your mind, checking IDs and rejecting new ideas before they ever get inside. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, selling a product, navigating relationships, or simply trying to understand why people on social media seem determined to argue with reality, this episode offers practical insights and plenty of laughs. Because sometimes the first step toward growth is realizing that the voice saying "that's a terrible idea" might just be Ralph protecting old habits. And Ralph, frankly, needs a vacation. Listen in, challenge your assumptions, and remember don't believe everything you hear... especially from the voice inside your own head. And take a minute to share, follow, and subscribe. We’re excited to have you join us. Related Biz-Souls Episodes: Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! A Unique Way of Connecting Communities • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+127+Piccles • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20127 Episode 128: Insuring HR is Taken Care of With Innovative Approaches • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+128+Tobias+Kennedy • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20128 Episode 129: Imagination and Its Importance to Business • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+129+Imagination+Business • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20129 Episode 132: Slay the Villain of Culture Stagnation • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+132+Stephanie+Angelo • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20132 Episode 137: Giving and Receiving Instructions – A Playful Journey • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+137+Giving+and+Receiving+Instructions • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20137 Episode 146: Talking with Jonny Thompson • https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Biz-Souls+Episode+146+Jonny+Thompson • https://open.spotify.com/search/Biz-Souls%20Episode%20146

    16 min
  3. Jun 15

    Episode 223: Fifty Shades of Beige, How the World Forgot Color, And Why Color is Coming Back

    Color is emotion. Gray is a mood. This episode is a whole palette. Somewhere along the way, the world went gray. Not metaphorically — literally. Scroll through a parking lot photo from 1980 and you'll see yellows, blues, reds, a green car someone clearly loved. Scroll through a 2025 parking lot and you'll think your screen broke. It didn't. That's just… the vibe now. Black, white, and approximately 47 varieties of steel gray. In this episode of Biz-Souls, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler tackle the surprisingly rich (and surprisingly emotional) business of color. Why did the world go gray? Who decided that color was somehow beneath civilized people? (Spoiler: it was a 1908 Austrian architect who also hated fun.) And more importantly — is color finally, finally staging a comeback? The design world seems to think so. Pantone named Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year — a warm, earthy brown bridges luxury and comfort — while Bear selected a deep ruby red and Valspar went with a rich navy blue. Design experts are also flagging rising nostalgia for 70s-inspired earth tones like terracotta and clay. Apparently, the pendulum is finally swinging — and it's swinging toward something that doesn't look like a rental car. Rona (art major, self-described color evangelist, proud owner of a steel-gray Lexus she did NOT want in steel gray) and Jeffrey (temporarily a reformed all-black wardrobe guy, partially colorblind, still has opinions) go deep on: • Why Adolf Loos — yes, a real architect with a real 1908 essay — declared that using color as decoration was a sign of arrested moral development (he was targeting Art Nouveau, one of the most beautiful art movements ever, which tells you everything) • Why California's most popular home color is basically beige wearing a disguise • What mid-century modern living rooms, orange sinks, and lava lamps tell us about where we're headed • Why color equals hope, gray stands for fear, and aubergine is always the right answer • How Pantone's Color of the Year program influences billions of dollars in buying decisions across fashion, design, and consumer goods — meaning this isn't just an aesthetic conversation, it's a business conversation Red94 Mocha Mousse is warm, approachable, and undeniably chic — the sartorial equivalent of a decadent chocolate pudding. But Rona and Jeffrey aren't entirely convinced we're ready to go to the full Color Revolution just yet. Jeffrey suspects AI and utilitarian thinking might keep the grays winning. Rona is cautiously optimistic. Their conversation, as always, will have you laughing and rethinking things you didn't realize you had opinions about. Who - What – Wear! Wear your colors, it might be your civic duty. Listen now. Like. Subscribe. And for the love of Art Nouveau, color it up.

    17 min
  4. Jun 8

    Episode 222: The Mushroom Chocolate Bar That Doesn’t Taste Like a Forest Floor

    Somewhere between Willy Wonka, Silicon Valley wellness culture, and two entrepreneurs stubborn enough to spend a year making mushrooms taste luxurious, Episode 222 of Biz-Souls was born. Well, Welcome back, Kotter and Room 222. In this delightfully smooth episode, hosts Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler sit down with Graham Bailey and Lee Ribeiro, the masterminds behind Mana Bars (https://manabars.com) - a California-based functional chocolate company turning adaptogens, nootropics, and wellness mushrooms into something shockingly rare: Chocolate that actually tastes like chocolate. Not dirt. Not regret. Not “wellness” disguised as dessert. Real, silky, craveable chocolate. The episode kicks off with dreams of Formula One racing, Olympic swimming, music careers, and entrepreneurship before veering gloriously into cognitive-enhancing cacao, calming mushroom blends, and the kind of startup chaos every founder secretly recognizes. There’s packaging talk, Expo West war stories, manufacturing realities, influencer culture, and enough entrepreneurial wisdom to fuel at least three LinkedIn gurus and one exhausted MBA student. What makes Graham and Lee compelling isn’t just the product. It’s the collision of craftsmanship and curiosity. One minute they’re discussing functional wellness and sourcing mushrooms from Southern California. The next they’re debating why white chocolate lovers are apparently a secret underground movement worthy of protection. And somehow, it all works. The real magic of this conversation is that it never feels like a pitch. It feels like two builders obsessing over experience. They didn’t want “healthy chocolate.” They wanted chocolate-forward indulgence with an actual functional payoff: • Focus without feeling jittery • Calm without tasting medicinal • Energy without drinking something neon from a gas station refrigerator In true Biz-Souls fashion, the episode also drifts into the wonderfully human side of entrepreneurship and why: • patience matters more than hype • theory and practice are constantly kung fu fighting • relationships matter more than algorithms And why every entrepreneur eventually learns that fires are not occasional events, they’re basically recurring calendar appointments. The conversation also explores the growing “sober curious” wellness market, influencer-driven branding, and how modern consumers increasingly want products that feel both indulgent and intentional. Functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and nootropics have exploded across wellness categories recently, but Mana Bars is trying to bring actual flavor credibility into the space. And yes… there’s an Austin Powers “One Billion Dollars!” moment. Because no Biz-Souls episode should ever become too respectable. Other delicious Biz-Souls Episodes: Episode 139: Play for Better Living! Why Play Makes Every Life Better • https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EOyx44QYvEkrzE6Fg6fA8 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdUd8cU1JXg Episode 125: How to Retrain Your Brain with Kelley Raleigh • https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Sl8zVZB6Jx5DMHg8lN9aH • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA4P9HvbKVI Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! with Chris Bent • https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m0lrAjU0EoA0YpWqq9n9K • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQNREqXwV8k Episode 137: Just Say No! Maybe. • https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O9pVnMLtrVRHfSrkE3dZn • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ffpbkA2n8 Episode 136: Mature Gnome with Ego • https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SrTBRzWZ9MbhycJw5Nkwv • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl6sKzNUWTo

    25 min
  5. Jun 1

    Episode 221: Abuse Should Not Be a Business Model - Even If It Gets Great Reviews

    Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler welcome back recurring guest and hospitality insider Nick Morton to unpack a story that rocked the culinary world - centered on famed chef René Redzepi of Noma. This isn’t just another ‘celebrity chef gone rogue’ story. It’s a full-on reality check about internships, unpaid labor, and the culture of ‘abuse-as-education’. Redzepi’s empire didn’t crumble overnight. It wasn’t until former interns began speaking out about toxic conditions of emotional and physical abuse when René’s cake was left out in the rain. Here’s the kicker: This isn’t just a restaurant problem. Nick draws a bold, and frankly uncomfortable, parallel to the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and even elite events like the US Open Golf Championship that all take advantage of free labor. The question is, ‘When billion-dollar industries rely on unpaid work is it an educational tradition or exploitation with better branding? For the restaurant business, Nick draws a line between the brigade system, popularized by Auguste Escoffier, and the current culture. His system was designed to bring order to the chaos of commercial kitchens: Think military precision with butter. Things went sideways when the culture moved from a ‘Yes, Chef!’ attitude to flying sauté pans. The abusive culture has only continued to grow. While shows like ‘The Bear’ may win awards, they normalize dysfunctional behavior and environments. You know the characters from reality shows: Marco Pierre White and TV titan Gordon Ramsay. Their behavior is excused as fiery personalities and show ratings are strong. Nick and Biz-Souls ask the real question: Must apprenticeship go hand-in-hand with abuse. And you know the answer, and so do the creators and stars of the ‘The Great British Bake Off’. Saying drama sells is just an excuse for limited minds. Still, before you swear off dining out forever, take a breath, because this episode isn’t a takedown, it’s a wake-up call. Nick highlights the leaders who don’t make headlines for bad behavior. Mentors who teach instead of terrorizing. Operators who build people up instead of breaking them down. Restaurateurs like Danny Meyer who prove hospitality can actually include hospitality. Turns out, kindness isn’t bad for business. Who knew? If you believe this isn’t just about restaurants, and it’s about every industry where ‘experience’ is used as currency instead of cash, then you’re drinking from the same glass as Nick and our Biz-Souls hosts. As for these billion dollar enterprises paying apprentices and ‘volunteers’, if only those with the means to fund themselves can afford to learn, the system isn’t building talent, it’s filtering it. So, listen in, follow, subscribe, share and share again. Because this message is an important message to pass around.

    25 min
  6. May 25

    Episode 220: From Wolfman Jack to Wellness Tech - A Frequency-Based Business Story

    If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a former would-be radio DJ, a philosophy major, body builder, and a “professional button pusher” walk into a podcast… this episode is your answer. This week on Biz-Souls, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler sit down with Alex Fredricks, a growth strategist who has done everything short of becoming Wolfman. From mixing records with oscilloscopes to scaling brands across tech, wellness, and even blockchain, Alex’s career path reads like a masterclass in “I didn’t plan this, but I absolutely meant to.” The real twist? He’s now decoding your voice—yes, your actual voice—to tell you what’s going on inside your body. Not metaphorically. Not spiritually. Literally. In this episode, you’ll get: • A crash course in how frequency, physiology, and voice intersect • Why most “data” is just noise unless it tells you what to do next • The difference between measuring your life and actually improving it • A surprisingly compelling argument that your best wellness tool… might already be in your pocket And, of course, the usual Biz-Souls chaos: Tech hiccups, gentle roasting, and big ideas wrapped in wit and wonder. Alex doesn’t just talk about innovation—he translates it into action. Or as he might say: stop tracking your problems and start solving them. Tune into your voice and your health. And while you’re at it, listen in, subscribe, and share this episode of Biz-Souls with everyone you care about. Here are other episodes that pair perfectly with this one—same sharp insights, same unfiltered delivery: Episode 216: Grace Under Fire • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/bizsouls/episode216 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bizsouls216 Episode 219: Distilled Ambition: From Mortuary to Martini Bar • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/bizsouls/episode219 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bizsouls219 Episode 139: Play for Better Living! • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/bizsouls/episode139 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bizsouls139 Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/bizsouls/episode127 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bizsouls127

    29 min
  7. May 18

    Episode 219: Proof of Concept (Literally): Business Lessons from a Hooch Commander.

    This episode of Biz-Souls is what happens when business strategy meets… booze with a backstory. Recorded on location at Hollywood Distillery, Rona Lewis takes the mic solo (don’t worry, Jeffrey is lurking off-camera like a true executive producer ninja) and dives headfirst into a story that proves entrepreneurship is equal parts vision, timing… and apparently, several thousand pounds of dates. Because nothing says “business pivot” like turning a former mortuary into a buzzing distillery across from Hollywood Forever Cemetery. That’s right: where spirits once departed, they now get bottled. Larry Newberg, Hooch Commander, which frankly should be an MBA concentration, walks us through how a casual conversation at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce turned into a full-blown distilling operation on historic Route 66 under the Hollywood Sign. Because if you’re going to disrupt an industry, you might as well do it somewhere iconic. This isn’t your average “burn-your-soul-then-text-your-ex” vodka. This is date-based vodka that strolled into the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019 and casually walked out with title Best Vodka in the World and a double gold award. No label. No expectations. Just delightful vibes and victory. It’s smooth. It’s sippable. It’s the kind of drink that makes you ask, “Wait… vodka can taste like this?” Between laughs and pours, and Rona getting progressively more enthusiastic about liquid research, there are actual takeaways: • Say yes to weird opportunities - even if you don’t know where they might be heading. • Own the asset, not just the idea. Landlords are not known for their enterprising spirit. • Expect chaos and economic stress: Especially when your project involves the city, construction, and a global pandemic. • If you’re going to fail, which they refuse to do, fail with a full bodied commitment, and preferably with a tasting room. Why you should listen! • Because this episode has everything: • A business origin story that starts with “Wait… can we even do this?” • A uniquely concocted product. • Hollywood history, legends, and Hollywood dreams. • And just enough hooch to loosen up those uptight city folks. If you’ve ever thought, “I have an idea, but it’s probably too crazy…” This episode politely pushes you to jump in with both feet and with a glass in hand. Listen to Biz-Souls at Hollywood Distillery where the only thing stronger than the vodka… is the entrepreneurial spirit. And while you’re toasting to this episode, share the toast and the podcast. Then follow along and subscribe. You’ll be glad you did. In the meantime, here are some other Biz-Souls award winners: Episode 139: Play for Better Living! • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EOyx44QYvEkrzE6Fg6fA8 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdUd8cU1JXg Episode 137: Just Say No! Maybe. • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O9pVnMLtrVRHfSrkE3dZn • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ffpbkA2n8 Episode 136: Mature Gnome with Ego • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SrTBRzWZ9MbhycJw5Nkwv • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl6sKzNUWTo Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! with Chris Bent • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m0lrAjU0EoA0YpWqq9n9K • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQNREqXwV8k Episode 125: How to Retrain Your Brain with Kelley Raleigh • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Sl8zVZB6Jx5DMHg8lN9aH • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA4P9HvbKVI

    22 min
  8. May 18

    Episode 219T: Biz-Souls’ Educational Buzz Tour of the Hollywood Distillery.

    If you thought the Biz-Souls Podcast was just about deep business insights and the occasional philosophical mic drop, think again. This episode takes a hard left turn into barrels, booze, and beautifully crooked labels at the one and only Hollywood Distillery. Welcome to Biz-Souls’ educational buzz tour! Where Rona and Jeffrey (your behind the scenes camera guy) roll up like serious business journalists on a Seinfeld Episode. They start with ‘the barrel’. The “we’re-never-opening-this-because-it’s-our-firstborn” barrel. Because nothing says smart business strategy like, “We’ll never monetize this asset… but wow, it looks great on the wall.” Somewhere between organic date farms and award-winning vodka, the team uncovers a powerful business lesson: Step 1: Take dates Step 2: Turn them into syrup Step 3: Ferment, distill, win double gold Step 4: Casually say “anyone can do it” Then casually build a custom 1,000-gallon copper still that takes two years and probably a small emotional support group and a bitcoin account to complete. Let’s be clear—this is a highly technical tour. • You’ll learn about: • “The big ball thing” • “The giant cooker situation” • And everyone’s favorite: “those window tray things where the vodka goes up… and then down… and then up again” MIT, please update your curriculum immediately. We’re talking Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Not one gold. Not “participation bronze.” Double Gold, because Single Gold is for Quitters. At some point, things get legitimately impressive. We’re just not sure when that occurs. Our dynamic duo has maybe met it’s match, because who asks, “What if… we just put the labels on crooked?” Not by accident. On purpose. And then does it. Truth is, when your product is sitting behind a bar, competing for attention…Why be perfect when you can be perfectly off? That’s branding with a cocktail in hand. So, join the Hollywood Distillery tour with Biz-Souls for the insight, then stay for the rye bourbon smash. Then follow, subscribe, and share the spirits of the Biz-Souls Podcast with all your contacts. And remember, the Biz-Souls Podcast is never distilled or filled, so it can never be legally taxed. This episode was recorded live at Hollywood Distillery (yes, across from a cemetery—because branding matters), this is entrepreneurship with a pulse… and also without one, depending on the building’s earlier tenants. More Biz-Souls Episodes Worth Your Time (and Possibly Your Sanity): Episode 139: Play for Better Living! • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EOyx44QYvEkrzE6Fg6fA8 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdUd8cU1JXg Episode 137: Just Say No! Maybe. • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O9pVnMLtrVRHfSrkE3dZn • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ffpbkA2n8 Episode 136: Mature Gnome with Ego • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SrTBRzWZ9MbhycJw5Nkwv • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl6sKzNUWTo Episode 127: Tickled About Piccles! with Chris Bent • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m0lrAjU0EoA0YpWqq9n9K • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQNREqXwV8k Episode 125: How to Retrain Your Brain with Kelley Raleigh • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Sl8zVZB6Jx5DMHg8lN9aH • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA4P9HvbKVI

    9 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the BizSouls podcast! We talk about the business of everything and we get to the heart, soul…and humor… of business and the people who make it happen.