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The Executives' Exchange

The Executives' Exchange

Written by: The Executives' Club of Chicago
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 The Executives' Exchange is a podcast of the Executives' Club of Chicago, the city's premier membership organization and business forum. Each episode unlocks the keys to success from distinguished executives in the Chicago region through real stories of triumphs and failures, meaning connections and lessons learned in their leadership journeys. Sponsored by Shure Incorporated Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor

    Episode 079 – Suzy Welch, Best-Selling Author, Tech Entrepreneur, & Professor
    Aug 13 2025
    Suzy Welch—best-selling author, professor, and tech entrepreneur—joins The Executives' Exchange for a candid conversation with guest host Kristen Prinz. This isn't just about her latest book, Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career—it's about rewriting the rules of success. Drawing from her hit NYU course, Suzy breaks down a framework for finding your core values, leading with purpose, and building a career that actually fits the life you want. No buzzwords. No one-size-fits-all formulas. Just the clarity and tools you need to shape your next chapter—on your terms. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in May 2025. 00:00 – Intro 00:55 – Inspiration Behind the Book 04:26 – Suzy's Becoming You Experience 08:26 – Defining the Four Horsemen 12:50 – The Values Test & Learning Your Values 21:05 – Methodology Applied Across All Age Groups 27:20 – Go Where Your Characteristics Overlap 30:00 – The Worthiness of Values 33:51 – Do Values Change Over Time? 36:16 – Recognizing Attributes & Identifying Aptitudes 46:40 – Economically Viable Interests 50:25 – Outro Episode Link: Suzy Welch | Becoming You Guest Host: Kristen Prinz, Founding & Managing Partner, The Prinz Law Firm    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    51 mins
  • Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate

    Episode 078 – Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate
    Jul 8 2025

    On this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, joins Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and Exec Club Board Member, to discuss her nearly three decades of innovation in the world of gourmet chocolate and what it means to lead with creativity and purpose. 

    00:00 – Intro

    02:30 – Katrina's Childhood and Background

    06:19 – Why Chocolate?

    11:32 – Navigating Challenges

    13:12 – Violet Flame

    17:45 – Creating a Balanced Company Culture

    23:30 – What Makes Chicago Special

    30:35 – Balancing Taking Risks

    37:45 – Using Mothership as a Business Tool

    43:25 – Making Things Purposeful

    46:20 – Leaving a Legacy

    50:15 – The Future of AI in Different Spaces

    56:25 – Outro

    Episode Link: Violet Flames Chocolate

    Guest Host: Julie Smolyansky, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods

    Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago 

     

    Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated. 
    For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones. 

    Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    57 mins
  • Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach

    Episode 077 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive Coach
    Jun 11 2025
    In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, world-renowned executive coach and bestselling author, Marshall Goldsmith, joins Harry Kraemer of Northwestern University to share timeless advice on career and life success. Learn proven strategies that can help participants successfully balance being present, while simultaneously planning for your future in a world that is ever changing. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience in February 2025. 00:00 – Intro 01:50 – Key to Being a Great Coach 6:35 – Common Challenges when Changing Behaviors 8:31 – Identifying and Overcoming Blind Spots 9:10 – The Most Effective Methodology 12:50 – Role of Feedback, or Feed "Forward" 13:51 – Evolving Landscape of Leadership 18:27 – Coping with Hard Decisions 21:00 – Achievement vs. Happiness 24:00 – The Power of Mentorship 28:10 – AI Platform 31:00 – Daily Practices for Effective Leadership 33:50 – What Future Leaders Need to Know 36:23 – Guiding Principles and Philosophies 40:35 – The Secret to Staying Inspired 44:44 – Do the Work or Let it Go 48:35 – Final Bits of Advice 50:48 – Outro Episode Link: Marshall Goldsmith Guest Host: Harry M. Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management & Organizations, Northwestern University Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives' Club of Chicago      Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thank you to our podcast sponsor, Shure Incorporated.   For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.   Find Shure on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
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    51 mins
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