Conversations that Count

Mission Matters Network
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"Conversations That Count : Communication Strategies with Industry Leaders" is a podcast hosted by David Shaft, a director of banking and a passionate advocate of effective communication. In this podcast, David aims to explore the power of communication in various industries and walks of life. He interviews high-level executives, professionals, and individuals from different backgrounds, discussing how they have leveraged communication to succeed in their respective fields. The podcast delves into both personal and business communication, offering insights and tips for improving relationships, negotiations, and overall communication skills. David shares his own journey as a communicator, emphasizing the value of growth and caring in conversations. Listeners are invited to join him on this journey, learn from the experts, and develop their own communication abilities. To learn more, visit: http://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft/

  1. JUL 23

    Girls Just Wanna Have Fund$ – Savanna Smith on Cash, Confidence & Modern Love (w/ Hailey Alamo & Adrianna Stewart)

    Need a money mantra for 2025? Pop-model Savanna Smith turns a rough modeling gig into a bankroll anthem with her new single “Girls Just Wanna Have Fund$.” Host David Shaft welcomes Savanna and day-one besties Hailey Alamo (future therapist) & Adrianna Stewart (fashion entrepreneur) for a candid, rapid-fire chat about: going from “model-apartment blues” to writing a global girl-boss bopwhy women’s rising earning power has some men in panic moderoster culture, loyalty tests & the psychology of cheatingfirst-date economics (spoiler: 50/50 kills the vibe)the 10-point “become your own wish-list” challenge▶️ Watch every episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ConversationsThatCount-CTC 🎵 Stream the single Apple Music → music.apple.com/us/album/girls-just-wanna-have-fund 🔗 Connect with today’s guests Savanna Smith — IG: instagram.com/imsavannas Link-hub: linktr.ee/savanna.com Hailey Alamo — IG: instagram.com/haileyalamo Adrianna Stewart — IG: instagram.com/follow_adrianna 📲 Follow the show IG: https://www.instagram.com/conversationsthatcountpodcast/ Loved the convo? Smash Follow, drop a ★★★★★ rating, and share a screenshot to your IG Stories—tag @imsavannas & @conversationsthatcountpodcast so we can shout you out! To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    1h 16m

  2. JUL 16

    Hocus Pocus Star Vinessa Shaw on Magic, Buddhism & Vegan Week

    Real magic exists! Hocus Pocus star Vinessa Shaw shares Buddhist mindfulness, Disney set secrets & a 7-day vegan challenge that’ll change your life. Stanley Kubrick’s pep talk, four-hug mornings, and more—this interview is pure enchantment. Highlights: Opening: “Do you believe in magic?”Chanting at 12: Buddhism as a stress-busterLanding Hocus Pocus at 16 & working with Disney iconsFour-hug ritual for daily mental healthBack-stage memories with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy & SJPKubrick’s life-changing advice on Eyes Wide ShutListener challenge: go vegan for one weekRapid-fire fan Q&A & sign-offLinks: Vinessa Shaw IMDb – imdb.com/VinessaShaw Vinessa Shaw Instagram – instagram.com/vinessaofficial Savanna Smith Linktree – linktr.ee/savanna.com Lillianna Dow Instagram – instagram.com/lildow04 Watch on YouTube – youtube.com/channel To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    9 min

  3. JUL 2

    Cosplay Tips with AstraVoid – DIY Mastery to GalaxyCon Judge

    Cosplay tips, DIY costume ideas, and GalaxyCon judge secrets—AstraVoid reveals the self-taught path that took her from biology classes to the spotlight at GalaxyCon’s Nightmare Weekend Chicago. After mastering sewing, foam-smithing, wigs, LEDs (and winning major awards) Astra landed a guest contract at 21 and now mentors the next wave of creators. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning fandom into a full-time career, this episode of Conversations That Count is your roadmap. • 00:48 From forensics major to foam & fabric: the origin story • 04:22 “We’d like to offer you a contract”—GalaxyCon moment 👀 • 08:35 Beating age stigma: let the work speak 💥 • 13:18 Inside a 100-hour Hunger Games build (hand-painted corset) • 17:50 Judging philosophy: fairness, advocacy, zero con politics • 22:40 Streaming setup, PewDiePie chair & upcoming tutorials • 27:15 Creator safety 101: stalkers, the “lag rule” for posts • 30:30 Weekly challenge: spark one genuine 2-minute chat with a stranger Love practical creativity and real-talk inspiration? Follow, rate, and review—the support helps us bring on even bigger guests. Links: linktr.ee/AstraVoidCosplay galaxycon.com ← GalaxyCon main site galaxycon.com/pages/nightmare-weekend-chicago ← Nightmare Weekend Chicago www.youtube.com/channel To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    32 min

  4. JUN 25

    Patrice Banks | Girls Auto Clinic — Driving Change, One SheCANic at a Time

    Recorded on the show floor at AutoTech 2025, engineer-turned-entrepreneur Patrice Banks shares how a single bad repair experience inspired her to build Girls Auto Clinic—an all-women garage (with a built-in nail salon!) and a fast-growing media brand that demystifies car care for everyone who’s ever felt talked down to at the shop. Patrice’s story is proof that when you combine data, empathy, and grit, you can flip a century-old industry on its head. Tune in to hear her framework for education, advocacy, and community that’s turning first-time oil-changers into confident SheCANics. ━━━━━━━━━ 🔑 WHAT YOU’LL HEAR • The moment Patrice walked away from a six-figure engineering job at DuPont • Why women control 95 % of car-buying decisions—yet still feel underserved • “Primary Care Technician” vs. random “shop-hopping”: the trust model every driver needs • How interactive workshops (13 yrs running) let guests pop their own hood, change a filter, and leave with mani-fresh nails • The Facebook tribe of 20 000 women who swap memes, victories, and repair receipts • Car chemistry decoded with emojis, kitchen metaphors… and a fearless vagina analogy ━━━━━━━━━ 🔗 LINKS Book – Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide: amazon.com/Girls-Auto-Clinic-Glove-Guide Workshops & services: girlsautoclinic.com Instagram: instagram.com/girlsautoclinic YouTube: youtube.com/@GirlsAutoClinic SheCANic FB group (women only): facebook.com/groups/SheCANic ━━━━━━━━━ 🏆 CHOW (Challenge of the Week) Still quoting “3k or 5k miles” for an oil change? Both are relics. 👉 ACTION: Look up the factory-recommended oil-change interval for your exact make + model, then post it with #SheCANicChallenge. ━━━━━━━━━ 🎧 Love this convo? Hit Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and drop a review—every star helps us keep amplifying voices that drive change. To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    20 min

  5. JUN 18

    Inside Winnebago Connect: How Robo, KORE & Ericsson Are Revolutionizing RV Life | AutoTech 2025

    What if your RV could think for itself, protect your pets, and keep you connected — even off the grid? In this exclusive Conversations That Count episode, recorded live at AutoTech 2025, I sit down with two of the visionaries behind Winnebago Connect™ — a groundbreaking smart RV platform changing the way we travel: 🚀 Marc Fecker, Co-Founder & CEO of Robo 📡 Steve Loving, Director of Business Development at KORE Wireless Alongside partners Winnebago and Ericsson, their teams created the most intelligent, user-friendly RV system on the market — blending real-time diagnostics, remote access, smart automation, and customer-first design. We dive into: How Winnebago Connect powers real-time alerts, pet protection, and true off-grid freedomWhy collaboration beats ego — and how aligned partnerships can change entire industriesHow listening deeply to customers creates tech that actually improves livesReal stories from RV owners who fixed their vehicles remotely, saved money, and stayed connected🎯 Challenge of the Week: Set aside 3 focused hours. Visualize your ideal customer. Map their day, their struggles, and the outcomes they want most — then redesign your product, pitch, or process with that person in mind. — 🎧 Listen on all platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube 🔗 Connect with today’s guests and companies: Marc Fecker – LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/marcfecker Robo www.robotechnology.com Steve Loving – LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/steveloving KORE Wireless www.korewireless.com Winnebago www.winnebago.com Ericsson www.ericsson.com 🐾 Bonus: Hear the real-life story of how a digital nomad cut $450/month in Wi-Fi costs and kept her pets safe — all thanks to this system. To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    36 min

  6. JUN 4

    Original Halloween's Sandy Johnson (Judith Myers) | Mentorship, Indie Horror & Resilience

    “Original Halloween scream-queen Sandy Johnson—aka Judith Myers—isn’t just a horror legend. She’s a working indie actor, lifelong mentor, and unapologetic Texas gunslinger with a heart for rescue animals. In this candid sit-down she reveals the career comeback that’s keeping her busier than ever—and the life lessons that make every line worth the wait.” What You’ll Hear From Icon to Indie Powerhouse – How late-career roles in Paradolía, The Executioner, Black Sheep, and the upcoming Halloween Shark reignited Sandy’s acting fire.The Mentor’s Mindset – Why even “legends” hire coaches, plus Sandy’s method for spotting mentors who change your life.Real-World Horror – Surviving a stalker break-in, the freezer-shoe scare, and her blunt advice on self-defense for women.Fan-First Philosophy – Behind the autograph table: why convention off-seasons feel empty and the one thing she wishes every fan knew.Weekly Challenge – Got room for one more heart-beat at home? Sandy dares you to rescue an animal this week.Whether you’re a filmmaker, horror buff, or growth-minded creative, you’ll leave fired up to find mentors, protect your peace, and maybe adopt a furry sidekick. 🎃🐾 Connect with Sandy Johnson • Instagram: @unicornsandyj • Official Site: unicornsandyj.com Watch the Full Video: See Sandy’s unfiltered reactions on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCpFyIA757M_vORVHeM1276g Loved the conversation? 🔔 Follow Conversations That Count on Apple Podcasts & Spotify ⭐️ Drop a 5-star rating to help more Halloween fans and indie creators discover the show 📲 Share this episode with a friend who needs a mentor—or a good scare! 🎧 Subscribe to Conversations That Count Apple: [Search “Conversations That Count”] Spotify: [Search “Conversations That Count”] 📩 Contact: support@ctcpodcast.media To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    13 min

  7. MAY 28

    From Politics to Cosplay: Ashton Blaise on Finding Freedom in What You Loved at 13

    What if the version of you that felt the most free was still inside you—waiting to be seen again? In this raw and inspiring episode of Conversations That Count, host David Shaft sits down with Ashton Blaise, a cosplayer, pinup model, and former political media figure who walked away from public influence to rediscover joy in the things she once loved—horror, cosplay, anime, and being fully herself. Recorded live at Nightmare Weekend Chicago, Ashton opens up about: Leaving a career in political media to live authenticallyWhy joy isn’t childish—it’s directionalHow horror fandom and D&D helped her reconnect with her purposeA challenge that could help you remember who you were before the world told you who to beIf you’ve ever felt like you’re just “playing the role” of who you should be… this episode might be the permission you didn’t know you needed.Follow Ashton Blaise: Instagram: instagram.com/theashtonblaise YouTube: youtube.com/@ashtonblaise Twitter/X: x.com/theashtonblaise OnlyFans: onlyfans.com/ashtonbirdie 🎧 Subscribe to Conversations That Count Apple: [Search “Conversations That Count”] Spotify: [Search “Conversations That Count”] 📩 Contact: support@ctcpodcast.media To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    15 min

  8. MAY 21

    "They Thought I Was Crazy" — Ashlynne Dae on Choosing Cosplay Over Convention

    From Fashion School to Full-Time Cosplay: Ashlynne Dae on Choosing Passion Over Stability (Recorded at Nightmare Weekend Chicago) In this episode of Conversations That Count, host David Shaft interviews cosplay icon Ashlynne Dae, live from Nightmare Weekend Chicago by GalaxyCon. Ashlynne shares how she went from graduating at the top of her fashion class to leaving the traditional industry behind — to pursue cosplay full-time. 🎭 What You’ll Hear: Ashlynne’s leap from fashion to full-time cosplayThe early days of making costumes without knowing what cosplay wasHow to push forward when family and friends don’t understand your pathThe power of finding a supportive community through conventionsHow dressing like your favorite character can unlock real confidenceAshlynne’s Challenge to You:Attend a con that excites you. Talk to five new people. And see what happens when you follow your curiosity instead of your comfort zone.This episode is packed with heart, humor, and a reminder that you’re allowed to rewrite the rules. 🎧 Listen now — and take your first step toward something that actually feels like you. To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-shaft Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft

    10 min
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"Conversations That Count : Communication Strategies with Industry Leaders" is a podcast hosted by David Shaft, a director of banking and a passionate advocate of effective communication. In this podcast, David aims to explore the power of communication in various industries and walks of life. He interviews high-level executives, professionals, and individuals from different backgrounds, discussing how they have leveraged communication to succeed in their respective fields. The podcast delves into both personal and business communication, offering insights and tips for improving relationships, negotiations, and overall communication skills. David shares his own journey as a communicator, emphasizing the value of growth and caring in conversations. Listeners are invited to join him on this journey, learn from the experts, and develop their own communication abilities. To learn more, visit: http://missionmatters.com/author/david-shaft/

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