LAUNCH Podcast with Allison Michels

Allison Michels
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  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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LAUNCH with Allison Michels is the no-BS podcast for high achievers ready to level up, lead stronger, and scale faster. No fluff. No wasted time. Just real strategies, mindset shifts, and playbooks to help you launch your business, brand, and leadership to the next level. Let’s go!

  1. JAN 29

    #182 LAUNCH: The Hard Conversations We’d Rather Avoid (And How to Make Them Go Well).

    You know those conversations you don’t want to have—but know you need to? In this episode, Allison walks you through how she reframes difficult conversations so they feel empowering instead of draining. She shares the mindset shifts that turn avoidance into clarity, and tension into productive outcomes. You’ll learn how to approach hard conversations with confidence, stay grounded in the moment, and create solutions that actually move things forward—without blowing things up or backing down. If you’ve been putting off a conversation because it feels uncomfortable, emotional, or risky… this episode is for you.

    18 min

  2. JAN 15

    #181 LAUNCH: Building Businesses That Last: An Operator’s Perspective on Growth, People, and Legacy with David Hori

    What does it really take to build a business that lasts—not just financially, but culturally and personally? In this episode, Allison sits down with David Hori, an experienced operator, investor, and advisor who has spent over 25 years scaling, acquiring, and exiting businesses while preserving the people and culture behind them. David has led multiple successful exits, including a company acquired by Toyota, and has achieved something incredibly rare in growth and transition: integrating more than 1,100 employees with a 98% retention rate. He brings a buyer’s mindset, not a consultant’s playbook—focused on real-world decisions that give owners more options, not more noise. Together, Allison and David dive into the mindset shifts and operational processes required to scale well, not fast. This is a practical, honest conversation about: The leadership mindset required to grow beyond founder-led bottlenecks The processes owners need in place before scaling, stepping back, or exiting What business owners often overlook when trying to grow sustainably Why people and culture matter more than spreadsheets during transition What private equity often gets wrong—and what owners should understand early How thinking like a buyer creates clarity, leverage, and long-term optionality This episode is especially valuable for founders and owners who: Have built something meaningful and want to protect it Feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next move Care about legacy, not just valuation Want clear processes and grounded leadership—not hustle-driven growth If you’re thinking about scaling, stepping back, or eventually exiting, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions long before you’re forced to. 🎧 Listen in and learn how to build a business that truly lasts.

    26 min

  3. 10/29/2025

    #180 LAUNCH: Behind the Scenes: Building Dreams, Brands, and a Legacy

    In this episode, Allison Michels pulls back the curtain on what it really looks like to build a business and a life you love. She shares what’s been happening behind the scenes — from helping brands elevate their message and marketing strategy to creating a long-dreamed-of space for collaboration and creativity: the new LAUNCH Studio. Allison also opens up about her mission to help leaders step into their potential, the lessons she’s learned this season, and what’s next as she prepares for the 9th Annual LAUNCH Youth Leadership Conference. If you’re ready to find clarity, momentum, and courage to launch your next chapter this episode will leave you inspired to take action.

    16 min

  4. 08/06/2025

    #179 LAUNCH: Scaling with Soul — Building a Global Brand Without Burnout with Dawn McGruer

    In this episode, Allison sits down with globally recognized business growth coach and Forbes mentor Dawn McGruer to explore what it really takes to scale with soul. Dawn shares why so many entrepreneurs hit a plateau—and how it’s often not a strategy problem, but a mindset one. Together, they unpack the inner blocks that hold leaders back and discuss how aligning purpose, passion, habits, and discipline can unlock both personal fulfillment and next-level business growth. If you're ready to grow your brandwithout sacrificing your well-being, this episode is for you. Connect with Dawn McGruer: https://dawnmcgruer.com/   In this episode, Allison sits down with globally recognized business growthcoach and Forbes mentor Dawn McGruer to explore what it really takes to scalewith soul. Dawn shares why so many entrepreneurs hit a plateau—and how it’soften not a strategy problem, but a mindset one. Together, they unpack the inner blocks that hold leaders back and discusshow aligning purpose, passion, habits, and discipline can unlock both personalfulfillment and next-level business growth. If you're ready to grow your brandwithout sacrificing your well-being, this episode is for you. Connect with Dawn McGruer: https://dawnmcgruer.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/businessconsort/ https://www.instagram.com/dawnmcgruer/

    28 min

  5. 06/19/2025

    #178 LAUNCH: The Shift You Can’t Ignore: When Success No Longer Fits with Amber Swenor

    What happens when the life you worked so hard to build no longer fits who you're becoming? In this episode, Allison sits down with Amber Swenor — a literal rockstar in both music and business — to talk about the identity evolution so many high achievers face. As a transformational leadership coach and founder of Soul Seed Strategy, Amber shares what it means to grow beyond the version of success that once defined you… and how to navigate the fear, uncertainty, and inner shifts that come with it. Together, they unpack: The signs that you're evolving (even if life looks “successful” on paper) Why it’s so hard to let go of old roles and expectations The courage it takes to take aligned action without full clarity How to handle fear, self-sabotage, and stress during transitions The habits and mindset shifts Amber used to step into her next level This episode is for the leader who's ready to stop performing and start leading as their whole self. You’ll walk away with encouragement, tools, and a powerful reminder: you don’t have to burn out or sell out to grow. 🔗 Connect with Amber: www.soul-seed.com Tune in, and get ready to shift.

    29 min

  6. 06/12/2025

    #177 LAUNCH: Scaling Business Without Burning Out with Vince Perri

    Real talk: Building a business that scales and sustains you? That’s the dream. And today’s guest is living proof that it’s possible. In this episode, Allison sits down with Vince Perri — a powerhouse business broker, public adjuster, and dealmaker who turns chaos into clarity with systems, strategy, and serious swagger. Vince leads a team of entrepreneurs, operators, and rainmakers who help business owners align their purpose, scale with intention, and exit with power. We’re diving into: How to find your North Star in business The real meaning behind “scaling without burnout” What it actually takes to build a business that doesn’t just grow — it runs without you The mindset and systems that make scaling sustainable If you’re craving more freedom, energy, and long-term impact in your business… this one’s for you.

    26 min

  7. 05/29/2025

    #176 LAUNCH: The Recovery Way with Mark Manderson

    In this episode of LAUNCH, Allison sits down with Mark C. Manderson—a powerful voice in the world of recovery and the visionary behind The Recovery Way and Pacific Shores Recovery Center. With over 25 years of experience helping veterans, men, and women overcome addiction, Mark brings a deeply compassionate and science-based approach to healing. We dive into how recovery is possible for anyone, how to break the stigma, and why transformation is always within reach. If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.

    24 min

  8. 05/14/2025

    #175 LAUNCH: Unlock AI for Business Growth with Nick Pope

    In this episode of LAUNCH, I sit down with Nick Pope—AI strategist and Chief AI Officer at Train In Your Lane—to talk about what’s actually working when it comes to using AI for business growth. Nick breaks down how he helps companies build practical frameworks to integrate AI (without the overwhelm) so they can scale smarter, faster, and with way less guesswork. If you’ve been wondering how to move from “dabbling” in AI to actually leveraging it to grow your business—this one’s for you. Let’s go!

    31 min
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4.9
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28 Ratings

About

LAUNCH with Allison Michels is the no-BS podcast for high achievers ready to level up, lead stronger, and scale faster. No fluff. No wasted time. Just real strategies, mindset shifts, and playbooks to help you launch your business, brand, and leadership to the next level. Let’s go!

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