Today, I have an especially powerful conversation for you all. My guest is Charles Antis, who is the Founder & CEO of Antis Roofing.

Charles has one goal in this life, at least as far as this podcast shows -- keeping families safe and dry. In this podcast, Charles talks about that in a literal sense (he's a vivid, visceral storyteller -- and that will be obvious), but we also explore that concept as it extends to the way you lead and treat your people.

Charles is an expert at the human side and the storytelling side -- and so we also talk about best practices for telling your own story -- something I think we all can learn a thing or two about.

Take a closer look at Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-antis-a3b6637/

Read more about Antis Roofing's mission: https://www.antisroofing.com/

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Today, my guest is Rich Wilson. He's the Founder & CEO of CLICKON, which is a new-age creative agency specializing in content tech.

Today, Rich and I speak about how he got into the advertising world, beginning with the documentary-style storytelling and brand work he began with. (As someone into long-form content, I definitely related to this!)

From there we explore why he's leaned into content tech, and what it means to build a platform around the creative process rather than just be a resource towards its production.

We touch on the coexistence of creativity and technology (including how AI is likely not the answer), and hypothesize what brands will be asking for in the future when it comes to remote content production.

I believe the agency world has a long way to go with its tech investments as a means of being agile globally and employing local talent and taste. Rich understands this, and I think you'll enjoy his perspective.

Follow Rich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-wilson-bb03a855/

Learn more about CLICKON: https://www.clickon.co/

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

On this Authentic Avenue podcast episode, my guest is Dan Hodges. He's the Founder & CEO of Retail Store Tours, through which Dan leads corporate leadership teams, boards, affluent tourists, global travelers, and more through experiential tours through the world's foremost retail landscapes.

Today, Dan and I talk about why he got into that business (which started with conference tours, if you can believe it, at the National Retail Federation Big Show), including how it grew from one tour in NYC to a global phenomenon.

We also talk about Dan's timely entry into China in the fall of 2019, and how his experience there led to outsized growth (not business slowdown) during COVID.

Finally, we move to what Dan knows best. What do you not see in a retail store, despite what you look at?

And: where is the cutting edge of retail headed in 2022?

You'll learn today.

Follow Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-h-814a1114/

Check out Retail Store Tours: https://retailstoretours.com/

Check out the World Retail Forum: https://worldretailforum.com/

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Today, I interview Geof Rochester. Geof is the Founder of GRC Advising, and is a globally known expert in the worlds of sustainability, purpose, and everything in between.

Previously, Geof has held chief marketing roles at Showtime, WWE, and The Nature Conservancy (during which time his office was across the street from this host's!).

Today, we talk about what it means to be a CMO, and how it overlaps with the Chief Sustainability seat. Can both coexist? We explore that topic, as well as how to ensure the word "sustainability" doesn't just become a brand buzzword (in the way that the word "authenticity," unfortunately, has).

What is posturing, and what is progress? We learn that here.

Follow Geof: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geofrochester/

GRC is leading the charge in these efforts, and has some wonderful examples to show for it. See more: https://www.grcadvising.com/

Many of the recent guests I've had have been inspired by GRC's work. I encourage you to listen to the message that their founder offers here.

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Today, I interview Zahir Khoja, who is the General Manager of North America for Afterpay. Afterpay is among a few major players in the booming "buy now, pay later" financial trend -- and its $29 billion acquisition at the hands of Square (now Block) indicates that it's here to stay.

Zahir took the role in 2021, a few months before the Block announcement.

On today's podcast, we focus on authentic human leadership -- specifically, how to drive change through influence rather than force.

I find Zahir's perspective incredibly interesting because the only reason we met is because I was brought into the Mastercard (Zahir's previous tenure) family via an acquisition. I experienced what it was like to be acquired from an entry-level perspective -- and today we get to learn what it's like for a leader.

That, plus we learn a little more about Zahir's role models, what he's learned from them, and the all-too-important definition of authenticity from his POV.

Follow Zahir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahirkhoja/

Check out Afterpay: https://www.afterpay.com/en-US

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Today, I interview Mita Mallick, who is a general powerhouse. She's the cohost of Brown Table Talk, a fantastic podcast offering advice and leadership lessons to women of color. She's also the Head of Inclusion, Equity, and Impact at Carta. Finally, she is a prolific content creator, having been included in LinkedIn's inaugural Creator Accelerator program.

Today we talk about how to retain your authenticity even after a return to office, the reasons why great brand storytellers sometimes aren't great personal storytellers, allyship, and more. Follow Mita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/

Follow Brown Table Talk: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brown-table-talk/id1591309211

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Theme Song: Extreme Energy (Music Today 80) Composed & Produced by Anwar Amr Video Link: https://youtu.be/8ZZbAkKNx7s

Today, I interview MindSpark CEO Kellie Lauth, who is doing fantastic work in the world of education. Ever wanted to know how to start a school? You'll learn that here, plus what the future of continuing ed looks like within business.

Follow Kellie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-lauth-9b837018/

Follow MindSpark: https://www.mindspark.org/

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.

Today, I take a few minutes to have a chat between you and me. No guest, no music. Just a chat about how this first year of Authentic Avenue (both the pod and the business) has been, and what's to come.

FOLLOW AUTHENTIC AVENUE, AND ADAM, ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn (Authentic Avenue): https://www.linkedin.com/company/68049428/ LinkedIn (Adam Conner): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjconner/

Email Adam: adam@authave.com

Learn more at https://authenticavenuemedia.com/.