"Every lawyer that I've proposed this to says I'm crazy. And they're like, why would you ever cut your bill off?"

In this episode, Roger Jorns interviews Michael Ciccolone, a corporate tax attorney who is challenging the status quo of the legal industry.

Michael breaks down his unique "Fractional General Counsel" model, which offers businesses a dedicated Chief Legal Officer on a subscription basis...saving them from the skyrocketing $1,000+ hourly rates of big firms!

We discuss the critical importance of building long-term relationships with legal counsel rather than just treating them as a transactional service.

Michael also gives his expert take on Artificial Intelligence in the legal field, warning about the dangers of relying too heavily on AI for contracts and why the industry may be heading toward a new apprenticeship era.

If you are a business owner wondering how to get high-level legal strategy without the high-level price tag, this episode is for you.

00:00 – Intro: Why other lawyers think Michael is crazy

01:38 – Michael’s background as a corporate tax attorney

03:13 – The problem with $1000/hour legal fees

05:58 – Explaining the Fractional General Counsel subscription model

11:15 – The value of long-term relationships over transactions

14:38 – Will AI replace lawyers? (The apprenticeship model)

18:56 – The pitfalls of using AI for legal work (Hallucinations & Bias)

24:08 – When should a business hire a lawyer?

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Chat with Michael: https://calendly.com/michael-blacklinegc/30min

Connect with Michael LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beltran-b39b3b180/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Check out my website: reanimationdesign.com

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"The money isn't in the list... the money is in your RELATIONSHIP with the list."

Most people think email marketing is just spamming "buy now" buttons until someone clicks.

In this episode of Reanimated Stories, Roger sits down with email strategist Ely Delaney to debunk the myth that "email is dead."

Ely shares his proven system for nurturing leads that allowed him to close a deal 10 years after first meeting a prospect!

We dive deep into why your "Call to Action" shouldn't always be "Buy My Stuff," how to start real conversations that lead to sales, and the exact strategy Ely uses to automate his follow-up so he can keep selling...even if he gets hit by a bus!

We discuss the critical difference between "pitching" and "conversing," why you should stop doing Black Friday sales, and how a simple book recommendation saved a client's business six years after Ely wrote the email.

This isn't just an interview; it's a masterclass in building trust. Learn why your emails should add value to someone's life regardless of whether they buy from you.

If you're ready to stop shouting at your list and start building relationships that pay off for years, this episode is for you!

00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Ely Delaney

01:55 Ely Delaney's Background and Expertise

03:03 The Importance of Consistent Communication

09:10 Building Relationships Through Conversations

17:06 Ely Delaney's Journey into Email Marketing

19:10 The Beginnings of Lead Generation

19:43 Building Automated Follow-Up Campaigns

20:49 The Power of Evergreen Systems

21:33 Real-Life Success Stories

24:06 The Importance of Value in Email Marketing

25:44 Maximizing Close Rates Through Follow-Up

27:12 Nurturing Relationships with Your List

31:57 Effective Lead Generation Strategies

34:27 Conclusion

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Connect with Ely:

Website: ConnectWithEly.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elydelaney/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup?

https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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"I love to have fun. I think that it's important and adults have stopped playing."

Roger is joined by Melinda Stallings, known widely as "The Positive Consultant." Melinda is on a mission to impact the world one individual at a time by helping people rediscover their internal greatness.

Together, they dive into:

• The Power of Reframing: How to look for the "gifts" even in difficult business climates.
• Disrupt HR Austin: What makes this event an "experience" rather than a conference, and how it connects professionals through high-energy storytelling.
• The Leadership Gap: Why leaders and employees often lack a "shared language" after training, and how Melinda’s "PAL" (Positive Approach to Leadership) gamified course solves this.
• Self-Reflection: The critical question every leader must ask themselves: "Would I follow me?".

Whether you are looking to bring a spark back to your organization or simply need a dose of encouragement, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughter, and positive energy.

00:00 - Intro: "Adults have stopped playing" & Rediscovering greatness.

01:28 - Meet "The Positive Consultant": Impacting the world one person at a time.

02:40 - The "PAL" Course: Why gamified learning releases dopamine.

04:25 - The Story of Disrupt HR Austin: How Roger & Melinda met.

05:58 - What makes Disrupt HR different? (5 minutes, 20 slides, auto-advance).

11:42 - How to walk into a negative room and bring positive energy.

13:42 - We are "Human Beings," not "Human Doings".

15:37 - The power of reframing: "Look for the gifts".

17:50 - The Leadership Gap: Creating a "Shared Language" between managers and employees.

22:15 - "Everybody Needs a PAL" (Positive Approach to Leadership).

24:43 - Recognizing pain points: When an organization needs a consultant.

29:05 - The ultimate leadership question: "Would you follow you?".

30:22 - Outro: You are worth it.

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Melinda Website: https://www.thepositiveconsultant.com/

Connect with Melinda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindastallings/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup? https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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Are you going into networking events hunting for your next client, or are you looking to build lasting relationships?

In fact, are you building relationships at all? Whether in business or in life, and if so how are you doing it, by focusing on yourself or others?

In this special solo episode to kick off the New Year, I talk about becoming a true "connector."

Inspired by the book The Go-Giver, I look at the 5 transformative laws that shift the focus from "what can I get?" to "what can I give?"

Whether you are looking to grow your business, strengthen your marriage, or simply find more fulfillment in your daily interactions, this episode offers a roadmap for being intentional and authentic in the year ahead.

00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings

00:15 Upcoming Podcast Highlights

00:49 Book Recommendation: The Go-Giver

02:43 Networking and Building Connections

09:03 The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success

21:34 Conclusion and New Year Wishes

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup?

https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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Are you a subject matter expert who struggles to manage people?

In this episode, Roger Jorns interviews David W. Carr, founder of Steward Your Business.

David specializes in helping professionals in technical fields—like architecture, engineering, and construction—transition from being "doers" to being effective leaders.

David discusses the danger of becoming the "frog in boiling water" by ignoring the rising pressure of business life. We explore the necessity of holistic health—physical, spiritual, and emotional—and how it directly impacts your bottom line.

David also shares how he balances his intense work with his passion for Star Wars through his side venture, Lightside Collectibles.

If you are looking to understand your leadership voice and build a healthier organization, this episode is for you.

Connect with David:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr/

Lightside Collectibles: https://lightsidecollectibles.com/

Steward Your Business: https://stewardyourbusiness.com/

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About Reanimated Stories:

Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup? https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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00:00 The Frog in Boiling Water: An Introduction

00:19 Meet the Hosts: Roger and David

01:27 David's Journey and Passion for Connecting People

02:10 The Birth of Steward Your Business

03:57 Star Wars and Lite Collectibles: A Passion Project

06:31 Balancing Work and Hobbies for a Healthier Life

10:11 Implementing Holistic Leadership in Business

14:02 Proactive Leadership Strategies

14:18 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

14:46 The Importance of Self-Leadership

15:13 Challenges in Engineering and Trust Building

16:40 Developing Competence in Teams

19:57 Recognizing and Valuing Team Diversity

23:01 Steps to Effective Leadership

25:35 Conclusion and Contact Information

"At best, you have a 45% chance of winning [a dispute]. It's less than a coin flip."

Did you know that Stripe, Square, and PayPal can freeze your funds for up to 6 months with zero warning?

In this episode of Reanimated Stories, Roger sits down with Trey Rush of PayTech Plus to expose the dark side of "faceless" payment processors.

Trey explains why the algorithm is actually underwriting your business after you start processing transactions—like inviting everyone onto a cruise ship and then kicking half the passengers off once you're out to sea.

We dive deep into what actually makes a business "high risk" (it’s not just cannabis and gambling—furniture stores and marketing agencies are on the list too!).

Plus, see why winning a chargeback dispute is statistically less likely than a coin flip!

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Connect with Trey:

Learn your Risk: freemerchantscore.com

Connect with Trey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treyrush/

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About Reanimated Stories:

Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup?

https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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00:00 Intro & The "Coin Flip" Hook

01:17 Payment Processing on "Easy Mode"

02:55 Faceless Processors vs. Agencies: What's the Difference?

04:53 The Problem with Stripe & Square ("PayFacs")

06:40 The "Cruise Ship" Analogy: When Algorithms Kick You Off

07:54 What Happens to Your Money? (The 6-Month Freeze)

09:37 What Actually Counts as a "High Risk" Industry?

11:54 Why Furniture Stores & Marketing Agencies are Now High Risk

14:19 How to Determine Your Risk Profile

16:38 Real Fraud (The Tire Shop Story)

19:33 Why You Need a Solid Refund Policy Strategy

21:18 The Chargeback Conflict of Interest (Why You Lose Disputes)

23:44 The Free Merchant Score Quiz

27:54 The Hidden Cost: How 3% Fees Eat 10% of Your Profit

29:40 The B2B Invoice Crisis: Why Half of Invoices are Past Due

"There is no blueprint to success on social... it truly is sort of a blank canvas place."

In this episode, Roger interviews Michael Beltran, founder of Flash Marketing. Michael opens up about his journey from a 23-year-old with a psychology degree to running a successful marketing agency with a team of five.

They discuss the critical difference between Organic Social (content creation) and Paid Social (lead generation), and why Michael believes you must touch the entire funnel to succeed.

You will also learn his unique philosophy on the "Football Team" approach to holistic marketing and why you should treat social media algorithms like a networking relationship rather than a machine.

If you are a young entrepreneur looking to take the leap, or a business owner trying to understand why your social media isn't converting, this episode is for you.

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Flash Marketing Website: https://flash-mktg.com/

Connect with Michael LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beltran-b39b3b180/

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About Reanimated Stories: Hosted by Roger Jorns, I talk with awesome business leaders about their story and we explore how to reimagine work, life, and design.

Connect with Roger: linkedin.com/in/roger-jorns

Want a website checkup?

https://www.reanimationdesign.com/free-website-audit/

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Is it possible to be "human-first" when talking about Artificial Intelligence?

In this episode, Roger Jorns is joined by Rachael Garnett, founder of Eaas AI. Rachael shares her incredible personal journey of using AI art generation to recover from neurological memory loss caused by chronic Lyme disease .

We move from the personal to the practical, discussing how businesses are getting AI wrong by trying to do too much, too fast . Rachael breaks down her "Activation, Integration, and Mobilization" framework , explaining why you should ignore the hype telling you you’re "behind" and instead focus on small, specific pilot projects that actually solve problems .

If you are a leader feeling overwhelmed by technology, or someone interested in the intersection of creativity and healing, this story is for you.