Disruptive Influence with Jeff Abracen

Jeff Abracen
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Jeff Abracen, a Montreal-based Communication & Storytelling Coach, Pitch Consultant, Creative Director & Speaker, talks with brilliant business builders who are disrupting and influencing their industries, in their way.

  1. SEP 22

    Ep 34: "The Ungeneric Hero: Beards, Burnout & Business" with Louis Butterfield

    This is a conversation about what it really takes to build a business, stand out in a sea of sameness, and recover when the hustle turns into burnout. Louis Butterfield is the co-founder of Awesome Business Videos & Video Heroes, an agency, program & community helping founders create videos that actually get watched on LinkedIn. Known for his playful “videos in the park” format, Louis has carved out a reputation for making content that’s ungeneric, entertaining, and rooted in values. Alongside his wife Jenna Sipponen, he’s built a six-figure business and a fast-growing community - while also confronting the realities of burnout and balance. What you’ll learn in this episode: How Louis went from living in a yurt and failing five businesses to launching a thriving video companyWhy ungeneric videos beat polished but forgettable content every timeThe park video formula: mix silly settings with serious valueHow partnerships and podcasts became rocket fuel for authorityThe hidden cost of 70-hour weeks and the truth about burnoutWhy stories that sell are really about shared values, not just hooksThe mantra Louis lives by: Punch above your weight classTakeaways Stand out by changing the setting - not watering down the messageTrust compounds when you borrow audiences through collaborationCommunity brings accountability and consistencyShared values build stronger bonds than formulas ever could Chapters 00:00 – The role of story: why we’re drawn to people like us 00:25 – Welcome to the Disruptive Influence Podcast 00:40 – Meet Louis Butterfield: ungeneric videos for ungeneric brands 01:10 – From yurts to five failed businesses → stumbling into video 02:00 – Why high-end video no longer works & the shift to LinkedIn 03:45 – The rise of “videos in the park” (and why they work) 07:20 – Behind the scenes: outtakes, swings, and slides 09:15 – From client work to community → launching Video Heroes 13:20 – Building authority: showing wins & stacking trust through partnerships 17:30 – Podcasting as rocket fuel for growth 23:00 – The hard truth: burnout behind the six-figure launch 27:30 – Guardrails, recovery, and avoiding future burnout 31:30 – Purpose & fuel: love vs. fear, family, and the housing dream 36:40 – Finding Ikigai & designing the long game 39:20 – Crafting stories that sell: values over hooks 46:20 – Imposter syndrome, client pain points & the mantra: Punch above your weight class Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    56 min

  2. AUG 24

    Ep 33: "Stop Performing, Start Believing" with Annelise McCarthy

    What does it really take to stand out as a speaker in a noisy world? The zesty and unapologetically real, Annelise McCarthy, founder of Her Speaking Coach, joins Jeff to explore what speaking with confidence really means. From overcoming a childhood lisp to building a thriving global coaching business, Annelise shares powerful and counterintuitive lessons on communication, presence, and self-belief. This episode isn’t about tips and tricks, it’s about transforming the way you see yourself, so your voice carries the weight it deserves. We dive into: Why being brilliant isn’t enough if you can’t communicate it memorably.The myth that you need to be “serious” to be taken seriously.How self-love becomes the ultimate speaking skill.The spotlight effect, and why nobody notices your mistakes as much as you do.The shift from performance to presence that changes everything.Whether you’re a founder, leader, or simply someone who wants to use their voice more powerfully, this conversation will remind you: it’s never too late to claim your voice and step into the spotlight on your own terms. 🎧 Tune in and get ready to stop performing - and start connecting. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:40 Journey into Public Speaking 10:25 The Importance of Communication in the Age of AI 12:01 Memorable Moments in Speaking 18:05 The Impact of Empowering Voices 24:14 Self-Love and Communication 27:54 Embracing Anxiety as a Superpower 29:35 The Journey of Self-Discovery 31:27 The Impact of COVID on Personal Growth 34:08 The Mirror Moment: A Turning Point 36:40 Building a Relationship with Self-Love 38:07 The Power of Vulnerability in Storytelling 40:07 From Performance to Authenticity 44:14 Shifting Focus from Self to Audience 48:00 The Foundation of Compassion in Public Speaking 51:21 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    53 min

  3. JUL 29

    Ep 32: "The Sugar Factor" with Priya Chopra

    Priya Chopra reveals the secret ingredient behind her cross-border PR and creator agencies - a blend of vibes, intuition, and a relentless Momentum Mindset that keeps brands, and teams, sweetly winning. Priya Chopra is the founder & CEO of 1Milk2Sugars and double shot, where she mixes her “Sugar Factor” - a unique recipe of psychic intuition, empathy, and entrepreneurial grit - to help brands and creators amplify impact, loyalty, and growth. In this episode, she joins Jeff to break down: ◽️ How a quirky coffee-order name became a client-magnet launchpad ◽️ The daily “Sugar Factor” rituals that turn good vibes into sticky brand wins ◽️ Why “your 80 is someone’s 100” is the mindset hack to ditch perfectionism ◽️ Real-world tactics for sustaining momentum when the buzz fades ◽️ The surprising role of intuition (yes, she’s psychic!) in storytelling and leadership ◽️ Her blueprint for scaling from Canada to the U.S. without losing culture ◽️ Tactical tips for juggling agency hustle with family, fitness, and self-care Chapters 00:00 – Winning Mindset (Intro Teaser) 00:32 – Meet Priya Chopra 01:33 – 1Milk2Sugars Origin 03:52 – Birth of double shot 05:49 – Championing Creators 08:10 – Lessons for Entrepreneurs 11:22 – The Sugar Factor 15:08 – Psychic Intuition Moment 17:03 – Vibes & Storytelling 20:11 – Manifesting Momentum 21:50 – Leading with Empathy 36:05 – PR’s Resurgence 41:39 – U.S. Expansion 49:02 – Your 80 Is Someone’s 100 53:24 – Work-Life Blend 55:04 – Word of the Year: Momentum 56:48 – Wrap up Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    57 min

  4. JUL 25

    Ep 31: "Put Gas on Your Strengths!" with Curtis Matsko

    Curtis Matsko turned a pink diary and a garage startup into a $180 million leather-goods empire - then doubled it year after year by unleashing what he calls “founder magic.” He shares how leaning into your strengths and embracing the unknown can turn every setback into a launchpad for growth. Curtis Matsko is the CEO and co-founder of Portland Leather Goods, one of North America’s fastest-growing DTC and retail brands. A self-described “over-educated jerk” who never held a real job beyond three days, he’s built his business on pattern recognition, calculated risks, and unapologetic authenticity. Mariana Patiño, PA/EA at Portland Leather Goods, jumps in to share what it’s like being Curtis’ right hand - juggling the logistics, capturing his lightning-fast ideas, and turning his wild energy into every project’s secret sauce. We talk about:  ◽️ Why “10× is easier than 2×”—and how big-vision thinking sidesteps incremental bottlenecks.  ◽️ How to pour gas on your strengths instead of wasting time fixing weaknesses.  ◽️ The profit math behind scaling both direct-to-consumer and a 30-store footprint.  ◽️ Why the clearest path isn’t yours - and how to find magic in uncharted territory.  ◽️ How founder-led storytelling becomes your ultimate competitive advantage.  ◽️ The secret role of Mariana, his “energy multiplier,” in rapid iteration and team chemistry. Whether you’re launching your first venture or leading a mature organization, you’ll walk away with a new playbook for bold growth, real-talk storytelling, and the magic that happens when you refuel your superpowers. Chapters 00:00 – Focus on Your Strengths (Intro Teaser) 00:21 – Podcast Intro & What to Expect   00:35 – Meet Curtis Matsko, CEO of Portland Leather Goods   01:39 – From Garage Origins to a $180M Business   03:22 – The Three-Day Box Boy Job & Pivot to Lifeguarding   07:04 – Authenticity in Founder-Led Storytelling   10:15 – The Disruptive Influence Backstory   13:15 – Balancing “Rush” vs. “Long-Haul” Vision   16:49 – Pattern Recognition & On-the-Fly Problem Solving   20:00 – Why 10× Is Easier Than 2× (Mindset Shift)   23:49 – Scaling Online & Retail: Profit Math Revealed   26:24 – Crafting Compelling Presentations (55-Minute Talks)   31:13 – Calculated Risk: Worst-Case Scenarios & Learning Fast   37:48 – Double Down on Strengths & Team Synergy   40:54 – Introducing Mariana Patiño! 44:37 – Surprises, Gratitude & Final Takeaways   Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    1h 21m

  5. JUL 14

    Ep 30: “Build a Brand That Sells Itself” with Jasmin Alic

    Jasmin Alić, LinkedIn's king of comments, content & community, shares how to turn content into conversations, stories into sales, and profile views into paying clients. We dive into warm outreach, offer alignment, and why connection beats content every time. Jasmin is a brand strategist and community builder who’s helped thousands of creators turn personal brands into real businesses. As the founder of LinkUp and LinkBound, he teaches people how to grow with clarity, integrity, and a little bit of swagger. Chapters 00:00  Opening Teaser - Low reach? Comment harder. 00:32  Intro – Disruptive Influence Podcast #30 03:22  Two new businesses: LinkUp & LinkBound 07:40  Why most paid communities trap their founders 10:00  Inside LinkUp: 3 in-house experts, daily feedback 12:29  Bosnia trip giveaway 14:10  “Build community, not a cage” – the mindset 18:55  2025 blind spot: Story > Tips 21:15  Storytelling 101: share what you think, not just what you know 24:55  Offers: choose an intro offer, then craft content 29:15  Starter-offer pricing & positioning 33:45  Warm-outreach playbook (+ LinkedIn’s new viewer data) 40:10  Limiting belief: “DM sales feel sleazy” 44:25  Coach’s proudest moments – client self-awareness 53:05 Surprise fun fact about Jasmin 54:45  Biggest LinkedIn opportunity: comments dominate 1:00:05  Reddit: LinkedIn Lunatics & blocking negativity Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    1h 4m

  6. JUN 30

    Ep 29: "Big Founder Energy" with Aaron Spivak

    Aaron Spivak co-founded Hush, turning a weighted blanket into a Kickstarter smash and selling to Sleep Country for eight figures - all before his 26th birthday. He joins Jeff to unpack the real juice behind: Filling Your Four Buckets – his health / friends & family / business / integrity framework Giving Before You Take – the counter-intuitive first rule powering his invite-only Founders Club Cooling the Market – How hundreds of customer calls flipped Hush from summer slump to record-breaking demand Story > Specs – how truly speaking to their audience turned their Dragons’ Den pitch into Canadian TV lore Reps, Results, Reality Checks – why Aaron treats entrepreneurship like a full-contact sport ..and how Aaron Spivak Sold Hush, but kept his soul. Chapters 0:00 Intro “Everything is war” 1:24 Why Founders Club exists & who it’s for 4:36 The first rule of Founders' Club and the “give first” philosophy 5:48 Defining a “successful founder” - The Four Buckets of Life 7:59 The loneliness factor & why community beats the island 10:28 Storytelling, customer calls & the $4,000 runway 14:42 "Make it cooling!” - the hundred call insight 17:33 Kickstarter blows up: $700K to $10M 19:59 “People buy magic” - best story wins philosophy 22:24 Vulnerability, emotion & why design alone can’t win 26:51 Dragons’ Den prep: spray-tan mishaps & thousands of reps 33:00 Business as war: Kobe, LeBron, and out-working talent 35:03 Right reps vs. first reps - tailoring for your stage 38:58 Momentum, niche audiences & getting the right views 44:08 The Range Rover promise to mom - entrepreneurship’s best payoff 49:24 Launching the Founder-to-Founder podcast (and the “double-F” hat) 51:33 How to join Founders Club, - cities, retreats and more 53:12 Outro & Jeff’s CTA Useful Links Find the Founders Club: https://www.foundersclubofficial.com/ Connect with Aaron Spivak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-spivak1/ Connect with Jeff Abracen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/ Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    53 min

  7. JUN 6

    Ep 28: "Life. Style. Business." with Shoaib Ahmed

    Shoaib Ahmed, Founder, Brand Storyteller, Ghostwriter, and Digital Nomad, joins Jeff to talk about building a business that actually works for you. We get into personal branding that drives results, solopreneur freedom, the reality behind it, and how Shoaib curates what he calls his “little life”, for more freedom, flow, and focus. He shares how he approaches content, and what it’s like to ghostwrite for everyone from global execs to Gen Z founders, how numbers and narratives go hand in hand, fashion, power bowls, and how to win over your barista and batch create content in a coffee shop. And surprise! Bestie Karla McNeilage, Personal Brand Strategist and Owner at Wave Socials, crashes the pod with surprise questions, unhinged chaos, and some real talk about growth, friendship, confidence, and how far they’ve come -together. If you’re a executive, founder, coach, creator, consultant, or anyone building something that’s both personal and powerful, this episode slaps. 00:00 Intro 00:38 Meet Shoaib Ahmed 01:37 Curating a Stylish Life and Content 02:57 The Concept of 'My Little Life' 03:52 Business Retreats and Collaborations 05:04 Building Meaningful Connections 07:15 The Importance of Complementary Relationships 08:29 Navigating Business Partnerships 10:09 The Journey of a Digital Nomad 11:23 Finding Balance in Health, Wealth, and Happiness 12:46 The Evolution of a Solopreneur 14:56 Self-Discipline and Awareness 16:46 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact 18:27 The Role of a Ghostwriter 20:35 The Art of Context Switching 22:05 Automation and Systems in Business 23:41 The Challenges of Solopreneurship 25:08 The Intersection of Storytelling and Data 27:53 Proving Value Through Metrics 29:50 The Joy of Numbers and Analytics 30:58 Content Creation Rituals 32:38 Daily Routines and Coffee Rituals 37:11 Coffee Shop Strategies for Productivity 39:15 Client Relationships and Boundaries 41:31 The Importance of Trust in Branding 43:11 From Nerd to Rebel: Embracing Change 46:26 Unhinged Questions and Fun Dynamics 54:21 Reflections on Personal Growth and Identity Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    1h 1m

  8. MAY 12

    Ep 27: "Mind, Body, & Business" with Mike Fata

    Mike Fata is a founder, investor, health advocate, and builder of movements. After losing 100 pounds, he co-founded Manitoba Harvest and grew it into a $100M+ hemp foods powerhouse, later guiding its $419M sale to Tilray. He’s now the CEO of Fata & Associates, host of the Founder to Mentor podcast, and an advisor to world-class natural product brands. Whether he’s mentoring founders or plunging into ice baths, Mike is all about growth - with purpose. He joins Jeff to talk about the discipline behind transformation, how to pitch in 60 seconds, why personal branding matters more than ever in 2025, and what it really means to live with purpose after the exit. From health to storytelling to deep work, this conversation goes way beyond business. We cover:Why discipline > motivationBuilding your personal brand without faking itThe power of a 60-second pitchLetting your story sellSleep, hydration, and health as your unfair advantageWhat burnout taught him after the $100M exitHow to find your purpose (and stop lying to yourself about it)And so much more!Connect with Mike:LinkedInmikefata.caBook: GrowPodcast: Founder to MentorChapters 00:00 Intro 04:10 The Importance of Storytelling 09:24 Flipping the Switch: Discipline Over Motivation 14:20 Spiritual Growth and Healing the Self 20:01 Abundance, Flow, and the “Treasure Hunt” Mindset 23:36 Rest, Recovery, and the Myth of Busy 26:32 Life After Exit: Redefining Freedom and Fulfillment 31:12 How to Actually Find Your Purpose 34:32 Building a Healthy Body: Sleep, Hydration, and Movement 39:09 Daily Routines, Electrolytes, and “Showering the Inside” 42:52 Business Lessons: When It Is Personal 46:28 Disrupting the Hemp Industry: From Niche to Mainstream 48:06 Building a Personal Brand in 2025 53:51 Connection, Community, and Showing Up Online 55:34 The 20-Year Dream: Restoring His Westfalia Van 57:18 Growth, Grit, and What He’d Tell His 13-Year-Old Self Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/] If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot. Cover art by Daniel Devoy Music by Stephen Voyce ©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

    1h 3m
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Jeff Abracen, a Montreal-based Communication & Storytelling Coach, Pitch Consultant, Creative Director & Speaker, talks with brilliant business builders who are disrupting and influencing their industries, in their way.

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