Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show Ira S Wolfe

You’re going to want to turn up the volume for this episode. Are you yearning to break through your comfort zone, ramp up your accountability game, and master the art of effective communication?
In this epic leadership smackdown between the importance of accountability and adaptability, there is only one winner: you. Learn why accountability and adaptability are like peanut butter and jelly - each great on its own, but the magic combo when applied together. Entrepreneurship and former music exec Jeff Matlow reveals how failure to adapt and accept accountability in the music industry should be a wake-up call for every organization, business, and worker.
Here are just a few of the insightful takeaways:
1. Jeff reveals the shocking secret about accountability. Wait until you hear this one! Jeff's four simple secrets of accountability can transform how you lead and work in profound ways.
2. Accountability isn't about non-stop work; it’s about strong decision-making. Leaders must set priorities and maintain focus to guide their teams to success. 
3. Effective communication isn't just about the words—it's about creating a safe space where people feel comfortable taking risks and voicing their ideas.
4. Fear of conflict often stymies growth. Embrace healthy disagreements and diverse perspectives to make better decisions.
5. Adaptability is a top-tier skill in today’s fast-paced world, but without clear and consistent communication, even the best plans can fall apart.
6. Personal and professional growth thrives on adaptability and accountability; you can't have one without the other.
7. Become a storytelling maestro and elevate your communication game.
8. Fear of failure holds many people back, but stepping out of your comfort zone leads to significant growth and control.
9. The misconception that we only use 10% of our brain - and even our body potential - underestimates our true potential.
10. Society struggles with comparing inner fears to others’ outward confidence. Don't be a red light complainer or a yellow light doubter. Be a green-light action-taker!
Who is Jeff Matlow?
Jeff Matlow is a relentless entrepreneur, leadership coach, business leader, author,  Ironman, and Top Leadership Voices on LinkedIn. His latest challenge - He champions accountability. Jeff stands firm on the belief that integrity, responsibility, and reliability are the bedrock of true leadership. He’s here to argue that without accountability, success is just a flash in the pan.
He is a 3x entrepreneur. He built a product, service, and SaaS business, each of which was acquired by large media conglomerates. 
He now focuses his time on coaching female executives and entrepreneurs to be more inspirational leaders. 
He is the author of The Best Leadership Newsletter Ever, which creatively looks at your daily behaviors to transform your life.  What I’m most impressed with is how quickly he attracted over 11k subscribers. His podcast, The Best Leadership Podcast Ever has short lessons on how to improve leadership. 
Jeff began his career in the music industry where he worked with such artists as James Brown, Everclear, and the Black Eyed Peas. He founded the record label, crank! which was subsequently acquired by the Universal Music Group.
 

This premiere episode of “At the Corner of Main St. & Wall St. episode is a gripping reminder that when it comes to the economy, inflation, personal finances, and politics, we are in virgin territory. Staying informed and flexible is key and hosts Ira S Wolfe, Mat Van Alstyne, and John Aidan Byrne share a few game-changing insights on where we may be headed next. They are joined by this month’s special guest Nathan Lewis, co-author of “Inflation.”
Here are a few must-know takeaways about our economy, inflation, debt, and where we might be headed next:
1. **The Inflation Impact**: Inflation is hitting hard, and Americans are feeling it. Everything from your groceries to your gas tank is affected, and it’s a top concern for everyone from Main Street to Wall Street.
2. **Debt Overload**: The American consumer is swimming in over $1 trillion of credit card debt—yikes! Combine that with the housing gridlock and border crisis, and you get a potent financial cocktail that's hard to swallow.
3. **Deficits Without Fixes**: Nathan Lewis points out that governments, including ours, are running bigger deficits but fixing zilch. It’s like putting more holes in a sinking ship and wondering why we’re taking on water.
4. **Treasury Troubles**: Rising treasury yields could spell trouble. There’s chatter about fiscal dominance and even the looming specter of the US Treasury defaulting if no one's buying those bonds. 
5. **Inflation and Politics**: Inflation is shaping up to be a big player in the next election cycle. Whether it’s Trump’s tariffs or Biden’s relief acts, these policies are influencing everything from the value of the dollar to the cost of living.
6. **Gold as a Safety Net?**: With currency values wobbling, some experts are looking back at gold. Remember, it’s been a fallback since ancient civilizations and could be the safe harbor we need amid the storm.
7. **Monetary Mayhem**: Leaving the gold standard in 1971 might’ve been the root of our currency’s instability. It’s like pulling the rug out from under the dollar, as Nathan Lewis reminds us.
8. **International Shifts**: The global scene is shifting with countries like China and Russia questioning the US dollar’s dominance. 
9. **The Future's Uncertain**: High levels of unpredictability surround what the Fed and central banks will do next. Navigating this complex maze requires keen insight and adaptability.
Mat Van Alstyne: Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Odeon Capital Group, brings insights from the heart of Wall Street. Odeon Capital Group is a leading full service boutique broker dealer to institutional clients.Many of you know Mat from his commentary and outlook on the highly rated Odeon Capital Conversations Podcast, the number one podcast on Capital Markets in the US and top ranked across the globe. Odeon Capital Conversations will return soon for another season. 
John Aidan Byrne: Veteran Wall Street business journalist, editor, filmmaker, and successful podcast host of Odeon Capital Conversations and Dig Life Deep! I want to wish Good luck to John on his two movie projects, one on the legendary life of a Wall Street CEO and scholar and the other on Norman Rockwell.  Hopefully we’ll be walking the red carpet soon at their premiere!
Special Guest:
Nathan Lewis: Renowned monetary policy and economic history expert, Discovery Institute Fellow, co-author of The Magic Formula: The Timeless Secret to Economic Health and Prosperity; and Inflation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, and How to Fix It, and author of several other highly-acclaimed economic tomes.
You can order “Inflation” here.
More about Nathan Lewis.
***This episode was sponsored by Security Traders Association (STA). 
STA is a grassroots organization with 20 Affiliates across the U.S. and Canada, representing financial services professionals. 
STA educates its members on market structure issues and advocates for their interests with legislators and re

While only 7 percent of the world’s population is using AI, technologist Doug Hohulin believes we’re living in the “Roaring 20s of Technology.” With over 500 percent growth of smartphone users in just 11 years and 1 Billion AI users predicted by the end of 2024, Doug reveals in this episode what innovation and our future look like in the next 3 to 5 years … and beyond. Doug is the co-author of the new book, Tech Powered Healing: Future of Medicine in the Age of AI.
Here are just a few of the compelling and exciting takeaways:
**Job Evolution, Not Elimination**: It’s a myth that AI will take away jobs. But it is 100% true that AI is likely to change the nature of work rather than eliminate jobs. It will create new roles while automating what Doug calls the 4 Ds: Dirty, Dangerous, Difficult, and Dirty, allowing humans to focus on tasks that require creativity and emotional intelligence.
**AI's Role in Healthcare**: Imagine using AI for good and saving 10,000 lives a year in the U.S. alone. AI holds transformative potential in healthcare, particularly in curing diseases, creating personalized drugs and dosages, and reducing medical errors. However medical professionals must remain in control to ensure these tools are used to improve patient outcomes and minimize harm.
**The Life-Saving Potential of Safe-Driving Technology**: Implementing AI and advanced technologies such as blind spot monitoring, emergency braking systems, and lane-keeping technology in vehicles has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives annually by reducing traffic accidents.
**Educational Transformation **: AI tools can amplify learning outcomes and the importance of teaching both students and educators to use these technologies effectively.
**AI and Mental Well-being**: While AI can significantly boost productivity, it's also important to consider its impact on mental well-being. Proper education and training can ensure a balanced and healthy integration of AI technologies in everyday life.
**Future of AI and Society**: As AI grows, its users are predicted to reach billions by 2029, marking a significant societal shift analogous to the Industrial Revolution. Ensuring responsible and widespread education on AI will be crucial for navigating this transformative period effectively.
Who is Doug Hohulin?
Doug Hohulin has a treasure trove of experience, having spent 33 years at Nokia/Motorola in strategy, business development, account management, and engineering roles. Now, as an AI Technology Advisor for Next CoLabs and AI & Partners, and a leader in VRARA and KC Digital Drive, he’s all about making AI responsible and safe. His passion? Using AI to create a safer healthcare system, reduce the 3 million deaths a year from medical errors, and improve patient outcomes. He’s a co-author of the new book Tech Power Healing - The Future of Medicine in the AI Age.
Connect with Doug Hohulin: Click Here.
Purchase "Tech Powered Healing: Future of Medicine in the Age of AI" Click Here.
Read "The 21st Century – The Century of the Billion & Billions" Click Here.
 

Ever feel like innovation is a superpower reserved for legends like Steve Jobs? Think again! Join the dynamic innovating duo, Ira S Wolfe and Ben M Bensaou, as they shatter this myth and reveal the secrets to building your innovating engine. This episode of the Geeks Geezers Googlization podcast is packed with actionable insights to transform anyone into a relentless innovator.
Prepare to challenge your perceptions and redefine what it means to be an innovator with 10 game-changing insights such as Innovation for All,  Embrace "Innovating" over "Innovation", Empower Middle Managers, Customer Gold and more.
Ben shares real-life examples of companies like Starwood and Fiskars, a 375-year-old company, that transformed into innovation powerhouses through structured and continuous innovating efforts. These success stories prove that innovation isn't limited to startups or high-tech companies but is attainable for organizations of all sizes and industries.
Ready to Innovate Like Steve Jobs?
Tune in to the Geeks Geezers Googlization podcast for more insightful discussions on staying adaptive in the evolving future of work and innovation.
More about Ben M. Bensaou:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-m-bensaou/
Website: https://benbensaou.com
Thinkers50 Best Management Book of 2022: "Built to Innovate": https://benbensaou.com/book/ 
 
 

Did you think accounting was all about crunching numbers and taxes? Think again. "Beyond the Office"  host Bill Keller is joined by Jody Padar, the Radical CPA. Together they unravel the future of accounting in the tech era. This episode is a must-listen for forward-thinking professionals who are ready to step into the next evolution of their industry, revolutionize their practices, and not just keep up but write the next chapter in accounting. 
Here are five key takeaways:
1. **Embrace Mistakes**: Learn the importance of making mistakes and the value of learning from errors to fuel your innovation journey.
2. **Automation is Your Friend**: As automation takes over repetitive tasks, CPAs are free to focus more on advisory roles requiring interpretation skills, empathy, and effective communication. Discover how automating mundane tasks can lead to quick gains and free up time for more strategic endeavors.
3. **Master Remote Work**:  Learn how mid to small-sized firms can integrate innovation through existing software solutions, using automation for quick wins, and why aligning technology with strategic business goals is crucial.
4. **Tech & Strategy Alignment**: Hear how aligning your technology with business goals is more crucial than ever. Jody shares how technology companies and fintechs like Pilot, Zeni, and even giants like Amazon are beginning to edge into traditional accounting services.
5. **Evolution of Accounting**: Explore the transition from time-based billing to focusing on delivering measurable results, and how this can significantly impact client satisfaction and firm profitability.
Resources: Jody Padar, The Radical CPA, Connect with Jody.
Bill Keller, Staffing Global https://staffingdifferent.com
Recommended Reading:  Radical Pricing (Just Released—Spring 2024). Click here.

"Flexibility" has become the rallying cry of the Everywhere Work revolution, as highlighted in Ivanti's 2024 Everywhere Work report. On this Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show episode, host Ira S. Wolfe chats with guests Holly Novak and Mary Baird to unpack their experiences from the 2024 Ivanti Solutions Summit. Together, they explore the rapidly shifting landscape of Everywhere Work and the technological hurdles it brings. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on viewing cybersecurity through an HR lens as they tackle the intricacies of delivering seamless digital employee experiences, nurturing modern work cultures, managing AI’s growing impact, and safeguarding the irreplaceable power of human connection.
** Key Takeaways:**
1. The concept of "radical flexibility" is becoming a buzzword we can't ignore.
2. Emotional intelligence isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential.
3. Culture is king, even if your kingdom is virtual.
4. Training for remote and hybrid team management needs a serious upgrade.
5. The urgent need for robust cybersecurity training tailored for a dispersed workforce.
**About Holly Novak and Mary Baird
Holly Novak serves as the Chief People Officer at Jack Henry &Associates, a
prestigious S&P 500 fintech powerhouse boasting a workforce of over 7,000 dedicated
professionals. With a career spanning more than two decades in Human Resources,
Holly’s extensive expertise encompasses HR Operations, Business Operations, HR
Business Partner roles, Recruitment, and HR Information Systems. She is especially
renowned for her skills in Coaching, Executive Compensation, People Analytics, and leveraging HR
technology to achieve organizational excellence, to mention a few.
**Connect with Holly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-novak-sphr-shrm-scp-3262835/
Mary Baird has an equally impressive resume. She is the CEO,  Senior Leadership Development Strategist and Podcaster at The Simplifiers. She helps medium to large corporations who are struggling with high turnover, and low employee engagement, and are navigating an ever-changing work environment that seems everything BUT simple. Her LinkedIn profile says it all: She has a knack for turning complex challenges into simple, actionable solutions. 
**Connect with Mary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers/
Additional Resources:
**Watch the ISS2024 Keynotes: https://tinyurl.com/iss24keynotes
**Download 2024 Everywhere Work Report: https://adaptabilitytoolkit.com/2024everywherework
**Never Normal News: https://nevernormalnews.com