May 22, 2026 – The Alloy Market Brandon Aversano and Legal Rights Cindy Cohn

June 12, 2026 – eReleases CEO Mickie Kennedy and FranBridge Jon Ostenson

Mickie Kennedy – Founder of eReleases [https://www.ereleases.com/] and Author of Worth Building [https://www.amazon.com/dp/162557181X/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_W3JGB4E65YX10VESRBHQ?linkCode=ml1&tag=bookpreviews&linkId=37ff85038fba9dc7f6a625c172e6300d] & Glandscape [https://buttonpoetry.com/product/glandscapes/] A lot of people feel they’re too small to matter, but that’s an advantage when it comes to the media. Mickie Kennedy is an entrepreneur, author, poet, and founder of eReleases, one of the leading press release distribution companies serving small businesses, startups, authors, and entrepreneurs. For more than two decades, he has helped organizations gain media attention, build credibility, and increase visibility by connecting them with journalists, news outlets, and influential media platforms. Through eReleases, Mickie has assisted thousands of businesses in earning meaningful press coverage and establishing themselves as trusted authorities in their industries. A recognized expert in public relations and media outreach, Mickie is passionate about helping small businesses compete with larger organizations by leveraging strategic publicity rather than expensive advertising. His work focuses on helping entrepreneurs build trust, strengthen their online presence, and create the kind of third-party validation that drives growth and credibility. Through speaking, consulting, and educational content, he shares practical insights on media relations, press releases, branding, and authority building. In addition to his entrepreneurial career, Mickie is an accomplished poet and author. He is the author of the poetry collection Worth Burning and the chapbook Glandscapes. His work has appeared in numerous respected literary publications, including POETRY, Prairie Schooner, The Threepenny Review, The Southern Review, and The Sun. His writing often explores themes of identity, resilience, family, memory, and personal transformation. Mickie earned an MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University, where he studied under acclaimed poet Carolyn Forché. Originally from rural North Carolina, he now divides his time between Maryland and Delaware. Whether helping businesses earn media coverage or sharing stories through poetry, Mickie is driven by the belief that authentic stories have the power to connect people, build trust, and create lasting impact. Jon Ostenson – Founder & CEO of FranBridge Consulting [https://franbridgeconsulting.com/] and Author of Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJNDCGN4/?bestFormat=true&k=non-food%20franchising&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_20_de&crid=29FKQM9VMM6YX&sprefix=non-food%20franchising] Non-sexy is the new sexy when it comes to business ownership. Jon Ostenson is an entrepreneur, franchise investor, consultant, speaker, and author specializing in non-food franchising and alternative paths to business ownership. He is the founder and CEO of FranBridge Consulting, a two-time Inc. 5000 company, where he helps entrepreneurs, executives, and investors evaluate franchise opportunities and build wealth through business ownership. Recognized as a top franchise consultant, Jon has guided hundreds of clients through the process of selecting, financing, and launching franchise businesses that align with their financial goals, lifestyle preferences, and long-term objectives. Drawing on experience from both the franchisor and franchisee sides of the industry, Jon brings a unique perspective to franchise investing. Prior to founding FranBridge Consulting, he served as President of ShelfGenie, an Inc. 500 franchise system with more than 200 locations across North America. He is also a multi-brand franchise owner and investor, giving him firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges entrepreneurs face when building businesses through proven franchise systems. Jon is the author of the bestselling book Non-Food Franchising: The Better Path to Business Ownership, which highlights the growing opportunities available outside of traditional food and restaurant concepts. He is a frequent contributor and thought leader on franchising, business ownership, and entrepreneurship, with insights featured in publications including Forbes, Inc., and Bloomberg. Before entering the franchise industry, Jon held executive leadership roles with major national companies, including serving as Vice President of Sales for Carter’s, Inc., where he oversaw more than $350 million in annual sales. He began his career as a consultant with Accenture, working with clients both domestically and internationally. Jon earned both his BBA in Finance and MBA from the University of Georgia and was recognized by the University of Georgia Alumni Association as a recipient of its prestigious 40 Under 40 award. Today, Jon is passionate about helping professionals create financial freedom, diversify their investments, and pursue business ownership through scalable franchise opportunities. Through his consulting, writing, and speaking, he helps aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the franchise landscape with confidence and clarity.

June 11, 2026 – If He Can, You Can Patrick Engasser and Personal Brand Anne Candido & April Martini

Patrick Engasser [https://patrickengasser.com/] – Author of If I Can Do It, You Can Do It!: Inspiration for Eliminating Excuses, Overcoming Challenges, and Succeeding in Business and Life [https://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Inspiration-Eliminating-Overcoming/dp/B0CRQMG9FX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34JHB0FQO7WM4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NrTV1D6ZCT44pJ4afgBmmg.L2Yj_bjb-CqBCaibPw9hf5hMSMYaWhlYFKHKDfYGuao&dib_tag=se&keywords=Patrick+Engasser&qid=1780413928&s=books&sprefix=patrick+engasser+%2Cstripbooks%2C158&sr=1-1]  Find out what your dream is, find out what your version of vacation is, and do your best to build your business around that lifestyle and build that life the way you want it. Patrick Engasser is a bestselling author, business coach, motivational speaker, and sales leadership expert who has spent his career helping individuals and organizations achieve extraordinary results by overcoming obstacles and maximizing their potential. Blind since birth, Patrick has built a successful career by refusing to let limitations define his future, becoming a powerful example of resilience, determination, and achievement. Patrick began his professional career with a Fortune 500 insurance company, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the organization’s top-performing sales professionals. By his third year, he earned recognition as a Top Account Closer and later advanced into leadership roles, building and managing a seven-figure sales organization. Throughout his career, he has coached and mentored numerous sales professionals, helping them develop successful careers while earning three of the company’s highest honors for Management Excellence. Today, Patrick is the author of If I Can Do It, You Can Do It!: Inspiration for Eliminating Excuses, Overcoming Challenges, and Succeeding in Business and Life. Through his writing, coaching, and speaking, he shares practical lessons on personal responsibility, perseverance, leadership, sales success, and overcoming adversity. His message resonates with entrepreneurs, executives, sales professionals, students, and anyone seeking to break through self-imposed limitations. A highly sought-after speaker, Patrick has delivered hundreds of presentations and training programs across the United States for corporations, universities, leadership organizations, sales teams, and youth groups. His unique combination of business expertise and life experience allows him to inspire audiences while providing actionable strategies for achieving success in both business and life. Through his coaching and consulting work, Patrick continues to help professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and high achievers eliminate excuses, overcome challenges, and reach their goals faster, proving that determination and mindset often matter far more than circumstance. Anne Candido & April Martini – Co-Founders of ForthRight People [https://forthright-people.com/] and Author of The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things [https://www.amazon.com/Power-Your-Personal-Brand-struggling/dp/B0GTYZT9MH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VAYH7WM5FJ2N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D-__IIdiVKSrIzvxEfdYrw.uZW4hFbCSwXG8qaE9Ols2KJjmXKPdBck-bos-QilVWQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Anne+Candido+%26+April+Martini&qid=1780407180&s=books&sprefix=anne+candido+%26+april+martini%2Cstripbooks%2C108&sr=1-1-catcorr] If you don’t define your personal brand, somebody else is going to do it for you. Anne Candido & April Martini are the authors of The Power of Your Personal Brand: A Playbook for Struggling Middle Managers Who Want to Do Big Things, and co-founders of ForthRight People, a leadership performance company focused on building high-performing leaders from the inside out. They believe a leader’s Personal Brand is their greatest competitive advantage – and when understood and activated intentionally, it becomes a powerful driver of influence, credibility, and impact in pursuit of a leader’s “Big Thing.” Their perspective is grounded in more than 45 years of combined experience navigating the realities of middle management and coaching hundreds of leaders through career inflection points. Having lived the challenges of the “struggling middle,” Anne and April bring practical frameworks, candid stories, and real-world application to help leaders move from a state of struggle to one of clarity, intentionality and credibility. Together, they challenge the idea that Personal Brand is something you manufacture. Instead, they teach leaders how to uncover what’s already there – and use it to guide decisions, shape presence, and accelerate growth for themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

June 10, 2026 - Steve Jobs in Exile Geoffrey Cain and The Back Nine P. Scott Bening

Geoffrey Cain [https://geoffreycain.net/] – Author of Steve Jobs in Exile: The Untold Story of NeXT and the Remaking of an American Visionary [https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Exile-Remaking-Visionary-ebook/dp/B0FN3CGFWV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LBQS0AZQTMBG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WztWyOObdgenvUG-ToTyoWqIuBbFmKLX2SmdeGjNSTZ2ypgwPFVaIiEtXoFh0euHpau5i5SsblqhYWS82ldT-_lHFg2khbDWHGMF-jRIIW2MLRBSB-okgOD9zNLxXYn8CKsEPaFkG5zZA3A3Z6nWiuAveP1ys9QrL1_WcsIq99FpxegxtQxohqYZfTANhcOeMw64rZoTpJEdktz4kF6Z2g.n6JJwj4BcDsFYwYyPAjcTQwpjxW73MDE384hOInUuOQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=steve+jobs+in+exile&qid=1781009948&s=digital-text&sprefix=Steve+Jobs+in+Exile%2Cdigital-text%2C395&sr=1-1] I would have never gotten where I am in life or business if I hadn’t had people mentoring me. Geoffrey Cain is an award-winning author, investigative journalist, foreign correspondent, and expert on technology, innovation, and leadership. He is the author of Steve Jobs in Exile: The Untold Story of NeXT and the Remaking of an American Visionary, a deeply researched account of the twelve years Steve Jobs spent outside Apple and how failure, setbacks, and reinvention shaped the entrepreneur who would ultimately lead one of the greatest comebacks in business history. Over the course of his career, Geoffrey has interviewed world leaders, technology founders, corporate executives, investors, dissidents, and innovators at pivotal moments in history. His reporting and research have taken him around the world, producing acclaimed books that explore the forces shaping technology, business, and society. His previous books include Samsung Rising, which was longlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award, and The Perfect Police State, which was named NPR’s Book of the Day and received a citation from the Overseas Press Club for the Cornelius Ryan Award. Geoffrey’s work has been praised by leading publications including the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Forbes, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews. Known for combining investigative rigor with compelling storytelling, he specializes in uncovering the hidden struggles, failures, and turning points behind remarkable success stories. In addition to his writing, Geoffrey is a frequent guest on CNN, NPR, Bloomberg Television, and other major media outlets, where he provides analysis on technology, business, global affairs, and innovation. He has also testified before the United States Senate and advised leaders seeking to communicate complex ideas and build lasting influence. As Managing Partner of Alembic Partners, Geoffrey works with founders, investors, and executives to develop thought leadership, strategic positioning, and powerful narratives that help them stand out in competitive markets. Whether writing about global technology giants or entrepreneurial reinvention, his work explores a central theme: how people recover from failure, adapt to change, and ultimately achieve extraordinary success. P. Scott Being – CEO of MonoSol, LLC [https://www.mbs2.org/] and Author of The Back Nine: Inspiration and Insights on Retaining Relevance, Purpose, and Integrity in Retirement [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX38KHM9?=undefined&linkCode=sl2&tag=risemedia1-20&linkId=cb1ae706e84446619e63dc525637f816&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl] A lot of what the wilderness is, is learning to work with the limitations of the world and finding your place within it. P. Scott Bening is an accomplished entrepreneur, business leader, author, and former CEO of MonoSol, LLC, the company that pioneered and commercialized water-soluble film technology used in single-dose detergent products around the world. During his tenure as President and CEO, Scott helped grow MonoSol from a small startup operation into a global industry leader serving the multibillion-dollar consumer goods market. Under his leadership, water-soluble unit-dose packaging became the worldwide standard for laundry and household cleaning products, transforming consumer behavior and reshaping an entire industry. Drawing on expertise in innovation, strategic partnerships, marketing, manufacturing, and business development, Scott built a reputation for guiding companies through rapid growth while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs and long-term value creation. His success earned widespread recognition, including induction as a Fellow of The Society of Innovators of Indiana, recognition by the United States Congress, and membership in the Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. Today, Scott serves as CEO of MBS2 Advisors, where he mentors entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders on growth strategy, leadership, innovation, and organizational development. He is also the author of The Back Nine: Inspiration and Insights on Retaining Relevance, Purpose, and Integrity in Retirement, a book that explores how successful professionals can continue to find meaning, contribution, and fulfillment during the later stages of life and career. A graduate of St. Lawrence University and the University of Illinois Chicago, Scott also serves on the Board of Trustees at Butler University. Through his advisory work, writing, and speaking, he continues to share lessons learned from building a global company while helping others navigate leadership, personal growth, and purposeful transitions in business and life.

June 9, 2026 – Radio AI Riply Jen Austin and American Financial History Joseph Moore

Jen Austin – Founder & President of Riply [https://riplymedia.com/], the first AI-powered newsroom designed for local radio As long as we have it as a human-led entity, then it can be very effective. Jen Austin is a three-decade radio veteran and on-air personality who has been heard on more than 100 stations across the U.S., reaching over 10 million listeners through Townsquare Media, Virtual News Center, Global 1 Media, Mountain Dog Media, iHeart, Baroka Broadcasting, and others. After decades in the business, Jen saw the same challenge again and again: shrinking staffs, tighter budgets, and local communities losing reliable news coverage. That experience led her to found Riply, a full-service, ready-to-air newsroom built specifically for radio stations, podcasters, and content creators. Riply delivers local and regional news, weather, sports, lifestyle, and entertainment content using a powerful blend of AI speed and human editorial oversight. Stations can choose human or AI voices, add new voices without new hires, and fill programming gaps across mornings, afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays. Jen is not a tech founder who discovered radio. She is a broadcaster who built the platform she always wished existed. As president of Riply, she remains hands-on with editorial standards, sound quality, and ensuring every piece of content is natural, accurate, credible, and broadcast-ready. Riply was created to support local radio, not replace it. Its mission is simple: help stations expand their on-air presence quickly, affordably, and responsibly, while giving teams more time and flexibility to focus on the content that matters most to their communities. Joseph Moore PhD [https://www.josephmoorebooks.com/] – Author of How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice that Worked (& Didn’t) [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joseph-S.-Moore-PhD/author/B0G21WSRKZ?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=989c07eb-d8dd-4f2b-b8d5-72867a5ff0e6] The lesson of history is clear: upward mobility is as alive as ever before. Joseph Moore is the author of How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice that Worked (& Didn’t). He is an author, historian, and investor whose research into America’s 300-year pursuit of wealth helped make him financially independent in his mid-40s. Moore spent more than a decade studying the financial strategies Americans have used to get ahead, from stocks and real estate to scams, speculation, crypto, and wild get-rich schemes. He even tested some of history’s strangest ideas himself, including buying land on the moon, founding a cryptocurrency, shorting Jim Cramer’s stock picks, and renting out every room in his house. His writing combines serious historical research with sharp humor and unforgettable stories, including tales like Teddy Roosevelt’s wife taking away his checkbook. His work has appeared through HarperCollins, The New York Times, Oxford University Press, and other major outlets. His first book was praised as “extraordinary” and “witty,” and his newest book has been described as one that “leaves you believing in the American Dream again.”

June 8, 2026 – Legacy On The Line Andrea Baumann Lustig and Hunter Kurt Belding

Andrea Baumann Lustig – Manager Partner at Fischer Stralem Advisors [https://fischerstralem.com/] and Author of Legacy on the Line: Overcome Blind Spots to Grow and Transfer Your Wealth [https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Line-Overcome-Transfer-Wealth/dp/1394348827/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21L8XHRY2NQZL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.waPgaDpGKiIEyUf30CyEguHnENAXI57SrmtSvAhoRN5v4CXHvRtFOxPZsMD13YWm61xj9aefXJgw5WFHrvzqUYcc3Yl-vic5IeHZLrzposRHgVSCuNCt84_P9D6Gn5liXNHlTfTMVysETwlpU3Pve26tdxX_C6yVwr957_w5NV1eO9W5nljpor--J97r9nk491qHU5J6Yqf5RdEMEz8p8NJuN9WLBpzS_6iwOezieVQ.fAHRgp7mr1H9-M9PTruA-22iOb02bv7_rEuNFa0aO90&dib_tag=se&keywords=legacy%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bline&qid=1780835424&sprefix=legacy%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bline%2Caps%2C453&sr=8-1] The same hustle that built your business can actually work against you when it comes time to sell it. Andrea Baumann Lustig is Managing Partner of Fischer Stralem Advisors, where she helps entrepreneurs, executives, and multigenerational families build, protect, and transfer wealth with long-term purpose and strategy. With more than 30 years of experience in wealth management, investment banking, and management consulting, Andrea specializes in guiding founders through the often-overlooked transition from business success to lasting personal wealth. A sixth-generation wealth adviser whose family legacy in finance dates back to Banque Levy in 1810, Andrea has been repeatedly recognized on the Forbes list of Top Women Wealth Advisors. She is also the author of the upcoming book Legacy on the Line, which explores why founders should begin wealth planning long before a business sale or liquidity event occurs. Andrea believes many entrepreneurs make a costly mistake by delaying wealth planning until after they exit their business. By then, critical decisions involving taxes, estate strategy, ownership structures, philanthropy, and family wealth transfer may already be fixed, limiting flexibility and reducing long-term outcomes. Her work focuses on helping founders think strategically years before a sale so they can maximize both financial opportunity and family legacy. At Fischer Stralem Advisors, Andrea leads a multi-generational advisory firm that coordinates closely with attorneys, accountants, and insurance professionals to create highly personalized wealth strategies. Clients rely on her team not only for investment management, but also for integrated planning that aligns financial decisions with long-term goals and values. Andrea earned BA and MPA degrees in International Relations from Princeton University and an MBA from Yale University. Beyond her professional work, she is deeply involved in philanthropic and educational organizations, serving in leadership roles with institutions including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of Science, and Park Avenue Synagogue. Andrea is a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, wealth stewardship, succession planning, philanthropy, and the historic transfer of wealth now underway in America. Kurt Belding – Founder of Western Obsessions TV [https://westernobsessionstv.com/] The biggest thing videos do is pop and exposure, exposing more people to what we do, and then also starts to build trust within the brand. Kurt Belding is the founder and host of Western Obsession TV and the driving force behind Hunt Adventures, a company dedicated to connecting hunters with exceptional guided experiences across North America and beyond. A lifelong outdoorsman with a deep respect for the fair chase tradition, Kurt has built his reputation on authenticity, integrity, and a passion for the hunting lifestyle. Through Western Obsession TV, he shares real world hunting adventures, showcasing the people, places, and wildlife that make the outdoors so compelling. Kurt and his team personally evaluate every outfitter and destination featured through Hunt Adventures, ensuring that each experience meets the same standards viewers have come to expect from the show: genuine hunting opportunities, quality outfitters, and unforgettable adventures. His mission is simple: help hunters create lasting memories in the field while preserving the traditions and values that define the hunting community.