The Soul in the Machine: My Audiobook Dilemma

Rock Star MBA - Untapped Lessons on Marketing from Artists

Thank you for registering for the New York Public Library program titled “Rock Star MBA - Untapped Lessons on Marketing from Artists” on Monday May 18th 2026 with my guest speaker Martin J. McDermott. Thank you, Martin J. McDermott for a highly informative and engaging program and everyone who registered for this event. Bio:  Martin J. McDermott, DBA, brings over 25 years of experience as a business professor and marketing educator. As a Marketing Course Lead at Purdue University Global, he blends academic insight with real-world application, often drawing inspiration from art, music, media, and popular culture. In 2024, LinkedIn named him a Top Voice in podcasting and franchising. Dr. McDermott was also inducted into Golden Key International Honour Society as an honorary member, recognizing his commitment to making business education engaging and accessible. Program Description Great talent fails without marketing. Martin J. McDermott explores how branding, storytelling, and AI enhance creativity and customer value through the arts. The discussion includes: Market-Oriented Mission Statements - Align purpose with customer value—and use AI tools to uncover what your audience truly wants. The Power of Branding - Build recognition, trust, and differentiation, while leveraging AI to analyze brand perception and consistency. Storytelling in Marketing - Connect emotionally and drive engagement—now enhanced by AI-assisted content creation and idea generation. Snap, Crackle, Pop: Creating Memorable Characters - Bring brands to life, and explore how AI can help develop personas, voices, and visual identities. The Promotional Mix (APPSS) - Advertising, Personal Selling, Public Relations, Sales Promotion, and Social Media—now powered by AI insights, targeting, and automation. AI as Your Creative Partner - Discover how AI can support (not replace) human creativity in branding, storytelling, and audience engagement.

Office Evolution Franchise Meets with Franchise Interviews

Welcome back to the show! Today, we are speaking with Andrea Pirrotti-Dranchak, the Chief Marketing and Development Officer for Office Evolution—which just happens to be the fastest-growing and number-one coworking franchise in the US. With the traditional 9-to-5 still completely up in the air, companies and entrepreneurs are looking for flexibility, and Office Evolution is stepping right into that gap. We’re going to dive into how their suburban business model is giving people a convenient, professional place to work right in their own neighborhoods. If you've been wondering what the future of the workspace looks like, this is an interview you don't want to miss. Plus, stick around for Part Two, where we’ll be playing a fantastic snippet from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. Let’s dive in!

Kaminskiy Care and Repair Meets with Franchise Interviews

2M+ Followers: Scaling the American Dream Description: What does it take to turn a small, local repair business into a national franchise powerhouse? In this episode, we sit down with Sergei Kaminskiy, founder of Kaminskiy Care and Repair, to dissect a 20-year journey of strategic growth and brand building. From his early days as a recent immigrant to the U.S. to cultivating an organic social media audience of millions, Sergei epitomizes the modern American Dream. We explore: The Evolution: How a San Diego home improvement shop grew into the "Best of the Best." The Pivot: Moving from high-end remodeling into a scalable national franchise model. The Digital Edge: How Sergei leveraged 2.4 million Instagram followers to build brand authority. The Future: Advice for ambitious entrepreneurs ready to enter the world of franchising. Whether you're a prospective franchisee or a business owner looking to scale, Sergei’s insights on quality workmanship and clear communication are a masterclass in professional excellence.

Franchise Interviews Meets with Scott Talley of Network In Action Franchise Opportunity

In a world of 28 million small businesses, everyone is looking for that one marketing 'silver bullet.' But what if the best ROI isn't found in a digital ad, but in a handshake? Today, we’re meeting with Scott Talley, the founder of Network In Action. Scott saw an industry that was stuck in the past—demanding 100-plus hours a year for weekly meetings that most owners just don't have. NIA flipped the script. They moved to monthly meetings, leveraged better tech, and created a 'Try Before You Buy' program that is unheard of in franchising. You can actually live the life of a franchisee for a week, no fees, no catch, before you sign. Let’s talk about how NIA is dragging business networking into the 21st century." www.franchiseinterviews.com [http://www.franchiseinterviews.com] www.rockstarmba.com [http://www.rockstarmba.com]

The Soul in the Machine: My Audiobook Dilemma

After releasing Rock Star MBA, I knew an audiobook was the next essential step. As a listener myself, I know how much more an idea sticks when it’s delivered directly into your ears. My original plan was manual and messy: hours in Audacity, fighting with noise floors and peak levels. Then, a colleague pointed me toward ElevenLabs. The efficiency was staggering, a full manuscript narrated in minutes, with a voice clone that sounded eerily like my own. But "eerily" is the keyword. While the AI was fast, it missed the tiny nuances and emotional inflections that only an author can provide. Now, I’m stuck between two worlds: the polished speed of AI and the raw, demanding process of DIY recording. I’ve included three samples. My original voice 0 to 2:00 11Labs clone - 2:05 to 2:50 11Labs - text to audio 2:55 to end. I’d love to know which one actually connects with you.