Laurent Cohen (GetOblic) on Trust-First Voice AI, Authenticity, and Building Through CrisisHost John Duffin interviews Laurent Cohen, founder of GetOblic, about developing a trust-first approach to voice AI and finding an authentic business voice. Cohen shares how living in France, the U.S., and Israel shaped his mindset around craftsmanship, efficiency, and urgency, and discusses feeling safe in Israel despite wartime uncertainty. Laurent explains that adopting new technology requires earning trust, especially for small businesses operating in constant emergency mode, and argues AI should free owners to focus on customer relationships rather than replace them. Cohen rejects voice cloning as a breach of trust, emphasizing guardrails and strong data instead. He recounts a 2010 e-commerce crisis triggered by an Icelandic volcano and a bank shutdown, stressing responsibility, patience, and time. Mr. Cohen advises learning with AI first—using it to build skills—before applying it operationally.To learn more about Laurent Cohen, make sure to check out the links below. https://getoblic.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-cohen-usa/00:00 Volcano Chaos Lesson00:55 Podcast Welcome Intro02:26 Life Across Cultures04:35 Craft Efficiency Urgency07:16 Safety And Perspective11:12 Building With New Tech15:03 Small Business Trust Shift20:16 Identity Over Voice24:02 No Voice Cloning Stance25:34 Data Guardrails Approach27:09 Losing Authenticity29:12 Kids As Motivation31:00 Surviving Business Crisis34:01 Volcano Disrupts Shipping35:45 Chargebacks Kill Payments37:03 Owning The Mistakes40:44 Time Craft And Execution44:27 AI For Service Pros47:15 Learn With AI First50:50 Where To Find Laurent51:47 Final Thanks And Outro

Host John Duffin welcomes Josh Klaris, Executive Director of North 10 Philadelphia, to discuss leadership, nonprofit strategy, and place-based community revitalization in Hunting Park/East Tioga (often a neglected neighborhood in Philadelphia). I've personally attended several North 10 Philadelphia events and have seen firsthand the critical work being done. While I interviewed Josh, you'll hear the passion, mission, and purpose in Josh's voice. You'll also hear just how difficult (and gratifying) it is to wear ALL of the hats of the Executive Director. Klaris traces his path from volunteer mentoring in rural St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, where teaching kindergarten to Vietnamese refugee children shaped his worldview and led him to earn a master’s in teaching English as a second language. He later helped build Dream Charter School in Harlem with a holistic, co-teaching model and learned the operational realities of hiring, metrics, and sustainability. In Philadelphia, the opportunity arose to implement a neighborhood-improvement blueprint inspired by Purpose-Built Communities and Harlem Children’s Zone, emphasizing disciplined strategic planning, saying no, surrounding yourself with the right people, and building trust-based collaborations. Place Matters.The conversation highlights North 10’s fight and the ongoing need for sustainable funding and collective action- especially in neglected neighborhoods. To learn more about Josh Klaris, the critical work being done by North 10 Philadelphia, or to lend a hand, check out the links below. https://north10phl.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jklaris/00:00 Intro- Welcome, Josh Klaris00:46 Podcast Welcome And Guest Intro03:53 Why Education Chose Him06:40 Teach For America in Louisiana09:59 Back To New York And Training11:55 Work Ethic From Family And Mentors15:23 Music Lessons And Team Culture16:32 Dream Charter School Leadership20:31 Nonprofit Sales And Fundraising25:00 Moving To Philadelphia26:45 Leaving Schools For Place-Based Work27:58 North 10 Origin Story29:27 Why Place Matters31:41 Strategic Plan Discipline33:27 Design Principles Culture37:49 Dumping Fight Strategy40:47 Funding Collaboration Challenge44:53 Pushing Back With Trust47:16 Sustainability And Health Gaps52:55 How To Get Involved54:06 Closing

Host John Duffin interviews Ivan Radovic, president and CEO of Novaces and author of Trust 360, about how trust enables teams to tackle major challenges across corporate, military, healthcare, disaster recovery, and federal work. Ivan shares how growing up amid the Yugoslav conflicts shaped his view that distrust is a root cause of conflict, and how he built trust after immigrating to the U.S. They discuss resilience after Hurricane Katrina, reframing adversity as opportunity, and “opening new doors” by pursuing work beyond a devastated local market. Ivan describes early career mentorship that launched him into consulting, lessons from large-scale projects, including an oil-spill response with 420,000 task lines, and the importance of process, accountability, clear deadlines, reciprocal mentoring across generations, and using AI to speed work without changing character or authenticity. To learn more about Ivan and his company, check out the links below. https://www.novaces.com/00:00 Trust Starts the Process01:34 Podcast Intro and Guest Welcome03:51 From Yugoslavia to America06:43 Building Trust Across Cultures10:37 Katrina and Rebuilding Resilience16:45 Opening New Doors After Disaster19:28 First Consulting Breakthrough23:07 Military Business Trust Transfer24:46 Facing the Biggest Projects26:28 Trust Unlocks Talent27:28 Military Rigor Wins28:51 Scaling Big Projects29:39 Trust 360 Steps34:27 Deadlines Build Trust36:44 Reciprocal Mentoring41:18 Leaders Using AI44:39 Vulnerability First46:05 Where To Connect46:50 Final Thanks Outro

Are you in need of building a resilient business? Do you ignore cash flow warning signs, risk mitigation, or the urgency of systems strategy? Then today's episode with Sonya Corkery is for you. Business consultant Sonya Corkery discusses building resilient businesses through strong financial foundations, systems, and risk mitigation. Sonya shares how early work in her family’s struggling service-station businesses taught her resilience, customer service skills, and a disciplined approach to money, then traces her rapid rise in banking, from bank manager at 23 to financial planning during the GFC, where she refused to push unsuitable products. She explains how her family’s electrical contracting business nearly collapsed when three builders liquidated, leaving almost $1M unpaid and only five days of operating capital, but they recovered within 12 months through strategy and support from suppliers and advisors. Sonya clearly defines her consulting approach: entity setup and asset protection, cash-flow forecasting, break-even clarity, streamlined SOPs, fractional teams, diversification, and AI, and planning to build your business as if it were being sold tomorrow. To learn more about Sonya Corkery, check out the links below.  https://clearplanconsulting.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-corkery-a326238b/https://www.instagram.com/clearplanconsulting/00:00 Business on the Brink01:11 Podcast Welcome and Setup04:42 Sonya’s Early Work Lessons08:29 Family Crisis and Survival10:52 Resilience and Money Mindset12:41 Banking Career Rise16:39 Ethics Under Pressure19:14 Joining the Family Business21:48 Builders Collapse Fallout25:34 Turning Advice Into Consulting27:26 Service Offerings Breakdown28:26 When To Get Help28:55 Cashflow And Forecasting Basics31:28 Asset Protection Foundations34:27 Implementation And Risk Planning36:31 Growth Trends And AI39:14 Industries And Diversification41:12 Speaking With Shock And Awe44:12 Fractional Teams And Board46:01 Where To Find Sonya Corkery47:30 Final Sign Off

On the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin interviews multiple-published author and former active-duty/National Guard officer Richard Spegal about authenticity in storytelling and his path from military service to writing. Spegal explains how reading Anne Rice led him to write adult vampire/paranormal fiction and why he prioritizes realism—characters should act like real people and never pander to the audience—letting them drive the plot. He discusses writing mostly by typing due to nerve damage, deploying to Iraq and Egypt (including the MFO Sinai mission with multinational forces), and medically retiring after serving about a decade and a half in the Guard. Spegal describes publishing Redemption after a 10-year gap, reader reactions to Origins and its mental-health themes, and upcoming relaunches through a new publisher, including Broken Angel and future science-fiction entries in the Eternal Knights series, plus where to find him online.00:00 Immersion Over Pandering00:55 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro02:35 Origins of Dark Fantasy Writing03:32 Writing Habits and Process04:43 Military Path and National Guard07:59 Deployments Iraq and Egypt09:28 Inside the MFO Sinai Mission10:05 Multinational Ops and Communication14:03 Going Full Time as an Author15:17 Realistic Characters Drive Plot19:04 Building a Series and New Genres21:00 Avoiding Mouthpiece Characters22:03 Living in the Story World23:28 Publishing After A Decade24:48 Favorite Scene In Redemption26:27 Writing Dark Mature Themes28:27 Military Realism In Fiction30:22 Reader Email That Hit Hard33:46 Mental Health On The Page36:16 Writing Changes The Writer38:23 Relaunch And New Publisher39:22 Hardest Book Broken Angel40:58 Climbing Out Of The Darkness44:08 Where To Find The Author45:42 Final Thanks And Sign Off

Overcoming Adversity: From War Zones to Wings 4 Heroes—Featuring Lyubim KoganIn this impactful episode of 'Your Message Received,' host John Duffin sits down with Lyubim Kogan, founder of 'Wings4 Heroes.' They dive deep into Lyubim's incredible journey, from surviving 9/11 to competing as an Olympian, and his profound mission to support veterans affected by war. The conversation covers how Lyubim navigated the annexation of Crimea, dealt with immense pressures in Ukraine, and ultimately dedicated his life to veterans' rehabilitation. Recorded on Veterans Day, this episode is an inspiring look at resolve, humanitarian effort, and the drive to make a meaningful difference.This episode also references the influence of historical figures such as Mother Cabrini, founder of Cabrini College, and Henry Dumont, founder of the American Red Cross, in shaping Kogan's mission. Highlighted media moments include a recent Facebook post celebrating the courage of a veteran returning to life with dignity, thanks to community support and paragliding adventures that foster healing and resilience. For me, learning about extremely difficult human conditions was tough for me to comprehend at first. Lyubim's dignity, grace, resilience, and impact really moved me. To learn more about Wings 4 Heroes- and to lend a hand- check out the links below. Wings4Heroes.orghttps://wings4heroes.org/shop/00:00 Introduction and Context01:29 Welcome to Your Message Received Podcast02:20 Introducing Lyubim Kogan and Wings for Heroes03:56 The Inspiration Behind Wings for Heroes05:00 Historical Figures and Their Impact10:04 Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Civilians and Soldiers14:41 Personal Stories of Resilience16:30 The Emotional and Physical Toll of War19:07 Lyubim Kogan's Personal Journey27:23 Reviving a Failing Infrastructure Company33:03 Facing Life's Greatest Challenge33:40 The Struggles of Isolation34:37 Overcoming Obstacles and Stress35:59 The Importance of Taking Action36:34 Breaking the Autopilot Cycle41:40 The Power of Decision and Small Steps47:00 Rebuilding After Devastation52:36 Supporting Veterans Through Wings 4 Heroes01:01:40 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of Your Message Received, hosted by John Duffin, we are joined by Kelly Schuknecht, Chief Elevation Officer of Two Mile High Marketing. Kelly has had documented, transformational success in converting business vision into impact. Kelly shares her journey from losing her job after her company was acquired to starting her own successful marketing firm. With over 17 years of experience, Kelly delves into the importance of thought leadership, personal branding, and the tactical steps involved in effective marketing. Learn about Kelly's concept of the 'Authority X Factor,' tips for developing your thought leadership platform, and the significance of taking quick, decisive actions in business. Also, Kelly's new book is coming soon!Speaking of writing, at the end of the episode, Kelly discusses "Flow", her first writing retreat for women. Look out for the second retreat tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026. For anyone looking to scale their business, publish a book, or hone their authentic voice, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical advice. To learn more about Kelly, check out these links. https://kellyschuknecht.com/https://www.youtube.com/kellyschuknecht00:00 Facing Job Uncertainty00:35 Welcome to Your Message Received01:14 Introducing Kelly Schuknecht03:24 Kelly's Journey in Publishing and Marketing04:43 The Birth of Two Mile High Marketing05:20 Defining the Authority X Factor09:21 Marketing Strategies and Tactics13:31 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship15:13 Navigating Job Loss and Starting Anew23:42 Decisiveness and Decision-Making Skills24:40 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Encouraging Decisiveness25:43 Helping Clients with Speaking Events and Clarity26:35 Popular Topics in Business Speaking27:53 The Rise of Thought Leadership and Personal Branding28:39 Defining Thought Leadership32:32 Launching a Podcast to Elevate Thought Leadership34:07 Challenges and Learnings from Podcasting35:24 Diverse Topics and Personal Development Books39:29 Emotional Magnetism and Personal Insights46:05 Promoting a Writing Retreat for Women47:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Living the Expat Dream Life: Transitioning to a New Life Overseas. Have you ever dreamed of living abroad? Sounds incredible and may feel daunting, too. In this episode of 'Your Message Received', host John Duffin speaks with Guillermo Salas, a successful real estate agent who shares his journey of moving his family from Philadelphia to Spain. Despite initial resistance and challenges, Guillermo discusses the benefits of pursuing one's dream, the process of adjusting to a new culture, and building a successful business remotely. Guillermo also provides insights into his exclusive Expat Livin' program, curated by Guillermo and his wife Danielle. This turnkey program is designed to help others transition to living abroad. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on overcoming obstacles, finding new opportunities, and living a life true to your passions and goals. My dream (my vision, intention) is to implement a mobile, fluid life. Guillermo and Danielle's invaluable experience has already put me several steps closer to resuming my personal journey.When you're ready to consider your own global options, check out the links below. https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatLivinhttps://expatlivin.com/expatmasteryhttps://expatlivin.com/https://www.instagram.com/expat_livin/00:00 Facing Skepticism and Following Your Path01:08 Welcome to Your Message Received Podcast01:59 Introducing Guillermo and His Journey04:18 The Big Move to Spain06:49 Overcoming Initial Challenges08:09 Adapting to a New Life Abroad11:05 Navigating Family and Business from Afar13:29 The Importance of Following Your Dreams15:53 Logistics of Running a Business Remotely20:05 Challenges and Triumphs of Expat Life28:40 Overcoming Initial Doubts and Challenges29:00 Finding Supportive People29:26 Maintaining Business Success Abroad30:55 Adapting to a New Lifestyle37:43 Navigating Bureaucracy and Logistics44:04 Building a Community50:35 Financial and Career Opportunities54:12 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of Your Message Received, host John Duffin welcomes Dennis McCurdy, a financial advisor, entrepreneur, multiple-time author, Air Force veteran, and Vietnam Vet. Dennis shares insights on overcoming challenges and achieving success by discussing his book, 'Suck It Up, Cupcake!,' his journey of personal and professional growth, and the value of persistence and accountability. I personally love the title of this book! Dennis delves into his experiences from a tough upbringing (finished 8th from the bottom of his high-school class) to building successful businesses. He emphasizes the importance of starting small, being consistent, and the importance of finding the right support system. If you're looking for no-fluff suggestions on how to take your message to the finish line, you've found the right podcast. Enjoy! To learn more about Dennis McCurdy, check out the link below.https://dennismccurdy.com/00:00 The Death of Dreams: Overcoming Inaction00:45 Welcome to Your Message Received01:37 Introducing Dennis McCurdy: A Journey of Resilience02:43 Early Life and Work Ethic10:06 Military Service and Lessons Learned14:56 Rebooting a Career: From Real Estate to Financial Planning20:51 The Power of Starting: Insights from 'Suck it up, Cupcake'22:23 The Importance of Starting23:39 The Two-Minute Rule26:33 Consistency and Accountability29:24 Forming a Mastermind Group38:16 Sustainable Systems and Habits42:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mastering Golf with Systems: Bob Labbe's Pioneering ApproachIn this episode of 'Your Message Received', host John Duffin speaks with engineer and author Bob Labbe about his innovative system for improving long-distance putting in golf. Labbe, who enjoyed a successful career in air pollution control, applies his engineering background to the game of golf, developing a unique method called 'Individual Power Factor' (IPF) to enhance performance on the course. As a non-golfer, I am really pleasantly surprised by how easily I understood Bob's specific approach. When Bob says to use a little math, science, patience, and practice, it all made perfect sense to me. I am now excited that I can at least attempt to play this game. Don't forget about the fun factor too! The conversation delves into the practical applications of this system, its ease of adoption for beginners and seasoned players alike, and its broader implications for confidence and integrity in both sports and business. Whether you're looking to up your golf game or seeking inspiration from a man who has combined passion, science, and sports, this episode offers valuable insights for everyone.If you'd like to learn more about IPF and Bob Labbe, click the link below.boblabbe.com00:00 Introduction to Individual Power Factor in Golf01:12 Welcome to Your Message Received Podcast02:17 Meet Bob Labbe: Engineer and Author03:11 The Journey into Engineering05:45 Air Pollution Control: A Career Path07:46 The Evolution of Air Pollution Control11:59 Golf: A Personal and Professional Journey18:30 The Importance of Putting in Golf22:23 Developing a System for Better Putting27:33 Understanding Individual Power Factors in Golf29:31 Measuring and Applying Your Power Factor31:07 Building Confidence in Long Distance Putting32:08 Helping Others Improve Their Game41:08 The Importance of Integrity in Golf44:07 Practical Tips for Beginner Golfers49:25 The Simplicity and Effectiveness of the Method50:15 Conclusion and Encouragement