Welcome to another powerful episode of the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re diving into the world of financial independence, retirement planning, and investment strategies with the esteemed Steve Selengut. Steve is a 44-year investment professional and the author of the game-changing book, Retirement Money Secrets: A Financial Insider's Guide to Income Independence.

In this episode, Steve unpacks his unique and proven system for investing in the stock market—a system that delivers reliable income without the need to sell off your hard-earned investments just to cover expenses. Whether the market is soaring or experiencing turbulence, his approach ensures stability and growth. He explains how market volatility, often seen as a challenge, can actually become your greatest ally in creating a secure financial future.

Mike and Steve delve into the practical tools and mindset shifts that Retirement Money Secrets offers. You’ll learn how to stop stressing about having enough money for retirement, stop agonizing over market fluctuations, and stop losing sleep over inflation fears. Instead, Steve will guide you toward a focus on building a growing stream of reliable income that provides peace of mind regardless of external economic factors.

Steve also shares insider tips from decades of managing income-independent portfolios, offering listeners a roadmap to achieving true financial independence. This episode is not just for retirees or those nearing retirement—it’s for anyone who wants to take control of their financial future, grow their wealth intelligently, and weather any financial storm with confidence.

Tune in to discover how you can transform your relationship with money, make volatility your best friend, and secure a lifetime of financial freedom. This conversation is one you won’t want to miss!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we dive deep into the world of workplace challenges and triumphs for LGBTQ+ professionals with a very special guest: Dr. Steve Yacovelli, affectionately known as "The Gay Leadership Dude." Dr. Steve joins us to discuss his empowering and thought-provoking book, Your Queer Career: Workplace Advice from "The Gay Leadership Dude."

Navigating a career as an LGBTQ+ professional comes with unique hurdles—from balancing authenticity and professionalism to fostering inclusivity in often complex work environments. In his book, Dr. Steve distills nearly three decades of experience into practical strategies that help queer professionals and allies alike thrive in their careers. Drawing from his extensive background in leadership, change management, and diversity consulting with global brands like Disney, IBM, and TD Bank, Dr. Steve provides actionable insights on dealing with microaggressions, navigating homophobic workplace dynamics, and leveraging Employee Resource Groups to drive meaningful change.

Mike and Dr. Steve explore how humor, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt advice can transform daunting workplace challenges into opportunities for growth and success. They’ll unpack universal lessons that empower leaders and employees to embrace authenticity, foster inclusivity, and build a workplace culture where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re a young professional taking your first steps or a seasoned leader looking to make an impact, this conversation offers something valuable for everyone.

Get ready for an engaging, candid, and inspiring episode that showcases how resilience, humor, and a focus on authentic leadership can reshape the workplace for the better. Tune in and discover how to unlock your full potential, one empowering conversation at a time!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! In this episode, we delve into a topic that’s critical to every manager’s success yet often fraught with anxiety: performance reviews. Joining Mike today is Janelle Brittain, business trainer extraordinaire and co-author of How To Say It Performance Reviews: Phrases and Strategies for Painless and Productive Performance Reviews.

Performance reviews can make or break employee morale, engagement, and productivity. But let’s face it—they’re rarely a breeze for either the reviewer or the reviewed. Janelle’s book demystifies the process by breaking it into five simple steps and providing practical tools, including hundreds of expertly crafted phrases that can turn potentially awkward conversations into productive and empowering discussions.

In this conversation, Janelle and Mike tackle the dos and don’ts of performance appraisals, offering insights into everything from preparing an agenda to mastering the subtle but impactful elements like body language and tone of voice. They explore strategies to give constructive feedback, celebrate achievements, and address underperformance without derailing the conversation—or the relationship.

Listeners will also hear fascinating success and horror stories from real-life reviews, illustrating just how much the right (or wrong) approach can impact an individual’s career and a team’s dynamic. Whether you’re a seasoned leader looking to refine your review process or a new manager preparing for your first appraisal, this episode is packed with actionable advice to make performance reviews a painless and even transformative experience.

Get ready to learn how to conduct reviews that foster trust, inspire growth, and strengthen your team. Tune in now and discover the language and strategies that will elevate your approach to one of the most important tools in your leadership toolkit!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today’s episode tackles a subject that every manager will inevitably face but few feel fully prepared for: having tough conversations with employees. To help us navigate this challenging yet crucial aspect of leadership, Mike welcomes Paul Falcone, acclaimed HR expert and author of 101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager's Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges.

If you’ve ever struggled to address sensitive workplace issues—whether it’s substandard performance, inappropriate behavior, or team conflicts—this conversation is for you. Paul’s book is a practical guide for managers, offering proven strategies and sample dialogues to approach these situations with clarity, confidence, and respect. With decades of experience in human resources, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge on how to resolve issues while preserving dignity and maintaining professionalism.

In this episode, Paul and Mike dive into some of the most challenging scenarios managers face: navigating disciplinary warnings, handling FMLA abuse or ADA accommodations, addressing productivity concerns, and even managing team turnarounds. Paul shares actionable techniques for fostering honest and productive communication, protecting both your employees and your organization, and steering difficult conversations toward positive outcomes.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to management, you’ll gain valuable insights into turning awkward situations into opportunities for growth and transformation. Paul’s approach not only helps resolve conflicts but also builds trust and strengthens workplace culture.

Get ready for an eye-opening discussion packed with practical tools, real-world examples, and tips for mastering one of the toughest yet most rewarding aspects of leadership. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to turn difficult conversations into defining moments for your team and your organization!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re diving into a topic that strikes at the heart of every successful organization: career development. Joining us is the brilliant Julie Winkle Giulioni, co-author of the newly updated Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Organizations Need and Employees Still Want.

This third edition of Julie’s bestselling classic comes at a crucial time as workplaces adapt to a more flexible employment environment, including the rise of remote and hybrid work. It’s no secret that career development is a game-changer—it drives engagement, retention, and results. But for many managers, the idea of tackling career development feels daunting, especially with the fast pace of today’s work environment. That’s where Julie’s approach shines.

In this episode, Julie shares practical strategies for integrating meaningful career conversations into everyday business. These aren’t the long, formal sit-downs you might imagine. Instead, Julie advocates for frequent, short, and impactful discussions that build trust, spark self-awareness, and align employee goals with organizational needs. Together with Mike, she’ll explore the three types of career conversations every manager should be having and how these dialogues can unlock strengths, identify growth opportunities, and chart a path forward for employees.

You’ll also hear insights on adapting these strategies for remote and hybrid teams, leveraging tools like worksheets and assessments to personalize the process, and how organizations can stay ahead of the curve in talent development. Whether you’re a leader, an HR professional, or an employee looking to take charge of your own growth, this conversation will empower you to transform workplace relationships and results.

Tune in to discover why career development isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the secret weapon for building loyalty, productivity, and success in any organization!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to another transformative episode of the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce a conversation that is sure to spark innovation and self-reflection. Our guest is the dynamic Jessica Pettitt, author of "Almost Doing Good: Doing the Best That You Can With What You Have Some of the Time." If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Jessica’s fresh and candid approach will resonate deeply.

This isn’t your typical DEI book or conversation. Jessica breaks down the complexities of workplace inclusivity into a manageable, actionable framework she calls the "Do-Good Triangle": Prepare, Recognize, and Respond. By focusing on doing the best you can, even when perfection feels out of reach, her approach encourages everyone—from leaders to HR professionals—to embrace "almost" as a critical step toward meaningful progress.

In this episode, Jessica and Mike dive into the real-world applications of her philosophy. With humor, candor, and no-nonsense advice, Jessica shares how organizations can embrace disruption and turn ‘almost’ efforts into stepping stones for measurable impact. Together, they discuss over 20 case studies from various industries, highlighting both inspiring successes and teachable failures. You’ll discover how to normalize complexity, engage stakeholders, and implement strategies that reduce risks while building more inclusive workplace cultures.

Whether you're leading a team, driving organizational change, or just seeking to better understand your role in creating a more equitable environment, Jessica’s message is clear: you don’t have to get it perfect—you just have to start. Tune in for a powerful discussion that will inspire you to take action with what you have, where you are. This is your invitation to disrupt the norm and move from "almost doing good" to making a real difference!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to another empowering episode of the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re diving into the art of negotiation with Ed Brodow, author of the acclaimed book "Negotiation Boot Camp: How to Resolve Conflict, Satisfy Customers, and Make Better Deals." In a world where every interaction is a negotiation—whether in business, relationships, or everyday life—having the right strategies can mean the difference between success and compromise. Ed Brodow has spent decades perfecting these strategies, and now he’s sharing them with us.

Ed’s book is based on his widely respected Negotiation Boot Camp® Seminars, which have been attended by some of the biggest names in corporate America, including Microsoft, Starbucks, and Goldman Sachs. Drawing from real-life encounters, his book provides actionable techniques to help anyone, from seasoned executives to everyday individuals, negotiate with confidence. Whether it’s closing a deal, buying a car, or resolving conflict, the principles he teaches are universal and impactful.

In this episode, Mike and Ed discuss how to conquer the fear of confrontation, identify and refine your negotiation style, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the other side. They’ll explore how to foster trust and collaboration, listen effectively, and avoid emotional distractions that derail negotiations. From breaking through impasses to mastering the art of the “win-win,” Ed’s insights offer a roadmap for transforming any negotiation into an opportunity.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the negotiation process or wondered how to turn a tricky situation into a favorable outcome, this conversation is for you. Tune in to learn how to turn negotiation into one of your greatest strengths. Get ready to upgrade your skills, achieve your goals, and close better deals—with Ed Brodow on the Million Dollar Stories Podcast!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!

Welcome to the Million Dollar Stories Podcast with your host, Mike Fallat! Today, we’re unlocking the secrets to effective communication with Chris Fenning, author of the award-winning book, "How to Start Conversations That Get Results: The First Minute, Book 1." In the fast-paced world of business, clear and concise communication is a must, but knowing how to get to the point without losing clarity can be a challenge. That’s where Chris’s expertise comes in. His book is a practical guide to transforming everyday work conversations, helping professionals of all levels communicate with purpose and precision.

In this episode, Chris and Mike delve into what it really means to be concise. It’s not about rushing or oversimplifying but about having clear intent, focusing on solutions, and guiding your audience toward meaningful action. Chris explains how mastering the first minute of any conversation can set the tone for success, whether you’re leading a meeting, pitching an idea, or resolving an issue. Drawing from over 20,000 conversations and years of training with organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, Chris shares actionable insights that work across industries.

They’ll discuss how to avoid rambling, stay focused on one topic, and ensure every discussion, email, or presentation drives results. Whether you’re looking to improve team communication, streamline meetings, or close high-stakes deals, the strategies in Chris’s book provide a roadmap for success. With examples and tips you can apply immediately, this episode will help you transform the way you communicate.

If you’re ready to cut through the noise, speak with clarity, and make every word count, this conversation is a must-listen. Tune in, take notes, and discover how better communication starts with the very first minute. Let’s get talking—and let’s get results!

Follow Mike Fallat on Instagram, Facebook, Truth, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Visit https://dreamstarterspublishing.com to publish your book today!