Your Message Received!

John Duffin

WELCOME! The purpose & intention of each episode is to have authentic conversations with business leaders who have personal success stories to share. Guests are selected from a number of business categories-Broadcast Media Sales, Real Estate, Entrepreneurs, Voiceover, Tech, etc. The key driving point, with each conversation, is finding the key elements (circumstances, techniques, etc.) which caused them to speak more authentically. In business, and in life, the more authentically that you speak-the more you'll engage your audience. The more authentically you engage- the more you'll succeed.

  1. Innovation and Identity: Humanity Meets AI- Laurent Cohen

    1D AGO

    Innovation and Identity: Humanity Meets AI- Laurent Cohen

    Laurent Cohen (GetOblic) on Trust-First Voice AI, Authenticity, and Building Through Crisis Host John Duffin interviews Laurent Cohen, founder of GetOblic, about developing a trust-first approach to voice AI and finding an authentic business voice. Cohen shares how living in France, the U.S., and Israel shaped his mindset around craftsmanship, efficiency, and urgency, and discusses feeling safe in Israel despite wartime uncertainty. Laurent explains that adopting new technology requires earning trust, especially for small businesses operating in constant emergency mode, and argues AI should free owners to focus on customer relationships rather than replace them. Cohen rejects voice cloning as a breach of trust, emphasizing guardrails and strong data instead. He recounts a 2010 e-commerce crisis triggered by an Icelandic volcano and a bank shutdown, stressing responsibility, patience, and time. Mr. Cohen advises learning with AI first—using it to build skills—before applying it operationally. To learn more about Laurent Cohen, make sure to check out the links below. https://getoblic.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-cohen-usa/ 00:00 Volcano Chaos Lesson 00:55 Podcast Welcome Intro 02:26 Life Across Cultures 04:35 Craft Efficiency Urgency 07:16 Safety And Perspective 11:12 Building With New Tech 15:03 Small Business Trust Shift 20:16 Identity Over Voice 24:02 No Voice Cloning Stance 25:34 Data Guardrails Approach 27:09 Losing Authenticity 29:12 Kids As Motivation 31:00 Surviving Business Crisis 34:01 Volcano Disrupts Shipping 35:45 Chargebacks Kill Payments 37:03 Owning The Mistakes 40:44 Time Craft And Execution 44:27 AI For Service Pros 47:15 Learn With AI First 50:50 Where To Find Laurent 51:47 Final Thanks And Outro

    53 min
  2. Blueprint for Change: Josh Klaris' Mission-Driven Business Model

    APR 20

    Blueprint for Change: Josh Klaris' Mission-Driven Business Model

    Host John Duffin welcomes Josh Klaris, Executive Director of North 10 Philadelphia, to discuss leadership, nonprofit strategy, and place-based community revitalization in Hunting Park/East Tioga (often a neglected neighborhood in Philadelphia). I've personally attended several North 10 Philadelphia events and have seen firsthand the critical work being done. While I interviewed Josh, you'll hear the passion, mission, and purpose in Josh's voice. You'll also hear just how difficult (and gratifying) it is to wear ALL of the hats of the Executive Director. Klaris traces his path from volunteer mentoring in rural St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, where teaching kindergarten to Vietnamese refugee children shaped his worldview and led him to earn a master’s in teaching English as a second language. He later helped build Dream Charter School in Harlem with a holistic, co-teaching model and learned the operational realities of hiring, metrics, and sustainability. In Philadelphia, the opportunity arose to implement a neighborhood-improvement blueprint inspired by Purpose-Built Communities and Harlem Children’s Zone, emphasizing disciplined strategic planning, saying no, surrounding yourself with the right people, and building trust-based collaborations. Place Matters. The conversation highlights North 10’s fight and the ongoing need for sustainable funding and collective action- especially in neglected neighborhoods. To learn more about Josh Klaris, the critical work being done by North 10 Philadelphia, or to lend a hand, check out the links below. https://north10phl.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jklaris/ 00:00 Intro- Welcome, Josh Klaris 00:46 Podcast Welcome And Guest Intro 03:53 Why Education Chose Him 06:40 Teach For America in Louisiana 09:59 Back To New York And Training 11:55 Work Ethic From Family And Mentors 15:23 Music Lessons And Team Culture 16:32 Dream Charter School Leadership 20:31 Nonprofit Sales And Fundraising 25:00 Moving To Philadelphia 26:45 Leaving Schools For Place-Based Work 27:58 North 10 Origin Story 29:27 Why Place Matters 31:41 Strategic Plan Discipline 33:27 Design Principles Culture 37:49 Dumping Fight Strategy 40:47 Funding Collaboration Challenge 44:53 Pushing Back With Trust 47:16 Sustainability And Health Gaps 52:55 How To Get Involved 54:06 Closing

    55 min
  3. Trust Through Turmoil: From Chaos to Clarity- Ivan Radovic

    APR 3

    Trust Through Turmoil: From Chaos to Clarity- Ivan Radovic

    Host John Duffin interviews Ivan Radovic, president and CEO of Novaces and author of Trust 360, about how trust enables teams to tackle major challenges across corporate, military, healthcare, disaster recovery, and federal work. Ivan shares how growing up amid the Yugoslav conflicts shaped his view that distrust is a root cause of conflict, and how he built trust after immigrating to the U.S. They discuss resilience after Hurricane Katrina, reframing adversity as opportunity, and “opening new doors” by pursuing work beyond a devastated local market. Ivan describes early career mentorship that launched him into consulting, lessons from large-scale projects, including an oil-spill response with 420,000 task lines, and the importance of process, accountability, clear deadlines, reciprocal mentoring across generations, and using AI to speed work without changing character or authenticity. To learn more about Ivan and his company, check out the links below. https://www.novaces.com/00:00 Trust Starts the Process 01:34 Podcast Intro and Guest Welcome 03:51 From Yugoslavia to America 06:43 Building Trust Across Cultures 10:37 Katrina and Rebuilding Resilience 16:45 Opening New Doors After Disaster 19:28 First Consulting Breakthrough 23:07 Military Business Trust Transfer 24:46 Facing the Biggest Projects 26:28 Trust Unlocks Talent 27:28 Military Rigor Wins 28:51 Scaling Big Projects 29:39 Trust 360 Steps 34:27 Deadlines Build Trust 36:44 Reciprocal Mentoring 41:18 Leaders Using AI 44:39 Vulnerability First 46:05 Where To Connect 46:50 Final Thanks Outro

    47 min
  4. The Business Fixer- Uncluttering Your Path to Success: Sonya Corkery

    MAR 18

    The Business Fixer- Uncluttering Your Path to Success: Sonya Corkery

    Are you in need of building a resilient business? Do you ignore cash flow warning signs, risk mitigation, or the urgency of systems strategy? Then today's episode with Sonya Corkery is for you. Business consultant Sonya Corkery discusses building resilient businesses through strong financial foundations, systems, and risk mitigation. Sonya shares how early work in her family’s struggling service-station businesses taught her resilience, customer service skills, and a disciplined approach to money, then traces her rapid rise in banking, from bank manager at 23 to financial planning during the GFC, where she refused to push unsuitable products. She explains how her family’s electrical contracting business nearly collapsed when three builders liquidated, leaving almost $1M unpaid and only five days of operating capital, but they recovered within 12 months through strategy and support from suppliers and advisors. Sonya clearly defines her consulting approach: entity setup and asset protection, cash-flow forecasting, break-even clarity, streamlined SOPs, fractional teams, diversification, and AI, and planning to build your business as if it were being sold tomorrow. To learn more about Sonya Corkery, check out the links below.  https://clearplanconsulting.com.au/https:// www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-corkery-a326238b/ https://www.instagram.com/clearplanconsulting/ 00:00 Business on the Brink 01:11 Podcast Welcome and Setup 04:42 Sonya’s Early Work Lessons 08:29 Family Crisis and Survival 10:52 Resilience and Money Mindset 12:41 Banking Career Rise 16:39 Ethics Under Pressure 19:14 Joining the Family Business 21:48 Builders Collapse Fallout 25:34 Turning Advice Into Consulting 27:26 Service Offerings Breakdown 28:26 When To Get Help 28:55 Cashflow And Forecasting Basics 31:28 Asset Protection Foundations 34:27 Implementation And Risk Planning 36:31 Growth Trends And AI 39:14 Industries And Diversification 41:12 Speaking With Shock And Awe 44:12 Fractional Teams And Board 46:01 Where To Find Sonya Corkery 47:30 Final Sign Off

    48 min
  5. From Battlefield to Bestseller: Richard Spegal

    MAR 8

    From Battlefield to Bestseller: Richard Spegal

    On the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin interviews multiple-published author and former active-duty/National Guard officer Richard Spegal about authenticity in storytelling and his path from military service to writing. Spegal explains how reading Anne Rice led him to write adult vampire/paranormal fiction and why he prioritizes realism—characters should act like real people and never pander to the audience—letting them drive the plot. He discusses writing mostly by typing due to nerve damage, deploying to Iraq and Egypt (including the MFO Sinai mission with multinational forces), and medically retiring after serving about a decade and a half in the Guard. Spegal describes publishing Redemption after a 10-year gap, reader reactions to Origins and its mental-health themes, and upcoming relaunches through a new publisher, including Broken Angel and future science-fiction entries in the Eternal Knights series, plus where to find him online. 00:00 Immersion Over Pandering 00:55 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro 02:35 Origins of Dark Fantasy Writing 03:32 Writing Habits and Process 04:43 Military Path and National Guard 07:59 Deployments Iraq and Egypt 09:28 Inside the MFO Sinai Mission 10:05 Multinational Ops and Communication 14:03 Going Full Time as an Author 15:17 Realistic Characters Drive Plot 19:04 Building a Series and New Genres 21:00 Avoiding Mouthpiece Characters 22:03 Living in the Story World 23:28 Publishing After A Decade 24:48 Favorite Scene In Redemption 26:27 Writing Dark Mature Themes 28:27 Military Realism In Fiction 30:22 Reader Email That Hit Hard 33:46 Mental Health On The Page 36:16 Writing Changes The Writer 38:23 Relaunch And New Publisher 39:22 Hardest Book Broken Angel 40:58 Climbing Out Of The Darkness 44:08 Where To Find The Author 45:42 Final Thanks And Sign Off

    46 min
  6. Beyond Autopilot: Discovering the Depth of Human Resilience- Lyubim Kogan

    FEB 12

    Beyond Autopilot: Discovering the Depth of Human Resilience- Lyubim Kogan

    Overcoming Adversity: From War Zones to Wings 4 Heroes—Featuring Lyubim KoganIn this impactful episode of 'Your Message Received,' host John Duffin sits down with Lyubim Kogan, founder of 'Wings4 Heroes.' They dive deep into Lyubim's incredible journey, from surviving 9/11 to competing as an Olympian, and his profound mission to support veterans affected by war. The conversation covers how Lyubim navigated the annexation of Crimea, dealt with immense pressures in Ukraine, and ultimately dedicated his life to veterans' rehabilitation. Recorded on Veterans Day, this episode is an inspiring look at resolve, humanitarian effort, and the drive to make a meaningful difference. This episode also references the influence of historical figures such as Mother Cabrini, founder of Cabrini College, and Henry Dumont, founder of the American Red Cross, in shaping Kogan's mission. Highlighted media moments include a recent Facebook post celebrating the courage of a veteran returning to life with dignity, thanks to community support and paragliding adventures that foster healing and resilience. For me, learning about extremely difficult human conditions was tough for me to comprehend at first. Lyubim's dignity, grace, resilience, and impact really moved me. To learn more about Wings 4 Heroes- and to lend a hand- check out the links below. Wings4Heroes.org https://wings4heroes.org/shop/ 00:00 Introduction and Context 01:29 Welcome to Your Message Received Podcast 02:20 Introducing Lyubim Kogan and Wings for Heroes 03:56 The Inspiration Behind Wings for Heroes 05:00 Historical Figures and Their Impact 10:04 Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Civilians and Soldiers 14:41 Personal Stories of Resilience 16:30 The Emotional and Physical Toll of War 19:07 Lyubim Kogan's Personal Journey 27:23 Reviving a Failing Infrastructure Company 33:03 Facing Life's Greatest Challenge 33:40 The Struggles of Isolation 34:37 Overcoming Obstacles and Stress 35:59 The Importance of Taking Action 36:34 Breaking the Autopilot Cycle 41:40 The Power of Decision and Small Steps 47:00 Rebuilding After Devastation 52:36 Supporting Veterans Through Wings 4 Heroes 01:01:40 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

    1h 3m
  7. FIND Your Authority X Factor-Kelly Schuknecht

    JAN 19

    FIND Your Authority X Factor-Kelly Schuknecht

    In this episode of Your Message Received, hosted by John Duffin, we are joined by Kelly Schuknecht, Chief Elevation Officer of Two Mile High Marketing. Kelly has had documented, transformational success in converting business vision into impact. Kelly shares her journey from losing her job after her company was acquired to starting her own successful marketing firm. With over 17 years of experience, Kelly delves into the importance of thought leadership, personal branding, and the tactical steps involved in effective marketing. Learn about Kelly's concept of the 'Authority X Factor,' tips for developing your thought leadership platform, and the significance of taking quick, decisive actions in business. Also, Kelly's new book is coming soon! Speaking of writing, at the end of the episode, Kelly discusses "Flow", her first writing retreat for women. Look out for the second retreat tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026. For anyone looking to scale their business, publish a book, or hone their authentic voice, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical advice. To learn more about Kelly, check out these links. https://kellyschuknecht.com/ https://www.youtube.com/kellyschuknecht 00:00 Facing Job Uncertainty 00:35 Welcome to Your Message Received 01:14 Introducing Kelly Schuknecht 03:24 Kelly's Journey in Publishing and Marketing 04:43 The Birth of Two Mile High Marketing 05:20 Defining the Authority X Factor 09:21 Marketing Strategies and Tactics 13:31 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship 15:13 Navigating Job Loss and Starting Anew 23:42 Decisiveness and Decision-Making Skills 24:40 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Encouraging Decisiveness 25:43 Helping Clients with Speaking Events and Clarity 26:35 Popular Topics in Business Speaking 27:53 The Rise of Thought Leadership and Personal Branding 28:39 Defining Thought Leadership 32:32 Launching a Podcast to Elevate Thought Leadership 34:07 Challenges and Learnings from Podcasting 35:24 Diverse Topics and Personal Development Books 39:29 Emotional Magnetism and Personal Insights 46:05 Promoting a Writing Retreat for Women 47:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    49 min
  8. You Really Can Go Home Again-Expat Livin' with Guillermo Salas

    12/30/2025

    You Really Can Go Home Again-Expat Livin' with Guillermo Salas

    Living the Expat Dream Life: Transitioning to a New Life Overseas. Have you ever dreamed of living abroad? Sounds incredible and may feel daunting, too. In this episode of 'Your Message Received', host John Duffin speaks with Guillermo Salas, a successful real estate agent who shares his journey of moving his family from Philadelphia to Spain. Despite initial resistance and challenges, Guillermo discusses the benefits of pursuing one's dream, the process of adjusting to a new culture, and building a successful business remotely. Guillermo also provides insights into his exclusive Expat Livin' program, curated by Guillermo and his wife Danielle. This turnkey program is designed to help others transition to living abroad. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on overcoming obstacles, finding new opportunities, and living a life true to your passions and goals. My dream (my vision, intention) is to implement a mobile, fluid life. Guillermo and Danielle's invaluable experience has already put me several steps closer to resuming my personal journey. When you're ready to consider your own global options, check out the links below. https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatLivin https://expatlivin.com/expatmastery https://expatlivin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/expat_livin/ 00:00 Facing Skepticism and Following Your Path 01:08 Welcome to Your Message Received Podcast 01:59 Introducing Guillermo and His Journey 04:18 The Big Move to Spain 06:49 Overcoming Initial Challenges 08:09 Adapting to a New Life Abroad 11:05 Navigating Family and Business from Afar 13:29 The Importance of Following Your Dreams 15:53 Logistics of Running a Business Remotely 20:05 Challenges and Triumphs of Expat Life 28:40 Overcoming Initial Doubts and Challenges 29:00 Finding Supportive People 29:26 Maintaining Business Success Abroad 30:55 Adapting to a New Lifestyle 37:43 Navigating Bureaucracy and Logistics 44:04 Building a Community 50:35 Financial and Career Opportunities 54:12 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    58 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

WELCOME! The purpose & intention of each episode is to have authentic conversations with business leaders who have personal success stories to share. Guests are selected from a number of business categories-Broadcast Media Sales, Real Estate, Entrepreneurs, Voiceover, Tech, etc. The key driving point, with each conversation, is finding the key elements (circumstances, techniques, etc.) which caused them to speak more authentically. In business, and in life, the more authentically that you speak-the more you'll engage your audience. The more authentically you engage- the more you'll succeed.

Information

  • Creator
    John Duffin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John Duffin
  • Show Website
    Your Message Received!