What Do Great Leaders Do When Growth, Burnout, and Layoffs Collide?

Why He Walked Away From $14 Million to Protect User Data

Every investor wanted the same thing from John Cavanaugh's student networking platform — sell ads, harvest the data, print money. When he said no, they told him he wasn't fit to run the company. He walked away from $14 million in buyout offers and shut it down rather than hand vulnerable college students' mental health data to the highest bidder. That decision became the foundation for everything he's building now. John is the Executive Director and Privacy Evangelist at The Plunk Foundation — a Cincinnati-based nonprofit that started by helping underfunded organizations build real data privacy programs and is now building open-source tools to help social service agencies coordinate without putting the people they serve at risk. Domestic violence survivors, human trafficking victims, people hiding from abusers — these are the people who pay the highest price when privacy fails. And right now, most nonprofits have no idea how exposed they are. The conversation goes deep on why the US is a decade behind Europe on data rights, how investors think about your users' data (it's not the way you'd hope), how fuzzy logic and explainable AI might be the answer to the black-box AI accountability problem, and what entrepreneurs need to do right now to stop collecting data they don't need. If your business touches customer data — and every business does — this episode will change how you think about it. Links and Resources: - Connect with John Cavanaugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/privacy-evangelist/ ==================== Subscribe & Listen to more content here: Web: https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtiiP79wCZ2ALPztpr-7XWMl7uQUFRvB Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconventional-leadership-podcast/id1378659047 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4O6tNE9H2cuWba5Ovnum8C ==================== Connect with Brian: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/u/bwerickson Instagram: instagram.com/cincybizpod/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@cincybizpod Facebook: facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ ==================== Produced by the Cincinnati Podcast Studio Creating high-quality a DIY video podcast is complicated. Cincinnati Podcast Studio simplifies video podcast production so you can just show up and share your message, creating true fans while establishing your authority and building trust. Are you in the Greater Cincinnati area and interested in starting your own podcast? Book a Tour Today http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/ Learn more about the Cincinnati Podcast Studio: https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com === TAGS === data privacy, digital privacy rights, nonprofit technology, Plunk Foundation, Cincinnati entrepreneur, startup ethics, data brokers, GDPR, data minimization, explainable AI, fuzzy logic, investor pressure, social services technology, privacy evangelist, John Cavanaugh

Is Your Business One Complaint Away From a Union Vote? (feat. Kathy Carnes & Brian Erickson)

What does it actually take for employees to unionize, and what can business owners legally do about it? In this episode, Brian sits down with Kathy Carnes, labor-management attorney and professor at Northern Kentucky University, who has spent her entire career on both sides of the union debate. From running elections at the National Labor Relations Board to representing companies against unfair labor practice charges, Kathy brings a rare, balanced perspective that most business owners never get to hear. Kathy breaks down the real mechanics of union organizing, including what constitutes an unfair labor practice, why companies sometimes cross the line out of fear, and what the consequences look like. She shares some jaw-dropping real-world stories, like a company president surveilling a union meeting from a Subway parking lot, and a business that threatened to shut down rather than let a union win. More importantly, she explains what the research and her 20-plus years of experience consistently show: the businesses least likely to unionize are the ones that communicate openly and treat every employee with consistency and fairness. The conversation also gets into alternative dispute resolution, including the difference between binding arbitration and non-binding mediation, and how the ADR Center at NKU is training the next generation of workplace mediators. Kathy also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the 43-year-old Lumen Cheesy Labor-Management Conference, which brings union reps and company attorneys into the same room to find common ground. If you manage people, this episode will change how you think about the relationship between leadership and labor. ==================== Subscribe & Listen to more content here: * Web: https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com * YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtiiP79wCZ2ALPztpr-7XWMl7uQUFRvB * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconventional-leadership-podcast/id1378659047 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4O6tNE9H2cuWba5Ovnum8C =================== Connect with Brian: * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/u/bwerickson * Instagram: instagram.com/cincybizpod/ * TikTok: tiktok.com/@cincybizpod * Facebook: facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/ * Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ ==================== * Produced by the Cincinnati Podcast Studio * Creating high-quality a DIY video podcast is complicated. Cincinnati Podcast Studio simplifies * video podcast production so you can just show up and share your message, creating true fans * while establishing your authority and building trust. Are you in the Greater Cincinnati area and interested in starting your own podcast? * Book a Tour Today http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/ * Learn more about the Cincinnati Podcast Studio: https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com

What Do Great Leaders Do When Growth, Burnout, and Layoffs Collide?

What do you do when you know it’s time to change, but you are not sure what the next move should be?In this episode of the Cincinnati Business Podcast, Brian Erickson sits down with Kurt Kersey to talk about reinvention, entrepreneurship, leadership, burnout, faith, and what it looks like to keep moving forward when business gets hard. Kurt shares the story of leaving a comfortable career, building something of his own, and navigating the emotional weight of growth, pressure, and hard decisions.This conversation is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, CEOs, marketers, thought leaders, podcasters, content creators, and business owners in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky who are trying to grow their brand, lead well, and make smart decisions in seasons of uncertainty.If you care about thought leadership, personal branding, business growth, communication, leadership, and building trust through your story, this episode is packed with practical insight.Links and Resources:Connect with Kurt Kersey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtkersey====================Subscribe & Listen to more content here:Web: ⁠https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com⁠YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtiiP79wCZ2ALPztpr-7XWMl7uQUFRvB⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconventional-leadership-podcast/id1378659047⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4O6tNE9H2cuWba5Ovnum8C⁠====================Connect with Brian:LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/u/bwerickson⁠Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/cincybizpod/⁠TikTok: ⁠tiktok.com/@cincybizpod⁠Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/⁠Spotify: ⁠open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ⁠====================Produced by the Cincinnati Podcast StudioCreating high-quality a DIY video podcast is complicated. Cincinnati Podcast Studio simplifies video podcast production so you can just show up and share your message, creating true fans while establishing your authority and building trust.Are you in the Greater Cincinnati area and interested in starting your own podcast?Book a Tour Today ⁠http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/⁠Learn more about the Cincinnati Podcast Studio: ⁠https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com

What Business Owners Get Wrong About Cybersecurity and AI (feat. Jon Salisbury, Mike Camp from Nexigen & Brian Erickson)

Cybersecurity and AI can both feel overwhelming for business owners, especially when every new headline makes it sound like you either need enterprise-grade protection tomorrow or you are already behind. In this conversation, Brian Erickson sits down with Jon Salisbury and Mike Camp from Nexigen to break down what actually matters for businesses in Cincinnati and beyond. They unpack what cybersecurity really means for small and mid-sized companies, why your data is the real prize for attackers, and how simple habits like better identity practices, updated firewalls, and stronger password hygiene can reduce risk. The conversation also explores how leaders should think about AI adoption, why use case matters more than hype, and how business owners can stay current without chasing every shiny new tool. If you are trying to understand AI, cybersecurity, risk, and business strategy in a more practical way, this episode gives you a strong foundation. Links and Resources: * Connect with Jon, Mike & Nexigen: https://www.nexigen.com/ [https://www.nexigen.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] ==================== Subscribe & Listen to more content here: Web: https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com [https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com] YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGtiiP79wCZ2ALPztpr-7XWMl7uQUFRvB [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoPy3sUK9jBdQZR_0B_9j8w] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconventional-leadership-podcast/id1378659047 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cincinnati-business-podcast/id1785929912] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4O6tNE9H2cuWba5Ovnum8C [https://open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ] ==================== Connect with Brian: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/u/bwerickson [http://linkedin.com/u/bwerickson] Instagram: instagram.com/cincybizpod/ [http://instagram.com/cincybizpod/] TikTok: tiktok.com/@cincybizpod [http://tiktok.com/@cincybizpod/] Facebook: facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/ [http://facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/] Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ [http://open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ] ==================== Produced by the Cincinnati Podcast Studio Creating high-quality a DIY video podcast is complicated. Cincinnati Podcast Studio simplifies video podcast production so you can just show up and share your message, creating true fans while establishing your authority and building trust. Are you in the Greater Cincinnati area and interested in starting your own podcast? Book a Tour Today http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/ [http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/] Learn more about the Cincinnati Podcast Studio: https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com [https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/]

Are You Entrepreneurial or Actually an Entrepreneur? (feat. Dave Knox & Brian Erickson)

If you feel like business growth is supposed to come from the perfect strategy, this conversation is a reality check. Dave Knox has spent years building and advising high-growth startups and entrepreneurial ecosystems, including leading Blue North in Northern Kentucky and helping create places designed for “collisions” where the right people meet at the right time. In this episode, we talk about how entrepreneurs can build real momentum by getting into better rooms, finding the right mentors, and learning how to ask for help without feeling weak. We also dig into founder market fit, why “feature vs product” thinking matters more than ever in the AI era, and the underrated skill that separates corporate operators from founders: the ability to communicate clearly when you are not in the room. If you are building a company in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, or you are trying to grow anywhere outside the usual coastal tech bubbles, this is one of those episodes that can change how you approach relationships, community, and opportunity. Topics we cover: * What an entrepreneurial support organization actually does and how Blue North helps founders * Why collisions matter and how communities create them on purpose * The mentorship problem: finding the right expertise at the right time * How to build relationships that pay off later without being transactional * Why entrepreneurs need both truth-telling and encouragement * AI opportunities for younger builders and what to avoid in the hype cycle * Feature vs product and how to think about defensibility * Founder market fit and the questions to ask before you commit years of your life Links and Resources: * Connect with Dave Knox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveknox/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveknox/] ==================== Subscribe & Listen to more content here: Web: https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com [https://www.cincinnatibusinesspodcast.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoPy3sUK9jBdQZR_0B_9j8w [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoPy3sUK9jBdQZR_0B_9j8w] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cincinnati-business-podcast/id1785929912 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cincinnati-business-podcast/id1785929912] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ [https://open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ] ==================== Connect with Brian: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/u/bwerickson [http://linkedin.com/u/bwerickson] Instagram: http://instagram.com/cincybizpod/ [http://instagram.com/cincybizpod/] TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@cincybizpod [http://tiktok.com/@cincybizpod] Facebook: http://facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/ [http://facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/] Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ [http://open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ] ==================== Produced by the Cincinnati Podcast Studio Creating high-quality a DIY video podcast is complicated. Cincinnati Podcast Studio simplifies video podcast production so you can just show up and share your message, creating true fans while establishing your authority and building trust. Are you in the Greater Cincinnati area and interested in starting your own podcast? Book a Tour Today http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/ [http://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/] Learn more about the Cincinnati Podcast Studio: https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/ [https://cincinnatipodcaststudio.com/] ==================== dave knox, blue north, spark haus, cincinnati business podcast, cincinnati entrepreneurship, northern kentucky startups, startup mentorship, entrepreneurial ecosystem, networking for entrepreneurs, how to build a network, founder market fit, product vs feature, startup advice, venture capital midwest, economic development, entrepreneur led economic development, startup community building, business podcast, business leadership, building relationships in business, ai and entrepreneurship, startup strategy, cincinnati startup scene, nk y entrepreneurship