Listen Now

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, Robert Clark, Sales Vice President, The Plus Group, and Host, Advice First Podcast, out of the Greater Los Angeles Metro, CA, area. “Advice First” – Robert’s mantra. This mantra has become more than just something he says and talks about, it’s become his brand. He knows that this way of thinking most definitely trumps ordinary ‘selling’ when building long-term relationships.  You see, Robert describes himself as a “quality > quantity” type of person. He feels grateful and lucky enough to work with a key small group of employee benefit and financial advisers, many of whom he calls friends. We have a common bond on word choice and how word choice always proves paramount. He hates the negative term “disability insurance” just as much as I hate the ridiculous term “voluntary benefits”. He prefers the more positive term of “income protection” and I couldn’t agree more. Robert’s sincerely passionate about advising his clients and prospects about the “why” behind having income protection because his family lived off those benefits for 20 years while his father, a former CPA, battled a rare form of cancer that left him unable to work and provide for his family. Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: How his mantra, “Advice First,” trumps ‘selling’ when building long-term relationships. What it means to be an “income protection specialist,” helping clients understand the value. How he got started in the benefits industry after his father was diagnosed with brain cancer and his family lived for 20 years without a paycheck. Being a “closet finance nerd” and his focus on generating sustainable income to protect yourself. So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Robert Website: https://www.thepgtsolution.com/ Website: https://robertjohnclark.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theincomeadvisor Twitter: https://twitter.com/MillAdvisorPro Email: Robert@thepgtsolution.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, David Contorno, Founder, E Powered Benefits, out of North Carolina and Oregon. David is sick and tired of employers and employees around the country being sick and tired of perpetual health insurance rate increases for lesser quality coverage. Year in and year out, it’s a seemingly never-ending cycle of negativity for both employers and employees alike. Forbes Magazine named David to their prestigious list of “America’s Most Innovative Benefits Leaders” and has also been recognized as the “Broker of the Year” by BenefitsPRO Magazine. David is often misunderstood because of his sincere passion to change the way employers and their employees purchase and consume health insurance. Because of his, often viewed, polarizing personality, and his relentless pursuit of breaking the status quo of healthcare, he’s often seen as controversial which has left folks in the industry with either a love or hate feeling towards David. What they can all, typically, agree on though, is that his message is sincere and that he’s pushing the massive ball up hill in the right direction that it needs to go – usually on his own. What do I think? I think that David’s passion can be viewed as too aggressive by some (so what) and that he’s one of the only folks within his industry to take a stand and not back down. For this, how can I not respect him and his view? So, have I got your attention yet? David’s episode is the true definition of one that I would call, ‘not to be missed’. With that, it’s time to sit back, grab your favorite cold beverage, and hold on tight as we dive into all that I describe above, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: Being controversial, and lonely, in the benefits world by going against the system Our health insurance system is not broken, it’s doing exactly what it was originally intended to do Helping other health insurance brokers and advisers to not be so afraid to take a different path Going to school for photography and almost ending up working for the government So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with David: Website: http://www.epoweredbenefits.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dcontorno Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcontorno Email: dcontorno@epoweredbenefits.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my newest rockstar friend, Amy Blaschka, Social Media Ghostwriter, Career Storyteller, and Forbes Magazine Contributor, out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Amy, as she explains so well in her Linkedin bio, “helps leaders craft their stories to communicate and connect better.” I had the pleasure of meeting Amy via social media – I know, shocking! Linkedin to be specific, and I was so blown away with how incredible she seemed after watching her video content, reading her articles in Forbes, and of course, her social media copy, that I just had to reach out! Hopefully, she’s not judging me on these podcast show notes… During Amy’s episode, you’ll learn how she was able to land the opportunity of a lifetime – writing for Forbes, her journey to becoming a writer and how she originally wanted to go into filmmaking of all things. We also do a deep dive into how ghostwriting works and whether or not hiring a ghostwriter is actually “cheating”. Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: How she became a contributing writer for Forbes How she became a writer in the first place, after majoring in filmmaking in college How she to pivoted from destination and tourism marketing, to becoming an entrepreneur How ghostwriting actually works, and should it be considered cheating? Using Linkedin as a fluid, living document, to align your goals with the way you present yourself So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Amy: Website: http://www.amyblaschka.com/ Website: http://amyblaschka.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyblaschka/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/amyblaschka Email: amy@amyblaschka.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, Ryan Miller, Coach to High Performers, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant to Industry Leaders, Podcast Host, and Entrepreneur, out of Orange County, CA. Ryan started his business with $500 bucks to his name and he’s tirelessly worked to ensure his dream could provide for his family. I’m proud to know Ryan, be a client of Ryan’s, and to report that even though he’s certainly been knocked down many times, his business is thriving! Ryan coaches high performers and those who are aspiring to be one. He helps them to achieve all that they want out of life and business. Consulting industry leaders, creating strategic sales and marketing plans, developing leaders, and ensuring an incredible culture are just the tip of the iceberg to what Ryan brings to any professional or organization as a whole. His single passion is helping people succeed in business, all while passionately promoting and living an ‘authentic’ lifestyle. As Ryan says, he is “an open book with many torn pages” and I hope you tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: Coaching people to be the best versions of themselves Helping people to produce the best outcomes in their business His vlog (video blog) – sharing everyday situations that occur, a way to show authenticity COVID19 crushed his business, costing him $20K a month in contracts How he put himself back together to figure out a new way to keep his business going Helping people admit when they need help as the only way to make it through So, I only have one question for you…?  Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Ryan Website: http://www.ryanjamesmiller.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rjmsalespro Twitter: https://twitter.com/rjmsalespro Email: ryan@ryanjamesmiller.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, Andy Neary, Performance Coach, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, and Entrepreneur, out of Fort Collins, Colorado. As a former professional baseball player, Ironman athlete, and 20-year veteran of the health insurance industry, Andy’s learned the significance that mindset plays in achieving success. Andy helps insurance and financial advisers master their daily habits and time-management skills “off the field” so they can dominate on it. He focuses on helping professionals stand out in their market using their personal brand, to create a clear brand message and one heck of a strategy to share it far and wide. He prides himself on the fact that he’s not going to teach anyone a skill they don’t already have, but rather, he’s going to give them the clarity and mindset shift they need to win new business and make more money. As he says, “when clarity and confidence collide, massive action happens!” In this week’s episode, Andy and I talk about his road to the pros – from college to playing pro baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers organization and how all of this helped lead him to becoming the entrepreneur he is today. We even dive into the biggest make or break moment that all college and minor league athlete’s face – time management, and how to fight against ‘impostor syndrome’. Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: Playing pro baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers organization The biggest make or break for college and minor league players is time management Fighting against imposter syndrome and feeling average Becoming an entrepreneur and believing you are an entrepreneur ‘Curtis Granderson’ broke up Andy’s “perfect game!” So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Andy: Website: http://www.andyneary.com/ Website: https://linktr.ee/AndyNeary LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/andyneary Twitter: https://twitter.com/ANearyinCO Email: aneary@theolsongroup.net This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, Sanà Rasul, Chief Girlfriend and Founder at HR Girlfriends, out of the Washington, DC area. Sanà has been in the HR profession for more than a decade. After working in HR at the highest level for a a number of years, she was inspired by an Oprah episode to start her company, HR Girlfriends. HR Girlfriends is a networking community for women working in or providing services to the HR field, who are looking for an environment to socially and professionally collaborate – they know no color lines and all women are welcome. In this week’s episode we dive into how Sanà had the idea to start HR Girlfriends and how she’s taking it across the country. We also get into how COVID19 is changing the game for remote working and gig workers in general and we even touch on how to create a responsible and diverse culture in a small to mid-size business. Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: How her business dream, inspired by an Oprah episode led to the start of her company. Taking HR Girlfriends across the country based on a good old fashioned ‘leap of faith’. How the COVID19 pandemic is changing the game for remote working and gig workers. How to create a responsible and diverse culture in a small to mid-size business. Manifesting your dreams, being true to yourself, and making sure you can live with your decisions. So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Sanà: Website: http://hrgirlfriends.com/aphr-certification/ Website: http://hriseasy.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sanarasul Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRGirlfriends Email: sanarasulphr@gmail.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, Natalie Monaco, Founder and Inventor of Covermade Bedding, out of the Columbus, Ohio area.  I love Linkedin. It’s my favorite social media platform. Why, you ask? Because if not for Linkedin, I’d have never met this week’s rockstar guest, Natalie!  Natalie, like the rest of the world, hates making her bed – I know I hate it! She had an idea that there had to be a better way to always ensure our beds were made. Then, viola, product concept for the now, patented, “Covermade”, was born. As she says, it’s “Lightning Fast Bedmaking”! Covermade takes the ‘tedious’ out of bedmaking, due to its ‘wickedly clever design’, you’ll have your bed made within 10 seconds. Just wake up, flip the top of the covers up once, and you’re done. Bed. Made.  You can find Covermade on Natalie’s website and through major retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, Wayfair, Brookstone, Houzz and QVC. Covermade has even been featured in Good Housekeeping and Reader’s Digest magazines and even found its way into the Golden Globes ‘Swag Bag’!  In this week’s episode we dive into Natalie’s former life as a medical device sales pro and how her cold-calling experience provided her the wherewithal to be professionally persistent to hustle her way into major retailers.  If you’re like me and love a true success story from grit to great, then be sure to tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights:  Being a “road warrior” with a pet peeve of an unmade bed led to the advent of Covermade Finding her first manufacturer by searching at the library and sending samples with a pitch letter What Bed Bath & Beyond originally told her and how she got into Brookstone How every step in her path started with her cold calling experience selling medical devices So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Natalie: Website: http://www.covermadebedding.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nataliemonaco Twitter: https://twitter.com/Covermade Email: natalie@covermadebedding.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my mentor from a far, Bob Burg, World Renown Keynote Speaker and Multi-time International Best-Selling Co-Author, out of the Jupiter Florida area. There aren’t many folks I had on my list of potential guests that I was more excited about approaching, than Bob Burg. I was so grateful and honored when he accepted my invitation because I’m one of his largest fans and a self-proclaimed brand ambassador for he and his co-author, John David Mann’s book series, “The Go-Giver”. The collective books that make up the “Go-Giver” series have sold millions of copies combined with the original book, “The Go-Giver”, selling nearly a million copies on its own. Bob has shared his powerful “Go-Giver” concepts in front of audiences ranging from 50 to 15,000 at hundreds of events, conferences, and professional gatherings worldwide. This includes sharing the stage with top business leaders, Olympic athletes, and even a former U.S. President. In this week’s episode we dive into the book that started it all, “The Go-Giver”, and the first of Bob’s five Laws of Stratospheric Success – The Law of Value. We also dig into how when something is split 50/50, it’s a losing proposition and how being a “Go-Taker” is a much harder way to build relationships. Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: The Law of Value” – where you give more in value than you take in payment Money is to value, like thunder is to lightning, it is the “echo of value” Being a “go-taker” – someone who’s solely focused on themselves, making it much harder to build relationships and a business 50/50 is a losing proposition – your focus should always be on providing value to your customer/prospect, and you’ll naturally receive value in return, even if not with that specific prospect So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Bob Website: http://www.thegogiver.com/ Website: http://www.burg.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bobburg Email: bob@burg.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features an incredible entrepreneur rockstar, Morri Chowaiki, Head of Sales and Retail for Daymond John and The Shark Group, out of the San Diego, California area. You may recognize Morri from his appearance on ABC’s hit show, “Shark Tank,” during Season 5, Episode 12, which originally aired on December 13, 2013. Morri went into the tank seeking $50,000 in exchange for 15% equity in his ‘Hanukkah Tree Topper’ – the world’s first patented “Menorahment”. Morri left the tank with a deal from Daymond John for $50,000 in exchange for 35% of his company. These days, Morri works directly with Daymond John as his head of sales and retail, managing well known corporate clients and talent, like, Amazon, Capital One, Miller Coors, Carlos Santana, Lil Jon, and Stan Lee just to name a few. To date, Morri is the first and only person to ever enter the tank and leave with a job working directly for a shark. In this episode, you’ll learn how Morri was able to parlay his appearance and deal on Shark Tank into a full-time career working directly with Daymond John. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, and it involved relentless perseverance on the part of Morri along with him taking an even bigger leap of faith than it took for him to originally apply to be on Shark Tank! Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: The long journey to appear on Shark Tank “Happy Wife, Happy Life” leads to his breakout Hannukah Tree Topper going viral on Shark Tank Using his business connections to stay relevant and on Daymond John’s radar Hoping to get fired – persistence, determination, and moonlighting pays off to land his dream job Loving what you do can’t be overstated So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Morri: Website: https://www.thesharkgroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/morri1111 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyTreeTopper This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

This episode of the #RockstarsRocking podcast features my rockstar friend, the “Marketing Maven” herself, Megan Chiarello, Founder of Grassetto Creative and Vice President of Marketing for the NextGen Benefits Mastermind Partnership. Megan is a self-proclaimed “marketing enthusiast” who’s deeply passionate about working with her clients to conceptualize their product launch, execute their campaign, or even design their event strategy. With a focus on shaking up the employee benefits space – Megan’s helps employee benefit advisers and brokers up their game when it comes to the marketing content they create and push out to their marketplace. In this episode we dive into what it means to be a “fractional CMO”, how she got into employee benefits technology by working on political campaigns, her philosophy on branding, and how she teaches her clients to make social media their “own”. Tune in for all of this, and more, on this week’s edition of the #RockstarsRocking podcast. Episode Highlights: Working with a “fractional CMO” allows clients to create high-end marketing campaigns without the expense of a full-time internal marketing executive. How benefits technology marketing stemmed from her days in political campaign management. Debunking the thought that many have which is marketing is all “fluff”. How she gets her clients to feel connected to their brand, beyond just a single product. How social media needs to be organic and not forced – all pointing back to your brand. So, I only have one question for you…? Are you ready to rock…?! Connect with Megan: Website: https://nextgenadviser.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/meganchiarello Email: megan@grassettocreative.com This Episode is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google

Hey Rockstars, welcome to the #RockstarsRocking podcast with Eric Silverman, powered by Voluntary Disruption. A show dedicated to people who are crushing their business and life goals. These are bite-size conversations with leading rockstars in their respective industry, who are pumped to share their story to help drive you to the next level. Sooo… grab your favorite beverage… sit back, relax, and get ready to rock! Eric Silverman Chief Rockstar Rocking   This Podcast is Powered by: Enjoy The Show? If you haven’t done so already, please make sure you’re subscribed to the show, #RockstarsRocking, wherever you consume podcasts and if you feel so inclined, please leave us a review – 5 stars would totally rock! Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify (coming soon)