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John Candy’s quiet line—“I like me”—is more than a movie moment. It’s a leadership lesson. Entrepreneurs often feel pressure to fit a mold, but real impact comes from identity, not image. When you like who you are, you lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Identity > Image.

In Episode 315, Brandon Bagley shares the simple message that changed everything: WE > ME. Through stories of teamwork, trust, and shared ownership at AlphaGraphics Chandler, he shows how leaders transform their businesses when they stop going it alone and start building cultures where people truly rise together.

Real growth doesn’t start with proof — it starts with belief. In this episode, we explore why every breakthrough begins in the unseen: the internal shift that shapes how you lead, decide, and spot opportunity. Believing Is Seeing isn’t motivation — it’s mechanics. When you believe deeply enough, you finally begin to see.

When Shivani Dhamija started Shivani’s Kitchen, she wasn’t just selling spices — she was listening and learning. In Episode 313 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, she shares how humility, curiosity, and connection turned local market conversations into a thriving food brand. A reminder that great leadership starts with two simple words: listen and learn.

When the AI tide pulls back, we see what was built on real value — and what was built on hype. In Edge of the Napkin Ep 312, Govindh Jayaraman explores why clarity follows every correction and how true leaders build for purpose, not attention. Because when the wave recedes, what’s left standing is what was anchored well.

Dr. Jenny Hoffmann, Executive Director at NEMIC, shares how true leadership begins when we “Open Up.” In this episode, she unpacks how vulnerability builds trust, curiosity sparks innovation, and empathy fosters genuine connection. Her message is simple yet powerful: lead with heart, listen deeply, and let openness transform the way you lead.

We often mistake our stories for truth. To make sense of the world, we create explanations — then believe them so deeply they become our reality. But when we start questioning those stories, we open the door to real freedom and self-awareness.

Behavioral scientist Jon Rosemberg explores what it means to move from survival to thriving — not by working harder, but by choosing awareness, safety, and alignment. In Episode 309 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, he reveals how reclaiming agency and rewriting old patterns can turn instinct into intention and help us live with purpose and presence.

In a world defined by volatility, control is an illusion—but flexibility is power. This week’s Edge of the Napkin explores why adaptability, not certainty, is the ultimate hedge against risk. When we let go of rigidity, we gain resilience. Because the world doesn’t reward control anymore—it rewards those who can flex.

When Simone Kelly founded Seniornicity, she set out to do more than create a business—she sparked a movement rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her mission bridges the gap between older adults, families, and care providers, making it easier for people to navigate senior care and age well, together.

In Episode 305 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Nancy Johnston, CEO of Truuce, shares her three-line philosophy for meaningful leadership: 📝 “Solve a real problem. Make it beautiful. Care like hell.” A reminder that purpose, empathy, and design aren’t separate — they’re how great leaders build what lasts. #PaperNapkinWisdom #Leadership #Truuce

When connection meets challenge, transformation happens. In this episode of *Paper Napkin Wisdom*, Dr. Malik Muhammad shares his simple yet powerful formula — **Connection + Challenge = Change** — and explores how true leadership begins with empathy, courage, and co-creation.

We don’t need Hallmark Moments to celebrate love or leadership. Don’t wait for a date on the calendar to say thank you, to appreciate someone, or to show up for the people who matter. Presence is the real gift. Don’t wait. Don’t save it. Say it now. #PaperNapkinWisdom

In this powerful Paper Napkin Wisdom episode, Chris Thomson—entrepreneur, coach, and host of Leaders of Tomorrow—shares the raw and deeply human lesson from his napkin: “Cancer is a journey.” After three years with cancer, Chris reflects on vulnerability, gratitude, and legacy, offering wisdom that will reshape how you see your own challenges. This is part one of a two-part conversation you won’t forget.

Episode 300 of Paper Napkin Wisdom marks a milestone with Govindh Jayaraman’s most important lesson: Focus–Align–Act. A simple napkin sketch of a mountain path becomes a life framework—see your mountain clearly, re-center daily, and take all-in action. Success isn’t a straight line, it’s a climb. What mountain are you climbing right now?

In this episode, Juan DeAngulo shares his napkin: “I am true to myself and I release the outcome.” He talks about scaling billion-dollar platforms, battling anxiety, and learning that real leadership comes from authenticity, presence, and human connection—freedom begins when we let go.

This week’s napkin draws a hard line: Growth or Comfort … Pick One. Comfort feels safe, but it keeps us stuck. Growth stretches us, demands friction, and challenges our preferences. Leaders must notice the trap, separate values from tastes, and invite dissent. Comfort preserves the present. Growth creates the future. Where are you choosing the armchair when you should be climbing the ladder?

Every once in a while, a Paper Napkin Wisdom napkin makes you laugh, think, and stay with you. Episode 296 with Jimmy Park is one of those. Recorded in 2017 but unreleased until now, it feels fitting to share as we near our 300th milestone. Jimmy’s message is timeless, practical, and more relevant than ever.

Episode 295 of Paper Napkin Wisdom brings back a 2017 conversation with Adam Hudson, entrepreneur and founder of Unemployable. His napkin reframes entrepreneurship: business is not the goal, but the tool for freedom, impact, and alignment with personal values. Adam warns against the busyness trap, urges simplicity, and insists value creation must come first. In 2025, his timeless wisdom is a reminder—true ROI isn’t revenue, it’s freedom.

Steven Rothberg, Founder of College Recruiter, distills decades of experience into one deceptively simple truth: “If a customer wants to give you more money, find a way of making that happen.” His wisdom isn’t just about sales—it’s about curiosity, listening, and building win-win partnerships. Growth often comes not from what we plan to sell, but from what customers are ready to buy.