Send us a text

Building strong relationships is about creating the foundation long before you need it.

This week, we’re joined by Josh Katz, founder of Knostra, a platform designed to help people build and maintain relationships more effectively using AI. Josh’s career has been centered around partnerships, and today, he’s focusing on how we can expand our circles authentically, without losing the human touch in a tech-driven world.

In this conversation, we dive into why personalization doesn’t equal being personal, the importance of context and timing in business relationships, and how AI can amplify human connection rather than replace it. Josh shares his insights on building meaningful relationships at scale, and how the right systems can transform your ability to connect, follow through, and build trust over time. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their professional relationships, both inside and outside the office.

What you’ll learn:

• How AI can enhance, not replace, meaningful human connections in business
• The importance of creating a system to stay connected and follow through
• Why personalization is not the same as being personal, and how authenticity drives trust

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:23) The problem with relationship systems

(06:11) Why context and timing matter

(09:39) Personalization vs. being personal

(12:40) Using AI to amplify relationships

(16:59) The importance of context in communication

(19:26) Balancing sales goals and authentic relationships

(23:11) How Knostra enhances relationship-building efforts

(27:43) Why relationships are the ultimate business differentiator

(32:10) The value of maintaining personal vs. corporate information

(36:10) Navigating the tension between business and personal trust

(39:40) How AI can help businesses scale relationships

(43:10) Josh's journey from idea to business

Connect with Josh Katz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkatz/

Check out Knostra: https://knostra.ai/

Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com

Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/

Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

https://www.shareyourgenius.com

Send us a text

Deep self-awareness combined with intentional leadership creates a powerful foundation for personal and professional growth.

In this episode, we speak with Barrett Brooks, an Executive Coach and host of his podcast, Good Work, whose approach to personal growth and leadership has transformed how he works and how he impacts others. Barrett’s journey has taken him from the fast-paced world of corporate leadership to embracing the calling of coaching, where he helps individuals align their inner gifts with their leadership purpose. He’s passionate about helping leaders break free from the armor of societal expectations and truly connect with their authentic selves.

We explore how Barrett discovered his true calling, the importance of knowing yourself before leading others, and the pivotal role surrender plays in effective leadership. Barrett shares his journey from burnout to purpose-driven work, and how embracing both the joys and the griefs of life can unlock peace and authenticity in leadership. He also discusses the concept of “Good Work,” focusing on how leadership that is rooted in self-awareness and inner peace leads to sustainable success. This conversation offers invaluable insights into leadership, personal growth, and the journey to leading with authenticity and intention.

What you’ll learn:

• How self-awareness and surrender can unlock your unique gifts and enhance leadership
• Why embracing both joy and grief leads to better decision-making in leadership
• How Barrett Brooks moved to purpose-driven work by aligning his gifts with his calling

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:09) Barrett’s definition of "Good Work" and the role of gifts

(04:26) The challenge of surrendering and the armor people build

(08:02) Barrett’s transition from executive to coaching and personal reinvention

(13:08) Overcoming fear and embracing the entrepreneurial path again

(17:16) The mental shift from career success to personal purpose

(23:32) Exploring the relationship between grief and joy in leadership

(28:32) The concept of self-actualization in leadership and finding peace

(32:35) The importance of knowing your story to transform your leadership

(36:05) Creating space for reflection and the power of silence

(41:11) Barrett’s new venture: Presence-Based® Coaching and its future potential

Connect with Barrett Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettabrooks/
Barrett’s website: https://barrettbrooks.com/

Check out Presence-Based Coaching: https://presencebasedcoaching.com/

Check out Good Work with Barrett Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/@BarrettABrooks

Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com

Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/

Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

https://www.shareyourgenius.com

Send us a text

The strongest relationships aren’t built when you need them. They’re built long before that.

This week, we’re sitting down with our longtime friend Erika Flowers, Chief Client Officer at Profitable Ideas Exchange, professional trail runner for The North Face, author of “The Growth Engine”, and one of the most thoughtful relationship builders we know. We’ve had versions of this conversation with Erika over the years at Arcadia, but this is the first time we’ve captured it on the mic, and it might be one of the most tactical episodes we’ve ever recorded.

We talk about why investing in people without an immediate return is the foundation of trust, how real partnerships are strengthened through feedback and shared accountability, and why great conversations only matter if you follow through on what you hear. Erika breaks down the systems behind meaningful relationships, from facilitating executive roundtables to her now-famous note card exercise, and shares how curiosity, consistency, and credibility compound over time in both business and life.

What you’ll learn:

• Why long-term relationships outperform short-term wins in business and partnerships
• How client feedback and advisory boards strengthen trust and shared ownership
• What it takes to turn good conversations into real outcomes through consistency and follow-through

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:44) When people get you wrong

(09:20) What Profitable Ideas Exchange actually does

(13:04) Adding value before there’s an ask

(15:07) Curiosity as a leadership skill

(19:06) Process over outcomes and why it works

(24:10) Turning conversations into real results

(30:11) Writing “The Growth Engine”

(32:28) The reality of leading a sales function

(32:50) What drives growth in professional services

(35:24) Why client feedback changes everything

(39:06) Building trust inside your team and outside your walls

(45:51) The note card habit that compounds relationships

(52:03) Rapid-fire reflections

Connect with Erika Flowers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-flowers/

Check out Profitable Ideas Exchange: https://www.profitableideas.com/

Check out The Growth Engine: https://www.profitableideas.com/the-growth-engine/

Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com

Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/

Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

https://www.shareyourgenius.com