This week on Growth Conversations with Ashley Frank, I’m joined by Keonté Beals, an award-winning musician turned author and storyteller whose work inspires confidence, creativity, and self-belief in young people and adults alike.

Keonté shares his journey growing up in North Preston and how a pivotal moment in junior high school shaped the way he saw himself, his voice, and his future. We talk about what it’s like to move through life feeling unheard, and how discovering your voice can change everything.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The importance of self-love and self-worth
• The power of having someone who believes in you
• How creativity and imagination shape confidence at any age
• What shifts when you begin to truly value yourself
• Why your biggest limitations are often internal
• Practical advice for stepping into your self-love journey and finding your voice

This episode also includes a brief mention of suicide as part of a broader conversation around mental health, self-worth, and being heard.

If you’ve ever struggled to believe in yourself, felt like your voice didn’t matter, or lost touch with your creativity, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Connect with Keonté:

www.keontebeals.com

Instagram: @keontebeals

Mental Health Support:
If this episode brings up anything difficult for you, support is available. In Canada, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline. If you’re elsewhere, please check local mental health resources in your area.

Have you noticed more and more AI flooding your feeds and inbox? You’re not alone and it’s exhausting.

In this episode, I unpack some of the biggest “ick” trends I’m seeing in how people are using AI in their businesses and careers. From over-automation to losing your authentic voice, we’ll explore where AI starts to work against trust, credibility, and real connection.

I also share how I personally use AI on a daily basis to support my life and business without becoming overly dependent on it. You’ll hear practical ways to leverage AI as a tool, not a crutch, so you can stay sharp, human, and intentional in how you work.

If you’re using AI, thinking about using it, or just curious about what’s happening in this space, this episode is for you.

In this episode, New Year, New Me, I share my personal commitments for the podcast in 2026, along with the goals I’m working toward this year.

I reflect on why New Year’s resolutions and goals so often fall apart, and why so many people end up in the exact same place 365 days later. I also walk through some of the highlights and challenges from my 2025, how those experiences shaped my 2026 goals, and the word I’m using to guide my focus this year.

We dive into what it actually takes to follow through on your goals, including a practical way to think about execution using a GPS-style approach to direction and decision-making. This episode is about moving beyond motivation, blocking out the noise, and committing to meaningful action.

If you’re tired of going through the motions and want to make 2026 a year you’re genuinely proud of, this episode is for you.

You don’t control the sale — you influence it.
In this episode, Ashley breaks down the subtle art of influence: what it really means, what it’s not, and why every great leader, parent, and salesperson relies on it. You’ll learn how to build trust without pressure, connect without control, and qualify for influence — not just interest.

In this episode, I explore what it really means to build your sales practice.
After getting back in the air for the first time in over two years, I realized how quickly skills can fade when they aren’t used. The same is true in sales.
We don’t rise to the level of our goals — we fall to the level of our practice.
I break down how to build a sales practice around the simple equation:
Skills + Activity + Execution = Results.

Instagram: @theashleyfrank

In this episode, I talk about one of the biggest myths in business and sales — the idea that you need to have all the answers to win your customer’s trust.

The truth? We’re living in a world overflowing with information, and most people are stuck in decision paralysis. They don’t need another know-it-all telling them what to do — they need a guide who can help them make sense of it all and take confident action.

I share how to shift from trying to impress to helping your clients make the best decision for where they are, how to meet them in their process, and why clarity and empathy will always beat expertise and ego.

If you’ve ever felt like you need to know more before showing up, this episode will remind you that your value isn’t in having every answer — it’s in helping people find their right next step.

Pilots don’t just jump into an airplane and take off hoping for the best — they file a flight plan, calculate fuel, and know exactly where they’re headed.

In this episode, I talk about why your business deserves the same level of intention. We’ll explore how “winging it” keeps entrepreneurs stuck in circles, why sales math gives you power over your results, and how to set clear Q4 goals with the end in mind.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start navigating your business with purpose, this episode will help you chart your course.

📍 Topics Covered:

• Why winging it kills momentum
• The flight plan analogy for business
• Sales math basics (and how to find your real numbers)
• How to set clear, achievable Q4 goals

🎯 Your next step: Create your Q4 plan with the end of mind.

Message me on Instagram (@theashleyfrank) or LinkedIn and I’ll send you a short video walking you through a couple of sales math examples that will help you with your destination.

On this solo episode, I’m talking about why stories sell — and why features don’t. Sure, features matter. They give people a way to justify their decisions. But it’s the story behind what you do that actually creates the emotional connection and loyalty.

I’ll share how even the simplest choices — like your favorite ketchup or a childhood comfort food — are really about the story, not the specs. And I’ll explain why leaning too hard on features alone puts you at risk of becoming a commodity.

This episode is a reminder to pause, stop obsessing over the “how,” and instead anchor yourself in the “why.” Own your story. Lead with it. Because features justify… but stories sell.

🎧 Listen in and then share your story with me on Instagram or LinkedIn.