The Heart of Business

Hosted by Mo Fathelbab

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

"The Heart of Business" podcast, hosted by Mo Fathelbab, is an authentic and insightful exploration of the human side of leadership and professional growth. Through candid conversations with accomplished business leaders, thought leaders, and peer group facilitators, Mo will delve deep into the personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped their careers. Mo Fathelbab's skillful and empathetic approach creates a safe space for guests to share their truths and vulnerabilities, revealing the emotional and often unseen dimensions of success in the corporate world. Each episode offers listeners a chance to glean practical wisdom, heartfelt advice, and a profound understanding of the intricate interplay between leadership, authenticity, and personal growth. The "Heart of Business" is the official podcast of International Facilitators Organization, LLC and hosted by IFO's founder and CEO, Mo Fathelbab. To learn more, please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com.

Listen to episodes

30 recent

October 2, 202645 min

Team Powdered Donut™ : A Journey of Hope with Gary Thompson

A powdered donut in a minivan sounds like a throwaway moment until you hear what it became. I’m Mo Fathelbab, founder of the International Facilitators Organization, and I sit down with Gary Thompson, chief story catcher and the self-proclaimed donut guy, to unpack how love, loss, and human connection can turn into a mission with real impact. We start with Gary’s path from Ohio to Apple in the early personal computing days, where he meets Maureen, the architect who becomes the love of his life. From there, we move into the work Gary and I did around confidential executive peer groups, including “vaults” built on the same core principles as forum: structure, trust, and what happens in the room stays in the room. We also tackle a question leaders keep asking now that AI is everywhere: if I can get an answer in 10 seconds, why do I need a group? Human intelligence, empathy, and lived experience give these groups their value, creating connections that go far beyond getting an answer. Then Gary shares the story that reshaped everything: Maureen’s breast cancer diagnosis, years of treatment and remission, and the heartbreak of metastatic breast cancer. Out of that grief comes Team Powdered Donut™, a monthly ritual that becomes a three-year journey to shine a light on all 74 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, capturing stories from patients, caregivers, nurses, oncologists, and researchers inside a Frank Lloyd Wright Airstream recording studio. We also explore what it could look like to bring forum-style support into cancer communities, care teams, and workplaces that are trying to care for employees through the hardest season of their lives. If this conversation moves you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

September 28, 202632 min

Creating Trust and Belonging Through Forum with Nancy Koleda

Most people don’t need more advice. They need a place where they can tell the truth. On this episode of Heart of Business , Nancy Koleda, Vice President of the International Facilitators Organization (IFO), joins us to explore how forum peer groups create that space. Drawing on her experience helping grow EO in Europe, Nancy shares why confidentiality, structure, and a shared commitment to showing up honestly can build connection across cultures. Nancy explains what happens inside a forum group and the practices that help people feel safe: no competitors, no advice giving, and speaking from personal experience. We discuss how vulnerability is modeled over time, why emotional check-ins can reveal that “I’m not the only one,” and how that sense of belonging carries into leadership, work, and life at home. We also look at practical ways to put the model to work. Nancy describes how “stir fry” sessions can renew established groups, how associations can use forum to deepen member connections, and how companies can break down silos by training internal facilitators. For anyone considering facilitator certification, she explains why the skills can be useful far beyond the meeting room. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

July 30, 202644 min

Justin Ricklefs on Niching Down, Scaling Up, and Staying Grounded

In this episode of The Heart of Business , Mo Fathelbab sits down with Justin Ricklefs , founder and CEO of Guild Collective, to explore the entrepreneurial journey behind building a successful customer-first marketing agency. Justin shares how early ventures—including selling concert tickets in college and recovering from a costly $30,000 business mistake—taught him resilience, accountability, and the importance of learning from failure rather than avoiding it. Justin reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from navigating debt and difficult job transitions to launching Guild Collective with a clear mission: helping brands tell stories where the customer—not the company—is the hero. He explains why focusing on a defined niche, simplifying service offerings, and staying relentlessly customer-centered have been key drivers of the company's long-term success. The conversation also dives into the realities of leadership, including managing payroll anxiety, adapting to client changes, and recognizing when it's time to bring in complementary leadership. Justin discusses the impact of hiring an integrator COO, joining a CEO peer forum, and surrounding himself with trusted advisors who challenge his thinking and help him make better decisions. Throughout the episode, Justin emphasizes that sustainable leadership extends beyond business strategy. He shares how prioritizing family, cultivating strong support systems, and resisting the constant pressure to chase "what's next" have helped him build not only a stronger company, but a more fulfilling life. It's an honest conversation about resilience, purpose, and leading with both ambition and perspective. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

July 2, 20261 hr 9 min

When Success Stops Measuring What Matters with Guy Spier

In this episode, I sit down with Guy Spier for one of the most honest and meaningful conversations I've had on the podcast. We explore the experiences that shaped his life—from growing up across South Africa, Israel, Iran, and the UK to discovering value investing through Warren Buffett and building Aquamarine with his father as his anchor investor. Along the way, Guy shares his perspective on leadership, why he resists the entrepreneur label, and what he's learned through communities like Entrepreneurs' Organization and Young Presidents' Organization. What makes this conversation so powerful is Guy's willingness to talk openly about receiving an incurable glioblastoma diagnosis and how it completely changed the way he measures success. We discuss suffering, meaning, and why pursuing happiness alone can leave us empty. Guy shares what it was like to close his investment fund, adjust to life after brain surgery, and rebuild a life around what truly matters instead of the traditional scorecards of money, status, and achievement. I walked away from this conversation thinking differently about how we spend our time, how we show up for the people we love, and how we define a life well lived. Guy shares simple but profound practices that help him "score points" every day—through reading, nature, movement, presence, and writing heartfelt letters to his children with the help of AI. If you've ever wondered how to find purpose through adversity or lead with greater intention, I think you'll find this conversation as impactful as I did. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

April 27, 2026Episode 951 min

"Charting a Course for Leadership and Innovation" with Deborah Hersman

In our latest episode, we sit down with Deborah Hersman, an emblem of dedication to transportation safety and a vanguard for gender equality in leadership roles. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring, spanning from the corridors of Congress to chairing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to the innovative realm of self-driving cars at Waymo as Chief Safety Officer. Exploring the relationship between automation, technology, and human interaction, especially as it pertains to transportation, Hersman's expertise provides a fascinating look into how our society has gradually embraced automation—from the simplicity of elevators to the complexities of driverless vehicles. She delves into the intricacies of establishing trust in automated technologies and the potential for driverless cars to revolutionize safety on our roads. Our episode concludes with a thought-provoking discussion on leadership and resilience, prompted by Hersman's experiences with unforeseen tragedies such as the recent Baltimore bridge accident. Hersman offers a masterclass in leadership, safety, and innovation. Her reflections not only highlight the transformative power of technology but also emphasize the human elements of mentorship, curiosity, and the pursuit of equity that are integral to progress in any field. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Resources: Find Deb on LinkedIn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

February 12, 202637 min

Aaron Moore: From Contractor to Community Architect

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Moore, President of PPD Painting and Co-Founder of the Commercial Painting Industry Association, to explore how industry-specific peer forums transform insight into action—and relationships into a powerful retention engine. Aaron shares his journey from Chicago startup to buying out a partner, scaling a commercial painting company, and building CPIA around a forum model inspired by EO and YPO. We unpack the structure behind high-performing groups: non-competing peers across geographies, monthly virtual meetings, in-person sessions, and a deceptively simple update framework that surfaces what’s working, what’s draining energy, the best idea, the most important action—and the one thing you don’t want to talk about. The game-changer? Experience-sharing over advice. Speaking from lived wins and losses lowers defenses, accelerates learning, and drives clearer action. We also explore how forum habits migrate inside companies—leaders replacing certainty with curiosity, teams balancing KPIs with the human layer that drives execution, and members navigating ownership transitions, succession planning, and tough decisions with greater clarity and confidence. If you lead a trade, run a chapter, or want a serious leadership edge, this episode is a practical playbook for building high-trust peer groups that actually move the needle. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

February 3, 2026Episode 244 min

"The Art and Science of Breakthrough" with Bob Rothman

"It's perfectly okay to spiral down. The sooner you can see it, the sooner you can make the choice to go back up. That's breakthrough." Robert Rothman is the President of Gap International, has been with the company for more than thirty years, and has been instrumental in building the company to its current size and scope. As a consultant, Mr. Rothman is a strategic partner to CEOs and C-level executives in major, multinational organizations where he leads breakthrough growth and performance initiatives. In this candid discussion with Mo Fathelbab, Bob will share his insights into the concept of creating a breakthrough environment within organizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and cultivating the many unseen factors that shape this environment. These factors and embracing new ways of seeing challenges and setbacks can propel us to achieve remarkable feats. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Resources: Gap International Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

February 3, 2026Episode 142 min

"In the Beginning" with Verne Harnish

"It's okay to be independent, but no reason to be alone." In the very first episode of "The Heart of Business," host Mo Fathelbab delves deep into the early years of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), then Young Entrepreneurs Organization, with none other than Verne Harnish. Get ready to embark on a journey through the heart and soul of entrepreneurship as Verne shares anecdotes and invaluable insights from the formative days of EO. Hear about the trials, triumphs, and transformative experiences that shaped the organization and the visionary individuals behind it. Even if you thought you knew the story, you will undoubtedly learn something new from this candid conversation! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Resources: About Verne Harnish, CEO and Founder of Scaling Up , a global executive education and coaching company. Entrepreneurs' Organization : a global membership community of entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

February 3, 20260 min

Introducing "The Heart of Business"

We are thrilled to announce the launch of "The Heart of Business", a podcast that will explore the personal side of business. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.

December 5, 202538 min

Leading With Vulnerability: A Conversation With Dave Ingram

This episode features serial entrepreneur and facilitator Dave Ingram , who shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership—from his early landscaping business to building a 25-year executive search firm. Dave talks openly about the hard seasons, including the 2008 downturn, and how peer forums became his anchor for real talk and better decision-making. We explore what makes forums work: experience sharing instead of advice, confidentiality that creates safety, and the discipline to be fully present. Dave also describes how these habits show up outside the boardroom, like helping runners of all backgrounds access coaches, shoes, support, and a welcoming community—leading to miles logged, new finish lines, and social barriers coming down. Dave breaks down the craft of facilitation, why sharp questions outperform quick answers, and how frameworks like EOS stick when teams feel truly heard. He also shares how he uses AI as a thought partner without relying on it to replace human connection. If you care about leadership growth, peer learning, and building healthier organizations, this conversation gives you real tools and real hope. Please visit www.internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com to learn more about Mo Fathelbab and International Facilitators Organization (IFO), a leading provider of facilitators and related group facilitation services, providing training, certification, marketing services, education, and community for peer group facilitators at all stages of their career.