12 Minute Convos W/ Engel Jones

Michele Barard, a New Orleans native, holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Agnes Scott College. She has lived in Mexico and Central America, gaining valuable international experience. Throughout her career, Michele has demonstrated success in program management, technical writing, and software training and documentation. Michele has designed and led client education programs for cloud computing companies, achieving over 90% client satisfaction and 98% new feature adoption. Her professional journey includes roles such as Trainer for LLM Practice, Technical Writer, Head of Client Services, and Professional Services Program Manager. In 2012, Michele founded Urban Book Editor, helping aspiring authors with professional editing, book marketing, and consulting services. Her passion for writing extends both personally and professionally, and she has authored and contributed to non-fiction and poetry books, including "20 Beautiful Women, Vol 3," "Editing Your Book for Self-Publishing: A Practical

Carol Kabaale creates predictable pipelines of warm leads for female coaches & service providers. Carol doesn't believe in just running ads—she builds an ecosystem that ensures seamless messaging, high-converting funnels, and data-driven ad strategies that bring predictable, scalable results. She knows firsthand the frustration of throwing money at ads without a clear strategy, and she's on a mission to change that. From targeting the right audience to optimizing funnels and crafting magnetic messaging, she helps coaches stop guessing and start scaling. When she's not helping entrepreneurs generate high-quality leads, Carol can be found hanging out with her husband & Boston Terrier, sipping on a glass of wine, or enjoying some well-deserved carbs! Connect with Carol

Paul Tembunde is a business executive, mindset coach, and transformation expert based in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. With over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, Paul combines practical business acumen with powerful mindset principles to help others unlock their full potential. As the co-founder of a successful homecare agency franchise and Premiere Destiny LLC, Paul's journey from credit-card entrepreneur to industry leader offers valuable insights for listeners seeking both business success and personal growth. After graduating cum laude with a degree in Business Finance, Paul and his wife Joan took a leap of faith in 2002, purchasing a homecare agency franchise with limited experience but boundless determination. Over the next 23 years, they built an organization that has served thousands of seniors and employed thousands of team members, becoming role models within their industry. Paul attributes much of their success to developing the right mindset and applying powerful goal-setting techniqu

Justin Shelley has been in love with technology since his father brought home an Apple IIe when he was just 12 years old. But more than technology, Justin loves the world of business and entrepreneurship. As a child, he watched his parents struggle, and eventually lose their first business. Today his passion is helping his clients leverage technology to build their businesses, with the ultimate goal of preventing them from losing everything in the event of a cyber attack. Cybercrime is everywhere, and class-action lawsuits are following in the wake. This deadly combination is destroying businesses and lives. Justin has a simple formula that will prevent both. Justin Shelley's Website

Larry Bograd is an award-winning, widely translated author whose works have been published by Farrar/Straus, Harper and Macmillan. In addition to a UK edition, his books were translated into Japanese, French, Swedish, Danish and German. His first book, Felix in the Attic, won the Bank Street College Irma Simonton Black "Best Book for Children" award, and his novel Los Alamos Light was selected as a UNESCO Book for Peace. He has an extensive backlist and several anthologized short stories. His success as a children's book and young adult author was cut short by censorship and book banning because he wrote honestly about childhood poverty and adolescent sexuality. When it became clear that no publisher would promote his work, he turned to playwriting, screenwriting and documentary filmmaking. He lives in Denver, Colorado. Blood Flow is a dual memoir that travels back and forth in time, recounting the suicide of author Larry Bograd's physician father just two weeks after Larry's bar mitzvah, as well as Larry's

I'm a young, black man from the, not so nice, parts of Brooklyn, NY. I grew up 2 inches from being poor. I've been robbed, shot at, slashed, almost died 5+ times and still was able to pull myself out of the dumps, by God's grace. Where I'm from, no-one speaks about their mental health, how to increase your net worth, or even how to communicate effectively to get what and where you want. I had to learn and fight for this on my own. I've been blessed and protected by God to help people achieve the, perceived, impossible. I now coach people on how to practically achieve their goals and to stop just dreaming. We use communication, refined strategy, and relentless action to achieve anything. I teach my students about "Beam" focus and the damage they can deal to the obstacles in the way of their goals. LinkedIn

Kathryn Ficarra has over two decades of experience at the VP level across diverse industries, including start-ups, gaming, and e-commerce. Now, as a transformational architect, she helps high-performers decode the DNA of extraordinary leadership through her proprietary IMPACT Framework—a revolutionary approach to executive presence that goes beyond traditional leadership development. In addition to her leadership work, Kathryn is a licensed facilitator of the Purpose Assessment, a science-backed tool that helps leaders align their purpose with their work, driving both fulfillment and performance. Kathryn Ficarra's Website

With her passion for innovation and never-ending optimism, Sara Frasca is a business growth expert. Honing her skills in senior leadership roles in both the corporate and startup worlds, Sara now serves as CEO for Point NorthEast, a global business coaching firm. She takes leading organizations on a journey to cultivate human imagination, build a culture of accountability, and solve complex problems to drive business growth. Sara is the go-to guide for leaders seeking a competitive advantage and sustainable success. Prior to Point NorthEast, Sara spent 13 years at General Mills in multiple leadership roles. She was also part of several start-up organizations, leading the forefront of digital transformation for Fortune 500 brands. Sara is also the proud founder and owner of the award-winning restaurant Trasca & Co. Eatery and was named the Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to being a mother of five, this former Minnesota native turned Florida transplant enjoys long, sunn

Survivor of Narcissistic Abuse | Author of Bride-Made I am a survivor of 29 years of covert narcissistic abuse. In 2024, I published my memoir, Bride-Made, to share my journey and shed light on the emotional and psychological impact of narcissism. My mission is to raise awareness, offer support, and empower other survivors to find their voices and begin their path to healing.

I'm an author, speaker, and consultant in the fields of user experience, startup strategy, and career development for women, especially in technical fields. I consider myself an unabashed practial-ist when about helping teams create digital products that people actually like and want to use. I started at Amazon as a UX leader, went on to a nutty and busy consulting career with dozens of companies (many super-early-stage startups) and giant organizations. I am utterly convinced that 'Corporate Underpants' (internal politics that show through in your products) are a much bigger problem than existing processes can solve, and that focusing on executive and stakeholder alignment is the key. I believe that, to become senior and leaders in the world of digital products, product and ux people have to become masters of managing up, wrangling politics, and embracing assumptions before they gather data. I have my own process to help with this, which I call Align Before Design. It's a workshop that anyone can run and it

Bonnie D'Arcangelo is a clinical herbalist and holistic health consultant with a Master of Science in Herbal Medicine and is a certified Aromatherapist with the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. She is the co-founder of AEtherbal (Ee-th-herbal) and the founder of Veusebeia (Veh-you-say-bee-ya) Phytotherapy Center. She is the herbal formulator of AEtherbal's topical products that blend science and herbal medicine to provide advanced delivery of medicinal herbs. She has helped hundreds of people to live pain-free lives and find relief for "What Ails" them. Bonnie also seeks to give back to nature what she takes and is the founder and president of Michigan Protects a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to plant and protect native Michigan medicinal plants that are at-risk for extinction.  Website

Tom Fox is the Voice of Compliance, having founded the only podcast network in compliance, the award-winning Compliance Podcast Network. It currently has 60 podcasts. Tom has won multiple awards for podcast hosting and producing and was honored with a Webby for his series Looking Back on 9/11. He is an Executive leader at the C-Suite Network, the world’s most trusted network of C-Suite leaders. He is also the co-founder of the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network. He can be reached at tfox@tfoxlaw.com. Tom Fox's Website

Josh Bledsoe is a dedicated leader serving in both the civilian and military sectors. As a key member of Dale Carnegie, the world’s top training and development organization, Josh is helping shape global strategies while prioritizing time with his family. He’s also a Squadron Commander in the U.S. Air Force, leading a diverse team of 75 defenders in Charlotte, where his leadership is grounded in humility, active listening, and mentorship across generations. Over the past nine years since his first appearance on the podcast, Josh has embraced growth through reflection, resilience, and responsibility—values he instills in his two young children, Asher and Piper. Despite personal challenges, including a divorce, Josh remains grounded and forward-focused, choosing opportunities that align with his values of family and service. With a passion for creating harmony over balance, Josh continues to lead by example, mentoring others while staying open to learning—from both seasoned professionals and new recruits. He be

Host of Future of Fitness Podcast + Founder of Podcast Collective Eric Malzone is the mastermind behind Podcast Collective and the Future of Fitness podcast, where he transforms fitness, health, and wellness brands into industry leaders. With a background in corporate America and successful ventures in gym ownership, Eric has become a prominent voice in the industry, hosting over 700 interviews with top professionals. His expertise spans coaching elite brands like F45 and Morpheus Labs, helping them scale globally. Partnering with Eric means aligning with a visionary who redefines brand narratives through innovative podcast media and strategic growth. Eric Malzone's Website LinkedIn

Yvonne Trost is the co-founder of LimitlessYou, a transformational coaching company dedicated to helping high-achieving professionals break free from subconscious limitations and create deeply fulfilling lives and relationships. With a background in corporate leadership and personal development, Yvonne knows firsthand the pressures of success, the toll it takes on personal well-being, and the struggle to find true happiness despite outward accomplishments. After years of chasing external validation—climbing the corporate ladder, maintaining the "perfect" image, and striving for more—she realized that happiness isn’t found in achievements but in deep inner transformation. Through LimitlessYou, Yvonne has helped countless individuals rewire their subconscious minds, release self-doubt, and step into a life of confidence, peace, and emotional freedom. Her approach combines neuroscience-backed subconscious reprogramming, hypnosis, and coaching to create lasting change. Yvonne is passionate about guiding others to

Dan Clouser is an author, blogger, podcast host, inspirational speaker, and consultant with a powerful mission rooted in storytelling, service, and personal transformation. For over 30 years, Dan served as the founder and director of the Berkshire Baseball & Softball Club, which later evolved into the BIG Vision Foundation. Through managing youth teams, organizing tournaments, and overseeing a 130-acre sports complex, Dan dedicated his life to teaching leadership and life lessons to young athletes through sports and community service. In 2019, Dan and his wife, Sandy, felt a divine calling that led them to take a leap of faith. They sold most of their belongings and began a cross-country journey in their RV with their golden retriever, Youkilis. This wasn't just a road trip — it was a continuation of a legacy. Dan’s mother, Loretta Magary, a free-spirited woman and true adventurer, had embarked on a similar journey in the 1980s, traveling the country in a 1967 Plymouth Valiant and later a 1978 Toyota camp

Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning independent author, speaker, trauma-informed faith-based self-love coach, former podcast host, founder of 4F Media, and creator of the S.E.L.F.© process for life transformation. As a childhood trauma survivor, Danielle combines her personal journey with professional expertise to lead others into the transformation they long for through her books, coaching, courses, and speaking. She is a relationship repair specialist and is known as “that lady on the internet who loves you.” Books: Emerging With Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain, And The LOVE that Heals, Because You Matter: How to Take Ownership of Your Life so You Can Really Live, Taco ‘Bout Your Value: Fun to Feed Your Self-Esteem. Digital only: A Bird Named Payn, Love’s Manifesto Website

Travis I. Sivart is a prolific author of Fantasy, Science Fiction, Social DIY, and more. He's created The Traverse Reality, a shared universe that connects his cyberpunk, fantasy, and steampunk worlds, and writes characters who come to life. Travis I. Sivart has been writing and telling stories since he was a young child. Perhaps it was inevitable that he would call grappling with words and language a career—and loving every moment. He is privileged to share his work with a large and welcoming audience. Get in touch to discover more about his work, writing process, and future endeavors. You can find him live-streaming the writing and editing of his latest project from his home in Central Virginia, surrounded by too many cats. LINKS: Website Target

Osvaldo Aponte is a highly credentialed fitness professional and educator, originally from Puerto Rico, with a passion for empowering individuals to achieve peak performance. With a Bachelor degree from San Diego State University and an extensive military background as a U.S. Army Sergeant, Osvaldo's approach is rooted in discipline, precision, and evidence-based practices. He holds an impressive array of certifications, including CSCS, StrongFirst Elite Instructor and Team Leader, Z-Health Trainer (R-Phase, I-Phase, S-Phase, T-Phase), Certified Functional Strength Coach, Pain-Free Performance Specialist, Functional Movement Systems, USA Weightlifting Coach, and Functional Gait Specialist Level One. These qualifications underscore his dedication to mastering the science and art of fitness. Osvaldo shares his life with his wife, Erica Buechner, a professional teaching artist and dancer. Together, they bring a unique synergy to fitness and movement education, frequently collaborating to teach StrongFirst Worksh

Rebecca Whitman is an international best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and highly sought-after Magnetic Abundance Mentor. A proud Princeton University graduate (with honors), Rebecca has been named Life Coach of the Year and Empowered Woman of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals. In 2024, USA Today listed her among the Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Watch. She is the dynamic host of the globally top 1% ranked podcast, Balanced, Beautiful, and Abundant, which received the Positive Change Award. Through her signature framework—the 7 Pillars of Abundance (spiritual, physical, emotional, romantic, mental, social, and financial)—Rebecca empowers individuals to live with more balance, fun, and freedom. Her thought leadership has been featured in New York Weekly, Miami Magazine, and LA Weekly. She has appeared on ABC and CBS, and has guested on over 100 podcasts. Rebecca has also delivered keynote speeches at Columbia University and UCLA and has shared virtual stages with legends such as