Change Proof Adam Markel, International Speaker, Best Selling Author, Business Mentor and Entrepreneur

At the end of the day, business is all about the people. Its success hinges on the very individuals who give their best because they feel valued and empowered. This is what Shaw Industries, one of the largest flooring manufacturing companies in the world, believes. Mike Fromm, its Chief Human Resources Officer, sheds light on the company’s philosophy: “Our people and our business are not separate. They are one and the same. When our people thrive, our business thrives.” In this episode, Adam Markel interviews Mike to talk about the importance of creating an environment where people feel safe to challenge the status quo and develop. They discuss how leaders can work towards empowering their people, providing psychological safety for their voices to be heard. Mike also talks about humility in leadership, the current market cycle, developing a learning organization, and the difference between training and development. All of these topics show the vital role of leaders as they lead their people and business to overcome challenges and take hold of opportunities. 

Hope isn't just a feeling; it's a weapon we wield against life's challenges, forging resilience in the fires of adversity. Join us in this episode as we dive into an impactful conversation about mental health, resilience, and the power of hope. Our guest, Tom Campbell, former Army Sergeant Major and founding member of the US Army Drill Sergeant Association, shares his deeply personal journey through the challenges of PTSD, burnout, and the path to healing. Through his story, he reveals the pressures of maintaining a façade of invincibility while grappling with the burden of trauma. Tom highlights the pivotal moments and lessons he learned along the way such as finding resilience amidst adversity, using hope as a weapon, and shifting the narrative. Tune in and get inspired to view mental health, hope, and resilience in a new light.

Despite the changes we have seen in the world, being a woman of color remains challenging. Moving up the corporate ladder, for example, can feel like the odds are already stacked against you. International bestselling author Kelly Markey is well-familiar with the struggle. She is a Nobel Prize nominee for both literature and peace, a Woman Changing the World award finalist, and Top Executive of the Year 2023 - International Associations of Top Professionals. In this episode, she shares the challenges she faced across her journey—from living under the apartheid regime to moving to New Zealand and Australia, where she worked towards every corporate opportunity available. Kelly shares the challenges she faced along the way, tapping into psychological safety in the workplace and DEI. With her book, Don’t Just Fly, SOAR, Kelly provides inspiration and tools to find resilience and overcome life’s adversities. So follow this conversation and don’t miss out on the wisdom Kelly imparts and more!

Eddy Badrina is the CEO of Eden Green Technology, a company that pushes the boundaries of green technology to deliver fresh food to local communities. In this conversation with Adam Merkel, he explains how they utilize a groundbreaking concept called vertical farming technology, which revolutionizes how nutritious produce is grown and distributed to achieve food resiliency. He explores the benefits of turnkey greenhouse systems and why it is much better than traditional farming. Eddie also talks about his entrepreneurial journey, opening up about the power of shifting perspectives, reframing experiences, being present, and acknowledging personal struggles without judgment.

Dr. Richard Shuster (pronounced Shoe-Stir) is a clinical psychologist, TEDx speaker, CEO of Your Success Insights, renowned media expert, and the host of The Daily Helping podcast. In this replay episode, we look back on his insights about the future of work after it has been disrupted by COVID-19. He joins Adam Markel to discuss how to navigate the long-term impact of the pandemic both at home and at work. They talk about the necessary innovation every workplace must embrace to meet the ever-changing demands of employees and the entire market. Dr. Richard also shares the right approach to handle stress and anxiety, as well as the best way to build resilience during uncertain times.

Tough times are inevitable but what you can do about them is all within your choice. For Max Borges, life wasn’t always easy. But with optimism, he found countless opportunities and achieved more success than he has ever dreamed of. Helping others get through life, he wrote the book, How to Be Fan-f*cking-tastic!—a collection of wisdom, motivational quotes, statements and insights from his journey growing his namesake agency. In this episode, he shares some of them with us, leaving inspiration to face life’s curveballs. Particularly, Max tells his journey of growing his agency from a laptop on his kitchen table to generating $10 million in annual revenue. Through it all, his story highlights how we can always come back from difficulty. It's a matter of responding to it not with dread and fear but with optimism and action. Tune in to this conversation and be fan-f*cking-tastic!