[Podcast Episode #28] Productivity Boosters That Save You 10 Hours a Week—Guaranteed
Ever feel “always on” but rarely satisfied with the results? In this episode we take a scalpel to modern busyness and rebuild your week around outcomes, not alerts. From killing inbox addiction to installing clear access protocols, this conversation shows how to trade reactive work for deliberate results—and save at least 10 hours every week.
[Podcast Episode #27] The Beautiful Life Formula – Do You Want a Beautiful Life or a Happy Life?
Happiness is a shaky finish line; it wobbles with every mood swing and market turn. In this episode, we set our sights higher. We challenge the modern obsession with happiness and outline a richer target: a beautiful life shaped by meaning, purpose, sacrifice, and generosity.
[Podcast Episode #26] The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living: Why Reflection Creates Results
Ready to turn reflection into a competitive edge? In this episode we unpack a year of wins and misses to show how small systems create outsized results—financially, physically, and strategically. No fluff, just the tools and stories we used to design a life and business that compound.
Medici Gathering 2025 Highlights
At the Medici Gathering 2025, we explored Florence through the lens of Lorenzo the Magnificent and held conversations that stretched how we think about leadership, craft, and legacy. A memorable three days with a remarkable community.
[Podcast Episode #25] The Genius Circle: Who’s in Your Strategic Room?
Tired of being the smartest person in the room? In this episode we break open a better path: become the conductor who assembles and orchestrates a circle of genius. Drawing on the Renaissance playbook of Lorenzo de Medici and the realities of modern boardrooms, we show how curated, cross‑disciplinary advisors can change the trajectory of a business faster than any internal meeting ever will.
[Podcast Episode #24] Hostage Negotiation Secrets: Reading the Room, Winning the Deal
Deals don’t fall apart because of numbers. They fall apart because people feel unheard, cornered, or disrespected. In this episode we pull lessons from a Congo standoff and a mafia sit-down to show how hostage negotiation tactics translate into everyday business. We share practical tools—framing, mirroring, humor, and tone—to keep deals calm, human, and effective.
[Podcast Episode #23] Be Political – Overstepping Boundaries to Make Things Happen
What if the real test of your success isn’t just the health of your company, but the health of your city? In this episode, we challenge business owners to think beyond the balance sheet and take responsibility in the civic arena. From a Medici fresco to modern coalitions, we lay out a practical path to be political in the classical sense: serving the common good with humility and patience.
[Podcast Episode #22] Leadership vs. Management: Know Which Hat to Wear (and When)
Big ideas don’t move the needle if no one cleans the bathrooms. In this episode we unpack the real difference between leadership and management with candid stories—from a student-run catering company that grew fast and cracked under overmanagement, to a hotel pitch that thrilled U.S. investors with vision and then hit a wall when a German board asked the most practical question: who cleans the toilets?
[Podcast Episode #21] Strategy Is the Shortcut: Why Thinking Beats Hustle Every Time
In a hustle-obsessed world, strategy is your ultimate shortcut. Cris Auditore and Dr. Philip Zimmermann reveal why thinking — not constant busyness — is the most powerful skill for entrepreneurs who want to build a self-managing business and a lasting legacy. Learn the four pillars of strategic thinking, how to shift from operator to strategist, and why slowing down is the fastest way to scale.
[Podcast Episode #20] Design for Exit—Even If You Never Plan to Leave
Most business owners dream of selling their company, but the reality is that many small businesses cannot be sold because they’re too dependent on the owner. Creating a self-managing business that can operate without you is essential whether you plan to exit or not.