Disrupt & Innovate

Hosted by Lisa Levy

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

182

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Are you a business owner who’s falling behind the competition, feeling anxious about unforeseeable disruptions, or having trouble hiring and keeping the best employees? If so, Disrupt & Innovate podcast is tailored to you. We believe in disruptive leadership as a conscious choice to challenge the status quo for a better future. Our goal is not to stir things up for the sake of it, though we do find it exhilarating. Rather, we want to inspire positive changes in your business, your personal life, and the world at large. Join us on this journey to turn your big dreams into reality.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 20265 min

Why Disrupt & Innovate Is Evolving After 180 Episodes

After 180 episodes, countless conversations, and hundreds of insights from founders, creators, executives, innovators, and change-makers, Disrupt & Innovate is entering a new chapter. In this special solo episode, host Lisa L. Levy takes a step back to reflect on the journey that brought the show to this milestone and shares why it's time for an evolution. From the very beginning, the goal has been simple: create meaningful conversations with people doing important work. Along the way, the podcast has explored leadership, change, innovation, resilience, creativity, and the many ways people challenge the status quo. But 180 episodes teach you something important: a great conversation isn't always a useful one. That's why Disrupt & Innovate is refining its focus. Going forward, each episode will be built around a clear promise: delivering practical value to the audience. The spotlight shifts away from guest promotion and toward the real challenges listeners face every day. The guest is no longer the hero—the problem is. Lisa shares how future episodes will feature: -Sharper questions and deeper exploration -More specificity and real-world examples -Honest discussions about failure, setbacks, and lessons learned -Less self-promotion and more actionable insights -Practical frameworks, strategies, and takeaways that listeners can immediately apply This evolution isn't about abandoning what made the first 180 episodes successful. It's about building on that foundation to create conversations that are more focused, more useful, and more impactful. Keywords: -Disrupt and Innovate -Podcast -meaningful conversations -Founders -Creators -Leadership -Change -audience engagement -show evolution Whether you've been listening since episode one or you're discovering Disrupt & Innovate for the first time, thank you for being part of this journey. The next chapter is about creating conversations that don't just inspire—they help you think differently, make better decisions, and move forward with confidence. Here's to 180 episodes—and everything that's next! #DisruptAndInnovate #podcast #leadership #innovation #meaningfulconversations #founders #creators #change #audienceengagement #ShowEvolution Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 9, 202625 min

Evolving Business Models for a Changing World

Outdated business paradigms are failing in a world that demands more flexibility and value than ever before. In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Dawn Holly Johnson to discuss the urgent necessity of business evolution and why the traditional 40-hour work week is a relic that no longer serves modern workplace culture. Dawn brings her extensive experience in organizational design to the table, explaining how rigid hierarchies often stifle innovation and prevent employees from contributing meaningfully. The conversation explores the shifting attitudes of Gen Z and why younger generations are rightfully questioning established norms that prioritize time-tracking over true productivity. Through a powerful customer service transformation case study, Dawn illustrates how breaking down silos and focusing on genuine value delivery can lead to massive operational savings and a more resilient business. This discussion is a call to action for leaders to stop managing systems and start leading people by embracing the flexibility and adaptability required to thrive in today's market. ✨Keywords: -business evolution -workplace culture -Gen Z -40-hour work week -organizational design -customer service transformation -leadership, innovation -Hierarchy -Productivity If you are a leader ready to challenge the status quo and build a business that is fit for the future, this conversation with Dawn Holly will give you the perspective you need to evolve. #BusinessEvolution #WorkplaceCulture #GenZ #FutureOfWork #OrganizationalDesign #CustomerService #Leadership #Innovation #Hierarchy #Productivity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 2, 202617 min

The Power of Human-Centric Business Models

The real competitive edge in any business isn’t a product or a process—it’s the people. In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Nick Stagge to explore the transformative power of a human-centric approach to brand building and marketing. Nick shares his journey from retail management to founding a collective of marketing agencies that prioritize team empowerment and individual dreams. He breaks down his unique operational models, which offer flexibility for different working styles while maintaining a unified goal of driving business growth. Throughout the conversation, Nick emphasizes the role of mentorship, the necessity of a supportive corporate culture, and why the most successful businesses are built on deep, authentic relationships rather than just deliverables. This discussion is a masterclass for leaders who want to achieve sustainable growth by fostering a workplace where employees feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. ✨ Keywords: -human-centric -brand building -team empowerment -marketing -business growth -mentorship -corporate culture -collective model -employee support -sustainable growth If you are a leader looking to build a brand that lasts by putting humans at the center of your strategy, this conversation with Nick Stagge provides the roadmap you need. #HumanCentric #BrandBuilding #TeamEmpowerment #Marketing #BusinessGrowth #Mentorship #CorporateCulture #CollectiveModel #EmployeeSupport #SustainableGrowth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 26, 202623 min

How Soulful Leadership Transforms Business Support

Scaling a business doesn’t have to mean hiring full-time staff or carrying unnecessary overhead. In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Joanna Zhang, founder of Operation Genius, to explore her innovative fractional VA service model and the deeper impact of soul-aligned leadership. Joanna shares how she reimagined virtual assistants as strategic partners—giving entrepreneurs the operational support they need to grow without burnout. Drawing from her own journey, she opens up about overcoming challenges in delegation, communication, and imposter syndrome, and how personal transformation became the foundation of her business success. This conversation goes beyond systems and workflows. Joanna brings a powerful perspective on self-love, leadership, and the role of unconditional care in building meaningful client relationships. Through real client success stories, she demonstrates how the right support model can unlock both business growth and personal freedom. ✨ Keywords: -fractional VA service -virtual assistants -business growth -operational support -soul-aligned leadership -entrepreneurship -self-love -imposter syndrome -client success stories If you’re ready to grow your business with the right support—and lead in a way that aligns with who you truly are—this episode with Joanna Zhang offers a fresh, grounded perspective. #JoannaZhang #virtualassistants #businessgrowth #OperationalSupport #SoulAlignedLeadership #entrepreneurship #selflove #impostersyndrome #clientsuccess #FractionalVA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 19, 202623 min

Mastering Startup Success: 6 Frameworks for Exponential Growth

Starting a company is incredibly hard—and it can be incredibly lonely. In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy welcomes Amos Schwartzfarb, founder of RetroCause and a seasoned guide for startups, to break down the essential business frameworks every founder and CEO needs to move from chaos to exponential growth. Amos dives deep into the "math" of business, explaining why your revenue formula is the most important equation you’ll ever write and how a clearly defined ideal customer profile is the secret to effective marketing and sales. We explore the importance of validating assumptions before you scale, the power of leading KPIs to predict future success, and why a robust financial model is the backbone of operational excellence. Whether you are a first-time founder or a seasoned executive, Amos provides practical, battle-tested advice on articulating your vision, staying focused on your mission, and turning failures into the fuel for business growth. ✨ Keywords: -entrepreneurship -business frameworks -startup success -leadership -ideal customer profile -revenue formula -key performance indicators -financial modeling -founder support -business growth If you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing with a proven roadmap, this conversation with Amos is exactly what you need to hear. #entrepreneurship #BusinessFrameworks #startupsuccess #leadership #idealcustomerprofile #RevenueFormula #kpis #financialmodeling #foundersupport #businessgrowth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 12, 202623 min

Building Business Foundations: The Power of Organizational Clarity

In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Sara Frasca, former General Mills leader turned entrepreneur and business coach, to explore how organizational clarity fuels innovation, empowers teams, and drives sustainable growth. Sara shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, and what she’s learned about building businesses that actually scale. We dive into the tension between structure and creativity, why empowering teams is essential for long-term success, and how honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations are necessary to move a business forward. Through real client success stories, Sara illustrates how clarity in roles, strategy, and communication can transform both performance and culture. At the heart of the conversation is one powerful idea: truth in coaching. The willingness to ask better questions, give real feedback, and challenge assumptions is what separates stagnant businesses from those that grow. ✨ Keywords: -entrepreneurship -business coaching -innovation -team empowerment -corporate leadership -growth strategies -organizational structure -client success stories -truth in coaching -navigating challenges If you’re a founder, leader, or coach looking to build a stronger foundation for growth, this conversation with Sara will challenge how you think about structure, leadership, and what it really takes to scale. #entrepreneurship #businesscoaching #innovation #teamempowerment #corporateleadership #growthstrategies #organizationalstructure #clientsuccess #TruthInCoaching #leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 5, 202621 min

The Human Element in AI Strategy

In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Rupali Kumbhani to discuss the critical importance of mindful implementation of AI and why a human-centric approach is the only way to achieve true organizational change. Rupali breaks down why AI isn't a "magic wand" for broken processes and how rushing into automation without a clear strategy leads to wasted investments. We explore the cultural impact of AI, the necessity of robust governance, and why ethical AI must be at the forefront of every leader's mind. From overcoming the fear of technology to investing in employee training that fosters loyalty, Rupali shares how to turn AI into a powerful partner for productivity and growth—without losing the human element. ✨ Keywords: -AI -transformation -leadership -mindful implementation -human-centric -strategy -governance -organizational change -ethical AI -productivity If you’re a leader or executive navigating the complex world of artificial intelligence, this conversation with Rupali will help you prioritize human outcomes and build a strategy that actually works. #ai #transformation #leadership #MindfulImplementation #humancentric #strategy #governance #organizationalchange #ethicalai #productivity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 28, 202622 min

How Bonnie Schutz Builds Trust and Scales Business

In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy welcomes Bonnie Schutz, founder and CEO of Tandem Resource Solutions, to discuss the ultimate leadership superpower: delegation. Bonnie shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey from corporate executive assistant to CEO, revealing why so many leaders struggle to let go and how trust and clear communication are the foundations of any successful partnership. We dive into the reality of imposter syndrome, the importance of protecting your personal freedom and health, and why building a high-level support system—including virtual assistants—is the only way to achieve true business growth. Bonnie also gets real about the empowerment that comes from making tough calls, like firing clients who no longer align with your vision. ✨ Keywords: -delegation -leadership -entrepreneurship -trust -virtual assistants -business growth -networking -freedom -imposter syndrome -support systems If you’re a founder or executive feeling overwhelmed by the "doing," this conversation with Bonnie Schutz will show you how to step into your power as a leader by building the support you deserve. #delegation #leadership #entrepreneurship #trust #virtualassistants #businessgrowth #networking #freedom #impostersyndrome #supportsystems Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 21, 202620 min

Building a Resilient Security Posture

In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Lori Crooks, founder and CEO of Cadra, to discuss why proactive information security is the only way to build a truly resilient business in today’s digital landscape. Lori shares her entrepreneurial journey and explains why organizations—especially those navigating complex frameworks like CMMC and FedRAMP—must integrate security controls into their daily operations from the ground up. We dive into the reality that data protection isn't just an IT issue; it’s a business growth engine. Lori breaks down how to move from reactive "firefighting" to a proactive security posture that protects sensitive data, ensures compliance, and builds deep trust with engaged customers. ✨ Keywords: -cybersecurity -compliance -CMMC -FedRAMP -information security -business growth -security controls -entrepreneurial journey -proactive measures -data protection If you are a founder, CEO, or leader looking to turn cybersecurity and compliance into a pillar of your success, this conversation with Lori Crooks is your roadmap to a resilient future. #cybersecurity #compliance #cmmc #fedramp #informationsecurity #businessgrowth #SecurityControls #entrepreneurialjourney #ProactiveMeasures #dataprotection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 14, 202620 min

Reclaiming Control of Employee Benefits

In this episode of Disrupt & Innovate, Lisa L. Levy sits down with Donovan Pyle, CEO of Health Compass Consulting, to expose the hidden inefficiencies in employee benefits—and how executives can take back control. Donovan shares a staggering reality: employers spent $1.3 trillion on healthcare benefits last year—and roughly $325 billion of that was waste. He breaks down why traditional benefits brokers often fail to prioritize cost savings, and how a fiduciary-based, transparent approach can dramatically improve both financial outcomes and employee health. You’ll learn the key steps leaders can take to evaluate their current plans, uncover massive savings opportunities, and implement smarter, tailored healthcare solutions that actually serve their workforce. ✨ Keywords: -healthcare -employee benefits -cost savings -healthcare consulting -fiduciary responsibility -healthcare transparency -benefits brokers -healthcare waste -executive power -healthcare solutions If you’re a CEO, HR leader, or executive responsible for employee benefits, this conversation with Donovan will change how you think about healthcare spending—and show you how to turn it into a strategic advantage. #healthcare #employeebenefits #costsavings #healthcareconsulting #FiduciaryResponsibility #healthcaretransparency #BenefitsBrokers #HealthcareWaste #executiveleadership #healthcaresolutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices