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How to Talk to Anyone About Anything w/ Mary Lemmer (LST #173) Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Learn Speak Teach Episode #173 with Mary Lemmer on the Real Business Connections Podcast.

What if the secret to talking to anyone about anything has less to do with what you say and more to do with how well you listen?

In this episode, Ben Albert sits down with Mary Lemmer to explore how improv can make us better communicators, better listeners, and more comfortable in conversations that do not go exactly as planned.

Mary shares how learning to let go of control, stay curious, make simple observations, and trust yourself can completely change the way you connect with people. They also break down practical ways to keep a conversation moving, what to do when you do not know what to say, how to handle awkward moments, and why trying too hard to make a great impression can actually work against you.

They also explore the idea that every conversation does not need to be perfect. Sometimes the best thing you can do is be present, listen deeply, respond to what is actually happening, and trust that you will figure it out as you go.

If you have ever overthought what to say, worried about being awkward, struggled with small talk, or wanted to feel more confident talking to just about anyone, this conversation is for you.

Timestamps:

[00:00] People Like You More Than You Think

[02:23] Improv and Conversation

[06:39] Listening Is the Real Superpower

[12:38] What to Say When You’re Stuck

[18:50] Using Observations to Connect

[23:25] Honesty Creates Connection

[26:30] Call Out the Awkwardness

[30:32] Oversharing Can Help

[34:14] The Greatest Gift in Conversation

[37:11] Vulnerability, Empathy & Wonder

[44:50] How to Handle Anything

[50:00] Everything Is Made Up

[57:40] Stop Chasing the Perfect Conversation

Key Takeaways:

• “The perfect thing to say doesn't exist. The best thing to say is in response to what's happening in that moment.” ~ Mary Lemmer

• “Listening is maybe a silent superpower.” ~ Mary Lemmer

• “The greatest gift to any conversation is presence and curiosity and listening.” ~ Mary Lemmer

• “The honesty in conversation, the honesty about thoughts, is such a gift to a conversation.” ~ Mary Lemmer

• “Every conversation is different, every connection is different.” ~ Mary Lemmer

• “Just do the best you can and listen and respond and be yourself. And what if that's good enough?” ~ Mary Lemmer

• “We're all figuring this out as we go.” ~ Mary Lemmer

• The best way to handle a conversation is to stop needing it to be perfect. ~ Ben Albert

Keep In Touch with Mary Lemmer:

How to Handle Anything: https://howtohandleanything.com/

Website: https://www.marylemmer.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melemmer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryimproves

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaryLemmer

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Cybersecurity Expert: Stop Doing THIS Before You Get Hacked w/ Chris Sirianni (RBC #153) Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

Rochester Business Connections Episode #153 with Chris Sirianni of IT Insights of Rochester.

What actually happens when your computer suddenly says you’ve been hacked? How can you tell whether an email is legitimate or phishing? And with AI changing everything, are scams about to get even harder to spot?

Chris launched IT Insights of Rochester in 2019 and has grown the company to support more than 90 businesses, earning recognition as #68 on the Greater Rochester Chamber’s 2025 Top 100 list.

In this episode, Chris breaks down cybersecurity without the technical jargon. Ben and Chris talk browser hijacking, phishing emails, how scammers actually gain access to accounts and devices, multi-factor authentication, password managers, and the simple precautions both individuals and businesses can take to better protect themselves.

They also explore the rapidly changing role of AI. Chris shares how IT Insights uses AI as a workforce multiplier, how businesses can use emerging technology to become more efficient, and why the human side of customer service is one area he does not want AI to replace.

Whether you’re a business owner trying to protect your company or simply someone who has wondered, “Should I click this?”, this conversation offers practical ways to become smarter, safer, and more intentional with the technology you use every day.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Ben’s Computer Gets “Hacked”

[01:58] Meet Chris Sirianni

[03:43] What IT Companies Actually Do

[05:20] AI as a Workforce Multiplier

[09:20] Can Scammers Control Your Computer?

[10:44] What Happens When You Click a Sketchy Link?

[11:36] Protecting Yourself From Phishing

[13:48] Passwords, Firewalls & Antivirus

[15:07] Is AI Making Things Better or Worse?

[16:08] Building With AI

[19:23] What AI Should Never Replace

[21:07] Using Technology to Scale

[22:35] Growing Beyond Rochester

[26:11] Cybersecurity Essentials

[28:20] Cybersecurity Tips for Everyone

Key Takeaways:

• “I view AI as purely a workforce multiplier.” ~ Chris Sirianni

• If you’re not expecting something from somebody, it’s probably not real. ~ Chris Sirianni

• “Multifactor authentication isn't a silver bullet, but it's going to take away 98% of those threats.” ~ Chris Sirianni

• “If you're trying to grow, technology becomes absolutely essential.” ~ Chris Sirianni

• “I would never replace the customer service side with any kind of AI service.” ~ Chris Sirianni

• “Security is not just a one and done thing. It's a culture you have to build.” ~ Chris Sirianni

Keep In Touch with Chris Sirianni:

Website: https://itinsightsroc.com/

Email: info@itinsightsroc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-insights-of-rochester/

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Stop Winging It: How to Professionalize Your Small Business w/ Kenneth Kollasch (LST #172) Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Learn Speak Teach Episode #172 with Kenneth Kollasch on the Real Business Connections Podcast.

Are you building a real business, or are you still winging it?

Kenneth Kollasch helps small business owners professionalize their businesses with better systems, clearer goals, stronger planning, and practical guardrails.

In this episode, Kenneth shares how getting cocky led him to build a business nobody wanted, why doing everything alone can become dangerous, and how relationships, mentorship, and generosity have shaped the way he grows businesses today.

Ben and Kenneth also get into 90-day goals, decision-making boundaries, avoiding shiny objects, and why Kenneth would rather invest in generosity than Google and Meta ads.

Along the way, Kenneth shares business lessons from soccer, ballroom dance, pastoring, and becoming an author.

If you want to stop winging it, professionalize your small business, and grow without burning yourself out, this conversation will give you a better way to think about systems, relationships, and sustainable growth.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer + Intro

[04:05] Kenneth’s Failed Business

[09:58] Friendship as a Business Advantage

[12:50] The Growth Mindset

[16:08] Generosity as a Business Strategy

[20:16] Time, Resources, and Energy

[24:33] Ballroom Dance and Business

[28:35] Soccer and Business

[32:52] What Pastoring Taught Kenneth

[38:36] Storytelling and Becoming an Author

[43:20] How to Build a 90-Day Plan

[47:25] Stop Winging It

[48:16] Business Guardrails for Better Decisions

Key Takeaways:

* “I basically created a business that nobody wanted with messaging that was great for me, but didn't really make sense to anybody else.” ~Kenneth Kollasch

* “The thing that's always worked is staying in that context of I'm not there yet.” ~Kenneth Kollasch

* “For me generosity is worth the investment. I'd rather invest in generosity than I would Google and Meta ads.” ~Kenneth Kollasch

* “That's your time, that's your resources, and that's your energy.” ~Kenneth Kollasch

* “Setting up a 90 day plan is absolutely essential to really, I think, garnering momentum without burnout.” ~Kenneth Kollasch

* Creativity does not need to disappear when you professionalize your business. Build guardrails that let you test ideas without letting every new idea take over. ~Kenneth Kollasch

Keep In Touch with Kenneth Kollasch

Website: https://kennethcoaches.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethkollasch/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennethkollasch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennethkollasch/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kenneth.coaches/videos

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The Foot Doctor: How to Fix Your Feet Before It’s Too Late w/ Dr. Courtney Conley (LST #171) Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Learn Speak Teach Episode #171 with Dr. Courtney Conley and co-host Cal Fussman on the Real Business Connections Podcast.

Last time Cal Fussman was on the show, he and Ben somehow went on a 45-minute tangent about feet. Yes, feet. That conversation sparked a bigger question: why do we ignore the thing that carries us through life until it starts hurting?

So this time, Cal came back to co-host as Ben and Cal sit down with Dr. Courtney Conley, founder of Gait Happens, to talk about foot health, walking, shoes, toe strength, mobility, balance, and how your feet affect the way your whole body moves.

Dr. Courtney explains why your shoes may be making your feet weaker, why a wide toe box matters, how your big toe changes the function of your foot, and why toe weakness can become a warning sign as we age.

They also get into walking and mental health, barefoot movement, arch support, toe spacers, plantar fasciitis, falls, foot strength, and simple ways to start taking care of your feet before pain forces you to pay attention.

This conversation is practical, surprising, and way more interesting than most of us expected a conversation about feet to be.

If you have foot pain, tight shoes, weak toes, balance issues, or you simply want to move better and age stronger, this episode will help you see your feet differently.

- Cal and Ben’s Recent episode: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman4 -

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer + Intro

[03:39] Why We Ignore Our Feet

[05:39] Toe Strength and Fall Risk

[07:39] Feet as Sensory Organs

[09:00] How Modern Shoes Changed Our Feet

[10:52] Your Big Toe Matters

[11:41] Wide Toe Box vs. Wide Shoe

[14:08] Why Feet Need Arch Support

[19:14] How Feet Affect the Whole Body

[24:18] Walking Is Not Optional

[25:41] The 7,000 Step Sweet Spot

[30:24] Realizing You Neglected Your Feet

[49:11] Dr. Courtney’s Calling

[50:17] Cal’s Foot Health Breakthrough

Key Takeaways:

• “It’s like my passion in life for people to start paying attention to their feet.” ~Dr. Courtney Conley

• “If you don’t use it, you’re gonna lose it.” ~Dr. Courtney Conley

• “My non-negotiable for footwear with my patients is having a wide toe box.” ~Dr. Courtney Conley

• Walking is not optional. Dr. Courtney wants people to think of walking like breathing and sleeping: a basic foundation for health. ~Dr. Courtney Conley

• Toe weakness can be a major predictor of falls as we age. ~Dr. Courtney Conley

• “It’s wild to live your whole life and not know a very important part of yourself and basically kind of neglect it.” ~Cal Fussman

Keep In Touch with Dr. Courtney Conley:

Website: https://www.drcourtneyconley.com/

Gait Happens: https://gaithappens.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcourtneyconley/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcourtneyconley/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gait_happens

Keep In Touch with Cal Fussman:

Cal and Ben’s Recent episode: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman4

AI Cal: https://app.uare.ai/p/calfussman

Website: https://www.calfussman.com/

Big Questions Podcast: https://www.calfussman.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calfussman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calfussman/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalFussmanOfficial

Past RBC Episode with Cal: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman/

Past RBC Episode with Cal #2: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman2

Past RBC Episode with Cal #3: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman3/

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Can AI Cal Fussman Ask Questions Like the Real Cal Fussman? (LST #170) Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Learn Speak Teach Episode #170 with Cal Fussman on the Real Business Connections Podcast.

Can AI help us ask better questions without losing the heart of real conversation? In this episode, Ben Albert sits down with legendary interviewer Cal Fussman to explore AI Cal, an AI version of Cal built to help people think deeper, ask better questions, and prepare for more meaningful conversations.

Ben and Cal test AI Cal live on the show, turning the episode into a real-time experiment about curiosity, storytelling, podcasting, human connection, and the future of AI. They talk about the power of one great question, why silence matters, how AI can support creativity, and what still makes human conversations irreplaceable.

If you are a podcaster, creator, entrepreneur, speaker, or curious human trying to use AI without losing your humanity, this episode will help you think differently about questions, connection, and the art of conversation.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer + Intro

[04:05] AI Cal Is Officially Here

[07:15] Asking Better Love Questions

[08:32] The Right Questions for Podcasters

[10:11] Testing AI Cal Live

[10:42] The Heart and Art of Being Human

[11:49] Ben’s Interviewing Weakness

[15:39] One Question, Then Silence

[17:54] Taking Cal Somewhere New

[21:39] Training AI Cal to Follow the Heart

[26:10] Can AI Help Us Feel More Human?

[37:15] Using AI Cal for Real Interviews

[53:12] AI Can Structure, But Humans Connect

[01:31:42] Adapting to Something New

[01:34:02] Helping Podcasters Ask Better Questions

Key Takeaways:

• “AI’s now got all the answers. The value is in the quality of the questions.” ~Cal Fussman

• “One question, then silence. That’s the whole game.” ~AI Cal

• AI Cal is not meant to replace real conversation. It can help people prepare for better, deeper, more human conversations. ~Cal Fussman

• “Everything about my own sense of humanity is about being able to adapt.” ~Cal Fussman

• Ben felt more curious, connected, and invigorated using AI Cal than he often feels after being on social media. ~Ben Albert

• “The human connection that robot helped us bridge a gap, but the human connection was still, I think, in every piece of this conversation.” ~Ben Albert

Keep In Touch with Cal Fussman:

AI Cal: https://app.uare.ai/p/calfussman

Website: https://www.calfussman.com/

Big Questions Podcast: https://www.calfussman.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calfussman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calfussman/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalFussmanOfficial

Past RBC Episode with Cal: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman/

Past RBC Episode with Cal #2: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman2

Past RBC Episode with Cal #3: https://realbusinessconnections.com/podcast/calfussman3/

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Website: https://www.realbusinessconnections.com/

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Netflix DIDN'T Kill Blockbuster w/ Former CEO Jim Keyes (LST #169) Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Learn Speak Teach Episode #169 with former 7-Eleven and Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes on the Real Business Connections Podcast.

Most people think Netflix killed Blockbuster. Jim Keyes says the real story is bigger than that.

In this episode, Ben Albert sits down with Jim Keyes to talk about leadership, reinvention, education, and what really happened inside Blockbuster during the 2008 financial crisis.

Jim shares how he went from growing up poor in a three-room shack with no running water to leading two Fortune 500 companies. He also explains why his new book, Education Is Freedom, is about more than school. It is about knowledge, perspective, opportunity, and changing the direction of your life.

They talk about Jim’s time leading 7-Eleven, what Blockbuster taught him about timing and change, and how leaders decide when to protect the core business versus when to reinvent it.

If you’ve ever wondered why Blockbuster really failed, how education creates freedom, or what it takes to lead through crisis, this episode will give you a different perspective.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer + Intro

[01:15] Snoop Dogg, MrBeast, and Education Is Freedom

[05:19] From No Running Water to Fortune 500 CEO

[11:27] The Teachers Who Believed in Jim

[14:02] Saying Yes to Opportunity

[17:28] The Career Miracle That Led to 7-Eleven

[23:45] Becoming CEO of 7-Eleven

[26:12] Why Salary Won’t Make You Wealthy

[30:25] Netflix Didn’t Kill Blockbuster

[32:08] The 2008 Financial Crisis

[32:51] Jim’s Plan to Rebuild Blockbuster

[36:39] Why Jim Wrote Education Is Freedom

Key Takeaways:

• “Education is freedom. It sounds like a book about school. No. It’s a book about life.” ~Jim Keyes

• “I grew up with no running water in a three-room shack, and I led two Fortune 500 companies.” ~Jim Keyes

• “It was purely the power of knowledge.” ~Jim Keyes

• “Thank God for teachers who believed in me, libraries that opened their doors, books that opened my eyes to a world I never would have understood existed out there.” ~Jim Keyes

• “If you move for money, you’re making a big mistake. It’s never, ever, ever about the salary.” ~Jim Keyes

• “You’re gonna get wealthy through equity. And equity comes with tenure.” ~Jim Keyes

• “Change equals opportunity.” ~Jim Keyes

• “You can kick yourself forever, but you can also step back and realize no one could have predicted the 2008 financial crisis.” ~Jim Keyes

Keep In Touch with Jim Keyes:

Website: https://www.jameswkeyes.com/

Education Is Freedom: https://www.jameswkeyes.com/

Order Education Is Freedom: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Education-Is-Freedom/James-W-Keyes/9798888452493

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Jkeyesauthor

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How to Stand Out with Gumption in an AI World w/ Sabine Kvenberg (LST #168) Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Learn Speak Teach Episode #168 with Sabine Kvenberg on the Real Business Connections Podcast.

AI can give people the “3 steps to blank,” but it cannot live your story for you.

In this episode, Ben Albert sits down with Sabine Kvenberg to talk about gumption, storytelling, confidence, communication, and how to stand out in an AI-driven world.

Sabine shares why your lived experience is still your advantage, especially when everyone else is using AI to pump out generic content. She explains how to tell better stories, create real human connection, and bring more of yourself into your message, your content, and your business.

Ben and Sabine also talk about stage presence, personal branding, courage, and the unseen work behind the moments everyone remembers. Sabine breaks down how to make your “marquee” match who you really are, why the journey matters more than the shortcut, and how to take action on the thing you are most scared to do.

This conversation is practical, personal, and deeply human. It is about visibility without becoming fake, content without losing connection, and using your story as a doorway into trust.

If you are an entrepreneur, creator, speaker, coach, consultant, or business owner trying to stand out in a noisy AI world, this episode will help you lead with more gumption, more clarity, and more courage.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer + Intro

[03:04] Becoming an Actress

[07:21] Pippi Longstocking and Gumption

[09:41] Belonging on Stage

[13:46] Enjoying the Journey

[14:57] Sabine’s Book, Gumption

[17:58] Writing, AI, and Slowing Down

[20:17] Standing Out in an AI World

[22:24] Why Real Stories Stop the Scroll

[28:15] Turning Life Into Story

[36:33] How to Tell Better Stories

[42:45] Making Your Marquee Congruent

[46:47] The Invisible Stage

[53:33] Have Gumption and Take Action

Key Takeaways:

• “How do we stand out in this AI-driven world?” ~Sabine Kvenberg

• Master telling your story. If you want to build a serious and sustainable business, your real story is what helps people connect with you. ~Sabine Kvenberg

• “Pick the one thing you're most scared about. And just take action.” ~Sabine Kvenberg

• “Have gumption to say yes to that thing.” ~Sabine Kvenberg

• The shortcut may get you to the top faster, but the journey is where the growth, stories, and transformation happen. ~Sabine Kvenberg

• “We have to master the moments no one sees, to lead the moments everyone remembers.” ~Sabine Kvenberg

Keep In Touch with Sabine Kvenberg:

Website: https://sabinekvenberg.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinekvenberg/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SabineKvenberg/videos

Gumption: Sacred Whispers, Bold Moves, and the Courage to Become: https://a.co/d/06ihB2MH

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Human Behavior AI Private Training w/ Brian Bogert at GrowGetters ONLY (GG #38) Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Real Talk with GrowGetters Episode #38 featuring Brian Bogert.

AI is powerful, but it will not fix a broken process. It will just help you move faster in the wrong direction.

In this exclusive private session from the Real Business Connections Inner Circle, GrowGetters ONLY, Brian Bogert joins Ben Albert for a real conversation about human behavior, AI, automation, business systems, and what entrepreneurs need to understand before adding more tools.

This conversation is not available for everyone to hear. It was created for members inside the GrowGetters ONLY community.

Brian explains why awareness and intentionality have to come before artificial intelligence, and why so many business owners are using AI to automate things they have not actually thought through.

The conversation explores time compression, decision fatigue, context switching, referrals, relationship-building, system waste, and how to use AI without losing the human element that actually makes business work.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, coach, consultant, or service provider trying to use AI in a way that saves time, creates clarity, and keeps business personal, this private strategy session will give you a smarter way to think about technology, people, and growth.

Keep In Touch with Brian Bogert:

Brian Bogert: https://brianbogert.com/

Time Compression AI: https://timecompression.ai/

Flipping The Lid: https://www.flippingthelid.com/

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