#thePOZpulse 01.22

Welcome back to #thePOZpulse and our first newsletter?of 2022. I think we are past the point of saying "Happy New Year" so I will say "Happy January!" may it not be the longest year of the month! :)?

Last year I recapped my favorite episodes of #thePOZcast from the previous year and I am proud to present my personal POZ Picks list from 2021. Note that these are not in order of downloads, rather what each show meant to me. Please enjoy my BTS insights and check out any shows that you may have missed!?

10. #138 Linsday Kaplan, Co-Founder?@ Chief

https://thepozcast.com/lindsay-kaplan-founder-chief-driving-more-women-to-the-top/

Chief came on my radar a few years back when I saw that a number of highly-respected female leaders in my network were joining. I began to follow the journey of Lindsay and her co-founder and their incredible mission to change the face of leadership. It took me a bit of work to lock down this interview but well worth it. We recorded the peak pandemic?and Lindsay opened up about the struggles of balancing leading a company and being a working mom. I love nothing more than real talk with other working parents who are building incredible companies!?

9. #131 Grant Cardone

https://thepozcast.com/grant-cardone-stripped-of-everything-on-undercover-billionaire-founder-of-the-10x-movement-ceo-cardone-capital/

I was able to snag Grant when he slid into a Clubhouse room I was hosting with David Brier and I asked him on the spot to be on my show. Grant has been in my social sphere for a while now as there are a lot of overlapping audiences. I admire his hustle, honesty, and grit, despite all the trash talk about him. So, when they only gave me a short time (15 minutes) to interview him, I accepted the challenge as it was the opposite of my usual long-format podcast. I decided to formulate "10 questions for Mr. 10X" and I am really happy with how it turned out. I'd love to have Grant back on one day to really unpack his earlier career.?

8. #146 Tucker Max

https://thepozcast.com/tucker-max-from-fratire-king-to-self-publishing-empire-4x-ny-times-best-selling-author/

"I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" was our bro-bible post-college. So when I had the chance to connect w/ the author Tucker Max on LinkedIn, I jumped. It took about 8 months to secure the interview but it was so worth the wait. We dug into how much his life has changed (and matured) in the last 15 years since he wrote that and lived that life. Tucker was a bucket list guest for me and I really enjoyed our candid convo, like two old friends shooting the $hit. Enjoy this one.

7. #183 Brett Berish

https://thepozcast.com/e185-brett-berish-a-self-made-career-building-spirit-brands/

Truth is, I had no idea who Brett was before his PR team reached out. After digging and seeing that he was the man behind so many iconic hip-hop alcohol brand collaborations, I had to have him on the show. What I got was a masterclass in authentic brand building and a career/life story to go with it. Our conversation was one of the most down-to-earth real talks that I have had with a leader who was so generous with his wisdom and experience. This is a story for anyone who follows their own rules to build an empire!?

6. #153 Travis Mills

https://thepozcast.com/e153-travis-mills-never-give-up-never-quit-recalibrated-warrior-veterans-advocate-speaker-nyt-best-selling-author/

I get pitched a lot for show guests and 98% of them are not relevant. But this one jumped right out.?On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is 1 of only 5 quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries.

I was nervous AF to interview him as I felt out of my league but almost immediately, he disarmed me with his humor and incredibly?vibrant personality. While he is certainly positive, we spoke about the dark times a bit but more importantly, the road he has paved for himself and his family moving forward. If this story does not inspire you and motivate to quit bitching, idk what will. This is a gem and I can't wait to have a beer with Travis one day soon!

5. #155 Gary Vee

https://thepozcast.com/e155-gary-vaynerchuk-the-story-behind-our-story-self-awareness-growth-after-failure/

So this show was bound to happen one day right? And you thought it would be my #1, right? Nope, it is not because I don't think Gary was at his best. I think I was but he was a bit preoccupied with something else and I guess ill cut him a little slack :) I took this opportunity to talk about some negative things around the culture at Vayner and push Gary a bit. As well, we dug into my story with him and that was special.?

There was a moment when we talked about confidence and I turned around and pointed to the NHP sign behind me, told him what those letters mean to me and his reaction was everything. All in all, it is a solid show and I look forward to going deeper w/ Gary on E255 later this year!

4. #128 Jordan Harbinger?

https://thepozcast.com/jordan-harbinger-master-storyteller-and-top-podcast-host-distilling-untapped-wisdom-from-the-worlds-top-humans/

When I got into podcasting, my north star as far as interviewing was (and still is) Howard Stern. Why? Because IMO he is the best interviewer that has walked the face of the Earth! He has conversations, not interviews. It wasn't until I started to consume Jordan's podcast that I found someone else in the same universe as Howard. Jordan is a pro's pro and I quickly went down the rabbit hole of his shows. I deeply admire his approach, style, and how he runs his show.?

So when I had the chance to interview him I knew I had to take advantage by using it as an opportunity to learn. I even asked him, real-time, what I can do better as a host. Since then Jordan and I have built a relationship and continue to learn from him daily. He is by far one of the best in the business and if you don't already listen, do it now!?

3. #187 Bracken Darrell, CEO?@ Logitech

https://thepozcast.com/e187-bracken-darrell-a-lifetime-of-wisdom-from-the-ceo-logitech/

Is there anything better than an F500 CEO who gives you straight real talk about corporate America and what it takes to be successful? Well, that's what Bracken gave us all on E187. So many people asked me, "How did you land Bracken?" Easy, I asked nicely. It never ceases to amaze me how some of the most successful "busy" people seem to take the time to share their wisdom. This show is tops and filled with so much gold. Don't snooze on this instant classic.?

2. #189 Liane Hornsey, EVP People?@ Palo Alto Networks

https://thepozcast.com/e189-liane-hornsey-career-as-a-people-leader-at-google-uber-palo-alto-networks/

I really do not think that any more actionable insights and advice can be jammed into one episode, all within the unpacking of a guest's career journey. As a host, I was at my best with a guest who is best-in-class. Liane has been there and done that at some of the top organizations in the world and she was beyond generous with her time and wisdom.?

This is the ideal show for anyone in their career journey, HR and people leaders, and anyone who loves a great conversation with tons of value. I strongly recommend checking this one out.?

1. #177 Hala Taha, Founder?@ YAP Media

https://thepozcast.com/177-hala-taha-from-tragedy-to-triumph-the-story-behind-her-journey/

I have made a bunch of real friends that I met on LinkedIN and none is better than Hala Taha. She is so generous with her advice as a top podcaster and values my advice likewise around business and life. As the host of a top show herself, she really doesn't come out from behind the mic to talk about herself too much as the focus is always on the guest.?

In August, alongside?our other great podcast friend, Vinnie Potestivo, we all interviewed each other in person in NYC. I can tell you, there is nothing more intimate than a face-to-face interview, especially these days. Plus when it's someone that you know, even better. Hala has been through a tremendous amount of heartache this past year, including losing her father, a long-term relationship, and the rollercoaster of business. We got deep and emotional and I felt that I brought out the true Hala that the world needs to hear and see more of.?

This episode was more of a conversation between two friends about life. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did recording it.?

What was your favorite #thePOZcast show of 2021? I'd love to hear your thoughts? LMK below in the comments or DM me! Thanks

RECENT EPISODES!

We ended 2021 with an amazing episode with Jerry Maguire himself, super Sports Agent, Leigh Steinberg! What a show, check it out:?https://thepozcast.com/e188-leigh-steinberg-the-real-story-behind-the-sports-empire/

I wanted to start off the New Year with a show that I felt embodied everything #thePOZcast is all about, real entrepreneurship stories from the heart. And that's what Dave "Laundromat Millionaire" Menz's is all about.?

Listen now:?https://thepozcast.com/e186-from-dirty-rags-to-riches-the-dave-laundromat-millionaire-menz-story/

And just live today, an incredible story with John R Miles.

https://thepozcast.com/e193-john-r-miles-passion-struck-creating-a-no-regrets-life/

John R. Miles is a peak performance coach, combat veteran, multi-industry CEO, successful entrepreneur, top podcast host, and author. He is one of the most-watched, quoted, and followed personal development trainers globally, and his career as a servant leader spans more than two decades.

He’s founded or co-founded more than half a dozen successful start-ups, was a Fortune 50 CIO and CISO, mentors rising entrepreneurs, and invests in successful tech ventures. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he learned vital leadership skills and was a multi-sport Division 1 athlete. John has a personal goal of making passion go viral for millions worldwide and he launched the PASSION STRUCK? movement to do just that. He hosts the popular Passion Struck Podcast.

Adam on other's podcasts!

Passion Struck Podcast w/ John R Miles:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adam-posner-on-the-secret-to-connecting-powerful/id1553279283?i=1000547529330

Tracy Hazzard: The Binge Factor

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drive-your-podcast-media-career-forward-with-energy/id1268156630?i=1000541331546

Be sure to check out all open marketing, media, and advertising roles at www.NHPTalentGroup.com!?

If you are curious how I created #thePOZcast and turned it into an ecosystem that builds real relationships, clients, thought leadership, and content, check out?www.thePOZcourse.com.

I appreciate everyone for subscribing and engaging with me and my content. Thanks and have a great weekend!

Adam