• Slam into a Wall (Literally) then Thrive: Unlock Your Edge, CEO Randy Dyck
    Apr 13 2025

    Prepare for a powerful encounter with Randy Dyck, Founder, CEO and Coach. Everyone faces burnout; not everyone slams into a building on a motorcycle, only to launch off the building without a helmet. Randy learned what happens when ego outweighs impact (MarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast).

    Randy describes how thousands of home sales led him to create a purpose-driven movement in real estate success and life philosophy.

    Discover how Randy reversed traditional sales, built a 650-person network, and survived near-paralysis to lead with joy. Hear why “weird is rich, normal is poor”—and how to create a real “return on life.”

    Embrace the challenge to build your personal legacy now.

    Visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-dyck

    Build your resilient shield to downturn daily:

    “I'm not a wannabe.”

    “GoPro: Your daily decisions…”

    “Underdog DNA is our 24th pair of chromosomes.”

    Burning a million dollars wasn’t the worst part, Randy tells...

    Randy’s Links:

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/randydyck

    Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/return-on-life-podcast/id1693542807

    Coaching Site: https://www.randydyck.com/coaching

    See more at:

    MarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast

    MarkSpencerCook.com | WindfallPartners.com

    Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/markspencercook

    Social Media: @MarkSpencerCook

    Questions Explored in This Discussion:

    - Why is real estate about orchestration?

    - What is the “return on life” mindset?

    - How does underdog DNA fuel growth?

    - Why do leaders resist letting go?

    - What defines a “GoPro” work ethic?

    Lessons Learned:

    - Stack adversity to build resilience.

    - Ego can cost you everything.

    - Use daily checklists for accountability.

    - Measure progress in marbles, not just money.

    - Define your four-part “why.”

    - Sell with authenticity, not tactics.

    - Reverse-engineer sales into gravity.

    - Create movements, not just teams.

    Chapters:

    - Intro to Randy Dyck

    - Early Adversity & Twin Connection

    - Neck Injury & Recovery

    - Underdog DNA Philosophy

    - Real Estate Fulfillment & Wealth

    - Building a 650-Person Team

    - Daily Checklist, GoPro Mindset

    - Return on Life Framework

    - Ego, Leadership & Letting Go

    - Advice to Graduates

    Keywords:

    real estate coach, return on life, sales philosophy, leadership, team building, adversity, underdog DNA, entrepreneurial success, randy dyck, bold encounters, mark cook, daily checklist, resilience, go pro mindset, real estate strategy, client impact

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • A More Valuable Business: Transform Your Finances, Heather McGee, CEO, 17 Asset Management
    Mar 31 2025

    Everyone faces financial collapse when capital dries up. Heather guides her business, others business, and communities to pivot and thriving (see MarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast).


    Discover how repeated setbacks—losing her first product, cutting staff, and chasing new markets—sparked Heather’s breakthroughs. Find out why building your own solutions can free you from unstable partners. Embark now to follow her strategy and act today!


    Heather uncovers her secret pivot for remote global expansions:


    "I was really green, but very passionate."

    "In order to preserve the product, we spun the product off."

    "An ending is just a new beginning."


    One hidden step changed her entire impact-investment model in an amazing way.


    Listen to Heather’s Story,


    Mark Cook


    Questions Explored

    • How do revenue decisions shape success?

    • Which costs demand urgent attention?

    • Why did virtual pivots push Heather to broaden globally?

    • How do self-trust and resilience fuel new funding paths?

    • Where does impact investing truly pay off?


    Lessons Learned

    • Identify urgent needs before building a solution.

    • Maintain lean spending for better sustainability.

    • When partnerships crumble, create your own direct approach.

    • Consistent consulting can bankroll product ideas.

    • Communication keeps teams engaged through crises.

    • Focus your message for the right clients.

    • Virtual operations can uncover new markets.

    • Nurture self-confidence to handle setbacks.


    Chapters

    00:00 Embracing Outcomes

    02:40 Early Hurdles

    05:35 Financial Knots

    08:20 Pandemic Twist

    11:25 Revenue vs. Expenses

    16:10 Team Restructures

    19:45 Caribbean Expansion

    22:50 Profitable Impact


    Keywords

    Impact Investing, Asset Management, Revenue, Cash Flow, Entrepreneurship, Virtual Pivot, Team Layoffs, Caribbean Strategy, Regulated Solutions, Problem-Solving, Global Growth, Sustainability, Financial Resilience



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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Inventor of the Cellphone, Dr. Martin Cooper: Unlocking Innovation
    Mar 22 2025

    Revisiting one of several previous phone interviews with Dr. Marty Cooper, father of the cell phone. From two cellphone conversations (forgive the audio) Dr. Cooper tells us how to innovate any work (see MarkSpencerCook.com).

    A young Marty Cooper was once hired to join a small team at, then, tiny Motorola. His team was racing to beat a huge phone company (the old AT&T) to invent a phone that could be used in a car. Marty’s team was way behind and lacked the government support the big company enjoyed. But something different started bothering Marty.

    Marty began asking his team very important but disruptive questions: “What difference would phone users really want? Why should they call another place—a car—they already have to call a kitchen or an office desk? Wouldn’t they rather call a person, not another place?” Marty said over and over, “People would rather call a person, not a place!

    When Marty asked the right questions, they ended up changing the world. He stood on a New York street and made the world’s first public cell phone call to his competitor at AT&T. Hear Marty tell about this call. It refocused us on people, not places, and it changed how we relate forever.

    What role does creativity and passion play? To lift others, we need both. Mark and Marty talk about how observing real-life situations leads to fresh ideas. They also discuss the importance of finding expert advice and how new tools can bring teams together. Small tests and learning fast help make customers truly happy.

    Takeaways • Passion makes it possible to solve tough problems. • Spending time with real people leads to better ideas. • Working with experts can spark innovation. • Testing ideas first helps find solutions faster. • Real success means delighting your customers.

    Why does creative thinking require breaking the box?"You can't be creative and efficient at the same time." "To really understand something, you've got to burrow deep in minds." "The ideas themselves are kind of superficial…The right solution sells."

    To innovate, there is a way to know what a client is actually experiencing… Mark Cook and Dr. Marty Cooper

    MarkSpencerCook.com

    Chapters

    00:00 The Power of Passion in Innovation

    01:27 Marty Cooper: The Father of the Cell Phone

    03:40 The Importance of Creative Thinking

    06:05 Understanding Customer Needs

    10:15 The Role of Observation in Innovation

    13:11 Experiencing the Customer's Journey

    17:23 Connecting with Experts for Breakthroughs

    20:31 The Future of Collaboration and Innovation

    24:00 Experimentation in the Innovation Process

    28:21 Delivering Customer Delight

    Keywords

    innovation, cell phone, cellphone, invention, Marty Cooper, Mark Cook, creativity, customer experience, collaboration, passion, problem-solving, breakthroughs, technology, leading, leadership, consulting, podcast, vodcast, YouTube, channel, Apple Podcast, Spotify

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    33 mins
  • Outreach Gurus & Principal of $5-Billion Firm: Ryan Wiersdorf, Lisa Morozoff, Rob Plowgian
    Mar 6 2025

    The art of securing a first, live meeting with a new contact. Mark Cook shares an interview from when Lisa Morozoff was a principal with Mercer, San Francisco (now with Uber) and with Ryan Wiersdorf, a sales leader and top performer at O.C. Tanner. Mark also adds a response by Rob Plowgian, sales leader at NetCuras, about beginning business relationships. Plus, Rob offers a bonus: discovering tech. “dev ops” problems and opportunities for providers. All four participants in this lively discussion explore relationship-building, positioning a company, and understanding operations for prospects. The discussion covers key challenges in others' roles, the role of emotion in decision-making, and strategic networking. Guests also share preparation tactics for referrals and the art of asking for introductions—highlighting the power of personal connections and purposeful outreach.


    A new relationship requires understanding feelings not just thoughts:

    "Emotion is part of decision making."

    "Value is progress."

    "I believe in sharpening the saw."

    Learn a way to start the very beginning of a relationship with a new contact…


    Mark Cook


    Takeaways

    • Forethought and purpose impact communication significantly.

    • Building relationships is crucial for any great success.

    • Emotion plays a key role in decision-making.

    • Value creation must get practical in networking.

    • Asking for referrals best requires any approach besides selling.

    • Understanding the macro environment aids in preparation.


    Keywords

    communication, operations, talent acquisition, networking, referrals, emotional intelligence, business relationships, leadership, value creation, relationship building


    Ryan Wiersdorf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwiersdorf/

    Lisa Morozoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-morozoff-3469a45/

    Rob Plowgian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robplowgian/


    Chapters

    00:00 The Impact of Communicating Well

    02:15 Building Relationships in Business

    08:49 The Importance of Live Meetings

    17:29 Attracting Meaningful Conversations

    24:50 Preparing for Referrals

    35:39 Approaching Potential Referrals

    42:03 Channel Strategy for Growth


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    56 mins
  • AI & Autonomy Expert Leads First: Tom Zaiderman, CEO, Ruby.ai
    Feb 28 2025

    Catch this conversation, Mark Cook and Tom Zaiderman explore AI, Autonomy, and the core of leadership, emphasizing the importance of service, compassion, and interconnectedness in both personal and professional realms. Tom shares his philosophy of leadership as a form of service, drawing from ancient wisdom and personal experiences. He discusses the significance of creating space for others to contribute and innovate, as well as the need for realistic positivity in leadership. The conversation also touches on the impact of personal adversity on leadership style and the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all stakeholders in a business.


    Facilitation is more effective than authority in leading:


    "Leading is serving by creating a space."

    "You cannot cheat this system…"

    "Pause, take a deep breath…Feed the Pause."

    Unbelievable adversity led Tom to greater compassion and a forward lean.


    Mark C.


    Takeaways:

    Leadership is fundamentally about serving others.

    True service involves recognizing the interconnectedness of all stakeholders.

    Positivity should be realistic and grounded in truth.

    Creating space for innovation is essential for growth.

    Personal adversity can lead to greater compassion and understanding.

    Effective leadership requires emotional intelligence and empathy.

    Rethinking business strategy through the lens of service can yield better results.

    The best leaders prioritize the needs of their teams and stakeholders.

    Leadership is about connection, not just decision-making.


    Links:


    Ruby.ai Robotic Technologies: https://ruby.ai/

    Tom Zaiderman: linkedin.com/in/tom-zaiderman-84808438


    Chapters:


    00:00 The Philosophy of Leadership

    06:46 Service as a Leadership Principle

    13:42 Creating Space for Innovation

    19:02 Personal Loss and Leadership Growth

    32:36 Fostering Team Positivity

    37:25 The Future of AI and Leadership


    Keywords:


    leadership, service, AI, personal growth, compassion, positivity, interconnectedness, business strategy, emotional intelligence, facilitation

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    54 mins
  • Revenue & Relationships: Kent Bowman, Pt. 2
    Feb 20 2025

    Join Mark and Kent Bowman, now to apply deep dives into “actionables” for starting valuable relationships of mutual benefit that also grow revenue! From, Co-Founder and Board Member at Tanner LLC. Discover how Kent helped grow one state’s largest CPA firm and spearheads programs at City Strong Foundation, transforming communities through education, mental health support, and neighborhood improvements. Start building authentic connections today! Follow Kent Bowman’s actionable advice to strengthen trust and collaboration in your professional life.


    Uncover Kent Bowman’s proven secrets to turning trust into unstoppable success:

    "Positivity creates opportunities and lasting success."

    "Ownership and effort set you apart."

    "Build trust before seeking anything in return."

    How did Kent Bowman’s five-step method revolutionize networking success?

    Mark C.


    Watch Bold Encounters atMarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast,YouTube.com/MarkSpencerCook,Spotify, or listen onApple and most other podcast platforms.


    Lessons Learned:

    -Build trust by delivering unconditional value to your network.

    -Foster positivity to attract people and opportunities.

    -Approach networking with authenticity, not self-interest.

    -Recognize vulnerability as a strength in relationship-building.

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    47 mins
  • An Original Swiftie, Grow Like Taylor Swift: Sophie Haws
    Feb 9 2025

    Sophie Haws shares her unique experiences growing up an original Swiftie fan of Taylor Swift. See MarkSpencerCook.com for more episodes. Now, Sophie details her personal interactions with the artist, as Swift marketed and shaped her understanding of connection and community. From her early days in Girl Scouts to navigating the complexities of adolescence and college life, Sophie reflects on the importance of individual experiences and relationships. The discussion highlights how Taylor Swift's music and approach to her fans foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among her listeners, ultimately influencing Sophie's perspective in her advertising career.

    Sound Bites

    "She made it a very personal experience."

    "We felt this connection to her."

    "She focuses on the individual experience."

    "Her music is about personal experiences."

    "It’s almost like we grew up together."

    "It creates that bond between her fans."

    "She was very focused on your personal life."

    "I think that's a really important part ofrelationships."

    "You can relate to it."

    Takeaways

    Sophie felt a personal connection with Taylor Swift.

    The importance of individual experiences in buildingrelationships.

    Taylor Swift's focus on her fans creates a strong community.

    Navigating childhood friendships can be challenging.

    The transition to college brings new pressures andexpectations.

    Sophie learned valuable lessons about personal connectionsin advertising.

    Taylor Swift's music resonates with personal experiences.

    Friendships formed through shared experiences with music.

    The significance of personal interactions in building abrand.

    Understanding the individual customer is key in advertising.

    Chapters

    00:00 Sophie’s Journey with Taylor Swift

    06:44 Navigating Childhood and Adolescence

    17:55 The Transition to College Life

    26:26 The Impact of Taylor Swift on Friendships

    35:18 Taylor Swift's Rise to Fame

    46:02 Lessons Learned from a Swiftie Experience

    Keywords

    Taylor Swift, Sophie Haws, advertising, personalconnection, music, childhood, adolescence, college, friendships, fandom

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    44 mins
  • Beat Anything: Lead Growth, Kent Bowman, Top Partner, Pt. 1
    Feb 4 2025

    Tune in today to learn to lead growth with Kent Bowman, former Partner at Andersen and Tanner LLC. Gain insights from his incredible personal challenges and difficult business journey, then leading the growth of a large, famous CPA firm, Tanner, LLC. Kent transformed teams, relationships, organizations and success in finance, consulting, and leadership. In this first part of our conversation, Kent shares how to preserve livelihoods and rebuild trust. Kent transitioned 120 professionals after Arthur Andersen's collapse.


    Discover the strategies to rebuild careers and pivot a faltering division into a success:


    "Set your sights high and deliver consistently."

    "Always take ownership of the issue."

    "Pain is temporary; resilience leads to growth."


    Find out how Kent Bowman saved family and firm from catastrophe:


    Mark C.


    Watch Bold Encounters at MarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast, YouTube.com/MarkSpencerCook, Spotify, or listen on Apple and most other podcast platforms.


    Lessons Learned:


    -Always take ownership to build credibility and trust.

    -Set your sights high to achieve exceptional outcomes.

    -Develop unique skills to stand out in competitive environments.

    -Foster teamwork by leveraging individual strengths within groups.

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    59 mins
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