Podcast
Manager Memo podcast
Hosted by Len Samborowski, MBA Associate Professor, Nichols College · EN
A biweekly podcast focused on the planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating functions of management. Interviews with leading business practitioners provide tantalizing tips, wizardly wisdom and energized encouragement to our listeners.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Persuasion Blueprint: Patient Persistence and Respectful Resilience
1w ago00:36:35Tap to summarizeDanny Bobrow, is an ultra-endurance athlete, mountaineer, and Peak Performance Coach. Danny helps leaders and teams master communication to build trust, loyalty, and referrals. Along the way we discuss – 100 Mile Runs (2:30), Mountaineer Skills and Business (4:45), Caring, Connection, Collaboration (9:00), Silent Signals (10:30), Persuasion (17:30), Your Personal Sherpa (24:00), Comparative Advantage (28:15), Danny's Memo (29:00), and high peaks (31:45). Access Danny's coaching talents @ Persuasion Blueprint Support Danny Bobrow's charities @ Climb for a Cause and @ Smile Tree This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.
Transcribe →NestSTEPS: Retention Begins at Home
2w ago00:29:24Tap to summarizeLarry and Cheri Salazar are the co-founders of NestSTEP, an online service that reimagines homeownership as a core employee benefit. By partnering with organizations and business leaders to help achieve the American Dream, NestSTEP builds long-term loyalty and enhances workplace retention and productivity. Along the way we discuss – The Journey (1:45), Grabbing the American Dream (7:30), HR Pain Points (9:15), Success Stories (12:00), Altruism (17:00), Enable, Empower, Incentivize (19:00), Husband/Wife Business Tam (22:30), Rapid Fire Round (26:15), and Their Manager Memo (28:00). Access the talents of the Salazars @ NestSTEPS This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.
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Coach Tony: The Power of Focus
3w ago00:46:35Tap to summarizeTony Holland is a life-coach, keynote speaker, CEO of Global Premier Benefits, and a managing partner at Integrity Marketing Group. Most recently, he was accepted as a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles. As you'll hear, Tony's journey is fascinating but it was never easy. His story is one of grit and resilience, focus and faith. Along the way we discuss – Hard Knocks in Brunswick, MD (2:30), the Catalyst of Adversity (4:30), the Discipline of Zorro (7:00), Sports (10:30), John Hopkins to Wall Street to Living in a Van (13:30), Sales as an Art Form (17:30), the Boomerang Effect (26:00), find your Crusade (34:30) and Tony's Memo – Stay Focused (37:30). Access Tony's talents @ Global Premier Benefits or Integrity Holistic Solutions This podcast is teamed with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military veterans. Help us sponsor 5 scholarships for 2026. Send a donation, large or small, through our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com, PayPal, or Venmo @LukeLeaders1248. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.
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The Synchronicity of Servant Leadership
Apr 1700:40:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode I talk with a former student and servant leadership advocate João Felipe e Silva. We explore his professional evolution from a disillusioned corporate lawyer in Brazil to an Agile Project Management expert. Joao shares profound insights on the tension between rigid corporate structures and the human element of leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity, purpose, and living for others. "Do your best, not compromising, at all times. Whether someone sees the results is irrelevant, because you know the results." — Joao Silva Along the way we discuss: From a Family of Lawyers (5:00), Changing Paths (10:00), Finding Purpose (25:00), Part of the Brazilian 1% (26: 30), People Centric (31:00), Wobbly Chairs (33:30), and Joao's Memo (38:30). We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."
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The Stability of a Kitchen Table: On Trauma and the Power of a Hug
Apr 200:21:19Tap to summarizeThe Stability of a Kitchen Table: On Trauma and the Power of a Hug In this episode of Manager Memo, we chat with Matt Stafford, the founder of Vincent James Mentoring. Matt shares a deeply personal journey of overcoming a traumatic childhood, substance abuse, and illiteracy to build a community outreach program focused on providing stability and "the embrace of family" to those in need. "The moment you speak to me or any of my staff... you are family. And we'll give you what we have to help you in any way shape or form." — Matt Stafford Along the way we discuss adoption and the impact of losing a father and surviving family tragedy (1:30), definition of family (3:00), servant leadership and emotional availability (3:45), learning to read and write at age 28 (6:30), 7 deaths in 6 years (7:45), emotional vulnerability in men (11:30), "Earl" and the clean house (15:15), and a five-year vision for the Vincent James Mentoring (18:30). Matt is "old school" and encourages anyone in need of help—or those looking to partner with the organization—to reach out directly @ Phone: 262-720-8961 · Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin area · Online: Reach out @ Vincent James Mentoring website. We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."
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Deja Vu or Vuja De? Encountering the unknown for the 1st Time
Mar 3000:38:04Tap to summarizeAmos Balongo is a keynote speaker and communication coach who empowers senior leaders to master their verbal skills. In this conversation, he explains how managers can break through their own leadership "lids" to foster an environment where teams thrive. Along the way we discuss $500 and a suitcase (2:15), the importance of stories (6:45), situational leadership (14:30), don't disappoint the leader (18:000, Inside vs. Outside Communication (22:45), Camp Ohana – giving hope (29:45), and exposure to Aviation opportunities (33:45) . Looking to motivate, inspire and transform? Reach out to Amos @ Amos Balongo.org Learn more about Balongo's charity @ Camp Ohana. Listen to Africa's First @ Ukulele Orchestra. We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."
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Sales Tax Lady
Mar 1700:27:48Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a bartender discovers a knack for numbers and becomes a leading "Sales Tax Lady"? In this episode, we sit down with Holly Hoffman, the founder of SalesTaxLady.com, to discuss the high stakes of sales tax and the strategic power of accurate data. Holly shares her journey from a bar in Central Wisconsin to state tax auditing—explaining why sales tax isn't just a yearly chore, but a daily necessity for business health. Holly Hoffman is an independent sales tax consultant with over 20 years of accounting experience. Formerly an auditor for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, she now specializes in helping businesses navigate complex state regulations. She currently serves as the Committee Chair for the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs Taxation Committee. Along the way we discuss Bartender to Auditor (3:15), Accounting Opportunities (4:00), Sales Tax (7:45), Fraud Alerts (16:00), Accurate Data (20:30), and filling the Sales Tax Education Gap (26:30). Looking to audit-proof your business? Reach out to Holly @ SalesTaxLady.com We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."
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Psalmlog: FaithTech, Grief, and the Bad Spoon
Mar 1500:35:49Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a Hollywood filmmaker turns into a corporate strategist and then a "FaithTech" pioneer? In this episode, we sit down with Preston Zeller, the founder of PsalmLog, to discuss the intersection of faith, technology, and intentional spiritual growth. Preston shares the deeply personal story behind his app—born from the loss of his brother—and explains why he believes AI isn't a threat to the church, but a tool for deeper community. Preston Zeller is a corporate strategist and the founder of Zellerhaus and PsalmLog. He is also the creator of the award-winning documentary, The Art of Grieving, which chronicles his year-long journey of painting every day to process the death of his brother. Faith Guided (2:15), Romans 8:28 (5:30), FaithTech (9:15), Measuring Spiritual Growth (11:00), Biblical Clarity (20:00), Jesus and AI (22:45), Revelation (29:30), a Bad Spoon (31:00), and the Art of Grieving (33:15). Reach out to Preston @ Zellerhaus Looking to track your spiritual growth? Access @ Psalmlog.com We are proud to partner with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit providing scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Donate via PayPal/Venmo: @LukeLeaders1248. Visit: www.lukeleaders1248.com Credits Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Featured tracks: "Lowriders" and "Beautiful Rainy Day."
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Camera Focused Method
Mar 800:30:38Tap to summarizeScott Proposki is an author, renown photographer, and creator of the Business Focus Method. Scott helps businesses scale with structure. Along the way we discuss HBO and the New England Patriots (1:45), It's All About the Easter Bunny (2:00), Family of Photographers (4:30), National Geographic (6:00), 25-Year Plan (10:30), Bee Focused (18:15), ADHD (21:45), and Scott's Memo (23:00). Check out Scott's tips and strategies @ Camera Focus Method This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.
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The Fractionator - Systems. Structure. Scale
Mar 500:24:44Tap to summarizeForrest K. Derr is a Fractional System integrator who helps founders fire themselves out of a job. Along the way we discuss Billiards at Univ of Delaware (2:30), A Lot of Little Knobs (5:00), Tracking the Moving Parts (8:30), EOS (11:15), Core Values (15:00), Start with a Plan (21:15) and the Fixers and Founders podcast (23:00). Interested in a Fractional COO, reach Forrest @ Derr Consulting This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.
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