INspired INsider Podcast

Patrick Ropella is the Founder and Chairman of Ropella 360, a global executive search and advisory firm specializing in connecting transformational leaders with private equity and mid-market companies. With over 35 years of experience, he has contributed to the growth of major global corporations such as Dow, General Electric, BASF, Nike, and Johnson & Johnson. As the author of The Right Hire and Pathways to Private Equity Partnerships, Patrick's C-suite and investor insights are featured in hundreds of publications worldwide. His strategic vision and expertise have made him a trusted advisor to leaders across industries. In this episode… The path to extraordinary success often starts in unexpected places — from humble beginnings to high-stakes boardrooms. Some people manage to rise without the usual credentials, building influence, trust, and transformative relationships along the way. What enables someone to become a connector who impacts leaders, industries, and entire organizations? According to Patrick Ropella, a renowned leadership strategist, the real advantage comes from mastering human connection rather than relying on traditional qualifications. He highlights how deep listening, specialization, and long-term trust outperform transactional sales and recruiting. This approach creates lasting impact by aligning the right leaders with the right missions. Over decades, he developed a system for identifying A-players, ensuring cultural fit, and supporting leadership transformation across complex industries. His stories — from helping global brands innovate to supporting frontier-technology teams — show how clarity, accountability, and relationship-building shape high-performance outcomes. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Patrick Ropella, Founder and Chairman of Ropella 360, to discuss building elite teams through authentic leadership. They explore how to identify A-players, the principles behind his Smart Search System, and what drives lasting transformation in organizations. Patrick also shares insights on trust, communication, and scaling through strong relationships.

Vikram Seth is the Co-founder and Product Visionary at Ducknowl, a talent-screening and assessment platform that helps employers make faster, smarter, and more data-driven hiring decisions. He is also a Co-founder of Simpalm, a company that provides software and services focused on IT and staffing solutions. With more than a decade of management and IT staffing experience and a master's degree from Georgetown University, he brings deep expertise to digital innovation in recruitment. Vikram also supports sustainable organic farming in the Chicagoland area. In this episode… Building better hiring systems isn't just about speed — it's about finding ways to truly understand talent, reduce bias, and streamline decision-making. Many leaders still struggle with outdated processes that overlook talented individuals and waste time and resources. So how can technology and smarter talent solutions transform the way companies hire? Vikram Seth, a leader in technology-driven hiring innovation, believes companies improve dramatically when they look beyond resumes and adopt structured, consistent evaluation methods. He highlights how video screening, skill-based assessments, and integrity-focused tools help hiring teams gain clearer insight into candidates while reducing costly misjudgments. The result is a more efficient, equitable, and data-informed hiring workflow that helps businesses scale with confidence. Vikram also emphasizes the power of global talent and why embracing modern staffing models opens new doors for growth. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz speaks with Vikram Seth, Co-founder and Product Visionary at Ducknowl, to discuss building better hiring systems through technology and smarter talent solutions. They explore how structured assessments mitigate bias, how global talent enhances operations, and how real-world staffing challenges drive innovative solutions. Vikram also talks about the mindset that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.

Anderson Schoenrock is the Co-founder and CEO of Memory Ventures, a fast-growing portfolio of direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands and services specializing in digitization, wall art, gifting, and 3PL/logistics solutions. Paul Bigham is the President and Founder of Bigham Agency, a marketing, advertising, and strategic consulting firm specializing in nonprofit outreach, brand development, and omni-channel communications. Dale Castro is the Co-founder and Chief Creative & Strategy Officer at Overlap Interactive, a full-service digital marketing and development agency specializing in creative strategy, web design, SEO/paid media, and holistic omnichannel digital experiences.  Esther Kiss is the Founder & CEO of Born To Influence, the go-to PR firm for entrepreneurs, founders, and brands that aim to challenge the status quo through their innovative approach, products, and services. In this episode… Navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing world of business can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to stay ahead, grow sustainably, and make meaningful connections. What if there were smarter, more actionable ways to preserve memories, scale brands, enhance communication, and leverage cutting-edge tools — without the usual trial and error? Anderson Schoenrock, Paul Bigham, Dale Castro, and Esther Kiss reveal how they're redefining entrepreneurship, marketing, and personal branding with innovation, strategy, and practical insights. Anderson shares how Memory Ventures grows multiple direct-to-consumer brands and a 3PL business while introducing eco-friendly products like dissolvable wrapping paper and specialty coffee through Crema Coffee Products. Paul discusses mindset, communication, and strategies for raising funds for large-scale humanitarian initiatives. Dale highlights leadership lessons, agency growth strategies, and his favorite business books. Esther offers guidance on personal branding, media exposure, and using AI tools to create efficient, impactful content. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Anderson Schoenrock, Paul Bigham, Dale Castro, and Esther Kiss about building sustainable businesses and achieving long-term growth. They share practical insights on emotional intelligence, copywriting, productivity, and modern tech adoption to help listeners sharpen their skills, innovate, and strengthen relationships.

Arto Minasyan is the Co-founder and President of Krisp, a company that provides AI-powered noise cancellation and voice optimization to improve clarity in virtual communication. He is also the Co-founder and CEO of 10Web, an AI-driven WordPress platform that automates website building, hosting, and performance optimization for businesses and agencies. Under his leadership, companies have raised $28 million, achieved profitability, seen Krisp named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2020, and led 10Web to over one million websites. Arto holds a master's in physics, an MBA, and a PhD in mathematics and is also a partner at BigStory VC. In this episode… Voice technology is evolving faster than most people can track, redefining how we meet, collaborate, and build online. As AI becomes woven into everyday tools, tasks that once felt clunky or technical now feel surprisingly simple. So what happens when voice AI and automated web creation become powerful enough to feel effortless? For Arto Minasyan, a longtime innovator in AI-driven communication, real progress occurs when technology removes friction from the experience instead of adding to it. He explains that people don't embrace tools simply because they're sophisticated — they stick with the ones that make life easier within seconds. That thinking guided Krisp's expansion from basic noise reduction into transcription, meeting notes, and real-time accent conversion. His work on automated WordPress creation reflects the same principle: deliver immediate results through an API rather than forcing users to navigate a complex platform. By centering speed, clarity, and intuitive workflows, Arto sees AI reshaping the way people communicate and build online. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Arto Minasyan, Co-founder and President of Krisp, to discuss the rise of voice AI and next-generation WordPress automation. They explore Krisp's expansion beyond noise cancellation, the power of an API-first website builder, and how timing shapes startup success. Arto also talks about the future of human-to-computer voice interaction.

Rob Cromer is the CEO and Co-founder of Aisle³, an Amazon-first marketplace agency that helps founder-led, mission-driven brands scale across platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Under his leadership, Aisle³ has been recognized by Adweek as one of the fastest-growing agencies and has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list, supporting notable brands such as Nama, Caraway, and Ripple Foods. Known for championing founder mindset, intentional gifting, and agile operations, he is committed to building profitable companies that value relationships, creative storytelling, and sustainable long-term growth. In this episode… Founder-led brands often struggle to cut through the noise on massive marketplaces, where competition is fierce, and software tools alone aren't enough to guarantee success. Many agencies promise growth but deliver generic solutions that don't truly move the needle. How can these brands rise above the clutter and turn into household names? Rob Cromer, an expert in e-commerce marketing, explains how founder-led brands can overcome marketplace challenges by taking a human-centered, agile approach. Rob emphasizes building deep partnerships with brands through transparency, intentional communication, and continuous improvement. He shares actionable strategies to maintain consistent growth, prepare strategically for high-traffic sales events, weigh the pros and cons of FBA versus FBM, and use thoughtful gifting to make products stand out. Rob also highlights the importance of long-term relationships, profitability, and a dedicated full-time team in driving sustainable success. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Rob Cromer, Co-founder and CEO of Aisle³, to explore how founder-led brands can dominate marketplaces. Rob shares insights on inventory management, product assortment, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday prep, along with the impact of thoughtful gifting to help brands stand out.