Influence Ecology

Sean Gillespie is a successful artist who creates award-winning abstract sculptures from his one-man studio in Denver, Colorado. His work can be found in exclusive galleries, national juried shows, and in corporate installations across the United States. Influential U's members include business and creative professionals from all over the world; we educate not only executives and entrepreneurs but also artists, designers, musicians, writers, and filmmakers -- and today perhaps we'll tackle the question: How do you make a living as an artist? It might be common to assume that artists make terrible business people, yet the same can be true in many professions. In all cases, what is required is transactional competence: knowing how to construct a recurrent business offer that meets your individual aims for work, career, and money. You'll hear Sean's journey and, how a little a study -- goes a long way.In this episode's talk, we listen in on a Membership Webinar to hear Kirkland Tibbels explain the nature of indi

As a property developer, John Baigent lost practically everything in the global financial crisis of 2007-2009, then recovered just in time to lose it all again in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, a quake that caused widespread damage in New Zealand's second-largest urban area. He's not only overcome what would sink most people — he also continues to thrive.In this episode's talk, Co-Founders John Patterson and Kirkland Tibbels discuss how most people just lack the ambition to live as they aspire to live . . . that they'll wait for life to "turn out" and do not produce the situations, conditions, and environments they require to live a productive and satisfying life.John Baigent is not like "most people."Podcast Bonuses:ThriveCode: 30DAYSChristchurch Property Projects

Troy's father's last words are a mantra he's lived by. His business plan autobiography reads like a character who suffered not for being dull, but for being way too smart. He talks about the early days and answers the question: How do you make $30K a month in personal income?In this episode's talk, Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels outlines the fundamental background that underlies the specialized knowledge enjoyed by our members around the world. In it, you'll start to hear for yourself why Troy Frost and so many others are thriving.PODCAST BONUS:influentialu.global/thriveCODE: 30DAYS

In this episode of the Influential U podcast, host John Patterson chats with Jenn Oliver, Senior Director of Service for the Academic Division at the University of Virginia's HR Department.Jenn, a self-identified Producer personality, shares her transformative journey from being overextended and burnt out to cultivating balance and alignment in both her personal and professional life.Through her five-year study with Influential U, Jenn learned to prioritize herself, embrace the strengths and limitations of her personality, and engage effectively with others of different temperaments. She offers candid insights about her struggles, the cost of putting others before herself, and the profound shifts she’s experienced in her relationships, career, and identity.Listen as Jenn discusses how embracing "gray areas," leveraging collaborative relationships, and valuing others’ perspectives have not only enhanced her influence at work but also strengthened her family life. This inspiring conversation is filled with acti

Who keeps us from falling off the proverbial cliff? While some are naturally inclined to dream new ideas and others can’t help but build new relationships, there is a segment of society whose entire focus and role are to protect us from our poorly constructed shortcuts. This typically skeptical personality recognizes that nothing around us is a coincidence; things are either poorly designed or built to exacting standards. Often shamed for not seeing the world as ‘glass-half-full,’ this transactional personality plays the vital role in offering the evidence required to lay claim to facts. Karl Strand founded his consultancy by making the most of his skepticism and guarding the standards for commercial architectural exteriors. Karl and his wife, Randee, live in Dallas, Texas. They have been students of Influential U since June 2015. In this episode’s Talk, we’ll hear Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels talk about the asset and liability of the Judge personality and how each personality can work together.Podcast Bonus:

Before embarking on a full-time real estate career, Karina Christensen was part of the personal flight team for American business guru Jack Welch and media proprietor Oprah Winfrey, having the opportunity to travel with them for many years around the world and cultivate within herself what it takes to partner with high-profile clientele successfully.As a specialist now working with Keller Williams Luxury Homes International, she and her team specialize in luxury condominiums in Denver, Colorado. Having lived in Munich, London, Singapore, and Montana, Karina followed the sage wisdom, "you are the company you keep," and built her career by nurturing coveted relationships. Attracted to this education and its influential ecology of peers, Karina learned that 'relationship' is only one of many powerful tools and unlocked the ceiling on her income and satisfaction.Podcast Bonuses:ThriveCode: 30DaysKarina Christensen on LinkedIn 

How do you produce a robust identity amongst thousands of peers in a large corporate environment? Ron Sprengeler is someone who's done just that. Rather than join the naïve ranks of those whose viewpoint is that the job alone entitles them to a respected identity, Ron's case study demonstrates how to produce a powerful corporate identity in two ways: one, you'll hear how he's become well known and admired for his specialized knowledge and two, he shares just how he's cultivated a respected identity, reputation, and character among his peers. He's survived a big merger and feels confident that what he's learned from Influence Ecology will continue to help him provide real value in the marketplace.This episode's talk distinguishes some of the fundamental principles that produce a respected identity—not only for the small business owner but also for any employee working within any size organization.Podcast Bonuses:ThriveCode: 30DAYSLinkedIn

After ten years with a nationally recognized financial planning practice, Wesley Pingelton had ambitions to go out on his own. In doing so, he got what he wanted: great success, creative freedom, and the opportunity to work with the right client. But with each complex case, a unique solution produced a massive amount of labor. In a short time, he cringed at the thought of growing his business.You'll hear how he learned to construct a business model that's allowed him to scale his business, meet his financial goals, and truly enjoy his family life.In today's talk, you'll hear Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels and I address how most people make offers they are unfit to present, commit to, or fulfill. Many just cannot prove that they are fit to build and maintain the transactions that would satisfy their aims.Podcast Links:ThriveCode: 30DAYSFull Circle WealthWesley Pingelton on Linkedin

Our featured interview is with an outstanding Chicago trial attorney who talks about his critical and analytical judgy-ness and how it has become a great asset. In this episode, Joe McNerney and Co-Founder John Patterson take the time to learn more about the Judge and Inventor personality and how personality, when understood, can help all of us transact more effectively. But Joe also cautions us all about the error of independence and self-sufficiency.In our talk, we hear from Vice President Drew Knowles and Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels as they lead a conversation about the need to be surrounded by a surplus of great help. 

They got everything they asked for: record deals, international notoriety, playing big arenas (touring with Coldplay, Pink, Bon Jovi, and Rod Stewart), but recording artists Isaac and Thorald Koren (The Kin) hadn't quantified what to wish for or how to transact for it. Naively assuming their talent, passion, and fame would eventuate into their personal and financial satisfaction, they confronted a sea of indifference and inventoried their lessons to help others. They launched the Alchemy of Creative Expression (A.C.E.), developing a method to help the talented musician, artist, or executive unleash their unique voice and turn their talent into gold.In this episode's talk, we'll hear Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels address the importance of both knowing your aims — and transacting accordingly.

With a long personal experience about the asset and liability of personality traits that offer both extraordinary value and harsh lessons, Ana Athanasiu, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area of California, is an internet pioneer who had a vibrant career in telecommunications and software development. Best known for the work she did on teams at Sun Microsystems in the mid-eighties — they invented XML — adding speed and usability to internet browsers. Able to retire in 2002, she's spent the last 14 years raising kids and supporting business executives, local non-profit endeavors, and sole-proprietorships toward market and financial solvency. She also co-manages her family’s real estate and stock speculation engagements. She is now studying Transactionalism with Influence Ecology and is working on advanced degrees in ethics and behavioral economics and data science.In this episode's talk, we address the asset and liability aspect of Transactional Behavior — where our greatest assets, if not tended to, can al

Tim Guest, Managing Director of Infinite Wealth, helps everyday Australians reach their financial goals. After having first retired at the age of 27 as a self-made multimillionaire, he is now an investor, entrepreneur, financial educator, and motivational speaker and author well known for leading seminars promoting financial literacy and education. Thousands of people each year attend his seminars, making him currently the most watched independent financial educator in Australia. His entrepreneurial journey includes some valuable lessons about the cost and complexity of rapid growth and how his study with Influential U dramatically changed the way he operates his businesses.Tim Guest shares his journey of discovering his true personality type through Influential U's transactional competence training. Tim explains how understanding his natural strengths allowed him to create high-value, low-cost transactions in business by placing the right people in the right roles, ultimately boosting productivity and job sa

Peter Burgraf, Vice President of Business Development at Q2 Business Capital in Chicago, shares his journey from being overwhelmed by debt to achieving both personal and financial success. Like many, Peter initially bought into the common belief that hard work alone guarantees success. However, faced with mounting debt and the pressure of big goals, he realized he needed a more strategic approach. By developing his transactional competence, Peter transformed his situation. Now, at 35, he has reached significant financial milestones, is newly married, a homeowner, and a proud father. Tune in to hear how he navigated this path and achieved his ambitious goals.Podcast Bonus:influentialu.global/thriveCode: 30 DaysPeter Burgraf on LinkedInChatham Business Capital

Join us for an insightful conversation with Janet Asher Vreeland as she reflects on her transformative journey with Influence Ecology. Starting with her early struggles as a natural "performer" personality type, Janet shares candidly about the challenges she faced in balancing her desire to be liked with the need to engage productively with other personality types. Through her studies, she learned to tailor her approach to different people, cultivating a deeper empathy and strategic mindset that has transformed her career, relationships, and life.In this episode, Janet and host John Patterson dive into topics like understanding the four personality types in transactional behavior, dealing with indifference, and how performers can refine their natural strengths to achieve greater impact. Whether you’re navigating office dynamics, aiming to refine your approach to transactions, or curious about how personality influences success, Janet’s journey offers valuable lessons and practical insights.Podcast Bonuses:Thr

Joe & Joni Rocco, a husband-and-wife small business duo from Denver, Colorado, showcase the power of specialization in a highly commoditized industry. Instead of competing on price, they focus on delivering unique value through various key attributes. Once navigating late nights, weekends, high-stress environments, and the challenges of a fatherless family, they’ve now transformed their lives. By understanding each other's Personality and Transactional Behavior, they've successfully reduced their demanding 80-hour workweek to a balanced 40 hours.In this episode's talk, Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels talks on the Characteristics of Value that are considered and applied when constructing a business offer. He states, "If you are worried about the direct competitor, you are worried about the wrong thing." You'll hear why this is — and how to go about constructing a valuable offer that first satisfies you.Podcast Bonus: Thrive: https://influentialu.global/thrive/ Coupon code: 30DAYS

Shonit Jagmohan is an optometrist living in Melbourne, Australia. As a health and ambitious business professional, he offers an excellent case study in specialization, authority, and scarcity.In this episode, John and Shonit dive deep into the often-overlooked concept of the Condition of Life "Work" and how personal reflection on what you don’t want can shape a fulfilling career and life. They explore the societal pressures that push us toward certain norms, like working hard for the sake of it, and how to break free from those expectations by getting clear on your own aims. Shonit shares his personal journey of realizing that declining unfounded or unrealistic goals in his professional life helped him build authority and focus.They discuss the power of deliberate practice in declining, especially for those with a Performer personality who naturally avoid confrontation, and the importance of questioning societal norms that encourage acceptance without critical thinking.This episode is packed with valuable ins

Having immigrated to the United States from Brazil, Louisa Da Silva, owner of DS Cleaning and Maid Service, found that her stream of new ideas created 'fires' that her team had to extinguish. Previously overworked, stressed, and unhealthy, she's now planned for and living a balanced and focused life.In this episode's talk, Co-Founder Kirkland Tibbels discusses the naivety and danger of 'Self-Action', a very common and widespread orientation to activity in which the individual sees themselves as an overlord of things outside their control.Podcast Bonuses:influentialu.global/thriveCoupon Code: 30DAYS

Tune into this Classics episode of the Influential U podcast, where John Patterson sits down with music industry legend Marcus Bell. Marcus, who began his musical journey at the tender age of two, reveals the work ethic and discipline that have fueled his impressive career.From his early days in a makeshift recording studio to collaborating with major artists like Usher and Britney Spears, Marcus emphasizes the importance of perseverance, dedication, and strategic focus.This episode offers a deep dive into the principles and practices that can drive success in any field. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights and practical advice on building a stellar career through hard work and commitment!Kirkland Tibbles’ talk revolves around the idea that our interactions and exchanges with others are fundamental to how we navigate and shape our world. Tibbles highlights that recognizing these personality types and understanding their roles in the transaction cycle can enhance how to collaborate and achieve our

Working as a principal in a large healthcare enterprise, Trisha Tyler of Mercer Health & Benefits, talks about how to create value for the companies that you work for; when you become reliable for that value, you get to do what you love and increase your income accordingly. One of her passions is the value of our oceans and in her spare time, she works on shark and ocean conversation.

In this installment, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Nicole Tripodi, a dynamic entrepreneur and advocate for accurate thinking, goal setting, and the success of small businesses. In this interview, Nicole shares her wealth of knowledge and experiences, offering practical advice on navigating the complexities of Government Contracting and the venture capital landscape. Before studying with Influential U, Nicole felt stuck and credits the program with jump-starting a renewed vigor in her life. Listen and learn, and we hope you enjoy it.Join us for our weekly live streams at 2 pm pst every Wednesday.The Influential U Podcast is streamed live on our website, Facebook, Linkedin, and YouTube. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with others. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or any place you get your podcasts.Check out our show notes for links to connect with our guests - and links to websites, books, or special downloads we discussed. If you haven't yet offered a rating or review, we ask that