Episodios

  • Tax-Free Growth & Real Estate Power Plays with Solo 401(k)s

    Tax-Free Growth & Real Estate Power Plays with Solo 401(k)s
    Jun 12 2025
    Guest:

    Dmitriy Fomichenko

    Website: https://www.sensefinancial.com

    HOST:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    EPISODE OVERVIEW:

    Feeling the chaos of the stock market tug on your retirement plans? Dmitriy Fomichenko joins Melissa Aarskaug to dive deep into the world of Solo 401(k)s — a powerful strategy for self-employed professionals and small business owners. Learn how to bypass custodians, invest in real estate, save on taxes, and take full control of your financial future. If you're ready to make your money work smarter (and keep more of it), this episode is your blueprint.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 – Intro: Why Solo 401Ks Matter Now
    01:18 – Dmitriy’s Immigrant Journey & Founding Sense Financial
    02:54 – IRA vs 401(k) vs Solo K Explained
    04:43 – Investing Beyond Wall Street
    06:55 – Massive Tax Advantages of Solo Ks
    11:24 – Real Estate Leverage Without Tax Penalties
    14:06 – Prohibited Transactions & IRS Rules
    19:44 – Maintenance Made Easy
    23:10 – Dual 401K Strategy for Married or Multi-Income Households
    26:41 – Final Tips: Control, Leverage & Long-Term Wealth
    28:47 – Where to Connect with Dmitriy

    CONNECT WITH US:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    SOCIAL:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
    Más Menos
    31 m
  • From Oil Rigs to Boardrooms: Sales, Strategy & Self-Leadership in Energy

    From Oil Rigs to Boardrooms: Sales, Strategy & Self-Leadership in Energy
    Jun 5 2025
    Guest:

    Justin Vandenbrink
    President, Mercenary Sales

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    From the icy oil fields of Canada to high-stakes meetings in Houston boardrooms, Justin Vandenbrink has lived the full spectrum of the energy business. In this episode, he joins host Melissa Aarskaug to talk about making bold career pivots, building trust-first sales relationships, and leading yourself like a CEO—even when you’re not one yet. Learn how the best salespeople in upstream oil & gas aren’t “closing deals”—they’re solving problems. Plus, hear Justin’s take on balancing hustle with mental wellness and why the future of energy work might not include full-time jobs at all.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – From Geologist to CEO Whisperer
    05:00 – Taking the Leap: Canada to Houston
    07:00 – Sales Isn’t Selling—It’s Strategy
    11:00 – Navigating Tech Shifts & Client Needs
    15:00 – High-Trust Selling for High-Stakes Clients
    18:00 – Wellness in the Hustle
    22:00 – Lead Yourself First
    28:00 – When Selling Looks Effortless
    32:00 – Rethinking the Sales Process
    36:00 – Future of Work in Oil & Gas

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • The Harsh Truth About Startups & Why Ecosystems Fail

    The Harsh Truth About Startups & Why Ecosystems Fail
    Jun 1 2025
    Guest:

    Paul O’Brien
    Startup Economist & Founder, MediaTech Ventures

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    Think you know startups? Think again. In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Paul O’Brien—startup economist, ecosystem architect, and unapologetic contrarian. Paul challenges everything you think you know about entrepreneurship, from how we define a startup to why most innovation ecosystems flop. Find out why cities are chasing vanity metrics, how Austin’s creative core is shaping its tech rise, and what founders (and corporate leaders) really need to understand before diving into the startup world. Paul doesn’t hold back—and that’s exactly why you’ll want to listen.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – Paul O’Brien’s Startup Contrarian View
    06:00 – Why Cities Must Support Startup Ecosystems
    11:00 – Why Big Companies Don’t Create Jobs (Startups Do)
    16:00 – Austin vs. Silicon Valley vs. Nashville
    21:00 – The Real Founder Class: Artists, Musicians & Triangle Players
    27:00 – Why Most Accelerators Fail Without Incubators
    34:00 – Advice for Executives Entering Startup Land
    41:00 – The Investor Class Misunderstanding Startups
    44:00 – Final Words: Why Paul Will Rip Your Pitch Apart (for your own good)

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • What The Best CXOs Know About Leadership That You Don't

    What The Best CXOs Know About Leadership That You Don't
    Jun 1 2025
    Guest:

    Simon T. Bailey
    Leadership Catalyst | Former Disney Executive

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    What separates good leaders from the ones who truly spark transformation? In this inspiring episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Simon T. Bailey—renowned speaker, author, and former Disney leader—to uncover the hidden truths top CXOs know but rarely teach. From rethinking power to leading with soul, Simon shares stories and strategies that help leaders show up with authenticity, empathy, and lasting impact. If you're a leader—or becoming one—this is the episode that will change how you lead and how you live.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – Amplifying Brilliance: What It Really Means
    06:00 – The Myth of Positional Power
    11:00 – Leading the Whole Person: Mind, Hand, Heart, Soul
    16:00 – The 3 Needs of Every Human at Work
    21:00 – Leadership Failures at Disney & Turning Point
    27:00 – How to Launch (Not Just Onboard) New Employees
    34:00 – Why Culture Isn’t on the Website
    41:00 – When You Lose the Home Chasing the House
    45:00 – Roots, Wings… Not Loot and Things
    47:00 – Final Words: Hug Someone With Your Words Today

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
    Más Menos
    34 m
  • I Was a Struggling Leader Until I Discovered This ONE Key Strategy

    I Was a Struggling Leader Until I Discovered This ONE Key Strategy
    Jun 1 2025
    Guest:

    Lee Novikoff
    Founder, Title Petroleum & Title Group

    Host:

    Bryan Hancock

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    What happens when your Plan B turns into a billion-dollar vision? In this candid episode of Executive Connect, Bryan Hancock talks with Lee Novikoff about his unexpected rise in the oil and gas world. From nearly becoming a securities lawyer to drilling profitable wells in the shale revolution, Lee shares the pivotal moments—and big lessons—that shaped his 30-year energy career. This isn’t just a story about oil. It’s about risk, resilience, and the power of saying yes when opportunity knocks. Whether you’re curious about fracking, investing in energy, or building a legacy business, Lee brings the receipts.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – How Lee Accidentally Entered Oil & Gas
    06:00 – The Risk and Reward of Vertical Wells
    11:00 – The Frac Plug That Changed Everything
    16:00 – Domestic Oil vs. Energy Independence
    21:00 – What Landmen Really Do
    27:00 – The Real Deal with Fracking & Water Tables
    34:00 – From Flowback to Profit: How a Well Makes Money
    41:00 – Tax Breaks & the Snowball Effect for Investors
    45:00 – Green Energy vs. Oil: What's the Future?
    47:00 – The One Thing People Get Wrong About the Oil Industry

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
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    50 m
  • Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes That Cost You Your Job?

    Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes That Cost You Your Job?
    May 10 2025
    Guest:

    Michelle Pecak
    Founder & CEO, My Vibe | Conscious Leadership Advocate

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    What if your "fun side project" was actually your most powerful business asset? In this energizing episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug chats with Michelle Pecak—a former corporate strategist turned conscious leadership entrepreneur—about what it really means to lead with joy, purpose, and profit. From ditching the traditional career path to monetizing her natural gifts, Michelle shares how she built My Vibe, a thriving ecosystem focused on people-first leadership. If you're feeling stuck, misaligned, or just ready for more meaning in your work, this is the episode to unlock your next move.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 — Teaser
    01:00 — Intro: Aligning Purpose with Profits
    02:30 — What Is a Joy Job?
    06:30 — When Do You Know You’re Ready to Shift?
    11:00 — Start Before You’re Ready
    16:00 — The Joy Job Formula: People, Performance, Programming, Partnerships
    21:00 — Monetizing What Comes Naturally
    26:00 — Positioning, Platforms, and Social Selling
    31:00 — Collaboration Over Competition
    36:00 — Final Thoughts: Permission to Be Curious

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Level Up Your Career: The Hidden Secrets of Sustainable Energy Leadership

    Level Up Your Career: The Hidden Secrets of Sustainable Energy Leadership
    Apr 30 2025
    Level Up Your Career: The Hidden Secrets of Sustainable Energy Leadership

    Join Bryan Hancock on the Executive Connect podcast as he sits down with Yogashri Pradhan, petroleum engineer and data analytics expert at Chevron. Discover how Yogashri navigated her STEM journey into oil and gas, the future of energy sustainability, and how data analytics is reshaping the industry. Get insights on leadership advice for women in STEM, optimizing production, and why grit and resilience matter more than ever.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Teaser
    01:00 Introduction and Career Background
    02:11 Early Exposure to Oil and Gas through STEM
    06:45 Practical Use of Data Analytics in Oil and Gas
    11:39 De-risking Investments with Better Data
    14:00 Industry Shifts Toward Sustainability
    17:58 Viewpoint on Peak Oil and New Technologies
    21:52 Advice for Women Entering the Energy Sector
    25:08 The "Petro Papers" Podcast
    26:53 Final Thoughts on Grit, Resilience, and Open-Mindedness
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Skyrocket Your Leadership: Unlock the Excellence Equation for Career Success

    Skyrocket Your Leadership: Unlock the Excellence Equation for Career Success
    Apr 24 2025
    Guest:

    Whitney Faires
    Executive Coach | Founder, Whitney Faires Coaching

    Host:

    Melissa Aarskaug

    Executive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Episode Overview:

    What if high performance didn’t mean burnout? On this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug welcomes Whitney Faires, executive coach and creator of the Excellence Equation, to unpack what true leadership looks like in fast-paced, high-stakes careers. From managing uncertainty to building resilience, Whitney shares her step-by-step formula for sustainable success. You’ll learn how to own your growth, transition from doer to leader, and unlock your potential—without losing your mind in the process.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Introduction to Coaching and Development
    02:11 – The Excellence Equation Framework
    07:39 – Leading Through Change and Uncertainty
    11:39 – Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager
    15:08 – Customized Coaching Strategies
    23:47 – The Importance of Self-Care
    29:10 – Accountability in Personal and Professional Growth
    33:19 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    Connect With Us:

    Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect

    Social:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
    X: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug
    Más Menos
    41 m
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