How do you bring AI into your organization successfully? Every week, my global guests & I explore today's leadership challenges.

Over the years, Qonversations has taken on the shifting challenges leaders are facing. My background in cultural anthropology, coupled with decades of organizational change management, leadership coaching, and studying the psychology and neuroscience of change allow me to dig deeply into the topics we are covering while bringing practical insights that leaders can apply every day. Many of my guests are thought leaders; unlike many podcast hosts, if the guest has written a book, I have read it before I hit record. I want to engage every guest in thoughtful conversation relevant to you, the leader who is listening.
 

While this is my third podcast, it is the first that I have hosted alone. I started it to offer a resource beyond my coaching to the leadership clients I was working with. In addition, it offers me a way to continue to learn and grow as I engage in rich conversations with my guests. Qonversations was launched in 2022, and has released a new episode almost every week since then.
 

At the time it was launched, Qonversations was funded by Quantuvos; I was contracted with them as a program designer, coach, and then as podcast host. While they closed their doors in 2024, I received permission to retain the title and continue the podcast. Today, I fund it. Because it serves both a broad leadership audience and myself (by continuing my professional development), I make the time to record and produce every episode.
 

I have never sought podcast sponsorship. (Hmmm. Should I?) Recently, I have begun to promote my services as a mid-episode advertisement. Because I promote every episode on LinkedIn with a teaser and link to the guest's profile, hosting continues to broaden my network every week. Some remain connected. Some become longer-term thought partners.
 

For years I have used Podmatch to find guests. Within the first year, I had two PR agencies reaching out to me with guest suggestions. Today, that has grown to a half-dozen. Whether or not the guest is a match, I always reply. If the prospective guest is an author, I request a PDF of the book. I schedule a 15-30 minute Zoom meeting with every guest in advance to ensure the match and the chemistry. My recordings are on Zoom these days. I use Audition to edit and produce the podcast and the teaser audio. I produce the teaser graphic in Photoshop and then compile the teaser on Premiere. When finances allow, I will move to video podcasting and hire a producer. Video editing is much more labor-intensive than audio.
 

Quite frankly, while I am in the top 10% in global reach, I do not pay a whole lot of attention to the numbers. As noted earlier, I post a teaser for each episode on LinkedIn and request that the guest also promote it on their social media. I distribute through BluBrry. It appears on my YouTube channel, iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Podchaser and several other podcast platforms.
 

Be clear on why you are entering this arena. Know your guests, not just their bio, their resume, or a one-pager. Do your research. Read their writings. Listen to other podcasts they have been on. My podcasts are conversational for a reason. These days, I could use AI as the host if I wanted talking heads as guests. I want to dig in. Find the insights that will be of value to my listeners. That means I have to find guests whose interests are aligned with mine. And I need to be passionate about the topics I am covering.
 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangorman07030/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@briangormanmaverickcoach
Website: https://www.transforminglives.coach
PayPal: brian@transforminglives.coach