Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization Show Ira S Wolfe

What happens when you mix Main St perception with Wall St economic and policy discussion? You get a rollercoaster episode that's as gripping as it is enlightening!
In our latest “At the Corner of Main St and Wall St” episode, I dive deep into the compelling and vexing Shrinking Middle Class Crisis. Alongside recurring guests John Aidan Byrne and Mat Van Alystne and special guest, Jeff Webb, we tackle the perplexing disconnect between a rosy national economic picture and the less positive perceptions of the middle class and lower income Americans. From the challenges faced by working families living paycheck to paycheck to aspiring entrepreneurs attempting to navigate the bureaucracy of business, this episode is packed with insights that you won't want to miss.
Here are just a few of the compelling takeaways:
**Inflation's Invisible Punch:** Inflation might seem like an abstract concept, but it’s hitting hard. Many Americans find themselves living paycheck to paycheck, a stark contrast to the booming stock market.
**Navigating the Wealth Gap:** The wealth gap’s widening, escalating social tensions and potentially destabilizing the middle class. It’s about more than money—it’s affecting the very fabric of society.
**Interest Rates Hit Home:** The middle class is feeling the squeeze more than ever. Those rising interest rates? They don't just affect loans—they ripple through everything from rent to groceries.
 **Red Tape Roadblocks:** Aspiring entrepreneurs, brace yourselves—it’s not just about your great idea. Navigating the sea of regulations can be the real beast, especially if you're scaling up.
**Generational Wealth Transfer and Gaps:** Millennials and Gen Z often feel like they're playing an unwinnable game. Is this the first time in modern history that the transfer of wealth is from younger to older generations or will today’s youth be the recipients of massive generational wealth.
 **Tariffs: Double-Edged Sword:** The strategic use of tariffs can protect domestic businesses. But watch out—mishandling them could backfire, leading to economic headaches.
**Big Government vs. Small Business:** The cozy relationship between big business and big government? It doesn't exactly help the little guys. Small businesses need a more level playing field to thrive.
** Fun Fact from the Episode:**
Did you know? Cheerleading may soon have a shot at making an Olympic debut, thanks to dynamic advocates like Jeff Webb who are pushing boundaries beyond just pom-poms and spirit chants!
Ready to dive deeper? Be Part of the Conversation. Tune in now!
And … don't forget to check out Jeff Webb's book, "American Restoration: How to Unshackle The Great Middle Class," for more stimulating perspectives! Click Here.
Additional Resources:
How Ameica’s Middle Class is Shrinking
State of the American Middle Class
About this month's guests:
Mat Van Alstyne: Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Odeon Capital Group, 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, which 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! John/s newest ventures are two movie projects, one on the legendary life of a Wall Street CEO and scholar and the other on Norman Rockwell.  
Jeff Webb: Acclaimed business entrepreneur, CEO of Human Events Media Group, which includes digital platforms The Post Millennial and Human Events, Founder of Varsity Spirit, and President of the International Cheer Union. Widely recognized as the father of modern cheerleading, Webb revolutionized the sport by establishing Varsity Spirit, which has become a global leader in cheerleading. He is also the author of the Amazon bestselling book American Restoration: How to Unshackl

What if all those office wellness perks aren't actually helping? Is your office wellness program just a series of gimmicks? In this episode Tanya Tarr, Senior Contributor, Forbes, and Behavioral Scientist, and host Joe Serio dissect the myths of workplace wellness. You might rethink those yoga sessions! Tune in now!
Tanya and Joe dig into the nuanced world of well-being, whether at home or in the workplace. In this riveting episode, they switch gears from the comforts of home to the often chaotic terrain of the office. Ever wondered why pizza parties and gimmicky workplace wellness programs just don't cut it? This episode is for you.
Who should listen? If you're an employee feeling stuck in a toxic work environment, a manager looking to foster a healthier workplace, or an HR professional striving for impactful wellness initiatives, this episode is your blueprint for creating a thriving work culture. 
Here are a few thought-provoking takeaways about workplace well-being, toxic bosses, and the crucial aspects of creating a sense of belonging:
1. Balancing home and work well-being is crucial. Sometimes work is a sanctuary, other times it’s home—either way, one impacts the other significantly.
2. Simply offering gym memberships or pizza parties isn’t cutting it when it comes to workplace wellness. Real workplace well-being needs to be part of strategic planning and management.
3. Critical well-being factors to assess at work include physical comfort, solving interesting problems, professional development support, psychological safety, and feeling part of a supportive culture.
4. Meaningful workplace connections are key. If employees have genuine friendships at work, it’s a strong indicator of an organization’s health.
5. If you're stuck with an unsupportive boss, focus on what you can control. Seek intrinsic rewards like meaningfulness, choice, competence, and progress in your tasks.
Missed the first or second segment? 
Part #1: "Unleashing Your Potential: The How and Why of Personal Well-Being" Click here.
Part #2: "Unleashing Your Potential: The How  and Why of Personal Well-Being" Click here.
 

AI dominance, energy trade-offs, and election jitters. Those were the topics this month’s esteemed Wall St panel explored on At the Corner of Main St. and Wall St. The juxtaposition of Main Street and Wall Street may seem worlds apart, yet they are becoming increasingly intertwined. Join us as we unpack the implications of the rising cost of living, the potential shift in political administration, and the transformative power of AI in our economy. Whether you’re an investor, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone curious about future trends, this episode has something for you.
Here are nine illuminating takeaways about the economy, markets, AI, and the upcoming 2024 election.
1. **Feeling the Squeeze:** Inflation's tightening grip isn’t just a headline—whether it's grocery bills, car insurance, or trash pick-up costs, everyone's wallet is taking a hit, especially those in the middle and lower-income brackets. Is this what might determine who resides in the White House for the next 4 years?
2. **Stocks vs. Wallets:** You might hear the stock market's roaring, but don't be fooled; it doesn’t always reflect Main Street’s struggle with daily expenses. It’s like living in two different economies!
3. **Election Anxiety:** With the 2024 election heating up, there's cautious optimism. According to guest Mat Van Alstyne, the market is attempting to price in a potential Trump win, but the mix of political chaos and proposed tax changes could make for a wild ride.
4. **AI and Power Play:** NVIDIA's tech lead shows that dominating the AI scene isn't just about cool gadgets—it's fueling a surge in data demand, transforming power usage, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
5. **Green Energy's Reality Check:** While green energy is the future, current tech like wind and solar need more energy to produce than they give back over their lifetimes. It's an efficiency puzzle that still needs solving.
7. **Data Center Giants:** Fun fact: The biggest data center, only second to the world’s largest, is right here in the US and it's part of our growing need for data—think AI, electric vehicles, and cryptocurrency.
8. **AI Bubble Fears:** The panel's mixed takes on the AI market bubble, especially with NVIDIA, reveal a cautious yet curious approach as tech valuation and future earnings raise eyebrows.
9. **Living at the Intersection:** The convergence of economy, politics, and technology demands we stay adaptive. It’s crucial to keep learning and navigating the uncharted waters without getting bogged down by the past.
About this month's guests:
Mat Van Alstyne: Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Odeon Capital Group, 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, which 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! John/s newest ventures are two movie projects, one on the legendary life of a Wall Street CEO and scholar and the other on Norman Rockwell.  
Special Guest:
Jim Toes is President and CEO of the Security Traders Association (STA), a grassroots trade organization that serves individuals employed in the financial services industry. He also was a candidate in New York’s third Congressional district to replace ousted Rep. George Santos.
 

Flexibility in the workplace is a hot topic, but 2024 Everywhere Work reports show a stark reality: only 25% of workers feel their work environment is highly flexible. We need to bridge this gap for a truly adaptable workforce.
In this episode host Ira S Wolfe and Ivanti’s CMO Melissa Puls peel back the layers of IT and security, and trust us, it’s more challenging than you’d ever expect. We tackle the crippling silo effect, dig into the exponential growth of security vulnerabilities, and explore the intricate dance between CIOs, CISOs, and HR. It can feel like you’re trying to thread a needle with one hand tied behind your back. 
Here are seven insightful nuggets about IT, security, workplace flexibility, and employee experience in the future of work:
1. When IT and security team up, magic happens. Collaboration is key. Silos? Not so much. Keeping data and systems separate hampers both productivity and security.
2. Discovering and securing every connected device is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But boy, is it necessary! CIOs and CSOs need to collaborate, not compete.
3. Think of workplace security like a well-locked door; it must be secure but easy to use. Balancing strict security measures with practicality can save your company from headaches.
4. Employee experience isn’t just a fluffy HR term. It translates directly to customer experience, and ultimately, your company’s success. And surprise, surprise: IT and security have a huge impact on it.
5. Do you think digital employee experience doesn’t matter? Many employees would rather leave a company with a lousy digital setup than stay—even if they love everything else.
6. Flexibility in the workplace is still a work in progress. Only 25% of workers feel their environment is highly flexible.
7. The future of work is here and now, and it’s all about flexibility, security, and connection. This episode drives home the point that thriving in today’s fast-paced world means embracing flexibility, working smarter, and fostering strong connections and cultures within our workplaces. So, stay agile, stay secure, and stay connected!
Plus: The top 5 Things every small and medium business manager should know:
The Future of Work is here now . Everywhere Work is here to stay
Flexibility is key for the Employee Experience and Engagement. Everywhere work is about flexibility, not the place.
Security is critical to make sure employees and customers are safe. Education and training is essential.
Connection and Culture are more challenging in a hybrid environment but not impossible
Employee Experience translates to Customer Experience --  and it is all about Customers and the Customer Journey.
About Melissa Puls
Melissa is Ivanti’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Senior Vice President Customer Success and responsible for all aspects of the Ivanti customer journey, from initial awareness to purchase, adoption, expansion and renewal – ensuring organizations maximize the value of Ivanti’s solutions for greater outcomes.
Melissa is passionate about all phases of the customer experience and brings decades of experience to Ivanti with a strong track record of fueling growth through a customer-centric approach and integrated marketing strategies for acquired companies. She was most recently senior vice president and CMO at Avid. Prior to this role, Melissa also held CMO and marketing leadership positions with Optanix, Progress, Iron Mountain and Infor.
Resources:
Connect with Melissa Puls here.
Visit Ivanti website and watch keynotes from ISS2024.
Download 2024 Everywhere Work report here.
 

The Whole You: Work, Home Life host Joe Serio and Senior Contributor, Forbes, and Behavioral Scientist Tanya Tarr continue their dynamic conversation about the how and why of personal well-being.  Together they delve into the intriguing concept of a "House of Well-Being" and a "Workplace of Well-Being." This transformative discussion will leave you inspired to redesign your life for success. 
 Here are just a few of the mind-opening lessons learned that can truly reshape the way we approach our health and work environment.
1. The concept of your "house of well-being" encourages exploring the different rooms of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health for a well-rounded life journey.
2. Simplify your well-being check-ins by focusing on 3-4 key areas instead of overwhelming yourself with endless objectives – it's all about keeping it nimble.
3. Pay attention to the rooms you neglect in your well-being house; they often hold the keys to unlocking your true balance.
4. Community connections are essential for emotional and cultural health - find your 'church energy' in unexpected places like kickboxing clubs or adult kickball leagues.
5. By breaking down your environments into different spaces, such as bedroom, office, or car environments, you can effectively pinpoint areas that need immediate attention and those that can wait.
6. The power of intentional transitions lies in helping your nervous system and overall well-being find a sense of closure and rejuvenation.
7. Approach your workplace of well-being with the same mindfulness as your house of well-being; navigating office dynamics, policies, and relationships play a vital role in your overall wellness journey.
Why Listen: 
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life, seeking ways to enhance your overall well-being, or looking to foster a healthier work environment, this episode is a must-listen. Joe and Tanya's practical advice, deep insights, and relatable anecdotes will inspire you to make small, impactful changes that lead to significant transformations in your physical, mental, emotional, and cultural health. Tune in for actionable strategies, expert tips, and a fresh perspective on living your best life, both at home and in the workplace.

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.