In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Marcel Schwantes, a seasoned executive coach and speaker, shares his transformative journey from experiencing a toxic work environment to advocating for a humane workplace grounded in principles of love and care. He discusses the hidden costs of toxic leadership, the importance of embedding core values in business operations, and introduces his 'love in action' framework for leadership. Through real-world examples and actionable advice, Marcel offers insights on building trust, promoting psychological safety, and enhancing employee engagement. This episode is a must-listen for C-suite leaders and aspiring executives who aim to foster a thriving, human-centered work culture.

Episode Highlights:

04:02 The Impact of Toxic Leadership

06:09 Discovering Humane Leadership

16:43 The Love in Action Framework

21:51 Addressing Quiet Quitting and Psychological Safety

Marcel Schwantes is a speaker, author, acclaimed executive coach, and an Inc. Magazine Contributing Editor with a global following. Marcel delivers presentations, workshops, courses, and coaching programs about the human side of business and how cultures of care, connection, and belonging power companies to thrive and outperform the competition. Marcel hosts the popular "Love in Action" podcast, heard in over 160 countries.

Connect with Marcel Schwantes:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcelschwantes/

Company Website: marcelschwantes.substack.com/

For more insights, engage with all my podcasts at: https://dropinceo.com/podcast/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Eric Allen, the Chief Sales Officer for Balance Aesthetics and Wellness, shares his journey from humble beginnings at Mitsubishi Motors to becoming a seasoned C-Suite leader. He discusses the essence of strategic planning, execution, and sticking to goals, emphasizing the importance of understanding business processes from the ground up. Eric also touches on the personal values instilled in him by his single mother, his passion for chess, and the significance of fostering original leadership. Tune in to gain valuable leadership insights from Eric's experiences and thought-provoking perspectives.

Episode Highlights:

04:19 The Importance of Ground-Level Experience

09:34 From Tactical Expert to Strategic Leader

17:00 Eric's Success Formula for Excellence

21:17 Eric’s insights on Chess, Community, and Calm

Eric Allen is a dynamic business leader known for driving rapid growth through operational excellence and visionary leadership. Beginning his career at Mitsubishi Motors, Eric honed his expertise in Lean management and has since led teams at Astral Brands, Jimerson Enterprises, and Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness. As a COO, he champions execution, team collaboration, and customer-centric innovation. Eric thrives on coaching others to exceed expectations and embraces technology to unlock new revenue opportunities and improve efficiency. His leadership style inspires high performance in fast-paced environments. Eric brings deep expertise in business development, operations, strategy, and scalable growth solutions.

Connect with Eric Allen:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eric-allen-mba-93270174

Company Website: balancedaestheticsmedspa.com

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Adam Malone, leadership consultant, discusses the importance of trust dynamics within teams, leadership challenges in scaling organizations, and Malone's transition from corporate leadership to consulting. With a focus on empathy, authenticity, and performance, Malone emphasizes the significance of developing a fabric of trust to navigate challenges and drive organizational success. This episode provides valuable insights for C-Suite leaders and growing businesses on enhancing leadership capabilities, managing global teams, and fostering trust within teams.

Episode Highlights:

03:29 The Importance of Trust in Leadership

06:26 Transitioning from Technical to Leadership Roles

13:06 Building Trust Across Time Zones

21:55 Empathy and Authenticity in Leadership

Adam Malone is a leadership coach and consultant with a mission to help high-performing leaders build resilient, cohesive teams. After a 20-year corporate career—including 17 years rising from analyst to VP at a Fortune 500 company—he left in 2024 to focus on what truly matters: sustained high performance. Adam works with leadership teams and mid-level managers to identify hidden barriers to success, unlocking the grit, tenacity, and resilience needed to thrive under pressure. His approach goes beyond traditional leadership training, equipping organizations to cultivate strong, sustainable cultures built to last—no matter what challenges arise.

Connect with Adam Malone:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-malone-a9100ba/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Erika Yocom shares her experiences transitioning from a VA to a business partner and eventually the CEO of Audivita Studios. She discusses the importance of high-quality audio production, the role of AI in the industry, and maintaining authenticity and transparency as key leadership traits. This episode provides valuable insights for C-Suite leaders on navigating business challenges, leveraging technology, and fostering a positive work environment.

Episode Highlights:

04:48 The Growth and Success of Audivita Studios

07:48 Challenges and Learnings as a CEO

16:18 The Future Vision for Audivita Studios

Erika Yocom is the Chief Executive Officer of Audivita Studios, where she blends strategic vision with operational excellence to lead a team dedicated to crafting exceptional audio experiences. With a rich background spanning corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, she brings deep expertise in operations, business development, and team building. Erica thrives where creativity meets strategy, ensuring Audivita stays at the forefront of the audio entertainment industry. Under her leadership, the studio produces compelling audiobooks and podcasts that inspire and engage audiences worldwide. Passionate about storytelling and innovation, Erica is committed to empowering teams and connecting voices to the world through audio.

Connect with Erika Yocom:

Company Website: audivita.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mischaz/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Mischa Zvegintzov, the Chief Influence Officer of the Influence Army and host of the Table Rush Talk Show. Mischa shares his riveting journey from being a successful home loan officer to retiring and eventually founding a business that helps heart-centric entrepreneurs amplify their influence through podcast guest appearances. The discussion delves deep into Mischa's identity crisis, his path to self-discovery through yoga and meditation, and how he ultimately found joy and purpose in guiding others to build their brands and connect with wider audiences. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to reinvent themselves and transition into a purpose-driven career.

Episode Highlights:

02:29 Mischa's Sales Journey and Burnout

04:33 Reinventing Life: From Sales to Yoga

17:07 Finding Purpose and Reclaiming Identity

19:05 The Journey to Big Stages

20:06 Embracing the Process

20:52 Testing and Trying New Ventures

21:39 The Testimonial Guy

24:08 Pivoting to Podcast Guesting

25:35 Building the Influence Army

Mischa Zvegintzov is a digital marketing strategist and influence builder, empowering heart-centered entrepreneurs to amplify their message, grow their authority, and increase their impact—without wasting money on ads. With 20 years of experience in old-school sales and over 1.5 billion dollars in loans funded, Mischa blends proven tactics with modern digital tools to help entrepreneurs rise. After a self-imposed break to raise his sons and teach yoga, he’s back with his signature superpower: building influence. As founder of The Influence Army and host of the top 1.5% “Table Rush Talk Show,” Mischa is on a mission to help others be seen and heard.

Connect with Mischa Zvegintzov:

Company Website: https://www.influencetour.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mischaz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrMischa/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Ryan Carey, CEO of BetterOn, a company that helps leaders build authentic video presence. Ryan shares his journey from being on YouTube's early team to founding BetterOn, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and authentic connection in leadership. He discusses the transformative power of video presence and how it can enhance professional influence and personal confidence. Deb and Ryan also delve into the process of self-reflection, the psychological impact of seeing oneself on camera, and the broader implications for corporate and personal growth. This insightful conversation offers valuable guidance for C-Suite leaders and entrepreneurs looking to elevate their communication skills and connect more effectively with their audiences.

Episode Highlights:

02:44 Ryan's Journey with YouTube

05:00 The Birth of BetterOn

07:10 The Power of Authentic Presence

11:17 Transformative Client Stories

22:24 The Importance of Professional Presence

Ryan Carey is the CEO behind BetterOn, a company dedicated to helping leaders and professionals build authentic presence on video, in person, and across workplaces. A pioneer in the video space, he was one of YouTube’s earliest team members, witnessing firsthand the platform’s explosive growth and transformative power. After his own journey as a YouTube content creator, Ryan launched BetterOn in 2014, combining his unique insights into video with a mission to elevate workplace communication. Forward thinking companies like Google, IBM, Deloitte, and Red Hat use BetterOn to invest in their high potential people.

Connect with Ryan Carey:

Company Website: www.betteron.com

Ryan’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancarey/

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Ted Santos, a leadership disruptor and creator of the Disruptive Leadership Model, discusses strategies for fostering breakthrough growth in organizations. Ted shares his unique approach to advising CEOs, which includes creating problems to generate new solutions, transforming corporate cultures, and identifying untapped markets. He also delves into the personal and professional impact of effectively managing chaos and uncertainty, using examples from his extensive career.

Episode Highlights:

09:30 Creating Breakthroughs and Disruptive Strategies

13:49 Challenges in Scaling and Integration

17:39 Transforming Mindsets and Organizational Structures

22:57 The Hidden Costs of Employee Turnover

23:47 The Value of Training and Development

35:27 The Impact of Personal Issues on Workplace Productivity

Ted Santos is a leadership disruptor who helps CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs transform chaos into their greatest advantage. As the creator of the Disruptive Leadership Model, he teaches leaders to stop solving problems—and start creating the right ones to fuel innovation and exponential growth. His bold strategies have doubled productivity, shattered growth ceilings, and turned struggling companies into industry leaders. Ted is also the author of Here’s Why You Can’t Find Love, which links personal struggles to lost business performance. Through every talk, training, and transformation, Ted helps high-achievers think bigger, move faster, and lead with radical clarity.

Connect with Ted Santos:

Company Website: www.turnaroundip.com

Ted’s Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ted-santos-ab0107

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In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Ben Yost, the newly appointed CEO of Yost Foods Inc. discusses the importance of family values in the business, and how Yost Foods addresses client needs with agile, customized solutions. Ben shares insights on maintaining a strong company culture, managing a family business, and the company's commitment to community service.

Episode Highlights:

02:00 Ben Yost's Journey in the Family Business

05:52 The Origin Story of Yost Foods

09:22 Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Successes

15:48 The Importance of Company Culture and Community Service

Ben Yost is the General Manager of Yost Foods, where he leads with an accountability-driven leadership style. Focusing on empowering his team, he prioritizes ability and accountability over previous experience or education. Ben’s leadership philosophy emphasizes pushing decisions as far down as possible while maintaining clear expectations. His commitment to a team-oriented approach has shaped Yost Foods' culture, where collaboration, not individual stardom, drives success. With a focus on community impact and service-minded values, Ben is dedicated to ensuring the company's growth while honoring its legacy. Balancing family, business, and personal growth, he continues to reflect on his journey and leadership choices.

Connect with Ben Yost:

Company Website: www.yostfoods.com

Ben’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-yost-58015232/

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