The Hidden Link Between Vulnerability and Pricing — Joe Rockey Jr. Returns to Talk Sales Strategy

Why do some people charge $25 and others $300 for the same service? It’s not always about skill. In this powerful episode of Leaders and Their Stories, sales coach and author Joe Rockey Jr. returns to unpack the real reason pricing works—or doesn’t.

From emotional buying triggers to vulnerability as a pricing lever, Joe and Richard dig deep into what drives premium pricing, customer trust, and long-term sales success.

You’ll learn:

• Why “What’s in it for them?” is the golden question in any offer
• How to price based on perceived safety, not just deliverables
• The secret to connecting with emotionally raw clients (and why it justifies your rate)
• Why vulnerability builds pricing power—and how to use it wisely
• Lessons from Trader Joe’s, skydiving, hot air balloons, and ghostwriting
• Why some prospects can’t be helped—and how to let them go

What if everything you thought success meant… wasn’t really yours?

In this heartfelt episode of Leaders and Their Stories, leadership coach Doris Walsh joins Richard Lowe to explore what happens when high-achieving professionals hit a crossroads—torn between a thriving career and the deeper pull of family, identity, and meaning.

Doris shares her journey from corporate life to coaching, including the wake-up call that arrived in her 40s and the power of asking, “What do I actually want?” Richard opens up about his own transformation through grief, photography, and learning to let go of toxic relationships.

This conversation is funny, raw, and deeply reflective—packed with real-life examples, emotional truths, and the permission to change… even after 50.

In this powerful episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe welcomes Trevor Sumner, CEO of IGenie and a seasoned tech entrepreneur with over 25 years in the game. Trevor shares how his AI startup is transforming consumer insights for major brands like Coca-Cola, Bayer, and Unilever—replacing unreliable survey data with real-time analysis of billions of online signals across TikTok, Google, and Instagram.

From the explosive AI hype cycle to the practical, personal benefits of using tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, Trevor offers grounded, insider wisdom. He and Richard discuss how AI is not just streamlining operations but redefining what lean, high-impact teams can achieve. With real stories of AI shaving hours off content creation, reimagining competitive analysis, and even improving personal health outcomes, this conversation brings AI down to earth.

The episode also explores deep societal implications: the future of entry-level jobs, the demographic collapse, and how automation could offset shrinking populations in countries like Japan and China. Through it all, Trevor maintains a cautious optimism: AI won't replace people—but those who use it wisely will outperform those who don't.

Whether you're a tech executive, founder, marketer, or just curious about where AI is really heading, this episode offers clarity, insight, and actionable takeaways for navigating the next wave of transformation.

In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe speaks with award-winning health coach, author, and fitness expert Rico Caveglia, founder of the Ageless Living Lifestyle. Rico shares practical tips and powerful truths about aging, energy, longevity, and why most people are growing old far too soon.

Rico believes we’re designed to live to 125 in good health, and that aging doesn’t have to mean becoming old, sick, or tired. He breaks down the real causes of premature aging—and how to avoid them.

🎯 Highlights include:

• Why your lifestyle—not your genes—determines your health
• The difference between aging and getting old
• Movement vs. exercise: which is better and why
• Eating awareness techniques to avoid overeating
• Why mainstream medicine gets aging wrong
• How Rico reversed pain and weakness without surgery
• The 7 Essentials of Life (from his bestselling book Ageless Living)

💡 Learn how to build a lifestyle that supports strength, energy, and clarity for decades to come.

📘 Grab Rico’s book: Ageless Living

In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with leadership expert, author, and national speaker Pat Welsh to explore a powerful, practical framework for becoming a more impactful leader.

Pat introduces his Warrior-Servant-Leader model—a three-part mindset built on courage, service, and influence—and shares real-life stories from his time in law enforcement and beyond. He explains why true leadership is rooted not in power or position, but in values, moral compass, and community.

🎯 Highlights include:

• The origin and meaning of the Warrior-Servant-Leader model
• Real-world leadership in law enforcement and public service
• Why ego is the biggest enemy of leadership
• Why JFK, Tim Tebow, and Mother Teresa exemplify parts of this mindset
• The worst leadership advice you've ever heard—and why you must unlearn it
• The one trait every great manager must have

Whether you're running a business or leading in your community, this episode offers timeless advice on how to lead with integrity, purpose, and humility.

🧭 Learn more about Pat at: https://warriorservantleaderpodcast.com

In this powerful episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe (The Writing King) sits down with Rob Fenstermaker to explore what it truly means to live with the warrior spirit. Rob shares his journey from corporate burnout to personal awakening and now devotes his life to helping men rediscover their inner strength, truth, and purpose.

They dive into the importance of personal truths, boundaries, accountability, and integrity in leadership, family, and community. Rob discusses his coaching process, the role of empathy, and how real warriors know when to stand firm—and when to regroup. Together, they tackle tough topics like betrayal, addiction, pornography, toxic masculinity, and how modern men can lead lives of purpose instead of passivity.

Packed with raw insights and practical wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for men seeking transformation, fathers aiming to lead by example, and anyone who believes leadership starts within.

Getting your IT or cybersecurity project approved shouldn’t feel like storming a fortress. In this episode of Leaders and Their Stories, host Richard Lowe sits down with veteran tech executive Matt Walker to unpack why so many tech proposals fail—and how to fix it. Drawing on decades of experience from cybersecurity to desktop support (including NASA and Kennedy Space Center), Matt breaks down the psychological and strategic steps to win executive buy-in.

You’ll learn:

• Why "speaking IT" gets you thrown out of the boardroom
• How to build long-term trust with decision-makers
• Why security training needs to become personal
• The power of "pre-suasion" and how to use it
• Why deepfakes and AI have changed the security game for good

Matt also shares his favorite books for mastering influence and how emotional intelligence beats technical brilliance when it comes to getting results.

Bonus: A hilarious (and terrifying) true story about a multi-million dollar deepfake scam in Hong Kong.

📚 Mentioned Books:

• Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini
• Influence by Robert Cialdini

🎯 Ideal for: IT leaders, cybersecurity professionals, CIOs, and anyone trying to get budget or approval for tech initiatives in today's AI-powered world.

Guest: Michelle A. Hardwick
Host: Richard Lowe

When menopause hits, it affects more than just one person. Michelle A. Hardwick, healer and author of Menopause Wingman, joins Richard Lowe to unpack the silent suffering many couples endure. From hormone shifts to emotional upheaval, Michelle lays out strategies for both women and their partners—especially men—who often feel confused, helpless, or pushed aside. In this candid conversation, Richard and Michelle discuss communication gaps, intimacy changes, childhood trauma triggers, and the importance of showing up with compassion and curiosity.

Key Topics:

• The misunderstood emotional toll of menopause
• Why men feel helpless and how to change that
• Coping strategies for couples
• Why Michelle’s book includes stories from men
• The importance of early education for boys and girls