In episode 20 of Practical and Positive Leadership, Monica welcomes a guest who's redefining the recipe for entrepreneurial success—Bennett Maxwell, the powerhouse behind the wildly disruptive cookie empire, Dirty Dough.

From high-stakes ventures to viral growth, Bennett shares the raw, real story behind building a brand that challenges industry norms and sparks national conversation. His journey is packed with lessons on grit, growth, and thinking way outside the (cookie) box.

If you’re a current or aspiring business owner, this episode is your masterclass in bold leadership, brand building, and creating impact with purpose.

Don’t miss it. This one’s got layers.

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What do you do when the next chapter of your leadership journey demands something different?

In this candid conversation, Monica May Dunn sits down with Joe Cusack, Managing Director of Northern Arizona Business Brokers and former global sales leader at Microsoft and Cisco. With a career spanning Fortune 50 leadership, and now business brokerage, Joe shares powerful lessons on reinvention, emotional intelligence, and how letting go can lead to success.

You’ll hear:

• How to lead others through uncertainty—even when emotions are running high

• Why “doing the right thing” in business still matters, even when it's not easy

• What seasoned founders get wrong about preparing for a business exit

• How leaders can embrace change and stay relevant in fast-moving industries

Whether you’re growing, transitioning, or just thinking about your next act, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and perspective you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode, Monica sits down with Rachel Platt, founder of PLATTinum Consulting, to unpack the real issues leaders face behind closed doors: burnout, disengagement, culture cracks, and hiring misfires.

Rachel doesn’t just talk theory—she brings battle-tested strategies from the front lines of HR and leadership coaching. You’ll hear why most leaders overlook the human side of performance, how financial literacy impacts retention, and what it actually takes to build a team that sticks around and shows up.

If you're tired of surface-level advice and ready for practical, people-centered strategies that work, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

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In this episode, Monica sits down with Bradley Scott, a commercial real estate and business broker with a legal background, to discuss the leadership skills required to guide complex, high-value transactions.

Bradley has spent years advising clients on multi-million dollar business sales, commercial acquisitions, and legal negotiations. With a career spanning law, real estate, and business ownership, he understands that true leadership isn’t just about making decisions.

He discusses how leadership is about building relationships, developing confidence through competence, and refining skills through intentional practice. Bradley also shares how strategic networking and continuous learning have shaped his ability to influence, negotiate, and drive successful outcomes at the highest levels.

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In this episode, we delve into the importance of trust and credibility in leadership with Rick Shapiro, President and CEO of The Wheatley Group and author of Hope Never Dies.

Rick shares how his ability to build strong, trusting relationships has been a cornerstone of his success across vastly different fields—from guiding clients through the complexities of mergers and acquisitions to supporting cancer patients on deeply personal health journeys.

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In this month’s episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast, host Monica May-Dunn sits down with Lauren Turner, a wardrobe clothier at Tom James Company, to explore powerful lessons from the book The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.

Lauren and Monica discuss:

- What It Means To Lead By Example

- Accountability in Leadership

- Building Trust With Your Team

- The Importance of Self-Care in Leadership

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This month, Ryan Armstrong, President of Transworld Business Advisors Phoenix, joins host Monica May-Dunn for an insightful exploration of James Collins' groundbreaking book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t. Discover powerful strategies and timeless principles that can elevate your business from good to ... well, great!

In this episode, Ryan and Monica discuss

• How to balance humility & will as a leader .
• Is unwavering faith a realistic approach in business?
• The 'Flywheel Effect' and it's impact on businesses.

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In this month’s episode of the Practical and Positive Leadership Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Kathleen Gramzay, founder of Kinessage LLC and an expert in wellness and transformation. She joins our host, Monica May-Dunn, to discuss insights from her book, Release Your Pain, Expand Your Life, and the transformative impact of wellness on leadership.

Kathleen and Monica dive into topics like:

1. Building Resilience Through Mind-Body Wellness

2. Releasing Physical Tension for Enhanced Leadership Performance

3. Cultivating a Culture of Wellness in Your Team

4. Practical Techniques for Leaders to Elevate Their Own Well-Being

5. Empowering High-Performing Teams Through Wellness

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