Sales is often misunderstood as a personality trait rather than the professional discipline it truly is. In this opening episode of our Back to the Fundamentals series, Denise Griffitts and Ben Gay III return to a core principle from Closers, Part 1: selling is a profession, not a performance. Together, they explore the hidden cost of casual selling, what truly separates amateurs from professionals, and the principles that shaped Ben’s career. They also reflect on what has changed in the sales world and what has remained constant across decades. If you treat selling casually, the results will be casual. This conversation sets the foundation for the year ahead.

The Closers Inner Circle Podcast with Denise Griffitts and Ben Gay III On New Year’s Eve 2025, you’re invited to slow down and reflect with us. This special episode offers perspective shaped by decades of experience, giving you something meaningful to carry with you into the year ahead.

My guest on Your Partner In Success Radio, Diana Fritz, is an executive leader, author, and cancer thriver whose work centers on authenticity, resilience, and meaningful leadership. With more than 25 years of experience across executive leadership, operations, human resources, business planning, and technology, Diana is known for helping individuals and organizations lead with clarity, courage, and values. Her journey through adversity, including the loss of an eye due to cancer, shaped her belief that our greatest challenges often become our greatest qualifications. Today, she helps leaders turn lived experience into impact, influence, and stronger human connection.

What happens when you stop outsourcing your thinking and start questioning the systems shaping your life? Today’s guest on Your Partner In Success Radio, Joshua Hale, joins me to talk about breaking free from conditioning, using critical thinking and AI as practical tools, and building an intentional life rooted in autonomy, responsibility, and real community.

My guest today on Your Partner In Success Radio is Carol Look. She is the creator of The Yes Code, author of the #1 Amazon bestseller The Yes Code, and her newest book, Yes Thank You: Tapping Into the Superpower of Gratitude. She joins us to share how gratitude can be your superpower, why self-sabotage is really just your mind keeping you safe, and how simple tapping techniques can transform your mindset and your life.

As we wind down the year and turn our focus toward what’s ahead, today’s conversation on The Closers Inner Circle Podcast is about something that never goes out of style—integrity. Join Ben Gay III and Denise Griffitts as we explore why selling with integrity isn’t optional—it’s a MUST. In a marketplace crowded with noise, pressure tactics, and short-term wins, integrity is what builds trust, longevity, and real success. This episode is about doing business the right way, even when it’s not the easy way.

What does emotionally intelligent leadership really look like in practice? In this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller explains why empathy is not a soft skill, but a measurable, results-driven leadership capability. We explore the connection between empathy and emotional intelligence, why leading with empathy requires strength, and how self-empathy shapes effective leadership. A practical conversation for leaders focused on culture, performance, and long-term success.

Should You Stay, or Should You Go by Cynthia Kay (AKA CK). I have read the galley and this book is like a candid conversation with a fellow entrepreneur who truly gets the emotional rollercoaster of deciding whether to stay in or move on from a business. It doesn’t just give you steps—it helps you reflect with real stories and smart questions that push you to figure out your next move. Packed with honest insights and practical wisdom, it’s a must-read for any business owner ready to find clarity and peace in their journey. Cynthia is also the author of one of my favorite business books, "Small Business, Big Success: Proven Strategies to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business" which just won Finalist for the American Book Fest 2025 Awards. It is an indispensable guide for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of small business ownership.

In this episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast, Ben Gay III and Denise Griffitts discuss The Salesperson’s Creed—a personal code of honor that guides ethical, principled selling. As the new year approaches, they explore why true sales success begins with character, consistency, and a commitment to serving clients with integrity. The conversation encourages listeners to define or refine their own creed and enter the coming year with clarity, purpose, and higher professional standards. Note that The Closers books, Pt 1 and Pt 2 by Ben Gay III are essential reading for anyone serious about mastering the profession of selling, and the full collection can be found at Ronzone Books on eBay.

My guest today on Your Partner In Success Radio, Larry Aldrich, J.D., is a retired attorney and business executive with a distinguished career in media, healthcare, and venture capital. He served as senior trial counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, senior legal counsel at Gannett, and president of Tucson Newspapers. Larry founded a Southwest venture capital firm and led healthcare technology companies. Co-author of What’s Right with America... And How We Can Keep It That Way!, he is a passionate advocate for American values, freedom, and civic empowerment, sharing his insights through writing, podcasts, and public speaking.

The Dreamer: Sleep Sound Machine for Adults & Babies Josh Bronfman is the president and co‑founder of Quiet Time, the company behind Dreamer and its flagship product, The Dreamer sound machine. Drawing on a background in economics and entrepreneurship, he set out with his wife and co‑founder to build the device they wished existed when their first child was born: something portable, durable, and actually attractive enough to live on a nightstand, not just in a nursery. Today, Josh’s work focuses on making better sleep accessible to everyone in the family. The Dreamer uses carefully crafted, natural sound profiles and a minimalist, travel‑ready design to support deeper, less interrupted rest for babies, toddlers, and sleep‑deprived adults alike. From middle‑of‑the‑night feeds to stressed‑out professionals who can’t turn their brains off, Josh is passionate about turning sound into a reliable, science‑backed tool for real, restorative sleep.

In this episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast, Ben Gay III and Denise Griffitts take a thoughtful look at Legacy, Purpose, and the Long Game as we close out the final month of 2025. Together, they explore what it means to build a body of work that lasts, how purpose shapes our decisions, and why long-term thinking matters more than ever in a fast-paced world. Listeners will hear candid reflections, practical insights, and meaningful questions to help them evaluate their own direction as the year comes to an end. Whether you're planning for the new year, reassessing your goals, or simply seeking clarity, this conversation offers grounded guidance for aligning your work with what truly matters.

Today on Your Partner In Success Radio, I’m joined by Robert and Kay Lee Fukui, the husband-and-wife team behind i61, Inc., a business consulting company with a mission that matters: helping married entrepreneurs build a profitable, scalable business without sacrificing their marriage or family in the process. Through their signature program, Thriving in Tandem™, they guide couples toward healthier communication, stronger partnerships, and business structures that actually support the life they want to lead. They’re also the authors of Tandem: The Married Entrepreneurs’ Guide for Greater Work-Life Balance, a resource that has resonated deeply with couples who are building something big—together.

In this Thanksgiving Eve episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast, Denise Griffitts and Ben Gay III slow down and take a thoughtful look at gratitude. They explore the people, ideas, and experiences that shaped their year — from mentors who offered timely guidance to books that shifted their thinking and sparked new insights. They talk about friendships and professional relationships that brought support, challenge, and clarity, along with the memories that continue to bring joy. The conversation also opens space for reflection on lessons learned through challenges and the importance of letting go so better things can come in. Together, they invite listeners to think about what they’re grateful for and what they hope to carry into the coming year.

Today’s conversation with Paul Austin-Menear was a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business—it’s about building community, purpose, and resilience. We talked about why starting small can still create big impact, how entrepreneurship helps clarify your values, why staying close to your customers leads to better solutions, and how a local-first mindset can become the foundation for broader influence. And of course, we explored the founder’s mindset itself—curiosity, problem-solving, and perseverance—as a genuine asset to the communities we serve. Paul’s background—from scaling a consumer electronics startup around the world to helping small business owners gain clarity and momentum through Six Catalysts—shows how deeply he understands the journey. His work, including The Journey podcast and publication, continues to help entrepreneurs avoid unnecessary potholes and build with purpose.

Exploring The Spirit of Christmas Station: Margo McHugh, Matthew Montgomery & NASA’s Mars Mission The Spirit of Christmas Station, produced by Margo McHugh and Matthew Montgomery of Floating Lava Studios, will release on November 28, 2025, Red Planet Day, streaming on Roku, Tubi, and Vizio. Margo McHugh is a seasoned producer with expertise in independent storytelling and film production. Matthew Montgomery, besides producing the film, is participating in NASA's CHAPEA mission, a 378-day Mars simulation at Johnson Space Center starting October 2025. This NASA mission adds a unique scientific dimension to the film's premiere, which will be celebrated by the CHAPEA crew during the Mars simulation, combining innovative filmmaking with cutting-edge space research.

In today's conversation with Jackson Wightman, founder of Proper Propaganda and author of The Tech PR Playbook, we explored how AI is reshaping public relations, the future of tech storytelling, and practical strategies for entrepreneurs and startups to thrive in an AI-driven media landscape. Jackson also shared powerful lessons from his journey of turning setbacks into success, the evolving PR and media environment, and the importance of balance in entrepreneurship.

In this episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast, we’re picking up where we left off last week and diving deeper into how to finish the year with purpose. In this episode, Ben breaks down practical strategies for closing out deals, evaluating what worked — and what didn’t — and setting smart priorities for Q1. We also discuss how to keep your energy and momentum strong through the final weeks of November and into December, so you enter the new year ready to move. If you have questions for either of us, send them our way on LinkedIn — we’re answering listener questions each week.

My guest on Your Partner In Succss Radio, Andy Storch is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, consultant, and coach who is passionate about helping professionals own their careers and build powerful personal brands. As the co-author of "Own Your Brand, Own Your Career" and creator of the Talent Development Think Tank conference and podcast, Andy inspires audiences with practical strategies for career ownership and authentic leadership in the future of work. He draws on years of experience working with Fortune 500 clients and leading corporate workshops to empower listeners and teams across industries. Andy also hosts multiple podcasts focused on career development, resilience, and entrepreneurial growth, inviting leaders to share hard-won lessons and tools for success in an AI-driven world.