Payal Beri on Human Connection in the Age of AI

Payal Beri on Human Connection in the Age of AI

As technology becomes more capable of doing what we do, what becomes more valuable about who we are? In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Jason Zickerman sits down with Dr. Payal Beri, organizational psychologist and founder of RK Empathy, to explore what she calls the relationship economy. Trusted by organizations including NASA and Google, Dr. Beri has spent her career proving that human connection is not soft science, it is strategy. Jason and Dr. Beri dig into the paradox at the center of this moment: rather than replacing human connection, AI may actually be deepening our hunger for it. They talk about what it means to use AI as a tool rather than a replacement, why efficiency and genuine connection are often at odds, and how intentional community can help leaders navigate disruption without facing it alone. In a world that is moving faster than ever, the most powerful thing you can do may be to slow down long enough to truly connect.

Andy Bounds on Selling What People Actually Want

Most sales conversations focus on the wrong thing — and Andy Bounds has spent his career proving it. In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Jason Zickerman sits down with Andy Bounds, bestselling author and one of the UK's most sought-after sales and communication experts, to explore a deceptively simple question: are you leading with what you do, or with what your client actually gets after working with you? Andy shares his AFTERS framework, the philosophy that has transformed how thousands of leaders communicate and sell. He and Jason dig into how to apply it in live conversations and in writing, how to prove you can deliver on your promises, and why referrals done intentionally are the most powerful growth tool a business owner has. This is about more than selling. It's about having conversations that actually connect.

John Warrillow on Building Value and the Rise of ETA Buyers

John Warrillow is the founder of The Value Builder System™ and has spent his career helping business owners grow companies worth buying. In this episode, John and host Jason Zickerman discuss the rise of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), a trend where young entrepreneurs are approaching owners directly to buy their businesses. John breaks down what makes these buyers different, how to prepare for them, and why building value should start long before you're ready to sell. He also shares early patterns from his research on AI adoption among business owners, and what those trends may reveal about adaptability and leadership. This is about preparation, not panic. And it starts with understanding what makes your company worth buying.

John Dini on Building a Business You Can Leave

Exit planning isn’t about retirement, it’s about leadership. In this episode of The Leadership Exchange, Jason Zickerman talks with John Dini, exit planning expert and long-time TAB member, about why leaders should “begin with the end in mind” from day one. John shares how thinking like a future buyer sharpens decision-making, increases enterprise value, and prepares both the business and the owner for what’s next. This conversation challenges owners to stop postponing the inevitable and start leading with intention. For today, and for the eventual handoff.

Leanne Monaghan on Self-Advocacy, Healing and Ownership

Leanne Monaghan is a wellness leader, entrepreneur and coach whose journey from bankruptcy and life-altering cancer diagnosis to empowered heath advocate has shaped her mission: helping people become the CEO of their own health. Leanne shares with us the pivotal moment that forced her to reclaim control of her wellbeing and the two decade path that followed. Her story includes deep self-education, collaboration with medical and holistic practitioners, and commitment to understanding how the body truly heals. From navigating gaps in the healthcare system to building a multidisciplinary approach to wellness, she offers a powerful perspective on resilience, self-advocacy and what it really means to thrive. Her story reminds us that leading yourself and taking ownership of your health and mind is the foundation for leading others.