Start With A Win

Latest Episodes:

Dr. Laura Gallaher: Why Embracing Stress as a Choice CHANGES Everything Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with organizational psychologist Dr. Laura Gallaher to uncover the surprising root of leadership stress and how radical self-acceptance plays a transformative role in professional growth. With decades of experience helping elite organizations—from NASA to Fortune 500 companies—Dr. Laura challenges conventional thinking around chaos, culture, and control. This conversation is an eye-opening exploration of how leaders unintentionally undermine psychological safety, and how understanding the science behind self-awareness can revolutionize the way we lead and live. Tune in to discover how to detox leadership overwhelm and elevate your impact—this one will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Dr. Laura Gallaher is a professional speaker and organizational psychologist who inspires driven self-starters to transform their relationship with themselves and accomplish more than ever. She combines insights on radical self-acceptance with humor to create a unique connection with her audience. Despite being a national best-selling author, Dr. Laura stands out from the typical "academic" personality of her PhD peers. Her notable achievements include being hired by NASA to reshape organizational culture after the Columbia accident, leading significant changes in performance management at Disney, and inspiring Yahoo’s global teams to pursue transformation from within.

00:00 Intro
02:35 Can culture blow up a company?
03:50 Can leaders bully employees intellectually?
06:15 Do defense mechanisms have an impact on the team?
08:01 Is stress a choice? First choice is what story…
10:35 Ability to set boundaries, is a way to reinforce this!
14:45 Instead of judging yourself, how can you do this…
17:30 How can leaders get better at growing together?
20:47 How to break free of this judgement pattern?
25:55 Moving my body with this is how I start my day with a win!

Dr. Laura's Links:
linkedin.com/in/laura-gallaher-phd
drlauragallaher.com
selfacceptancequiz.com
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Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
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YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

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Connect with Adam:
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Website ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/
Facebook ➡︎ https://facebook.com/AdamContosCEO
Twitter ➡︎ https://twitter.com/AdamContosCEO
Instagram ➡︎ https://instagram.com/adamcontosceo/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Tony Martignetti: The Best Way to Build Trust With Your Team Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

In this insightful episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos welcomes leadership advisor and author Tony Martignetti for a deeply human conversation on unlocking true leadership potential. With a compelling mix of personal storytelling, artistic reflection, and seasoned business insight, Tony peels back the layers of what makes a leader truly impactful. From his unexpected path to leadership to the emotional undercurrents of the three C’s in his book, this episode dives beneath surface-level strategy into the heart of authentic influence. If you're ready to rethink what it means to lead—and to lead well—this conversation will challenge and inspire you in unexpected ways.

Tony Martignetti is a trusted advisor, coach, experience creator, author, podcast host, and speaker. He brings together over 25 years of business and management experience, formal training, and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential. He loves guiding people to find clarity in their lives, so they are energized, fully present, and unstoppable. When leaders unlock their potential and lead from a place of inspired purpose, they impact and inspire everyone around them. He has dedicated himself to helping people live inspired lives.

00:00 Intro
01:40 Forcing yourself into a role that doesn't fit you?
04:55 My guests shared with me a gift, so I needed to pass them on!
06:06 Why does the brain remember things in threes or fives, the three C’s?
12:40 The biggest failure in leadership today!
15:34 Ability to expand our attention span is not possible.
17:52 Why are leaders hiding?
23:19 Leadership wisdom….
25:05 Sharpen your saw…

https://www.ipurposepartners.com/
https://linktr.ee/inspiredcoach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignett1/

===========================
Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:📱
===========================
YT ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/@AdamContosCEO
Apple ➡︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-with-a-win/id1438598347
Spotify ➡︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/4w1qmb90KZOKoisbwj6cqT

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Mike Erwin: The Blueprint for Building an Unstoppable Team Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos welcomes leadership expert and combat veteran Mike Erwin for a compelling conversation on what truly separates great leaders from failing ones—often without them even realizing it. With a rich background spanning military service, Fortune 500 consulting, and in-depth research on leadership psychology, Mike dives into the game-changing power of relationships in leadership. He challenges the transactional mindset, emphasizing the need for connection, the a word no one wants to talk about, and setting the bar high to unlock untapped potential. Packed with real-world stories and powerful insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game and build stronger, more resilient teams.

Mike Erwin is a dedicated leader and founder of The Character & Leadership Center, working with organizations like Amazon, the Boston Celtics, and the U.S. military. He co-authored Lead Yourself First and Leadership is a Relationship, emphasizing solitude and relational leadership. A West Point graduate and former Army Intelligence Officer, Mike served in three combat tours, earning two Bronze Star Medals. He also founded Team Red, White & Blue, supporting veterans’ health, and co-founded the Positivity Project, which reaches over 500,000 children daily. Mike continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves.

00:00 Intro
02:15 Four intense years of leadership!
03:59 Leadership, is it a relationship?
06:35 Leadership is not this, management can be.
08:15 The big A word!
11:19 Can you get over the high bar?
13:40 The T word and being consistent with it!
18:25 Dueling Pianos?
22:32 Massive leadership impact…
27:01 I thank this person and straight into this…

https://characterleadership.center/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Quick Win - Leadership Starts With Your Attitude Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Unlock the essence of leadership with a single guiding force: Attitude! 🌟 The journey of leadership commences with the energy you bring to the table. Whether it's a conversation, a statement, or an action, your attitude sets the tone.
Start with the right attitude, and watch the magic unfold! ✨ A positive, can-do approach filled with optimism and good spirit not only influences your perspective but also inspires those you lead. It's a ripple effect that shapes the dynamics of the entire team.
Leadership is, at its core, an attitude game. Begin with the intention of fostering a great attitude within yourself, and that positivity will resonate with your team. 🚀 Your quick win for today: embrace the power of attitude in leadership. Reflect on your approach, infuse it with positivity, and witness the transformation in your leadership journey.
Share your thoughts on how attitude plays a role in your leadership style! 💬 #LeadershipAttitude #PositiveLeadership #AttitudeMatters

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Why Your Team is Disengaged — And How to Fix It Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership
Want weekly leadership content? Go here ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com

In this powerful episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos sits down with leadership expert and bestselling author Coach Kon to uncover the secret to unlocking true employee engagement. With decades of experience transforming workplaces, Kon shares eye-opening insights on why businesses—big and small—struggle with disengagement and what leaders can do to create a thriving, high-performance culture. From the impact of the Great Resignation to the staggering financial cost of lost productivity, this conversation dives deep into the reality of workplace motivation. But the real magic? Kon reveals the four key drivers that can turn disengaged employees into committed, high-performing team members. Don’t miss this engaging and thought-provoking discussion—it could change the way you lead forever!
Konstantinos Apostolopoulos (Coach Kon) is the Founder & CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions, helping organizations develop talent, improve results, and drive change. An award-winning coach and international speaker, he is a Thinkers 360 Global Top-50 Thought Leader in resilience and performance.
His best-selling books, The Engagement Blueprint and 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis, equip leaders with strategies for building commitment and navigating challenges. With experience across North America and Europe, Konstantinos empowers businesses to lead with impact and adapt to transformation

00:00 Intro
03:01 Two trends that started his research!
07:15 How can a leader run a small business if employees are disengaged?
10:10 Deep level of disengagement, quiet quitting?
12:06 Four drivers of engagement!
21:25 Don’t always have to move vertically.
25:56 Start where everything starts…

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Mastering Personal Branding in 2025 / Paige Velasques Budde Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos sits down with marketing trailblazer Paige Velasquez Budde to dive into the evolving world of branding and trust in leadership. As corporate credibility dwindles, the modern CEO must rethink their approach—moving beyond faceless logos to create people-driven brands that resonate on a personal level. Paige, the dynamic CEO of Zilker Media, unveils the secrets behind leveraging authenticity, thought leadership, and visibility to build influence and scale a business. If you're ready to discover how trust has become the ultimate currency in today’s market—and how you can harness it to gain a competitive edge—you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Paige Velasquez Budde is Partner and CEO at Zilker Media, an Austin-based agency specializing in people-driven branding. Under her leadership, Zilker Media has been recognized as one of Austin’s Fastest Growing Companies and Best Places to Work. A sought-after speaker, she has led workshops for Ernst & Young, Harvard Medical School, The University of Texas athletics, and more. She has spearheaded marketing strategies for top thought leaders, including New York Times bestsellers Geoff Colvin and Sally Hogshead, and advised major brands like Russell Stover and a2 Milk. Her expertise has been featured in Inc., Texas CEO Magazine, Business.com, and more.

00:00 Intro
01:40 Key principle is this…
04:50 Transition from the brand to this and why it is important…
07:15 Two marketing concepts and leaders need a combination!
10:18 Leaders need to understand it is about this so they can win.
12:41 This can make or break a business!
14:01 More able to story tell, the better: Three areas leaders need!
19:10 Influencer, how to become a business influencer?
22:20 Smallest things make the biggest impact!
25:05 This is where a leader starts.
30:06 Best way to Start Your Day with a Win!

https://zilkermedia.com/

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Coach JV Shares His TOP Secrets For Creating Freedom in Business Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos dives into the power of holistic freedom with his guest, Coach JV. Coach JV shares his remarkable journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, and building a thriving ecosystem of businesses. He reveals what is required to achieve true success and why taking control of your life is the key to lasting fulfillment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on mindset, resilience, and creating the life you truly want!

Coach JV woke up from an attempted suicide on December 18th, 2006, to a book called “The Secret.” From that day forth, the next 17 years of his life would never be the same.
After his attempted suicide, JV pursued a bachelor’s degree and graduated from CBA executive banking school and soon scaled himself up to vice president at a large bank. After years of dedication to the corporation, he went through a great spiritual awaking and started to see the system for what it was. He decided to leave the high-paid VP job and with his business partner Cesar Jeremy Quintanilla, created a million-dollar FREEDOM company called 3T Warrior Academy. 3T Warrior Academy has helped thousands of warriors worldwide break free from the job just over broke system and learn how to journey to freedom in mindset, in health, and in generational wealth building.

Co-founder of 3T Warrior Academy, a million-dollar business, and Freedom Asset Management Company; Co-creator of Merlin, a cutting-edge crypto tracker; Social media powerhouse with over 2 million combined followers; Featured in IrishTechNews, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Apple News, and NewsNationUSA

00:00 Intro
01:35 the secret…where my journey began!
04:10 There was no plan B and this is how I built my resilience!
06:10 Knowledge without this is deadly…
07:57 Our motto…
11:17 This saying may be cliché however is soooo true!
12:55 Holistic what?
16:50 You need this for your fitness, your business, your finances…
19:10 There are three people…
21:25 When you find this or remember this, this will happen!
25:15 All this is for me not against me!

3twarrioracademy
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-coach-jv-podcast/id1265657533
https://www.youtube.com/@3TWarriorAcademy

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

How To Grow a Business with Leadership Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Some people want to start a business but are overwhelmed to the point of inaction. Yet strategic action offsets overwhelm. How can you propel yourself to move forward in your career?

Today on Start With a Win, host Adam Contos joins Pat on his podcast: In the latest episode of Destination Business Freedom, Pat Mancuso invites Adam Contos, a Partner at Area 15 Ventures, to speak about building ventures through effective leadership. Adam shares some of his favorite books and most influential mentors, his leadership philosophy and personal wisdom, and how he began franchising businesses with RE/MAX Holdings.

Former real estate CEO and leadership coach Adam Contos maintains that you must be held accountable for taking action on your vision. However, less than 1% of people can hold themselves accountable regularly for their entrepreneurial endeavors, leading small businesses to fail in the first year. Instead, you should acquire a coach or leader to develop an accountability system. Exceptional leaders influence and guide you to accomplish a task or vision by building trust and practicing what they preach. With an inspirational leader, you can identify the mental gaps in your personal and professional life and take action for future growth.

Quotable Moments:
"Ultimately, it comes down to, ‘how can you be accountable for taking that action?’ If there's no accountability, there's no action."
"Leaders influence and guide somebody in order to accomplish a task or change a vision or establish values within an organization."
"People will give way more than that 40% effort if they are so engaged and so inspired by the leadership in that organization."
"We looked for people, systems, and products, and we found it at Port of Subs. It was rock solid."
"Stay hungry and stay humble. There is no job that is too small for a key leader to go and do."

Action Steps:
1. Define your destination in entrepreneurial ventures: It's crucial for business owners to have a clear objective; mapping a destination helps bridge the gap between their current state and future success.
2. Embrace change and lead through transformation: Change is inevitable in all industries; by adapting and leading effectively through it, a business can stay relevant and competitive.
3. Establish a system of accountability: To ensure action and avoid stagnation, accountability keeps individuals on track with their entrepreneurial goals.
4. Focus on relationship-building within organizations: Strong interpersonal connections can elevate employee experiences and translate to enhanced customer interaction and retention.
5. Stay informed and educated about industry developments: Ongoing learning about tools, trends, and changes, such as in AI, enables leaders to anticipate shifts and harness opportunities for growth.

Sponsor for the Destination Business Freedom episode...

This episode is brought to you by the Mancuso Consulting Group, a go-to resource for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business owners dedicated to personal and business growth. Our team of experts has coached, consulted, and trained over 15,000 entrepreneurs, C-suite leaders, and business owners in areas of sales, leadership, organizational development, and personal growth. Additionally, Pat Mancuso has launched multiple multimillion-dollar business ventures, giving him a firsthand understanding of entrepreneurs' daily challenges.

At the Mancuso Consulting Group, we are committed to exploring innovative ways to help businesses and leaders grow their people and improve their bottom lines. To learn how the Mancuso Consulting Group can help you unlock your full potential, visit www.themancusomethod.com, email us at pat@themancusomethod.com, or call 651-503-7355.

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

WHY You Need to Become a Caring Leader with Daisy Auger-Dominguez Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Grab paper/pen, your computer, your journal, in this engaging episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos sits down with workplace strategy expert Daisy Auger-Domínguez to explore the art of building thriving, high-performing teams in today’s evolving work environment and you will want to take notes! With a career spanning leadership roles at Google, Disney, and Vice Media, Daisy shares her journey from credit risk analyst to people-centric leadership. They discuss the pivotal role empathy and emotional intelligence play in sustainable leadership, highlighting the importance of mental health, flexibility, and authentic care in driving productivity. Tune in to learn how leaders can create environments where their teams truly flourish.

Daisy Auger-Domínguez is a global leader, speaker, and workplace strategist. With years of experience leading global human capital practices at companies like Google, Disney and Vice Media, she equips managers and leaders with the skills they need to build high-performing teams and shift culture to drive performance without burning out. Daisy also advises startup and venture technology companies that are building a better future of work, helping founders create impactful and lasting solutions. Her books, Inclusion Revolution and the forthcoming Burnt Out to Lit Up, offer actionable strategies for building inclusive workplaces and revitalizing leadership practices. Described as a calming and invigorating voice, Daisy prioritizes people and culture as a winning strategy.

A dynamic storyteller, her insights have been featured at TEDx and in publications including the Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Her contributions have earned her accolades such as being named one of Hispanic Executive's Top 10 Leaders and one of People en Español's 25 Most Powerful Women. Daisy serves on the Board of Trustees at Bucknell University, her alma mater.

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

Health Habits That Make You a BETTER Leader Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Calling all Leaders, this is Part 2 with Blair LaCorte, if you missed Part 1 go back and listen as that is a masterclass of leadership wealth, you can’t miss! In this episode of Start With a Win, Adam welcomes back dynamic business leader Blair for the insightful conversation on longevity. Blair unveils the often-overlooked crisis of health span in America, where the nation ranks 39th globally in longevity, despite its technological advancements. With a focus on actionable advice, Blair reveals five simple yet transformative strategies to help extend your health span, including powerful tips on combating chronic inflammation and leveraging modern health technology. This episode offers a fresh perspective on aging that leaders can't afford to miss.

Blair LaCorte is a dynamic business executive whose career spans the entertainment, aviation, AI, technology, aerospace, and supply chain sectors. Renowned for his insatiable curiosity, collaborative spirit, and competitive drive, Blair has successfully steered companies like Lumos Technologies, XOJET, and Vertical Networks from startup phases to IPOs.

Blair's exceptional talent for engaging and motivating teams to achieve strategic and operational excellence sets him apart. His knack for transferring best practices across diverse industries has driven remarkable growth and substantial investor returns. Beyond his executive roles, Blair's dedication to mentorship and team building shines through his support for over a hundred companies and nonprofits as an investor and adviser.

A Dartmouth Tuck School MBA, recipient of the prestigious Leibowitz Award, and a participant in Stanford's executive coursework, Blair's academic credentials bolster his impressive career. His journey is a powerful testament to the impact of innovative thinking and transformational leadership in achieving extraordinary business success.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-lacorte-68084/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blair.lacorte

⚡️FREE RESOURCE: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱? ➡︎ https://adamcontos.com/myleadership

#adamcontos #startwithawin #leadershipfactory

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