- 18
- Episodes
- 7
- Ratings
- Monthly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Answering The Call
Are you looking for your next level in your career? Answering The Call is for people like you looking to Discover Your Purpose, Find Your Inner Calling and hear Inspiring Career Stories In this podcast I talk to business executives who are looking for success and fulfillment in their careers. If you're looking for an executive coach, you can find me and book a consult call at zenten.io (http://zenten.io) #career #success #futureofwork #entrepreneurship #emotional intelligence #coaching #AIimpact
- Publisher
- David Zemanek
- Category
- business · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 12 Dec 2025
- Latest episode
- 14 Aug 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
14 Aug 2026
Mark Rolston - Craft, Curiosity, and the Long Game
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Rolston, one of the most influential designers of the last three decades — and he'll be the first to tell you he never planned any of it. Co-founder of Argo Design and the architect of Frog Design's digital practice, we go through a wide-ranging conversation about Mark's career built entirely on curiosity, craft, and the willingness to walk into a room with no idea what the answer is. From programming a Commodore 64 at 14 for his father's oil business, to pioneering software interface design before the field had a name, to conducting user research in Taliban-controlled markets in Kabul — Mark has lived a designer's life in the fullest possible sense, including just finished his first album, released on vinyl under his own label. Mark shares some choice nuggets of wisdom on what it really means to make something, the difference between having an idea and putting teeth into it, what Hartmut Esslinger taught him about never getting precious about your work, the business truth behind "get paid for what you do," and why the best design problems are the ones that scare you a little. If curiosity is your operating system, this conversation was made for you. How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Mark Rolston email: markrolston@me.com (mailto:markrolston@me.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rolston-161161/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rolston-161161/) #Design #DesignLeadership #Entrepreneurship #FrogDesign #Creativity #ProductDesign #UXDesign #BusinessAcumen #Leadership #Curiosity #CareerAdvice #StartupLife #Innovation #DesignThinking #MakeThings #PodcastRecommendation
13 Aug 2026
Sam Ward and John Alderman - Leap and Your Wings Will Grow
In this episode I sit down with Sam Ward and John Alderman, founders and principals at Alderman and Ward, two creative leaders who didn't wait for permission to build something on their own terms. From punk rock DIY ethics to designing at the intersection of strategy and creativity, Sam and John share what it really took to make the leap — and what they've learned about knowing yourself well enough to do it. If you've ever wondered what's on the other side of the jump, this one's for you. How to contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How to contact John and Sam Website: https://aldermanandward.com/ (https://aldermanandward.com/) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alderman/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alderman/), https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ward-88204a2/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ward-88204a2/) #ExecutiveCoaching #CreativeLeadership #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #AnsweringTheCall #LeadershipPodcast #NewEpisode #KnowYourself #BoldDecisions #MakeTheLeap #CareerTransition #LeadershipCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #PurposeDriven #SocialEntrepreneurship #MentalHealthLeadership #CareerPivot #PodcastRecommendation
21 Jul 2026
Shannon Boselli - Making a Difference
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Boselli, Executive Director of Groundswell Community Project. We dive deep into her remarkable career journey from a fast-paced, 10-year run in high-growth tech startups—scaling teams at Uber Eats and Brex—to leading a high-impact mental health non-profit. Shannon shares how a pandemic-era reality check inspired her to re-evaluate her career goals, step away from the corporate status quo, and align her go-to-market skills with social entrepreneurship and trauma healing. We explore how Groundswell utilizes surf therapy to help individuals processing complex trauma, PTSD, grief, and depression build lifelong resilience toolkits. Whether you are contemplating a major career pivot, interested in social impact, or looking to lead with authentic confidence, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on strengths-based leadership, corporate ESG, and standing up for your core values. Key Takeaways & Timestamps Breaking the Status Quo: How childhood conviction evolved into authentic, confident leadership. The Silicon Valley Tech Sprint: Key lessons learned from scaling early-stage teams at Uber Eats and Brex. The Purpose Pivot: Re-evaluating 60-hour work weeks during COVID and transitioning from corporate tech to social impact. Ocean & Mental Health: How Groundswell Community Project utilizes surf therapy for trauma recovery and mental wellbeing. Corporate Responsibility & ESG: Moving beyond superficial marketing to implement authentic social impact and operational change. Strengths-Based Living: Co-founding Introspective and maximizing your natural, energy-giving strengths. How to Contact Shannon Boselli Website: groundswellcommunity.org (http://groundswellcommunity.org) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonboselli/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonboselli/) Introspective Cards: introspectivecards.com (http://introspectivecards.com) (mentioned on podcast) How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Shannon Website: groundswellcommunity.org (http://groundswellcommunity.org) Introspective Cards: introspectivecards.com (http://introspectivecards.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonboselli/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonboselli/) #CareerTransition #LeadershipCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #PurposeDriven #SocialEntrepreneurship #MentalHealthLeadership #CareerPivot #PodcastRecommendation
14 May 2026
Sandy Hogan - The Art of Graceful Disruption
What does it really take to lead through disruption when grace, rather than breaking things, is the necessary ingredient in driving successful outcomes? I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sandy Hogan (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#), former sales and go-to-market leader at Cisco and VMware, and founder and CEO of BozQ, a growth intelligence firm for B2B technology companies, to learn how she took her formula from success from doing books for her father's business at age 11, to gracefully disrupt from the inside, one of America's largest technology companies. For Sandy, it's not the smartest person who wins. Growing up in a strict immigrant household, she learned three things early — work ethic, respect for everyone in the room, and the belief that there's nowhere to go but up. Those three things quietly ran her career for 30 years. In this conversation, Sandy and I go deep on what it actually takes — not the idealistic version, but the real one. The rejection letters taped to the dorm room door. The rust hole on her parents' car she'd sprint behind the building to avoid. The moment she realized she was pioneering solutions selling inside Cisco while half the org was trying to shut it down. And then the decision to take that knowledge and experience to help companies trying to compete in a world of AI disruption. Sandy's throughline? Graceful disruption. The conviction that how you change things matters as much as what you change. Hard work doesn't go out of style. This episode proves it. How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Sandy Website: https://bozq.com/ (https://bozq.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyhogan/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyhogan/) Email: sandy@bozq.com (mailto:sandy@bozq.com) #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #SalesLeadership #GoToMarket #WorkEthic #GracefulDisruption #Curiosity #CustomerCentricity #GrowthMindset #CareerAdvice #WomenInLeadership #StartupLife #AIandFuture #BusinessAcumen #Resilience #Preparation #PodcastRecommendation
6 May 2026
Doreen Lorenzo - Do It Before Your Ready
What does a theater major who stumbled into design, launched a production company, ran one of the world's most iconic design firms, and then built a thriving academic program have to teach us? Everything. In this episode, I sit down with Doreen Lorenzo — former President of frog design and Assistant Dean of the School of Design and Creative Technologies at UT Austin — for a candid conversation about career reinvention, fearless decision-making, and leading with empathy. Doreen shares how she built a remarkable career not by following a plan, but by walking through every open door she encountered — even when (especially when) people told her she'd fail. From cold-calling a tech startup from a newspaper ad to transforming a struggling fine arts college into a thriving design school of 650+ students, Doreen's story is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, betting on people, and taking action. Key takeaways: Why "what's the worst that can happen?" is the most liberating question in your career How transferable skills are more powerful than specialized credentials The difference between design thinking and being a true design "ninja" Why culture and mentorship are the real engines of entrepreneurial success How impact — not accolades — becomes the ultimate career compass How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Doreen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenlorenzo/) Email: doreenlorenzo25@gmail.com (mailto:doreenlorenzo25@gmail.com) #Leadership #CareerAdvice #Entrepreneurship #DesignThinking #Coaching #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #WomenInBusiness #CareerPivot #BusinessAcumen #CreativeLeadership #DesignLeadership #MentorshipMatters #FrogDesign #TakeAction #OvercomingFear #CareerReinvention #HigherEducation #ImpactDriven #PodcastRecommendation
23 Apr 2026
Ruth Yomtoubian - Creating Value With Curiosity
Ruth Yomtoubian is an original corporate innovator who has successfully navigated the three major waves of corporate innovation. Acting as a translator, orchestrator, and practitioner, Ruth bridges the gap between the startup ecosystem, venture capitalists, and enterprise organizations. As an Independent consultant, Ruth's work focuses on helping companies—particularly within "construct industries" like healthcare—move from mere curiosity to strategic coordination in their AI and innovation efforts. Known for her pragmatic approach, Ruth champions grounded leadership and clear architecture over "performance theater" to combat mediocrity and drive real business value. How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Ruth Website: ruthyomtoubian.com (http://ruthyomtoubian.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthyomtoubian/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthyomtoubian/) Email: ruthyomtoubian@gmail.com (mailto:ruthyomtoubian@gmail.com) #TheHumanAdvantage #LeadershipIntuition #CreativeLeadership #AuthenticSuccess #HumanityInTech #SerialEntrepreneur #AIEvolution #ProductMarketFit #AgileLearning #TheArchitectMindset #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeIntegration #BuilderMindset
7 Apr 2026
Paul Pluschkell - The Model Every Startup Founder Needs to Hear
What does it actually take to win the "championship" of your life? In this episode, David Zemanek sits down with serial entrepreneur Paul Pluschkell to deconstruct a career built on intense energy, radical unlearning, and a refusal to sacrifice the things that matter most. Paul isn't your typical tech executive. He’s a builder who admits that if he weren't in software, he’d be a carpenter—someone who finds soul-level satisfaction in looking back at the end of the day to see exactly what he created. From the "back nine" of his career, Paul shares the hard-won wisdom of a life lived at the intersection of high-stakes execution and deep humanity. Inside the Episode: The Family Time Boundary: How Paul structured a decade of his career to pause work every afternoon from 3-6pm to coach his four children, proving that professional success doesn't have to come at the cost of being a present father. The Courage to Unlearn: Why the "playbooks" of yesterday are becoming obsolete in the age of AI, and why leaders must be willing to "forget 80% of what they know" to avoid getting "Checked" by the future. The Anatomy of a Loss: Why Paul remembers every pitch of a lost World Series game with perfect clarity, and how he uses the pain of failure to fuel a "quick-learning" nature that identifies the truth before it gets expensive. Culture is Earned, Not Installed: A raw look at why company culture is simply a reflection of how you act every day, and why there are no shortcuts to building a team that holds up under pressure. The Athlete’s DNA: How growing up in team sports taught a self-proclaimed "average athlete" that over-preparation and durability are the ultimate equalizers in any arena. How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Paul Website: epicdx.com (http://epicdx.com) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpluschkell (http://linkedin.com/in/paulpluschkell) Email: paul@epicdx.com (mailto:paul@epicdx.com) #TheHumanAdvantage #LeadershipIntuition #CreativeLeadership #AuthenticSuccess #HumanityInTech #SerialEntrepreneur #AIEvolution #ProductMarketFit #AgileLearning #TheArchitectMindset #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeIntegration #BuilderMindset
3 Apr 2026
Al Adamsen - The Leadership Advantage of Deep Self Awareness
In this powerful and deeply transparent episode, I sit down with Al Adamsen, a trailblazer in People Analytics and the leader of Adaptive Futures. Al shares his remarkable journey from an introverted "lone wolf" to a global voice on employee experience, leadership, and the rapidly evolving future of work. We dive straight into the pressing realities of the AI revolution, exploring how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the nature of work and the impending "societal shock" that professionals and business leaders must prepare for over the next decade. But this conversation goes far beyond corporate strategy. Al opens up about overcoming profound personal trauma, the life-changing impact of deep self-awareness, and how he transformed his pain into a purpose-driven mission: creating safe spaces for people to show up as their best, authentic selves. Whether you are Fortune 500 exec all the way to solopreneur, Al's practical frameworks on treating emotions as data, mastering your daily energy, and cultivating a bulletproof sleep routine will leave you inspired and ready to take action. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Surviving the AI Societal Shock: Why the workforce needs to brace for massive shifts in employment and how leaders can responsibly integrate AI without spreading fear. Energy as Your North Star: Practical ways to build elasticity into your day, ruthlessly cut out energy drains like commuting, and find your optimal flow state in nature. Modern Stoicism: Why the popular advice to "trust your gut" is flawed, and how to use your emotions as valuable data rather than the ultimate decision-maker. Healing Through Serving: Al’s incredibly vulnerable story of transforming severe trauma into a career dedicated to compassion, empathy, and elevating the human experience at work. Mastering the Bookends of Your Day: The exact morning and evening habits—including a strict, technology-free sleep sanctuary—that fuel sustainable high performance. How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Al Website: aladamsen.com (http://aladamsen.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aladamsen/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aladamsen/) Email: al@aladamsen.com (mailto:al@aladamsen.com) Hashtags: #FutureOfWork #PeopleAnalytics #ArtificialIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #EnergyManagement #EmployeeExperience #HRTech #Stoicism #MindfulLeadership #MentalHealthAtWork #CareerGrowth
16 Mar 2026
David Sherwin - Building a Career with Beginners Mind
In this episode, we dive deep into the career of David Sherwin, a renowned graphic designer, UX design leader, and author of the best-selling book Creative Workshop. David shares his transition from editorial publishing to user experience (UX) design at leading innovation firms like frog, and major companies like LinkedIn, offering a masterclass in how to stay curious and committed to your craft over decades. Key Topics Covered: The Pull vs. Push Career Path: Why being "yanked" into leadership roles often requires a radical shift in skill sets—moving from delivering design to operating a company. The Art of Feedback & Critique: Why building an "etiquette" for receiving client feedback is critical for ensuring the quality of your work. Building High-Performing Teams: Insights into David’s work with his partner, Mary Sherwin, on design collaboration, culture work, and their toolkit, Team Words, designed to turn groups into cohesive teams. Future of Design & AI: David discusses the human "edge" in artificial intelligence, specifically how humans excel at pre-visualization and intentionality while AI handles lower-order tasks. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: A candid look at David’s journey through long COVID, relearning cognitive skills, and finding a sustainable balance between consulting, mentorship, and art. Whether you are a senior designer looking to move into management, an entrepreneur planning your first startup runway, or a creative professional interested in sustainability and mission-critical health systems, this episode provides the roadmap for a meaningful, impact-driven career. How To Contact David Z Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact David S Website: https://askthesherwins.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsherwin/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsherwin/) Email: david@askthesherwins.com (mailto:david@askthesherwins.com)
16 Feb 2026
Andrew Hartman - Creating a Successful Career through a Successful Relationship with Time Management
Successful careers are built on successful systems, successful mindsets, and the ability for us to take care of the first and most important relationship - the one we have with ourselves. Andrew Hartman, Founder and CEO of Time Boss doesn't just deliver success for his clients, his helps them find the peace of mind to excel at their best. This episode is a must for anyone trapped in the cycle of believing they have to do and deliver everything to the point of burnout. Andrew's story is a hero's journey of taking back ownership of time and also our own peace of mind. How To Contact David Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Andrew Website: https://timeboss.us (https://timeboss.us) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhartman/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhartman/) Email: andrew@timeboss.us (mailto:andrew@timeboss.us)
5 Feb 2026
Bruce Sinclair - Excelling in Business Through Original Thinking
A look into the mindset of an Ironman triathlete and entrepreneur, and why Bruce views failure as a "natural part of life" and a prerequisite for success. Bruce Sinclair specializes in helping private equity firms and companies increase their value through the strategic application of AI. Bruce recently finished a new book focused on AI for executives and investment professionals, and is the author of IoT Inc. How To Contact David Website: https://zenten.io (https://zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Bruce Website: https://aioperatingpartners.ai/ (https://aioperatingpartners.ai/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-a-sinclair (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-a-sinclair)/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-a-sinclair/) Email: bruce.a.sinclair@gmail.com (mailto:bruce.a.sinclair@gmail.com)
5 Feb 2026
Jeff Roberts - A Career Built on Curiosity Wins
In a landscape crowded with theorists, Jeff Roberts brings a track record of real impact. Jeff founded the firm after five tenures as a mid-market CIO. In total across three decades of IT leadership, he has led dozens of M&A transactions and digital transformations, turning IT organizations into profit centers. Named an Exceptional Leader to Follow in Innovation, he has mentored over 20 future C-level executives. Jeff and I discuss his path from corporate to forming his own venture. How To Contact David Website: https://zenten.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io) How To Contact Jeff Website: https://innovationvista.com (https://innovationvista.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsjeff/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: jeff@innovationvista.com (mailto:jeff@innovationvista.com)
27 Jan 2026
Joe Budzinksi - Finding Success from the Orchestra Pit to Entrepreneurship
In this episode, I sit down with Joe Budzinski, founder of Sales Nimbus, to trace his fascinating journey from a classically trained musician to a tech entrepreneur building his own SaaS platform. Joe shares how the discipline of the viola and the grit of door-to-door sales shaped his unique approach to business leadership and innovation. Joe discusses his early life in music, specifically how learning the viola—a "slow learning curve instrument"—taught him that getting 1% better each week compounds over time. He draws a parallel between the iterative process of rehearsing music and the Agile methodology used in software development. Grit and The School of Hard Knocks: After pivoting away from a pre-med path, Joe cut his teeth doing commission-only, door-to-door sales in tough Philadelphia neighborhoods. He explains how facing rejection, "eating what you kill," and navigating dangerous areas taught him resilience and how to build a team. Corporate Lessons & Agile Transformation: Joe details his transition to the corporate world at IBM, where he moved from being a "rule follower" to embracing Agile methodology. He compares his traditional "classical" mindset to discovering the "jazz" of Agile working styles, which transformed how he approaches productivity and leadership. The Entrepreneurial Trap: Now the founder of Sales Nimbus, a digital marketing agency for tech startups, Joe opens up about the common trap of founders trying to do everything themselves. He shares how he is currently pivoting from a service-based agency to building Nimbus OS, an automated "CMO in a box" SaaS product designed to solve scalable marketing challenges How To Contact Joe Website: https://salesnimbus.com/ (https://salesnimbus.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephbudzinski/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephbudzinski/) Email: joe@salesnimbus.com (mailto:joe@salesnimbus.com) How To Contact David Website: www.zenten.io (http://www.zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io)
19 Jan 2026
Mark Fithian and Jeff Rosenberg - Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap Together
Today, I’m sitting down with Mark Fithian and Jeff Rosenberg, the founders of Wide Open, a consultancy built to solve the hardest problems in customer experience. Their story is a masterclass in what I call the 'Inside Game'. Mark and Jeff made the decision to leave the corporate track under circumstances that would make most people freeze: Mark was in his early 40s, had just bought a house, and had a new child at home. But they realized that staying safe meant misaligning with who they were. In our conversation, Mark mentions that if his kids sat in on a business meeting today, they would actually recognize him. Their values aren't just 'stage props'—they are the engine of their business. And that integrity has a massive ROI. Because they focused on maximizing client success rather than just dollars , they’ve reached a point where they spend almost no time looking for the next project—their clients simply keep bringing them new problems to solve. We also discuss how their differences as partners gave them the confidence to strike out on their own, and their principles for integrating AI into customer-facing solutions. It’s time to answer the call How To Contact Mark and Jeff Website: https://www.thisiswideopen.com/ (https://www.thisiswideopen.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfithian/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfithian/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosenbergatl/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosenbergatl/) Email: mark@thisiswideopen.com (mailto:mark@thisiswideopen.com) jeff@thisiswideopen.com (mailto:jeff@thisiswideopen.com) How To Contact David Website: www.zenten.io (http://www.zenten.io) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io (mailto:david@zenten.io)
9 Jan 2026
Aric Cheston - Choosing Passion Over Money to Build Success in a Career
In today's episode, we dive into the creative journey of Aric Cheston, a designer and artist from Austin, Texas. What is most amazing about Aric, and I’ve known him for over a decade, is that Aric is so committed to his internal scorecard in making career decisions that continuously favor excitement and enjoyment over money. There’s always a lot we can learn about ourselves from what excites us during our formative years, and Aric shares his childhood passion for world-building with action figures, which laid the foundation for his career in design. We'll explore his pivotal moments, from working with BMW to embracing the convergence of art and technology. Like some other designers I know, Aric has jumped into AI coding with both feet. In this episode, he gives us his insights on the future of education with AI, and shares how AI closes the gaps to allow those with creativity to move faster from idea to implementation to bring their visions and ideas to life. Connect with Aric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariccheston/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariccheston/) How To Contact David Website: www.zenten.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io
19 Dec 2025
Dave Scott - Multiple Lives: The Executive’s Guide to Professional Reinvention
Show Notes: Answering the Call with Dave Scott In this episode, we sit down with Dave Scott, a veteran product leader and "adrenaline junkie" who walked away from a comfortable corporate executive career to reclaim his professional agency. Dave shares how he broke out of the "execution trap" to pursue fractional consulting, mountain bike racing, and authoring his upcoming book, Product at a Distance. Key Takeaways Escaping the Execution Trap: Dave explains how senior roles often shift from high-level problem solving to mere execution and politics, prompting his need for a "mental shake-up". The "Multiple Lives" Philosophy: Embracing the idea that life is too short to stay on one path; Dave advocates for "scaring yourself" by pivoting into new industries and challenges. Product at a Distance: Insight into Dave’s upcoming book, which provides frameworks for making distributed product teams operate as if they are co-located. The Power of Agency: Why having the courage to "pick the fork in the road" leads to deeper professional satisfaction and even "unexpected happiness" in daily life. AI as a Thought Partner: How Dave uses a suite of AI tools to research, build his business, and even design his website at 10x speed. The Three-Legged Stool of Balance Dave discusses his framework for a centered life, which requires three critical anchors: Mental Challenge: Solving problems where you don't yet know the path from A to B. Physical Challenge: Pushing boundaries through endurance sports like mountain bike racing and skiing. Spiritual Balance: Finding a centering practice—whether through meditation or community—to anchor your decisions. About Our Guest Dave Scott is a product executive with over 20 years of experience at companies ranging from Intuit to seed-funded startups. He is a former leader at the global innovation firm Frog Design and currently serves as a fractional consultant and author. Connect with Dave: DaveScott1@gmail.com (mailto:DaveScott1@gmail.com) LinkedIn: Dave Scott - Bay Area Software Executive (https://www.linkedin.com) How To Contact David Website: www.zenten.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io Opening music is Flowers Shower by Devakant. You can hear this and more music by Devakant on Spotity.
12 Dec 2025
Karena Bell - Betting on Yourself to Succeed In Business
Today’s guest is Karena Bell, Founder and CEO of Profitlinz, a boutique, specialized, global advisory firm that helps mid-sized and large enterprises unlock hidden profits, boost efficiency, and leverage AI for measurable results. In this conversation, Karena shares her transformative journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, creativity, and resilience. Karena discusses the role of mentorship, the impact of AI on business, and the necessity of fostering a culture of feedback and collaboration. Karena highlights the significance of intuition in decision-making and the value of building a community of fellow business owners. Karena also shares advice for navigating a successful journey. How To Contact Karena Website: Https://ProfitLinz.com (Https://ProfitLinz.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenambell/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenambell/) Email: Karena@ ProfitLinz.com (http://ProfitLinz.com) How To Contact David Website: www.zenten.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io The intro song is Flowers Shower by Devakant and is available to listen in full on Spotify
12 Dec 2025
Doug Fritz - The Chip On Your Shoulder Is Your Rocket Fuel to Entrepreneurial Success
Todays guest is Doug Fritz, Founder and Executive Chairman of F2 Strategy. In this conversation, Doug shares his life journey from a challenging childhood labeled as learning disabled to becoming a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of F2 Strategy. He discusses how he relied on his own resilience, adaptability, and the support of his parents in shaping his confidence to create his own journey to success. Doug reflects on his experiences in Russia, the challenges he faced in New York, and how a move to San Francisco transformed his outlook. He elaborates on the journey of finding the sweet spot for F2, the importance of building a team of experts, and the values that underpin his success. You’ll also hear about the magic of table 15 at Ozumo restaurant in San Francisco. Doug concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in pursuing their passions and the value in embracing the journey of self-discovery. How To Contact Doug Website: www.zenten.io (http://f2strategy.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfritz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfritz/) Email: doug@f2strategy.com (doug@f2strategy.com) How To Contact David Website: www.zenten.io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzemanek/) Email: david@zenten.io The opening song, Flowers Shower, is by Devakant whose music you can find on Spotify.
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