Unlock the power of values-driven leadership with hosts Ed Howie and Darryl Zavodny. In each episode, they dive into how kindness, intentional service, and purpose can fuel long-term, 7-figure business success. With real stories, practical insights, and inspiring conversations, The Wonder of WOOO offers a fresh approach to thriving in today’s fast-paced world—where deeper connections create lasting results. Tune in and discover a more fulfilling way to grow your business!
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Ed Howie Podcasts
Since 2018, the Human Restoration Project Podcast has reimaged education through critical, progressive, human-centered learning! Across nearly 200 episodes, and counting, we've explored every topic in education: ungrading and alternative assessment, interdisciplinary play-based and project-based learning, SEL, education reforms and systemic school change in society with students, teachers, leaders, researchers, and advocates around the world. Join us on our mission to restore humanity to edu ...
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Will Work for Food: Labor Across the Food Chain w/ Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern & Teresa M. Mares
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44:01The reach and impact of our food systems – that is, the complex, interconnected, and globalized web of institutions, resources, and processes that bring food from the farm, to the table, and into the waste stream – is universal: every single one of us has either worked in ourselves, or known people who work growing, raising, producing, processing, …
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From the Classroom to the Capitol: A Conversation w/ New Mexico Lt. Gov. Howie Morales
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26:48Please note that Human Restoration Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and that this interview is not an endorsement of Morales as a candidate for office. Before Howie Morales became Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico, before he was ever a state senator, he was a teacher and a state-championship winning baseball coach in rural New Mexico. He…
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Taming the Turbulence in Educational Leadership w/ Jennifer D. Klein
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52:00In the opening pages of my guest’s book, she recounts a colleague's bumpy plane ride that provided the insight for the title of the book, Taming the Turbulence in Educational Leadership: “We are facing turmoil in education, and the job of good leaders is to 'tame the turbulence'...educators have been caught in this turbulence; it permeates our prof…
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BS Universities: The Future of Automated Education w/ Rob Sparrow & Gene Flenady
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53:04“Any assessment of the potential of AI to contribute to education must begin with an accurate understanding of the nature of the outputs of AI,” my guests today write, “The most important reason to resist the use of AI in universities if that its outputs are fundamentally bullshit – indeed, strictly speaking, they are meaningless bullshit.” That pa…
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Cultivating Mental Health Mindsets in The Empathetic Classroom w/ Maria Munro-Schuster
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1:06:04Back in December 2024, I got an email from Tom Rademacher raving about an upcoming book from a teacher who is now a licensed counselor that read, “The thing that hooked me when I read it the first time was a whole part on teachers recognizing their own triggers to their anger and stress and learning to understand and adapt to them... but the whole …
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Confronting the Education Polycrisis w/ Dr. James Mannion
1:26:47
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1:26:47“The problems we face are not the fault of any single individual or organisation. They are often the by-product of good intentions. And yet, alongside children and young people and their parents and carers, it’s educators who are most exposed to these pressures – who confront them every day, and try to make it all work regardless,” writes today’s g…
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DIY, Mutual Aid, and Human-Centered Learning for Neurodivergent and Disabled People w/ Stimpunks
1:02:50
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1:02:50“We are a community affair. We’re Autistic, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, Tourettes, schizophrenic, bipolar, apraxic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, dyscalculic, non-speaking, and more. We’ve collectively experienced rare diseases, organ transplants, various cancers, many surgeries and therapies, and lots of ableism and SpEd. We’ve experienced #MedicalAbleism, #MedicalMi…
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Reclaiming Teaching & Learning in an Age of AI w/ Chanea Bond
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1:07:05At the time of recording, New York Magazine had released an article titled “Everyone is Cheating Their Way Through College: How ChatGPT has Unraveled the Entire Academic Project” which launched a thousand takes. The piece outlines an arms race, characterized as “a siege on education” between college professors, sneaking white-text Trojan horse prom…
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Parenting with Purpose w/ Steven Shapiro & Nancy Shapiro-Rapport
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44:27For as much as schools are a necessary collaboration of communities and families, we haven’t spent much time, if any at all, on this podcast focused on parenting itself. Well that changes today, as I’m joined by Steve Shapiro and Nancy Shapiro-Rapport, siblings, and co-founders of Our Family Culture. Our Family Culture is a platform dedicated to he…
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Teaching Contentious Topics in a Divided Nation w/ Ryan Sprott
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1:14:05Our conversation today is with educator, author, and Director of National Faculty at PBLWorks, Ryan Sprott, about one of the most contentious topics in education today, that is Teaching Contentious Topics in a Divided Nation: A Memoir and Primer for Pedagogical Transformation, which is also the title of his self-published book. In this conversation…
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"It's Like a Baby Jail!" Power & Early Childhood Education w/ Dr. Chloë Keegan
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1:01:56I’m joined today by Dr Chloe Keegan. Chloe Keegan is Lecturer of Early Childhood Education in the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in Maynooth University, Ireland. Dr Keegan is an early childhood expert with over a decade of experience as an educator, researcher, and policy advocate. Her work focuses on children's rights …
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Conference to Restore Humanity! Quest for Connection 2025 Trailer
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3:39https://www.humanrestorationproject.org/conference “True light is dependent on the presence of other lights. Take the others away and darkness results. Yet the reverse is not true: take away darkness and there is only more darkness. Darkness can exist by itself. Light cannot.” ― N.K. Jemisin, The Broken Kingdoms (as read by Zoe Bee) In stressful, u…
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The people around us shape our mindset, choices, and even our happiness. In this episode, Ed and Darryl explore the power of influence—both positive and negative—and how being intentional about the company you keep can inspire more joy in your life.By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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Beyond Anthropology For Kids w/ Nika Dubrovsky
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37:30My guest today is Nika Dubrovsky. Nika is an artist and writer whose work has been exhibited internationally, her children’s books have been translated into several languages and, remarkably, as you’ll hear in the episode, Nika is directly responsible for bringing Russian translations of Dr. Suess to post-Soviet Russia. Nika is the co-creator of An…
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Takeaways from the world of Mixed Martial Arts that apply to business.By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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Showcase: Spotlight on Bismarck Public Schools' Empower[Ed]
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48:16This is the latest in our “spotlight series”, the first of 2025, where we reach out to schools who are engaged in awesome work, and talk to teachers, school leaders, and students about it to shine a light, inspire, and influence others to do the same. As with all learning, process is the point, not perfection, and there’s so much to learn from thes…
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Lagniappe - What It Means and How It Applies to You
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24:58Sometimes, a little something extra can make all the difference. In this episode, Ed and Darryl dive into the concept of "lagniappe"—the small, unexpected bonuses that add value and delight customers. Whether it’s in business, customer service, or even personal connections, that “something more” can leave a lasting impression.…
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From Pixar to the Classroom: Teaching Storytelling w/ Story Xperiential
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43:51With the help of Teacher-Powered Schools, Socol-Moran Partners, Stimpunks, and What School Could Be, we’ve completed the lineup for our 4th annual virtual Conference to Restore Humanity for July 21-23, focused this year on the Quest for Connection. Tickets are just $50 and you can find out more info at humanrestorationproject.org/conference We’re e…
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Money? Disposable income? In light of the current economic uncertainty Darryl and Ed discuss an article that talks about short-term thinking vs. long-term "abundance" thinking (without being Polyanna-ish…)By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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Sensemaking and Cybernetics in Classroom Teaching w/ Christian Moore-Anderson
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53:23With the help of Teacher-Powered Schools, Socol-Moran Partners, Stimpunks, and What School Could Be, we’ve officially announced our 4th annual virtual Conference to Restore Humanity for July 21-23, focused this year on the Quest for Connection. If you’re interested in joining us, tickets start at just 50 bucks and you can find the full lineup at hu…
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WOOO Vision: What We Can Learn from Tony Bennett & Hoda Kotb
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13:14Knowing when it’s time to step back can be just as impactful as knowing when to lean in. In this episode, Ed and Darryl explore the inspiring examples of Tony Bennett and Hoda Kotb, who each navigated pivotal career moments by recognizing when it was time to move forward. Through the lens of WOOO, they discuss the power of leaving when you can no l…
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Inquiry, Play, and Early Childhood Education w/ Heidi Echternacht
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1:00:00If you go back through the HRP podcast archives, and I encourage you to do just that, you’ll see that we’ve covered just about every topic imaginable in the world of education, with some that keep returning again and again. One area you’ll probably notice a regrettable gap is in early childhood education, PreK-early elementary. One reason is that i…
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Why WOOO Matters More Than Actuaries in Insurance
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24:17While price and advertising are important, WOOO is the philosophy that keeps clients coming back. On this episode, Ed and Darryl explore how putting people first has a lasting impact that outshines the best formulas, proving that relationships, not just rates, win over time.By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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Ep 40: Get Rich or Be Rich - How Serving Others Well Pays Off
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24:03In this episode, hosts Darryl and Ed explore the tension between pursuing profit and building a life of purpose and impact. They share personal stories and insights on finding true richness, beyond just financial success. The conversation covers topics like goal-setting, balancing work and relationships, and leaving a lasting legacy. Whether you're…
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Sustaining Love, Hope, and Community Through Nonviolence Pedagogy w/ Mike Tinoco
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46:27Today we're joined by Mike Tinoco. Mike is a full time public school teacher from California, and author of Heart at the Center: An Educator's Guide to Sustaining Love, Hope, and Community Through Nonviolence Pedagogy. Gholdy Muhammad called the book "an urgent call for truth, love, and justice for every educator and community member who deeply dre…
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Ep 39: Finding Profit Within a Nonprofit w: Susan Ramirez
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26:14This episode features Susan Ramirez, founder of National Angels, a nonprofit transforming foster care. Susan shares her journey from a corporate career to starting National Angels, driven by a life-changing encounter that opened her eyes to the needs of foster children. She discusses the organization's innovative programs supporting foster families…
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Ep 38: Building a Franchise Model w: Susan Ramirez
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25:49In this episode, we sit down with Susan Ramirez, the founder of National Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the foster care experience for children and families. Susan shares her inspiring journey of leaving a successful career to pursue her passion for making a difference. We explore how National Angels is building a franch…
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A Danish Perspective on American Education w/ Pernille Ripp
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53:01I’m thrilled to be joined today by Pernille Ripp — a passionate educator, author, and literacy advocate. She is the author of Passionate Readers: The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child, Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students, and Reimagining Literacy Through Global Collaboration. She’s also the founder of the Global Read…
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Ep 37: Playing the Odds - How Gambling, Business, and Parenting are Similar
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24:18In this episode, the hosts explore the concept of playing the odds in business and life. They discuss the importance of understanding risks, probabilities, and the impact of intentional behaviors on achieving desired outcomes. The conversation covers personal and professional examples, highlighting the need to assess your "gambling problem" and cre…
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Ep 36: Building a Community the Chick-fil-A Way with David Salyers
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29:12In this episode, we dive into the power of building a strong company culture and long-term vision. Our guest, David Sawyers, shares his remarkable journey at Chick-fil-A, where he learned invaluable lessons about winning over customers and colleagues alike. Discover how David's principles of 'culture is more caught than taught' and balancing short-…
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Ep 35: Sprinkling Chick-fil-A Seasoning with David Salyers
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30:35Join us as we sit down with marketing legend David Salyers, a long-time executive at Chick-fil-A. David shares his remarkable journey, from initially aiming for an early retirement to discovering the joy of a career he wouldn't want to retire from. He reveals the pivotal lessons he learned at Chick-fil-A about building a business focused on enrichi…
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On this episode, we explore the importance of serving others well in business and life. We discuss the foundational principle of WOOO (Winning Others Over and Over), which requires intentional effort to build trust and profitable relationships. We analyze a current headline - Amazon's return-to-office mandate - through the WOOO lens, considering th…
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The Privateers: How Billionaires Creates a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers w/ Josh Cowen
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40:56There are any number of narratives that emerged from the 2024 election and that will be hotly debated over the next four years. However, one of those is not up for debate: that vouchers and school choice lost everywhere they were on the ballot in 2024. In Colorado, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would’ve added “a right to school ch…
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Ep 33: WOOO Vision: What Can You Do With 342,817 Lego Pieces
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7:51The Lego brand has masterfully reinvented itself over the decades, appealing to both children and adults. By showcasing the incredible potential of their products, like building a functioning McLaren car out of over 340,000 Lego pieces, Lego has demonstrated the power of "wooing" customers with a compelling story and vision. This episode explores t…
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Ep 32: Inspire More Joy: Serving Yourself Well
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7:41Leaders, are you feeling weary and overwhelmed? In this episode, we explore the importance of self-care for those in positions of influence. The hosts share a powerful analogy about putting on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others, and provide practical tips for 'winning the week' by focusing on your key responsibilities. The discussio…
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Explore how businesses can adapt to changing customer needs and eliminate unnecessary variables to better serve their customers. We draw parallels between the Netflix show 'Love is Blind' and how companies had to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how focusing on the core WOOO principles - Winning Others Over and Over and Over - can help you…
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Ep 30: Will AI Help or Hurt Your Ability to WOOO
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24:13Can AI help or hurt your ability to WOOO customers? In this episode, we explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in building strong relationships and winning over customers. We discuss the potential benefits and risks of using AI, and provide practical guidance on how to leverage this technology to enhance your customer experience while pre…
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Ep 29: It's Not About Employee Happiness With Delise Simmons
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26:55Join us as we sit down with Delise Simmons, a culture expert and founder of the Culture Think Tank. Delise shares her insights on building high-performing organizational cultures, debunking the myth that culture is just about employee happiness. She provides practical advice for startups and small businesses on deliberately creating a culture that …
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Ep 28: The Importance of Culture with Delise Simmons
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30:42In this episode, Delise Simmons, a seasoned business leader and culture expert, joins the podcast to share her insights on how organizations can build and sustain a thriving company culture. Delise discusses the importance of aligning your company's values with specific behaviors, and provides practical tips on how to create an environment that emp…
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Ep 27: Is Today's Tipping Culture Helping?
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26:27In the latest episode, we explore the nuances of today's tipping culture and whether it is truly helpful for businesses, employees, and customers. We dive into the historical context of tipping, how it has evolved over time, and the various perspectives to consider when setting tipping policies. Join us as we unpack the complexities of this controv…
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Join us as we explore the tension between private equity and the principles of Wooo (Winning Others Over and Over). Using the case study of Subway and its acquisition by Roark Capital, we examine how the focus on cash and financial metrics can sometimes clash with the need to maintain a strong customer-centric culture. We discuss the importance of …
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Hosts Darryl and Ed review a new Frosted Flakes cereal-flavored milk product, sharing their initial impressions, conducting a tasting, and analyzing the branding and target market in this 'WOOO or Poo' segment of The Wonder of WOOO podcast.By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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Ep 24: Inspire More Joy: When The Journey Feels To Costly
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12:57In this episode, Darryl and Ed discuss managing the costs of pursuing excellence. They explore trade-offs, emphasizing intentionality and reminders of rewards to maintain joy. The hosts provide advice on prioritizing, measuring costs/benefits, and staying encouraged on the path of serving others well.…
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The Landscape Model of Learning w/ Dr. Kapono Ciotti
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44:29Today we are joined by Dr. Kapono Ciotti. Dr. Ciotti is the Executive Director of What School Could Be, an organization offering a whole host of things: free resources, a flourishing community, coaching services, graduate coursework, and more; plus WSCB is one of Human Restoration Project’s partners. Prior to this work, Dr. Ciotti grew up in Honolu…
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Ep 23: Inspire More Joy: How To Endure Loud Criticism
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12:33Hosts Darryl and Ed Howie discuss strategies for business leaders to handle loud criticism, drawing from personal experiences. They explore validating feedback, separating emotions from facts, and determining the relevance and intentions behind criticism. The hosts emphasize maintaining joy and peace of mind and encourage viewing criticism as an op…
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Ep 22: Inspire More Joy: For The Weary Leader
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13:32In this episode, Darryl and Ed discuss inspiring more joy as a leader. They define weariness and its impact, then provide practical steps for leaders to overcome it, like seeking rest and reweighing responsibilities. The goal is to encourage leaders to maintain motivation and joy to scale their businesses by serving others well.…
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Darryl and Ed explore the collaboration between Little Debbie and Blue Bell Ice Cream, discussing brand extensions and cross-promotions. They taste the new Blue Bell Oat Milk Cream Pie ice cream and compare it to the original Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie, sharing insights for business leaders.By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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Hosts Darryl and Ed explore the concept of 'share of stomach' - the idea that no product can fully satisfy a customer. They discuss how this impacts businesses, from mattresses to groceries, and provide advice on evaluating sales channels, understanding customer churn, and increasing customer count for long-term health.…
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Hosts Darryl and Ed explore how Discount Tire's exceptional service creates lifelong customer loyalty, even in a seemingly mundane industry. They share personal stories and insights to provide practical advice for building a customer-centric culture that drives profitability.By Ed Howie & Darryl Zavodny
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In this special edition of The Wonder of WOOO, hosts Darryl and Ed explore the unique brand and product positioning of Liquid Death a canned, mountain water company that is disrupting the crowded beverage market with its irreverent branding and focus on environmental sustainability. Through a taste test and in-depth analysis, they uncover the inten…
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