The Coherent Business Podcast

Aram DiGennaro
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The Coherent Business Podcast is for leaders, thinkers, and builders who believe business can be more than just efficient—it can be whole, human, and meaningful. Hosted by Aram DiGennaro, each episode invites reflective practitioners into open-ended conversations at the intersection of virtue and utility, structure and soul, theory and practice. Together, we wrestle with the fragmented conceptualizations of modern enterprise and explore how to design organizations that are not only effective, but coherent—places where purpose, people, and performance align. If you're searching for post-reductionist answers to real-world business problems, you're in the right place. 

  1. FEB 10

    Colin Davis: Better Meetings, Better Leaders; How Real Change Happens in Organizations

    In this episode, Aram DiGennaro sits down with executive coach Colin Davis to explore why most meetings fail — and why fixing meetings ultimately requires leaders to change how they think, decide, and show up. Rather than focusing on surface-level meeting tactics, this conversation digs into the deeper systems at work: leadership identity, productive conflict, habit formation, and how real organizational change actually happens. You’ll learn how to: Design weekly management meetings that drive clarity and executionSeparate metrics review from real problem-solvingRun a “solution session” that produces clear owners, actions, and prioritiesDistinguish between obstacle problems and opportunity problemsBuild trust and productive conflict without command-and-control leadershipHelp managers think like owners, not just employeesUnderstand why leadership bottlenecks are usually personal, not technicalAram and Colin also explore why leaders often get stuck, how fear of conflict undermines teams, and why meaningful growth usually requires a shift in habits — and sometimes identity — not just better tools or frameworks. This episode is especially valuable for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams who feel like their meetings should be working — but aren’t — and who sense that the real constraint may be leadership itself. Resources: Protentional  https://protentional.com Protentional guides leaders to integrate compelling priorities into coherent strategy.  First Principles Coaching https://firstprinciplescoaching.com Tailored coaching to help you live a full life, find what drives you and become the best version of yourself Colin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-davis-1stprinciples Aram’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro/ Topics in this episode: What makes a meeting effectiveWeekly management meeting designMetrics vs. problem-solving agendasThe five-step “solution session” frameworkProductive conflict and trustLeadership bottlenecks and team dynamicsHabit formation and identity changeWhy coaching accelerates real changeMini Summary: Aram DiGennaro and Colin Davis explore why most leadership teams struggle with ineffective meetings — and why the root problem is rarely the agenda. This episode breaks down how great meetings combine metrics, problem-solving, and trust, while showing how lasting organizational improvement often requires leaders to confront habits, conflict avoidance, and identity-level change. If your meetings feel stuck, this conversation explains why — and what actually moves things forward.

    42 min

  2. FEB 2

    Aram DiGennaro: How to Increase EBITDA in 2026

    In this episode, Aram DiGennaro, fractional CFO and strategic advisor, explains how to systematically increase your EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) using the same framework he applies with companies every day. Instead of vague advice like “sell more” or “cut costs,” you’ll learn how to: Identify whether your real problem is sales, margin, or expensesFind the single financial bottleneck holding your company backUse simple numbers to tell the truth about your businessMeasure performance at the right level of granularityTurn financial data into clear actionMobilize your team around what actually moves profitAram walks through a CFO-grade framework for turning your P&L into a strategic weapon, not just a report you ignore. Resources:  Protentional https://protentional.com/ Aram's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro/ Topics in this episode:  EBITDA explained in plain English Sales vs. Margin vs. Expense problems Professional CFO-level financial diagnostics Bottlenecks and value chains  Mini summary:  Aram DiGennaro explains how to increase EBITDA by identifying whether your real problem is sales, margins, or expenses, then measuring the single bottleneck holding your company back. You’ll learn how to turn your financials into a practical operating system that guides weekly decisions, aligns your team, and steadily raises profitability — without burning out or guessing.

    14 min

  3. JAN 23

    Aram DiGennaro: The Return of Religion and What it Means for Business

    In this episode of The Coherent Business Podcast, Aram DiGennaro explores the surprising resurgence of religion and religion-adjacent sensibilities. After decades of decline in religious identification, there is now a notable increase in spiritual engagement among 18 to 35-year-olds. This trend is not just about traditional religions but the broader desire for meaning, community, and personal growth.  Business leaders need to understand this mega-trend, its driver, and its implications, so that we can meet the needs and harness the opportunities for leverage in marketplace and societal impact.   Resources: Protentional https://protentional.com/ Aram's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro/ Topics in this episode:  The recent rise of religion in younger age groups Businesses capitalization on the trend of sense-making and community engagement.Rituals and narratives to enhance workplace culture and employee connection.Formation of new communities Mini summary:  After decades of decline, religion, spirituality, and the search for meaning are making a surprising comeback, especially among younger generations. In this episode, Aram DiGennaro explains why this isn’t a fluke but the natural response to a hyper-reductionist, post-COVID world that stripped away community, identity, and purpose. Drawing on philosophy, cultural trends, and real-world examples, he shows how humans are “re-linking” what modern life broke—and why this shift is reshaping culture, work, and leadership in the 2020s.

    20 min

  4. JAN 6

    Noah Kaye: Meaning, Clarity, Love, and Questions to Create a Fuller Workplace

    In this episode of the Coherent Business Podcast, Aram and Noah sit down to discuss how to create meaning in the workplace and better serve your employees in their hierarchy of needs by asking questions, listening, and maintaining a clear and purposeful workplace and workflow. Resources: Protentional https://protentional.com/ Protentional guides leaders to integrate compelling priorities into coherent strategy. NoviEdge https://noviedge.com/ Transforming the Profitability and Personality of Small Businesses Through Coaching, Consulting, and Community. Noah's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkaye/ Aram's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro/ Topics in this episode:  Meaning becoming a central focus as leaders mature. Clarity in organizational goals leads to happier employees. Question asking is a powerful tool for leaders. Confidence and humility should grow together in leadership. Insecurity is a common challenge for leaders. Money can be a barrier to pursuing meaningful work. People often have limited views of career possibilities. Building trust is essential for effective leadership. Mini summary : In this conversation, Aram & Noah explore the themes of leadership transformation, personal growth, and the importance of meaning in professional life. They discuss how leaders often face midlife crises that coincide with professional challenges, emphasizing the need for clarity and the power of question asking in leadership. The dialogue also touches on the balance between confidence and humility, the role of insecurity, and the impact of money on pursuing meaningful work. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the significance of human connection and the potential for personal and professional growth through self-discovery and clarity.

    56 min

  5. 12/25/2025

    Shawn Mulligan: Technology to Enhance Human Experiences

    In this episode of the Coherent Business Podcast, Aram and Shawn discuss a range of topics from AI and new technology changing human experiences, the significance of human-centered design, personal and professional dissonance, and the vital role of human connection in business. Resources:  Protentional  https://protentional.com/ Protentional guides leaders to integrate compelling priorities into coherent strategy.  Shawn's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-mulligan/ Aram's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro/ Topics in this episode:  AI / Technology in business  Guiding Change in Organizations Essential change for progress in policy and education Human-centered design

    52 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Aram DiGennaro: The Coming Storm Over AI Adoption

    In this episode of the Coherent Business Podcast, Aram discusses the coming storm over AI adoption and how AI will impact the story of humanity, how we can adapt, and what widespread AI adoption will mean for humanity. This episode has key tips on productivity growth for businesses, AI's impact on sense-making, and many important insights about the future of AI  Resources:  Protentional  https://protentional.com/ Protentional guides leaders to integrate compelling priorities into coherent strategy.  Aram's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro/ Topics in this episode:  AI adoption as a civilizational shift Why AI pressures business leaders right now The limits of traditional change management Technology and the erosion of human sense-making Chapters:  00:00 — A Storm Over AI Adoption Why this moment is fundamentally different 01:00 — The Trillion-Dollar Pressure Investment, market caps, and forced adoption 02:30 — Why Change Management Falls Short Small tools for a massive disruption 04:00 — “AI Will Destroy Humanity” (Reframed) What that claim really points to 05:30 — Technology Always Changes Us Power gained, humanity reshaped 07:00 — AI as an Information Shock Writing, printing, and sense-making atrophy 08:45 — The Real Risk: Meaning Collapse Why sense-making matters more than productivity 10:15 — The Role of Leaders Now From managers to meaning-makers 11:30 — What Comes Next Future work and invitation to engage

    13 min

  7. 11/22/2025

    Colin Davis: First Principles, the Business of Being Human, and Understanding the Subconscious

    In this episode of the Coherent Business Podcast, Aram sits down with Colin Davis to discuss the importance of "First Principles", and the inherent tension between dual realities, emphasizing the importance of balancing pragmatism with understanding. It discusses how combining these elements can lead to a more comprehensive approach to reality, and how you can adapt this to your business.  Topics covered in this episode:  Business improvement & coaching  Managing & CEO solutions  Pragmatism vs. Understanding  Business problems and solutions  Being a healthy CEO  Resources:  Protentional  https://protentional.com Protentional guides leaders to integrate compelling priorities into coherent strategy.  First Principles Coaching https://firstprinciplescoaching.com Tailored coaching to help you live a full life, find what drives you and become the best version of yourself Colin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-davis-1stprinciples Aram's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro Chapters:   01:13 — Introduction  01:40 — Defining First Principles  02:54 — Slicing Reality  03:41 — The Two Ditches  04:11 — The Transcendentals  04:58 — Business and Principles  06:24 — The Polarity Principle  08:28 — Why Simple Frameworks Fail  10:43 — Two Kinds of Simplicity  13:26 — Development Cycles  14:06 — Philosophers for Business  16:08 — Socrates and Knowing  17:12 — How Knowing Works  18:08 — The Five Drives  19:57 — How Scripts Form  21:09 — Why “I Shouldn’t Do This” Fails  22:45 — Two Routes to Change  23:48 — Accessing the Subconscious  25:11 — Metaphor & Pattern  26:16 — Experiences Change Emotion  26:39 — Can Coaching Rewire You?  27:42 — Breakthroughs & Trust

    29 min

  8. 11/17/2025

    Scot McRoberts: Peer Group Enrichment for CEOs, Personal Growth as a Business Owner

    In this episode of the Coherent Business Podcast, Aram sits down with Scot McRoberts to discuss the importance of peer groups for CEOs in the facilitation of a healthy business. They discuss Scot's peer group, Virginia CEOs, and how it has impacted many of the CEOs in the group positively.  Topics covered in this episode:  Peer groups and how they can help CEOs  Approaching business as a healthy leader  Becoming a better CEO  Self improvement in business Resources:  Scot's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotmcroberts Aram's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aram-digennaro Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome & Introduction Aram opens the conversation and invites Scot to introduce Virginia CEOs. 02:01 — The Origin Story of Virginia CEOs Scot explains how the organization began in 2000 with the creation of CEO roundtables and the mission to connect leaders for growth. 03:14 — Culture, Values, and Who Thrives in the Group Discussion on why the organization naturally attracts sincere, values-driven CEOs. 04:21 — The Roundtable Model Explained Scot describes how their peer group structure differs from other CEO groups. 06:41 — Why Four Hours a Month Is Worth It Scot shares why the time investment pays dividends. 10:48 — No Advice: The Radical Rule The group’s unique “no advice” policy, which encourages experience-sharing instead of prescriptive solutions, and keeps conversations open and non-coercive. 19:52 — Emerging Trends in Leadership & Business Scot observes a shift toward more humanistic leadership, as well as growing conversations about AI adoption and employee resistance. 21:30 — Leading Through Uncertainty How CEOs are adapting to unpredictable markets, politics, and social conditions. 22:05 — How Scot Has Grown as a Leader Reflections on how his strengths have shifted over 25 years toward relational and people-focused leadership. 22:46 — Vision for the Future of Virginia CEOs Scot outlines a goal of doubling markets and membership over the next seven years. 23:14 — Member-Led Growth Strategy How empowering members to expand the network creates momentum. 24:30 — Challenges of Opening New Markets Finding eight CEOs to start a new group is the hardest part. 28:14 — Scot’s Pitch to CEOs Considering Joining Peer groups create the structure and accountability most CEOs lack. 28:52 — How to Get in Touch Scot shares the organization’s website and Aram reinforces the value of the community. 29:26 — Closing Reflections & Gratitude The conversation wraps up with appreciation for a shared vision.

    30 min
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About

The Coherent Business Podcast is for leaders, thinkers, and builders who believe business can be more than just efficient—it can be whole, human, and meaningful. Hosted by Aram DiGennaro, each episode invites reflective practitioners into open-ended conversations at the intersection of virtue and utility, structure and soul, theory and practice. Together, we wrestle with the fragmented conceptualizations of modern enterprise and explore how to design organizations that are not only effective, but coherent—places where purpose, people, and performance align. If you're searching for post-reductionist answers to real-world business problems, you're in the right place. 

Information

  • Creator
    Aram DiGennaro
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Coherent Business Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Coherent Business Podcast