The Business of Thought Leadership Podcast
2015 - 2016 Archived Pages
This was the website for the podcast, The Business Of Thought Leadership, co-hosted by Nicky Billou and Michael Palmer.
Content is from the site's 2015 - 2016 archived pages.
MAKE THE DIFFERENCE YOU WERE BORN TO MAKE
The Business of Thought Leadership podcast is about building your thought leadership around your expertise, your brand and your name. To become well known and highly regarded in the market place for the results you are able to produce for your clients.
Our guests are top thought leaders who have done it. They’ve become widely known for their expertise and results they’re able to deliver for their clients. They all love what they do and get paid very well for doing it.
You’ll meet entrepreneurs that have leveraged thought leadership in driving business revenue, coaches that were unknown and barely making ends who later became celebrities and took their income into the 7 figures, consultants that transformed into best-selling authors and built multi-million dollar firms and senior executives who followed their passion, left their day jobs and are changing the world.
We’ve had interviews with notables such as success and investment coaching icon, Raymond Aaron, a personal coach to billionaires, Alex Charfen & Tony Robbins’ Director of Coaching, Marc Von Musser.
Steve Jobs once said...
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” — Steve Jobs
Are you crazy enough to join us in making the difference you were born to make. We want you to 10x your impact, your income and your influence every 12 months.
Financially successful people with purpose and passion are changing the world and we want to inspire you to be one of them.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist
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YOUR CO-HOSTS
NICKY BILLOU

Nicky has spent the last 20 years figuring out the mindset of champions. He has worked with athletes and entrepreneurs at the highest levels, from Olympic Gold to billionaires. Nicky will ignite your passion and push you to go further than you think possible.
MICHAEL PALMER
Michael is one of the top strategists and thinkers in the the thought leadership space. He has been helping entrepreneurs exponentially grow their business and their time off for years, with great success. Michael is going to help you take a quantum leap with your market message and build a million dollar audience.
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BOOKS
Available on Amazon
THOUGHT LEADER PRACTICE

An expert is someone who knows something. A thought leader is someone who is known for knowing something. If you can leverage your personal brand as an expert, you can build a practice that helps you make the difference you were born to make. This book shows you how to take what you know and develop it into an advice-based professional consulting practice. Inside, the authors unpack a step-by-step process that will help you build a 'business' around brand you.
DUCT TAPE SELLING
![Duct Tape Selling: Think Like a Marketer-Sell Like a Superstar by [Jantsch, John]](/images/Duct-Tape-Selling.jpg)
In Duct Tape Selling, Jantsch shows how to tackle a changing sales environment, whether you’re an inpidual or charged with leading a sales team. You will learn to think like a marketer as you:
- Create an expert platform
- Become an authority in your field
- Mine networks to create critical relationships within your company and among your clients
- Build and utilize your Sales Hourglass
- Finish the sale and stay connected
- Make referrals an automatic part of your process.
Duct Tape Selling w/ John Jantsch (How to Sell Yourself Without Being Sleazy)
John Jantsch is a marketing consultant, speaker and best selling author of Duct Tape Selling, Duct Tape Marketing, Duct Tape Selling, The Commitment Engine, and The Referral Engine. He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing System and Duct Tape Marketing Consulting Network that trains and licenses small business marketing consultants around the world.
He frequently consults with small and mid-sized businesses helping them create marketing plans and organized marketing systems that smooth the way for steady growth. His blog was chosen as a Forbes favorite for marketing and small business and his podcast, a top ten marketing show on iTunes, was called a “must listen” by Fast Company magazine. Huffington Post calls him one of the top 100 “Must Follow” on Twitter and Forbes named Duct Tape Marketing one of the 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs.
He is the featured marketing contributor to American Express OPENForum and is a popular presenter of workshop and webinars for organizations such as American Express, Intuit, Verzion, HP, and Citrix. His practical take on small business is often cited as a resource in publications such as the Wall St. Journal, New York Times, and CNNMoney.
RELATIONSHIP REVOLUTION

Overview
Any relationship can work.
In The Relationship Revolution, Owen Williams calls on couples to stop working in their relationship and start working on it.
When couples work in their relationship, they compete against each other. They justify themselves, play the blame game, and compare each other's level of effort. It's not long before they say, “A relationship that takes this much work isn't worth saving.”
When couples work on their relationship, they co-create the relationship they both dream of. Their focus is on the needs of the relationship. Instead of fixating on their inpidual shortcomings, they concentrate on the potential of what they can build together.
Then, as they discover what their relationship needs, each inpidual is naturally drawn to what keeps them from offering their best to the relationship. Before long the two — inpidually and together — evaluate their beliefs about themselves and the world.
While relatively untroubled relationships can easily fall apart under the first approach, relationships marked by infidelity, loss, betrayal, or long-term disconnection can make the journey back to health under the second.
Welcome to the revolution.
OWEN WILLIAMS is a Relationship Coach and the founder of Inner Directions — The Centre for Relationship Excellence, in Toronto, Canada. He won the 2008 Ron Hering Award in recognition of his service to men in his community. He has co-hosted a radio show on relationships and is a popular keynote speaker, presenter, and facilitator.
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The Thought Leader Revolution PODCASTS
EP17: BARBARA CORCORAN - HOW TO IMPRESS A SHARK

EP17: Barbara Corcoran - How To Impress A Shark
Shark Tank.
With its 8th season underway, the hugely successful ABC reality TV show has made some entrepreneurs' dreams come true and broken a few of their hearts as well.
Multi-millionaire real estate mogul & business expert, Barbara Corcoran is one of the members of that esteemed Shark Tank panel.
She shares with us her recipe for identifying what type of entrepreneur she would invest in.
During this episode, you'll learn...
- Why you don't need to have a high IQ to be successful in Barbara's eyes
- The importance of character and why blaming others will get your picture flipped upside down in her office
- Why Barbara appreciates grit and those who are able to slug it out over the long haul
Don't forget to watch new episodes of Shark Tank, Friday nights only on ABC.
Visit the official Shark Tank website, here - http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank
Find out more about Barbara at http://www.barbaracorcoran.com/
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SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES SEGMENT
Adele Spraggon clients call her a miracle worker.
Whether she is working with women entrepreneurs or couples in relationship Adele is able to create unimaginable results in a remarkably short period of time.
The problem. He business was stuck.
Adele's business was near failure. She had tried it all, spent a fortune and was on the verge of quitting.
In this "Success Leaves Clues" segment, Adele shares how she figured out the business side of her gift and turned her income right side up.
To learn more about Adele: http://www.adelespraggon.com/
To learn how you can create similar results in your business: https://ecircleacademy.com/toronto
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EP16: RICHARD ROBBINS - LEVERAGE YOUR FEARS FOR GREAT SUCCESS

EP16: Richard Robbins - Leverage Your Fears For Great Success
With Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Richard Robbins was scared.
This acclaimed real estate coach, trainer and author of Deliver the Unexpected & Six Other New Truths For Business Success once had an intense fear of public speaking.
If he succumbed to it, he would have never achieved his lofty goals.
Today, his company has coached over 10,000 people and his success continues to grow.
During this episode, you’ll learn...
- How having a compelling future focus can help in powering you past your fears
- The importance of taking stock of what skills you currently need in order to move you towards your goals
- Why it’s important to do small yet consistent activities to help you not get overwhelmed on your success journey
To find out more about Richard, you can visit any of the below websites.
His Website - http://www.richardrobbins.com/
His Book - https://www.amazon.ca/Deliver-Unexpected-Truths-Business-Success/dp/1118402316
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EP15: MARNI WASSERMAN - HOW PASSION LEADS TO YOUR PROFITABLE NICHE

EP15: Marni Wasserman - How Passion Leads To Your Profitable Niche
With Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Marni Wasserman has always loved food and maintaining great health.
The Toronto nutritionist and culinary strategist would soon discover a passion for plant-based cooking which ultimately led her to teaching others online and in-person through her Food Studio & Lifestyle Shop.
The narrowing of her niche didn’t happen overnight and it involved a lot of bumps along the way.
However, today, she’s the author of two Dummies books, her cooking classes are taking off, her speaking engagements are increasing and her passion has touched the lives of many who are seeking a healthier way of eating.
During this episode, you’ll learn...
- The importance of being your authentic self in the content you share with the world which can ultimately lead to great income opportunities
- Why you should focus on building your audience before launching your business
- And why it’s not necessary to have your niche and plan figured out right away to achieve success
To find out more about Marni, you can visit any of the below websites.
Official Website - https://www.marniwasserman.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mwfoodstudio
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marnisfoodstudio
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mwfoodstudio/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/MarniWasserman
EP14: ANGELA LAWRENCE - HOW TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITY WHEN YOU DON’T EXPECT IT

EP14: Angela Lawrence - How To Seize Opportunity When You Don’t Expect It
with Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Food.
It brings families together.
In the case of Angela Lawrence, it does more than that.
For her and her lovable mom, Fay, food has led to a thriving online business.
Not just any food, but Jamaican food.
Enter Cook Like A Jamaican.com.
It’s a website that feature’s Fay’s Jamaican recipes and cooking videos for the world to enjoy.
Originally, this site was actually Angela’s test site for another website she was working on.
But, soon after Cook Like A Jamaican.com launched, its success was too hard to ignore.
In this episode, you’ll learn...
- How following your passion can help you spot opportunities that you didn’t expect
- Why it’s important to listen to your fans to create products and experiences they will pay for over and over again
- Why being authentically you and supplying content people enjoy will inevitably attract money your way
- How vital it is to not wait to launch your thought leadership but to go out and just do it then evolve, learn from your mistakes and improve
As a special gift to our listeners, Angela has kindly offered to give a 30% discount off a Gold Membership when you visit http://cooklikeajamaican.com/ which gives you access to secret recipes and videos. Just use the coupon code “Podcast.”
You can also find out more about Cook Like A Jamaican at the following websites:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CookLikeAJamaican
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cooklikeajamaican/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CookLikeAJamaican/
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EP13: SETH GODIN - YOU DON’T NEED OPRAH

EP13: Seth Godin - You Don’t Need Oprah
With Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Seth Godin requires no introduction.
The multiple New York Times Best-Selling author is an iconic thought leader in the areas of business, marketing and standing out in the marketplace.
We live in an age where it is assumed when powerhouse influencers (like Oprah) recommend certain thought leaders, it can provide them shortcuts to success.
According to Seth, sometimes it can, but there’s not enough staying power.
He mentions how companies like Airbnb became widely successful without the stamp of approval from a high profile guru to make the journey easier and rewards last longer.
So, if you’re waiting for that free ride, you could be doing so for awhile.
During this fascinating interview rich with great ideas and tips, you’ll learn...
- Seth’s two proven tactics to get your message out while solidifying your thought leadership and convert prospect interactions into sales
- The importance of paying attention to your prospect’s narrative to find out how you can truly serve her
- And how more bad ideas lead to good ideas and why that’s crucial for your business success
To find out more about Seth, visit below:
Seth's Official Website
Upcoming Book - What Does It Sound Like When You Change Your Mind
Recent Book - What To Do When It’s Your Turn
Seth's Podcast
Buy One of Seth's Many Books
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EP12: NICOLE KEATING - YOUR EPIC PODCAST LAUNCH SUCCESS BLUEPRINT

EP13: Nicole Keating - Your Epic Podcast Launch Success Blueprint
Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Do you have a podcast?
If you’re a thought leader, you should seriously consider it.
According to Nicole Keating, the host of the wildly popular, The Art of Epic Wellness podcast, it’s a great way to market your message, create & positively impact large communities and connect with influencers you admire.
Nicole has had some big guests on her show including the author of The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod and podcasting superstar, John Lee Dumas of the Entrepreneur on Fire podcast.
Her podcast launch journey produced many learnings and in this episode, you’ll discover a few such as…
- Why it’s important to find a podcasting mentor
- The importance of stockpiling episodes before your launch
- Why you need to secure EPIC guests right away
- And, why having a “How Can I Serve You” attitude will fast-track your success
To find out more about Nicole, you can visit any of the below websites.
http://www.theartofepicwellness.com/
The Art Of Epic Wellness Podcast
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EP11: JEREMY MILLER - INCREASE YOUR REVENUE WITH CONTENT LEVERAGE

EP11: Jeremy Miller - Increase Your Revenue With Content Leverage
Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Jeremy Miller is a marketing expert and author of the best-selling book, Sticky Branding who has a social media following that reaches 100,000 people every week.
He’s leveraged his content, mainly his book, to make 50% of his revenue from speaking engagements (including clients such as SalesForce.com) and 50% from consulting opportunities.
It didn’t happen overnight though.
Jeremy has been putting his brand out there for quite some time.
In this fascinating interview, you’ll learn...
- Why it’s important to truly listen to your audience, so you can create consistently valuable content
- The power of starting your content journey no matter how ugly it is at the beginning
- How a Seth Godin quote changed Jeremy’s business forever & why it can positively alter yours as well
- Why having your own traditionally published book is your ticket to more money through speaking and consulting opportunities
- And, why not being afraid to promote yourself with passion, despite what haters have to say, can lead to more revenue
To find out more about Jeremy, you can visit any of the below:
Sticky Branding
https://stickybranding.com/
LinkedIn
https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jeremymiller
Twitter
https://twitter.com/StickyBranding
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EP10: NICOLE KEATING - HOW TRAGEDY CAN POWER YOUR SUCCESS
EP10: Nicole Keating - How Tragedy Can Power Your Success

Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
In 2010, Nicole Keating’s life was given an expected curveball.
Her boyfriend of 4 years suddenly passed away.
For many, that would have a traumatic hit they could have never recovered from, but for Nicole, it shifted her life into an entirely different positive direction.
Over the years, she’d discover meaning by focusing on helping others through her The Art of Epic Wellness podcast.
Today, her podcast is positively impacting her audience along with her Epic Wellness Academy.
In this inspiring interview, you’ll learn…
- Why it’s important to find the meaning in what you do so it aligns with your passion and it resonates with your audience
- The importance of developing habits and rituals especially when it comes to your health and entrepreneurial sustainability
- And, the power of being a just-in-time learner
To find out more about Nicole, you can visit the below website.
http://www.theartofepicwellness.com/
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EP09: OWEN WILLIAMS - HOW THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME IMPACTS YOUR SUCCESS

EP09: Owen Williams - How The Imposter Syndrome Impacts Your Success
Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Have you ever thought twice about putting your thought leadership out there to the world?
You're not alone.
The reason?
For some, it’s the fear they’ll be exposed for not knowing what the heck they’re doing.
It’s called the Imposter Syndrome.
Longtime Toronto-area relationship coach, Owen Williams, who has counselled men and couples for over two decades, lived through it when he had a great career, wife, money and prestige, but he felt hollow.
According to Williams, the way to overcome the fear is to dig deep.
He believes, “if you don’t go within, you will go without.”
So, Williams feels entrepreneurs need to take the time to reflect and decide how to authentically live their lives and be the best version of themselves.
During this conversation, you’ll learn…
- Why it’s vital to slow down to start your road of self discovery even though you’re incredibly busy
- How to not let your inner critic control your life
- Why it’s important to grasp and execute this idea, “when you change your mind, you change your life”
- And finally, why you must surround yourself with 5 good friends who are not afraid to give you honest feedback about who you are
To find out more about Owen’s coaching services, visit http://www.RelationshipExcellence.com.
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EP08: CHRIS WIDENER - HOW TO ATTRACT & PROFITABLY LEVERAGE HIGH PROFILE CONNECTIONS

Do you need to associate with more A-list people?
If your answer is “yes” and you’re a thought leader, it’s definitely possible.
But, according to New York Times Best-Selling author and speaker, Chris Widener, your “Me First” attitude must disappear before anything positive can materialize.
It’s that mindset shift that helped Chris secure connections and bountiful income opportunities with personal development powerhouses such as Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar.
Chris’ career has changed ever since.
In this episode, you’ll learn proven tips that could make an incredible difference with your business including.
The most powerful question you can ask highly influential people to convince them to collaborate with you
How to leverage brand equity from your high profile friends while helping them succeed and boosting your brand at the same time
Why having an abundance mindset, especially when creating programs or other products with others, can prove to be wildly profitable
To find out more about Chris, you can visit any of the below websites.
https://www.facebook.com/widener
https://twitter.com/ChrisWidener
http://chriswidener.com/meet-chris/
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EP07: TONY GARERI - HOW YOUR HAPPINESS CONVERTS TO $$$
EP08: Tony Gareri - How Your Happiness Converts to $$$

Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
Please subscribe at iTunes and let us know how we're doing with a rating and review.
What are your company’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)?
Sales?
Retention?
According to workplace culture expert and CEO of the Toronto-area picture frame company, ROMA Moulding, Tony Gareri says it should be your employees’ happiness.
For many entrepreneurs, that philosophy may sound crazy, but it has worked for Tony and other executives such as Zappos.com CEO, Tony Hsieh.
In this episode, you’ll learn…
Why making the workplace fun can get the most out of your employees, attract more customers and help you hire A players
The importance of speaking with your employees to find out what their work values, needs and wants are and how you can help them
How to be honest with yourself when evaluating your workplace culture
To find out more about Tony, you can visit any of these websites.
http://www.tonygareri.com/
https://twitter.com/tonygareri
https://www.instagram.com/tonygareri/
https://www.facebook.com/tony.gareri
http://www.romamoulding.com/
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EP06: GLENN ESTRABILLO - THE FINANCIAL POWER OF TRUST

EP06: Glenn Estrabillo - The Financial Power of Trust
Michael Palmer and Nicky Billou with Glenn Estrabillo
What were you doing at 28 years old?
Well, our guest today, real estate investor and owner of 1plus12, Glenn Estrabillo was retired.
It was an incredible feat, but, as he describes, he “messed it up” with frivolous spending and poor character, so he returned to the real estate investing game when he was 32.
After doing some maturing, he retired again half a year later, so he could focus on helping the public achieve wealth through real estate investing.
Throughout his up and down experiences, Glenn’s biggest key to success has been the power of developing trust in yourself and relationships.
It’s a skill, if you can master it, will be a financial game-changer for you.
During this interview, Glenn will teach you...
- How you can strengthen trust in yourself even during times when doubt is ruling your mind
- The trust blueprint to increasing your network and customer base
- Why the Hegellian Dialectic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic) is something you should read up on
To find out more about Glenn’s company, visit here - http://www.1plus12.com.
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EP05 - GREG HARTMANN - TURN YOUR PEOPLE FRUSTRATION INTO PROFITh2
EP05 - Greg Hartmann - Turn Your People Frustration Into Profit

People frustration.
Have you ever had that?
Today’s guest, the co-founder of the culture transformation company, Cultural Architect certainly did.
During his days as an engineer, Greg Hartmann was fed up. The company he worked for had issues trying to get employees to work together on teams.
This frustrated him so much he was compelled to action.
Thus, his journey towards self improvement and the eventual creation of Cultural Architect came to be.
During this interview you’ll learn…
- How Greg channelled his frustration into creating a profitable company that transforms lives
- The positive impact of niching your business
- Why having in-person prospect conversations is crucial when selling big ticket items
To find out more about Greg’s company, visit here - http://culturalarchitecture.com/.
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EP04 - DR. GREG WELLS - HOW TO ACHIEVE PEAK PERFORMANCE IN YOUR BUSINESS & LIFE

Dr. Greg Wells - How To Achieve Peak Performance In Your Business & Life
Elite athletes can be great teachers.
By observing how they train and the strategies they use to not only perform at a high level, but how they handle stressful situations can be extremely useful to us especially in today’s chaotic world.
This episode’s featured guest, Dr. Greg Wells understands this.
The best-selling author of Superbodies: Peak Performance Secrets From The World's Best Athletes has a mission to effectively communicate the key takeaways of the science of high performance so it can relate and benefit the lives of 1 billion people.
During this conversation, you’ll learn..
Greg’s 4 principles to help you achieve peak performance
The power of self analysis and always pushing for greater heights
How building up others will raise you as well
It’s an inspiring and informative interview you do not want to miss!
To find out more about Greg, visit http://drgregwells.com/.
Get a copy of Dr. Greg's Book Super Bodies
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EP03: MARC VON MUSSER - DISCOVER WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM TRUE GREATNESS
EP03: Marc Von Musser - Discover What Is Holding You Back From True Greatness

With Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
In this episode, co-hosts, Michael Palmer and Nicky Billou speak with a man who elevated the largest personal development company in the world's coaching and product sales dramatically thanks to his commitment to excellence.
Marc Von Musser is a fighter. He’s a Cancer survivor who overcame many hurdles in his life to achieve success.
Over a 20-30 year span, he made over 500,000 sales calls, knocked on 10,000 doors and delivered over 10,000 presentations.
He’s committed and that’s why the world’s number 1 transformational leader recruited him to take his company’s sales to another level.
Marc’s purpose in life is to identify, inspire and help awaken the greatest of human spirit in others.
During this motivational interview, you’ll learn…
-The 3 proven steps to hack your way to 10x success results
-The 2 dominant beliefs that are holding you back from true greatness
-And why you have to decide if you’re more committed to your excuses or dreams.
After listening to Marc, you’ll be well on your way to taking your thought leadership from ordinary to extraordinary.
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EP02: ALEX CHARFEN - WHY BEING THE BLACK SHEEP IS GREAT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
EP02: Alex Charfen - Why Being The Black Sheep Is Great For Your Business

with Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
In this episode, co-hosts, Michael Palmer and Nicky Billou welcome a personal consultant to billionaires, Alex Charfen.
Alex is an internationally recognized speaker and business consultant who has shared the stage with heavyweights such as Tony Robbins and Robin Sharma and has rubbed elbows with celebrities like Sylvester Stallone.
The Mexico City native is also the author of the innovative book, Entrepreneurial Personality Type (ETP) and has helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs grow and scale their business.
He truly emphasizes with entrepreneurs which is why he provides systems of support and protection for them or as he describes, “the most important club in history.”
He makes sure they never feel alone.
During this powerful conversation, you’ll learn…
-Why being the black sheep is a great thing for your business and the world
-How capital flows to contribution using The Contribution Equation
-And why being authentically vulnerable will open the doors to terrific opportunities
If you’d like a free download of Alex’s EPT e-book, visit http://www.charfen.com/freebook for more information.
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EP01 : RAYMOND AARON - THE SECRET TO BRANDING YOURSELF
EP01 : Guest Raymond Aaron - The Secret To Branding Yourself

With Michael Palmer & Nicky Billou
In this premiere episode, co-hosts, Michael Palmer and Nicky Billou begin their run with a bang!
Their first guest is Raymond Aaron. He is a world-renowned success coach and New York Times best-selling author who has helped thousands overcome their wealth, branding and goal-setting challenges.
The core message of his thought leadership is “You Can Double Your Income Doing What You Love.”
As a result of his branding, he’s become a trusted and profitable expert.
During his interview, you’ll learn…
-The power of creating and “obeying” your brand
-The 3 most effective ways to brand yourself
-How to leverage “hope for reward” & “fear of loss” to attract clients
-And, why you should “sell them what they want, deliver what they need”
As a special gift to listeners, Raymond is offering a free digital copy of his book, “Double Your Income Doing What You Love.”
Visit http://aaron.com/ for more information.

More Background On TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com
TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com stands as a representative example of a mid-2010s digital platform built around the rapidly growing concept of thought leadership. Functioning as the official website for a podcast of the same name, it provided entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and aspiring influencers with insights into how to transform expertise into authority, and authority into income.
Although no longer actively maintained, the website offers valuable historical insight into the early days of thought leadership as a structured business model—particularly during a time when podcasting, personal branding, and online entrepreneurship were converging into a powerful new ecosystem.
Historical Context and Digital Timing
TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com emerged during a critical inflection point in digital media. Between 2014 and 2017, podcasting transitioned from a niche medium into a mainstream marketing and educational tool. Platforms like Apple Podcasts, along with the rise of entrepreneurial influencers, enabled subject-matter experts to bypass traditional publishing and media gatekeepers.
This was also the era when:
- Personal branding became a core business strategy
- Online courses, coaching programs, and consulting businesses exploded
- Social media began rewarding expertise-based content
The website was built squarely within this context, serving as both a promotional hub and an educational resource tied to the podcast.
Founders and Leadership Philosophy
The site was driven by two co-hosts whose combined perspectives shaped its voice and direction.
Nicky Billou
Nicky Billou brought a strong emphasis on mindset, performance, and personal transformation. His background working with high achievers—including entrepreneurs and elite performers—fed directly into the motivational tone of the platform.
Billou’s philosophy centered on the belief that individuals are capable of far more than they realize, and that stepping into thought leadership requires both courage and clarity of purpose.
Michael Palmer
Michael Palmer complemented this with a strategic, systems-oriented approach. His expertise focused on helping individuals articulate their message, position themselves in the marketplace, and scale their influence.
Together, they represented a classic pairing:
- Inspiration (Billou)
- Strategy (Palmer)
This duality became a defining feature of the platform’s content.
Core Mission and Messaging
At its heart, TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com promoted a simple but powerful idea:
Being an expert is not enough—you must be known for your expertise.
The platform encouraged users to:
- Build a recognizable personal brand
- Share their ideas publicly through content
- Leverage that visibility into business opportunities
The messaging consistently emphasized transformation, both personal and financial. Visitors were encouraged to “10x” their impact, income, and influence, reflecting a broader trend in entrepreneurial culture toward exponential growth thinking.
Structure and Content of the Website
The site functioned primarily as a content hub supporting the podcast. Its structure included several key sections:
Podcast Episodes
The core of the website was its episode library, featuring interviews with entrepreneurs, authors, coaches, and business leaders. Each episode typically included:
- A headline highlighting the guest and topic
- A short narrative introduction
- Key takeaways or lessons
- Background information about the guest
Episodes covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Branding and marketing
- Sales and revenue generation
- Mindset and personal development
- Leadership and organizational culture
Guest Profiles and Notable Interviews
The podcast featured a number of recognizable figures in the business and personal development space.
One example is Seth Godin, a widely respected marketing thinker known for his work on differentiation and permission marketing. His appearance reinforced the platform’s credibility and alignment with high-level thought leadership concepts.
Another notable guest was Barbara Corcoran, whose insights into evaluating entrepreneurs added practical, real-world perspective to the show.
Additional guests included:
- Alex Charfen
- Raymond Aaron
- Chris Widener
These individuals represented a cross-section of the coaching, consulting, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Educational Themes and Key Insights
Across its content, the website consistently returned to several foundational ideas:
1. Thought Leadership as a Business Model
The platform framed thought leadership not just as influence, but as a monetizable asset. It showed how individuals could:
- Build audiences
- Publish books
- Secure speaking engagements
- Launch consulting practices
2. Authenticity and Personal Storytelling
Guests frequently emphasized the importance of authenticity—sharing personal experiences, failures, and lessons learned as a way to connect with audiences.
3. Content as Leverage
The site highlighted how content—whether podcasts, blogs, or books—could serve as a long-term asset that generates leads, builds credibility, and opens doors.
4. Mindset and Overcoming Barriers
Topics such as fear, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt were recurring themes. The platform positioned these challenges as universal obstacles that must be overcome to achieve success.
Books, Resources, and Intellectual Framework
The website also promoted books and frameworks that aligned with its philosophy.
One recurring concept was the distinction between:
- Expert: someone who knows something
- Thought leader: someone who is known for knowing something
This distinction formed the backbone of the platform’s educational approach.
It also referenced influential works such as:
- Duct Tape Selling by John Jantsch
These resources reinforced the idea that marketing, branding, and relationship-building are essential components of success.
Audience and Target Demographic
TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com was clearly aimed at a specific audience:
- Entrepreneurs and small business owners
- Coaches and consultants
- Aspiring speakers and authors
- Professionals seeking to transition into independent ventures
The tone and content assumed a reader who was ambitious, growth-oriented, and interested in leveraging their knowledge for greater impact and income.
Geographic and Cultural Context
While the website itself was digital and globally accessible, many of its contributors and references were tied to North America, particularly Canada and the United States.
For example, the hosts and several guests had connections to Toronto, which has long been a hub for business coaching, personal development, and entrepreneurial education.
The platform’s messaging also reflected broader Western entrepreneurial values, including:
- Individual achievement
- Financial success
- Personal fulfillment through work
Popularity and Reach
While not among the largest podcast platforms of its time, The Business of Thought Leadership carved out a niche within the entrepreneurial podcast space.
Its reach was amplified through:
- Guest appearances by established figures
- Cross-promotion with other podcasts and platforms
- Integration with broader personal development networks
The inclusion of high-profile guests helped elevate its visibility and credibility within its niche.
Media, Press, and Industry Positioning
The website and podcast operated within a broader ecosystem of business and self-development media. While it may not have achieved mainstream press coverage on the level of larger platforms, it was part of a growing movement that included:
- Business podcasts
- Entrepreneurial blogs
- Online coaching programs
This ecosystem collectively contributed to the normalization of thought leadership as a viable career path.
Cultural and Social Significance
TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com reflects a significant cultural shift in how expertise is valued and monetized.
Historically, authority was often granted through:
- Academic credentials
- Corporate positions
- Traditional media exposure
By contrast, this platform embraced a new model:
- Authority is built through visibility
- Influence is earned through content
- Success is tied to personal brand
This shift has had lasting implications, influencing everything from LinkedIn content strategies to the rise of influencer-led businesses.
Decline, Archival Status, and Legacy
Like many niche digital platforms from the mid-2010s, TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com eventually became inactive. However, its archived content remains a valuable resource for understanding the early stages of the thought leadership movement.
Its legacy lies in:
- Documenting the evolution of personal branding
- Showcasing early adopters of content-driven business models
- Providing a blueprint for modern podcast-based marketing strategies
Final Thoughts
TheBusinessOfThoughtLeadership.com may no longer be an active platform, but its impact is still visible in today’s digital landscape. The ideas it promoted—building authority, sharing knowledge, and leveraging personal brand—have become foundational principles in modern entrepreneurship.
For anyone looking to understand how thought leadership evolved from a buzzword into a business model, the site offers a compelling and informative case study.
