Magic in the Cloud Podcast

Joe Griffith
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Magic in the Cloud - Stories of Vision and Action Creating Magic Where visionary executives share the pivotal decisions, breakthroughs, and leadership philosophies that transformed their businesses. 🎯 Our Guests: CROs, VPs of Sales, Digital Transformation Directors, COOs, CIOs, RevOps leaders, and GTM strategists from Financial Services, SaaS, and beyond. 💡 What You'll Learn: CRM-driven growth strategies Scaling teams with precision Leadership decision-making under pressure Data-driven transformation Building high-performance teams Strategic system alignment Discover how the "Cloud" bridges bold vision with tangible outcomes that revolutionize industries and careers. From intuition-based leadership to sustainable growth frameworks, our conversations reveal the tools and strategies that enable confident leadership. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for insights that will elevate your leadership game.

  1. Enhancing Human Relationships with AI | Ralph Schonenbach | EP 116

    5D AGO

    Enhancing Human Relationships with AI | Ralph Schonenbach | EP 116

    In this episode of Magic in the Cloud, Joseph Griffith sits down with entrepreneur and author Ralph Schonenbach to explore the intersection of AI, relationships, and the future of work. Ralph is the founder behind Meerkat, an AI-powered platform designed to help teams navigate relationships, track conversations, and turn insights into action. Instead of replacing human interaction, Ralph believes technology should strengthen it. In this conversation, they discuss: • Why relationships are still the most powerful driver of success • How AI can enhance conversations instead of replacing them • The problem with fragmented communication tools • The concept of “network intelligence” • Why leaders need to rethink how they manage relationships at scale • The personal journey that led Ralph to write Relationships Matter Timestamps 0:00 – Podcast introduction 0:41 – Meet Ralph Schonenbach 1:34 – Why Ralph built an AI teammate for relationships 3:40 – How Meerkat works inside conversations 5:17 – The story behind the Meerkat brand 7:05 – How Meerkat compares to tools like ChatGPT and Fireflies 8:05 – Is AI replacing human jobs? 10:45 – AI as a “super intern” 12:08 – Who Meerkat is built for 13:04 – Network mapping and relationship intelligence 15:06 – Surprising ways teams use Meerkat 17:21 – Connecting email, calendar, and conversations 19:23 – Ralph’s upbringing in Wyoming 20:01 – Building a network from scratch 21:19 – Writing the book Relationships Matter 23:26 – Why relationships drive personal and business success 25:22 – The illusion of being “connected” online 26:55 – Life outside work: travel, family, and nature 27:34 – Why slowing down improves creativity 30:27 – Mentors who shaped Ralph’s career 32:37 – The power of telling people you appreciate them 34:16 – How to connect with Ralph 35:02 – Closing remarks 👍 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the episode with someone who wants to build stronger relationships in business. Connect with Ralph: https://trymeerkat.com

    36 min
  2. The Real Entrepreneur Mindset: Podcasting, Sales, Fitness & Business Growth | Dave Gulas | EP 115

    MAR 4

    The Real Entrepreneur Mindset: Podcasting, Sales, Fitness & Business Growth | Dave Gulas | EP 115

    What does it take to build a Top 2% podcast — and scale a high-touch 3PL in the competitive eCommerce logistics space? In this episode of the Magic in the Cloud Podcast, we sit down with entrepreneur and host of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, Dave Gulas. Dave shares how consistency, discipline, and a “Ready. Fire. Aim.” mindset helped him: Launch a podcast in under 30 daysGrow to 220+ episodes and 13K+ YouTube subscribersBuild a fast-growing 3PL serving mid-market eCommerce brandsWin customers from big-box competitors through high-touch serviceTransform his health and leadership at 46 This episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, podcast growth strategy, sales psychology, leadership discipline, and scaling logistics in the eCommerce era. If you’re building something — this conversation is your reminder that execution beats perfection. ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Welcome to Magic in the Cloud 01:00 – Building a Top 2% Podcast from Scratch 03:00 – The Power of Consistency & Reps 05:00 – From 5% Guest Acceptance to a Waiting List 10:15 – “Ready. Fire. Aim.” Explained 14:00 – Winning in a Commoditized 3PL Market 17:30 – How to Win Unhappy eCommerce Clients 20:30 – Scaling Without Losing High-Touch Service 24:00 – The Future of eCommerce & AI in Logistics 25:30 – Health, Discipline & Leadership at 46 29:00 – Mentorship, Sales & Personal Development 31:30 – Advice to His Younger Self 35:30 – Final Takeaways & Where to Connect 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with leaders transforming industries through strategy, discipline, and bold action. #PodcastGrowth #Ecommerce #3PL #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Sales #PersonalDevelopment

    36 min
  3. Leading with Love in High-Pressure Environments | Jason Zapp | EP 114

    FEB 18

    Leading with Love in High-Pressure Environments | Jason Zapp | EP 114

    What happens when deep operational expertise meets radical empathy? In this episode of Magic in the Cloud, we sit down with Jason Zapp, a warehouse turnaround expert whose side hustle evolved into a full-time consulting career helping fast-growing companies fix broken processes, scale operations, and stop bleeding money. Jason shares how over-delivering creates limitless opportunity, why most operational failures are process—not people—problems, and the leadership principle that quietly powers everything he does: love always wins. From military lessons in discipline and supply chain to building trust with the most difficult people in the room, this conversation is a masterclass in modern leadership, operational excellence, and human-first problem solving. If you lead teams, scale operations, or step into messy situations where things have gone sideways—this one’s for you. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Magic in the Cloud 00:45 – From side hustle to full-time consulting 02:30 – Scaling companies when operations start to unravel 04:15 – Over-delivering as a growth strategy 06:00 – Acting like you already work there 08:45 – “There’s always an answer” mindset 12:40 – Diagnosing symptoms vs. root causes 14:30 – When process failures reach the customer 16:40 – Why it’s rarely a people problem 18:50 – TP Activate: Technology, People, Process 20:10 – Military lessons in supply chain & discipline 23:00 – The secret sauce: Love always wins 26:00 – Winning over the most difficult people first 28:30 – Compassion as a leadership tool 31:00 – Family, mentors, and generational wisdom 34:00 – How to connect with Jason 35:00 – Final reflections & closing 👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this perspective.

    36 min
  4. From Nonprofit CEO to Success Coach: Faith, Leadership & Legacy | Marcus Allen | EP 113

    FEB 4

    From Nonprofit CEO to Success Coach: Faith, Leadership & Legacy | Marcus Allen | EP 113

    What does it really mean to live with purpose—and how do you turn that purpose into lasting impact? In this powerful episode of Magic in the Cloud, host Joe sits down with Marcus Allen, former President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Allen Global Consulting Group. Marcus shares his journey from growing up in poverty and homelessness to leading one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits for nearly two decades. Now stepping into a new chapter as a consultant, coach, and radio host, Marcus opens up about leadership, faith, trust, resilience, legacy, and the lessons learned from both success and loss. This conversation goes deep—covering purpose, EOS leadership, compassion in business, building trust, overcoming adversity, and honoring the life and impact of Marcus’s late daughter, Natasha Allen. If you’re a leader, founder, executive, or anyone searching for meaning beyond metrics—this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Magic in the Cloud 01:15 – Who is Marcus Allen? From nonprofit CEO to coach & consultant 04:10 – What wakes you up without an alarm clock 07:45 – Defining purpose and accepting the life that comes with it 12:30 – Faith, focus, and going “vertical” vs. horizontal validation 18:40 – Lessons from 17+ years leading Big Brothers Big Sisters 25:10 – Why Marcus knew it was time to leave his CEO role 31:20 – Launching Allen Global Consulting Group & new ventures 36:50 – EOS, leadership coaching, and helping executives break through 43:15 – How to build trust quickly and authentically 50:30 – Compassion as a leadership superpower 58:40 – Growing up in poverty and overcoming the odds 1:07:20 – Basketball, discipline, and lessons from sports 1:12:30 – Honoring the life and legacy of Natasha Allen 1:22:10 – Grief, meaning, and choosing purpose after loss 1:30:40 – Pushing limits: Kilimanjaro, endurance, and personal growth 1:36:20 – Final thoughts: living a whole, integrated life 1:39:00 – How to connect with Marcus Allen 🔗 Connect with Marcus Allen: 🌐 Website: https://themarcusallen.com 📧 Email: marcus@allenglobalconsultinggroup.com 👍 If this episode inspired you: • Like the episode • Subscribe for more leadership conversations • Share with someone who needs this message #Leadership #Purpose #FaithAndBusiness #ExecutiveCoaching #EOS #NonprofitLeadership #MagicInTheCloud

    53 min
  5. AI in Marketing: Career Survival Guide 2025 | Brandon Lopez | Magic in the Cloud | EP 112

    12/23/2025

    AI in Marketing: Career Survival Guide 2025 | Brandon Lopez | Magic in the Cloud | EP 112

    Is AI killing marketing jobs or creating new opportunities? Marketing leader Brandon Lopez shares his 20+ year journey from Oracle to LinkedIn to building his own agency—and how AI is reshaping everything. What You'll Learn: ✅ How to get your foot in the door in tech marketing (even without perfect credentials) ✅ Why emotional intelligence (EQ) is your competitive advantage ✅ The "Marketing in a Box" concept revolutionizing small business ✅ AI agent building as your entry ticket to marketing careers ✅ How to stand out when AI can do your entry-level work ✅ Remote work strategies for entrepreneurs ✅ The 5-year career gut check philosophy Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Brandon Lopez 02:04 - Growing Up in Silicon Valley During the Dotcom Era 04:24 - The Power of Networking: How One Connection Changed Everything 07:55 - 8 Years as an Entrepreneur: Leaving Tech for Agency Life 12:26 - The Stanford Study: AI's Impact on Entry-Level Jobs 17:08 - Foot in the Door Strategy #1: Build AI Agents 21:12 - Why EQ Matters More Than Ever 26:01 - Marketing in a Box: AI-Powered Marketing for Startups 34:13 - From New Mexico to San Diego: Family Background 39:22 - The Psychology of First Impressions 43:19 - How to Connect with Brandon About Our Guest: Brandon Lopez is a dynamic marketing leader with experience at Oracle, LinkedIn, and Salesforce. He's the founder of Persimmon Marketing and VP of Marketing at MySidecar AI, where he's pioneering AI-powered marketing solutions for small businesses and startups. Key Insights for Young Professionals: 🎯 Build AI agents and showcase them to potential employers 🧠 Develop your EQ—it's harder for AI to replicate than technical skills 🤝 Network authentically—67% of jobs still come from connections 🎨 If everyone uses AI, stand out by avoiding "AI slop" 💡 Act like you already work there during the interview process ⚡ Present your agent to a founder who needs it—they might just buy it For Marketing Professionals: 🔧 Learn multiple AI tools—each has different strengths 📊 Balance strategic thinking with tactical execution 🚫 Avoid AI over-complication—simpler is often better 🎯 Focus on mission-driven work that aligns with your values 📈 The five-year gut check: Are you still growing? Connect with Brandon Lopez: LinkedIn: Brandon Lopez Persimmon Marketing: persimmonmarketing.com MySidecar AI: mysidecarai.com Dreamforce 2025: Meet Brandon in San Francisco (Oct 14-15) Related Topics: #AIMarketing #MarketingCareers #TechJobs #LinkedInMarketing #StartupMarketing #MarketingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #CareerAdvice #EmotionalIntelligence #MySidecarAI 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for leadership insights and career strategies! 👍 LIKE if this helped you think differently about AI! 💬 COMMENT What's your biggest AI concern or opportunity? 📤 SHARE with someone navigating their marketing career! About Magic in the Cloud: Magic in the Cloud explores the personal journeys behind remarkable success. Hosts Joseph Griffith and Ryan Golan Barsky interview exceptional visionaries about pivotal moments, bold decisions, and leadership philosophies—with cloud solutions as the quiet enabler. #MagicInTheCloud #Leadership #AI #Marketing #CareerDevelopment

    45 min
  6. A Life of Pivots: Art Galleries, Sustainable Textiles, and AI for Good | Farahmand Kaleyah | EP 111

    12/04/2025

    A Life of Pivots: Art Galleries, Sustainable Textiles, and AI for Good | Farahmand Kaleyah | EP 111

    A conversation 40 years in the making—and one that ties reinvention, resilience, community service, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship into a single, remarkable storyline. In this episode, we explore how Farahmand Kalayeh repeatedly reinvented himself across recessions, industries, and countries. From running a collective art gallery during an economic collapse, to scaling global export operations, and ultimately launching an AI-enabled platform designed to reduce gambling addiction. Key Discussion Points 00:34 — Introducing Farahmand Kalayeh: Reinvention, resilience & purpose 01:05 — Entrepreneurial mission: building businesses with impact 02:21 — Opening an art gallery during a recession 02:50 — Lessons from launching during economic downturns 03:41 — Creating an art collective with 150+ artists 04:52 — Opportunity mindset in any economy 05:11 — Why American entrepreneurship unlocked his potential 06:07 — Pivoting from retail to wholesale 07:30 — Community-driven art, culture & events 08:22 — Balancing commercial viability with mission 09:28 — Expanding into global sustainable clothing exports 12:16 — The power of pivoting with purpose 13:34 — Giving underserved youth access to sports gear + training 14:36 — “Think globally, act locally”: His community philosophy 16:03 — Kicks: enabling kids through sports 18:00 — The realities of addiction, homelessness & support 19:09 — Storytelling the pivots that shape a career 19:27 — Launching an AI platform to reduce gambling addiction 20:15 — The origin story behind the idea 21:26 — How AI becomes a safety net for bettors 23:20 — Building meaningful work with his son 24:31 — The global scale of gambling addiction 26:16 — The role of tech in mitigating harm 26:36 — How Farahmand immigrated to the U.S. 27:22 — Growing up in Iran & early dreams of freedom 29:06 — Escaping persecution & coming to America 35:10 — Starting over with grit, discipline & 7-day workweeks 40:00 — The mindset that drives his resilience 44:08 — Daily routines that rebuild energy & clarity 47:29 — Gratitude, reinvention, and long-term friendship 51:52 — How to reach Farahmand 53:05 — Closing message This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a masterclass in spotting opportunity in unlikely places, pivoting with precision, and anchoring every venture in mission and impact. Don’t forget to: 👍 Support conversations that matter 🔔 Follow for more stories of leadership, reinvention, and purpose 💬 Share your biggest insight from Farahmand’s journey 🔗 Pass this forward to someone who’s navigating a big pivot #Reinvention #EntrepreneurMindset #LeadershipJourney #PurposeDrivenBusiness #AIInnovation #GamblingAddictionAwareness #SocialImpact #CommunityLeadership #ImmigrantEntrepreneur #ResilienceAtWork #BusinessTransformation #SustainableBusiness #TechForGood #MagicInTheCloud

    54 min
  7. Finding Hidden Revenue to Turn Struggling Divisions into Profit Engines | Rob Bedell | EP 110

    11/19/2025

    Finding Hidden Revenue to Turn Struggling Divisions into Profit Engines | Rob Bedell | EP 110

    Rob Bedell has built a career helping companies uncover hidden revenue, reshape broken sales cultures, and rethink how they show up for their customers. In this conversation, Rob breaks down why most organizations misjudge their own value, where leaders accidentally create blind spots, and why the most powerful sales shift is realizing that “it’s not about you.” We dig into the habits that stall growth, the subtle panic patterns that distract leaders from meaningful progress, and how a simple reset with your best customers can unlock clarity you didn’t even know you were missing. Rob brings stories from manufacturing floors, publishing, sales turnarounds, comedy stages, and even the martial arts studio—all pointing to the same theme: know your audience, serve them well, and the rest takes care of itself. Key Discussion Points 00:00 — What makes Rob’s approach to turnaround work different 03:10 — The mindset shift: sales isn’t about you 08:40 — Learning to say “no” (and why it creates trust) 12:15 — How companies misunderstand their value proposition 17:50 — The simple 3-question exercise that changes everything 22:30 — Panic patterns: why leaders miss what’s right in front of them 26:45 — Hidden revenue streams and the “sponge ball” discovery 33:10 — The danger of selfish sales cultures 38:55 — Leadership resistance: when people say they want change… but don’t 45:00 — How AI is reshaping the early stages of sales 52:30 — Comedy, communication, and reading the room 58:05 — The martial arts philosophy that shaped Rob’s leadership 1:04:10 — Tequila, meditation, and how Rob resets 1:09:20 — Where to find Rob If you lead a team, run a division, or sell for a living, this one hits home. Don’t forget to: 👍 Like the video if Rob’s insights sparked something for you 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations that make you rethink how you lead 💬 Drop your biggest leadership or sales takeaway in the comments 🔗 Share this with someone who might be overlooking value sitting right in front of them #BusinessLeadership #SalesStrategy #ValueProposition #RevenueGrowth #SalesCulture #HiddenRevenue #LeadershipDevelopment #MagicInTheCloud #BusinessTurnaround #CustomerExperience #AIinSales #CommunicationSkills #TequilaTalk

    37 min
  8. From Survival to Success: Leading with Trauma-Informed Wisdom in Tech | Sonia Aleman | EP 109

    11/10/2025

    From Survival to Success: Leading with Trauma-Informed Wisdom in Tech | Sonia Aleman | EP 109

    In this raw and transformative episode of Magic in the Cloud, host Joe welcomes Sonia Aleman—a technology leader who turned decades of corporate program management experience and personal trauma into a mission to revolutionize workplace wellness. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Corporate Leadership Insights: How to lead complex, multi-stakeholder technology projects with positivity and consistency The power of reading the room: balancing assertiveness with authenticity Why "leading with kindness" isn't soft—it's strategic and drives revenue Communication strategies that turn resistant teams into engaged partners Trauma-Informed Workplace Wisdom: How childhood experiences create workplace triggers you don't even recognize Why the "severance" between work and personal life is impossible (and unhealthy) The intersection of professional stress and personal healing Real strategies for work-life balance in 2025's always-on culture 🔥 Key Moments: 00:00 - Introduction: When corporate excellence meets personal healing 05:32 - Breaking into male-dominated tech: The aggressive approach that worked (and didn't) 12:45 - The candy-throwing UAT strategy: Finding your authentic leadership style 18:20 - The "whack-a-mole" project: Managing negativity across massive implementations 26:15 - Why emotional intelligence matters: The triggers hiding in plain sight 34:50 - The Costa Rica escape: A 16-year-old's survival project plan 43:10 - Redesigning HR: Why we need separate divisions for company and employee interests 51:25 - The transparency problem in hiring and toxic workplace cultures 58:40 - Advice to 16-year-old self: "You're loved, and it's going to be okay" Employee retention is at an all-time low. Workplace stress is literally making people sick. Yet companies keep claiming "people are our greatest asset" while doing little to protect that asset. Sonia bridges the gap between what we say and what we do—offering practical wisdom from someone who's lived both the corporate grind and the healing journey. 📬 Connect with Sonia Aleman: Email: soniacoachingk@gmail.com Instagram: @sonia7_305 (link in bio for complimentary intro session) Magic in the Cloud goes beyond technology to explore the human side of the tech industry—leadership, resilience, transformation, and the real stories behind professional success. Don't forget to: 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for more authentic conversations 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway 🔗 Share with someone who needs to hear this

    50 min
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About

Magic in the Cloud - Stories of Vision and Action Creating Magic Where visionary executives share the pivotal decisions, breakthroughs, and leadership philosophies that transformed their businesses. 🎯 Our Guests: CROs, VPs of Sales, Digital Transformation Directors, COOs, CIOs, RevOps leaders, and GTM strategists from Financial Services, SaaS, and beyond. 💡 What You'll Learn: CRM-driven growth strategies Scaling teams with precision Leadership decision-making under pressure Data-driven transformation Building high-performance teams Strategic system alignment Discover how the "Cloud" bridges bold vision with tangible outcomes that revolutionize industries and careers. From intuition-based leadership to sustainable growth frameworks, our conversations reveal the tools and strategies that enable confident leadership. New episodes weekly. Subscribe for insights that will elevate your leadership game.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Griffith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Magic in the Cloud Podcast