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(un)conversations®

(un)conversations®

By: Dr. Alison Schmidt CEO of Unconvention
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About this listen

 Welcome to the (un)conversations podcast with your host Dr. Alison—where comfort zones get left behind. This isn’t the show for playing it safe. Each episode brings you real, raw, and (un)scripted conversations with global CxOs, founders, and influential industry leaders who challenge norms, break barriers, and redefine leadership on their own terms. A signature moment in every episode? One unique part of every episode is my brainchild experience of The (UN)word Effect—where guests choose three words beginning with “UN” that hold deep personal, professional, and leadership significance.Dr. Alison Schmidt, CEO of Unconvention Economics
Episodes
  • Change Your Money Story Today | Diana Greshtchuk

    Change Your Money Story Today | Diana Greshtchuk
    Nov 5 2025

    (un)conversations podcast | S1.E20 - Change Your Money Story Today | Diana Greshtchuk

    Could financial freedom be more about emotional freedom — and rewriting the way you see yourself — than dollars and cents?


    Dr. Alison L. Schmidt talks with Diana Greshtchuk, CEO of Fan Your Flame — a financial empowerment coach and your new financial best friend. After turning personal loss into purpose, Diana now helps people heal their relationship with money, blending her CPA expertise with a passion for coaching and transformation.Discover practical tools to shift from scarcity to abundance, overcome limiting beliefs, and start building the financial life you deserve — beginning today.SUBSCRIBE for new @(un)conversations every week.


    Timestamps

    00:00 Welcome to (un)conversations

    00:25 Meet Diana Greshtchuk

    02:29 The (UN)word Effect 06:34 Unlimited: A Journey of Loss and Growth

    14:19 Undaunting: Embracing Fear with Humor

    19:52 Unparalleled: Blending Finance and Coaching

    30:56 Show Her the Money Documentary

    45:14 Investing in Yourself

    59:42 Ask Dr. Alison

    1:03:03 Final Thoughts & Outro

    ---

    Founder and host of (un)conversations®, Alison L. Schmidt, Ph.D., empowers leaders and organizations to unlearn what no longer serves them—and lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose.Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/

    Diana Greshtchuk is the founder & CEO of Fan Your Flame. Diana helps entrepreneurs and individuals turn financial chaos into confidence and clarity.Website: https://www.fan-your-flame.com

    ---

    Follow Dr. Alison Schmidt

    Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/alsphdbcc /

    https://www.instagram.com/unconventionllc/

    https://www.instagram.com/unconversationspodcast/

    Alison's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alschmidtphd

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ alisonlschmidt/

    The (un)conversations podcast: https://www.unconventionllc.com/podcast


    Follow Diana Greshtchuk

    Diana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianagreshtchuk/

    Fan Your Flame LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fan-your-flame-llc

    Fan Your Flame Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FanYourFlameLLC/

    Fan Your Flame Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanYourFlameLLC

    ---

    Thanks for watching S1.E20!


    #abundancemindset #financialempowerment #personaldevelopment #dralisonschmidt #unconversationspodcast #unconvention #dianagreshtchuk #fanyourflame #showherthemoney #healyourrelationshipwithmoney #financialhealing #scarcitytoabundance #moneymindset
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Bottom-Up Innovation with Michael Bergmann | Nike to Changemaker

    Bottom-Up Innovation with Michael Bergmann | Nike to Changemaker
    Oct 22 2025
    (un)conversations podcast | S1.E19 - Bottom-Up Innovation with Michael Bergmann | Nike to ChangemakerHosted by Dr. Alison, this podcast is for the bold, curious, and (un)apologetically (un)conventional. If you’re seeking comfort zones or the safety of the stubborn quo — this isn’t your show.What if the best innovations don’t come from the top—but from the ground up?In this powerful episode, I sit down with Michael Bergmann, Founder of IncubatorU and author of Innovation from the Ground Up. With a storied 30-year career at Nike, Michael shares how real innovation happens when the "doers" are empowered—not just the decision-makers.Through his signature 5-Step Innovation Methodology — Imagine, Identify, Initiate, Implement, and Integrate — Michael challenges outdated corporate structures and shows us how to build from the inside out. We explore what it means to lead with an (un)wavering vision, take an (un)charted path, and embrace an (un)conventional mindset. From testing shoes as a teenager to building global development teams and reshaping the performance tennis category at Nike, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in fearless innovation.---In this episode, you’ll discover:🎾 The behind-the-scenes story of transforming Nike’s tennis division🎾 How to use design thinking and cross-functional collaboration to solve real-world problems🎾 The birth of Teddy ToeDragger machine—yes, really🎾 What Formula 1 tires taught Michael about building elite tennis shoes🎾 The founding of IncubatorU, an employee-led innovation engine for lasting change🎾 How innovation can (and should) start at the foundation of any organization---Whether you're a creative leader, startup founder, or corporate intrapreneur, this conversation will reframe how you view progress—and give you the tools to drive it.💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments below!Felt the (UN)word Effect?✅ Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this inspired you to lead differently—because real change starts from the ground up.🎙️ Catch new episodes of @(un)conversations every week on:🔗 YouTube: [ / @unconversations ]🔗 Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/show/5xkI3Kg...] 🔗 Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...]🔗 Amazon Music: [ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c05...]🔗 iHeartRadio: [ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-un...]---Learn more about Dr. Alison Schmidt, CEO of Unconvention & Host of (un)conversations podcast Instagram: 🔗 / alsphdbcc 🔗 / unconventionllc 🔗 / unconversationspodcast 🔗 Personal LinkedIn: / alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc 🔗 TikTok: / alschmidtphd 🔗 Facebook: / alisonlschmidt 🔗 The (un)conversations podcast: https://www.unconventionllc.com/podcast🔗 Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/---Learn more about Michael Bergmann, Founder of IncubatorU🔗 Website: https://www.incubatoru.com/🔗 Personal LinkedIn: / mbergie 🔗 Instagram: / bergmannpdx 🔗 Michael's Book on Amazon: : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGMDKQ3F?...---Episode Chapters:00:00 Welcome to (un)conversations podcast00:28 Introducing Michael Bergmann01:47 The (UN)word Effect03:16 Exploring Unwords: Unwavering, Uncharted, Unconventiona15:35 The Impact of Sports on Leadership17:31 Pushing Boundaries at Nike29:32 Innovative Solutions in Tennis Footwear56:16 The Birth of IncubatorU01:04:10 The Methodology of IncubatorU01:09:17 - The (UN)wrap up + Share If You Believe Innovation Starts From Within---#DrAlisonSchmidt #unconversationspodcast #theUNwordEffect #unconvention #innovation #MichaelBergmann #IncubatorU #leadership #Nikeproductdevelopment #employeeledinnovation #tennisshoedesign #intrapreneurship #organizationalchange, #bottomupinnovation #creativestrategy #corporateinnovation #unconventionalleadership
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Leadership, Legacy & Giving: Deborah Goldstein’s Uncommon Philanthropy Journey

    Leadership, Legacy & Giving: Deborah Goldstein’s Uncommon Philanthropy Journey
    Oct 14 2025

    (un)conversations podcast | S1.E18 – Leadership, Legacy & Giving: Deborah Goldstein’s Uncommon Philanthropy Journey

    In this episode, Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Deborah Goldstein, Founder of Enlightened Philanthropy, to explore what it truly means to give with intention. With 25+ years in the nonprofit world, Deborah has helped individuals and families turn generosity into a conscious practice—building legacy, strengthening connection, and inspiring the next generation of givers.


    Top Takeaways:🌱 Giving with intention creates a lasting legacy🧩 The (UN)word Effect reveals personal insights💎 Philanthropy is for everyone, no matter your income🚀 Being (un)deterred fuels success🤝 Embracing vulnerability sparks meaningful (un)conversations


    Whether you’re navigating family wealth, launching a foundation, or curious how to give in ways that truly matter, this episode will shift your mindset on leadership, generosity, and legacy.

    💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments!🎧 Subscribe to new @unconversations episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.


    Learn more about Dr. Alison Schmidt, CEO of Unconvention & Host of (un)conversations podcast

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/alsphdbcc/

    https://www.instagram.com/unconventionllc/ https://www.instagram.com/unconversationspodcast/

    Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alschmidtphd

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonLSchmidt

    The (un)conversations podcast: https://www.unconventionllc.com/podcast

    Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/


    Learn more about Deborah Goldstein, Founder of Enlightened Philanthropy

    Website: https://www.enlightenedphilanthropy.com/

    Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-goldstein-48b31119/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlightenedphilanthropy/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enlightenedphilanthropyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EnlightenedPhilanthropy


    Episode Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Disruptive Leadership

    01:10 The (UN)word Effect: A Journey of Self-Discovery

    07:22 Uncommon Paths: Embracing Uniqueness in Career

    16:37 Undeterred: Pursuing Dreams Against the Odds

    21:54 Navigating Internal Conversations: The Leap to Entrepreneurship

    32:31 Resilience in the Face of Doubt: Staying True to Your Path

    33:27 The Journey of Enlightened Philanthropy

    35:38 Embracing Unpreparedness in Business

    42:35 The Power of Understated Excellence

    46:10 Unwavering Commitment to Philanthropy

    55:11 Creating Meaningful Philanthropic Experiences

    1:03:05 Closing Thoughts

    1:04:21 - Podcast Outro--Dr.AlisonSchmidt


    #unconversationspodcast #theUNwordEffect #unconvention #FamilyPhilanthropy #StrategicGiving #ConsciousLeadership #EnlightenedPhilanthropy #DeborahGoldstein #GivingBack#NonprofitLeadership #ImpactGiving #ValuesBasedGiving #Philanthropy #IntentionalGiving #Leadership #PurposeDriven #WomenInBusiness #SocialImpact #WealthWithPurpose #PodcastInterview #LegacyBuilding #cxos #executivecoaching
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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