In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Moti Elkaim a fundraising and storytelling strategist who helps startup founders turn bold visions into investor-backed companies.

As the creator of the Pitch Cycle method, Moti has helped startup leaders raise millions across seed, Series A, and growth stages. A former CMO who helped scale companies to more than $200 million in sales, Moti is also a former public speaking lecturer at Columbia University, a top writer on startups and fundraising, and the host of the How to Sell Your Vision podcast.

In this conversation, Moti shares why one of the biggest mistakes leaders and entrepreneurs make is judging situations too quickly instead of asking deeper questions. Using a powerful story about a little girl holding two apples, he explains how assumptions, bias, and emotional reactions can distort leadership decisions and damage relationships before we fully understand what’s actually happening.

Moti also dives into the psychology of entrepreneurship, fundraising, and self-worth explaining why founders often underestimate the value they bring to the table when facing investors, clients, or high-level executives. He discusses how entrepreneurs can stop overcompensating, stop trying to impress everyone, and instead learn to trust the value of their own lived experiences and expertise.

Throughout the episode, Moti offers a refreshing and highly unconventional perspective on imposter syndrome. Rather than trying to eliminate it, he reframes it as a natural part of growth, explaining that stepping into rooms where you don’t yet fully belong is often exactly how transformation happens.

Beyond fundraising strategy, Moti also reflects on authenticity, leadership psychology, storytelling, AI, and why founders must learn to communicate their vision with confidence, clarity, and emotional intelligence.

This episode explores:
* Why leaders should ask more questions before making assumptions
* How entrepreneurs can stop overcompensating and trying to impress everyone
* Why every business relationship is an equal exchange of value
* Moti’s unconventional perspective on imposter syndrome
* Why growth often requires stepping into rooms where you feel uncomfortable
* How authenticity creates stronger leadership and business relationships
* Why lived experience matters more than credentials alone
* How AI can help founders organize ideas, systems, and workflows
* The importance of communicating ideas in ways that match how your brain works

Moti’s perspective is a powerful reminder that leadership and entrepreneurship are not about pretending to have all the answers they’re about curiosity, resilience, authenticity, and having the courage to grow into the next version of yourself.

Connect with me here:
* Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
* Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8
* Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast

Guest Details:
* Guest: Moti Elkaim
* Podcast: How to Sell Your Vision
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moti-elkaim/

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Alain Cohen a senior executive, CEO, and transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience in logistics, supply chain consulting, and AI-powered operational excellence.

Having led multinational organizations across Europe and beyond, Alon has built a career helping companies scale profitably through innovation, digitization, operational excellence, and strong leadership. Known for combining strategic vision with hands-on execution, he has managed large profit centers, led complex teams, and driven high-stakes business transformations across multiple industries.

In this conversation, Alon shares how one of the biggest mindset shifts in his career came from realizing that saying “yes” to every opportunity is not always the path to success. Early in his business development career, he was taught to maximize opportunities by always saying yes advice that initially seemed logical, but later proved to be limiting.

Alon explains how learning to say no to the wrong opportunities, toxic business relationships, and short-term wins ultimately created space for stronger partnerships, healthier growth, and better long-term outcomes. He discusses why leaders must prioritize focus, standards, and long-term value creation over immediate financial gains or short-term validation.

Throughout the episode, Alon offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, uncertainty, and growth. Rather than trying to eliminate doubt, he shares why embracing uncertainty has become one of his greatest leadership advantages allowing him to make decisions faster, stay adaptable, and continue pushing beyond his comfort zone.

Beyond business strategy, Alon also reflects on his leadership philosophy, his transition from corporate executive roles into AI-focused entrepreneurship, and why building robust organizations that can thrive without constant leader involvement is a true sign of leadership maturity.

This episode explores:

- Why saying yes to everything can become a trap for high achievers

- The power of learning when to say no in business and leadership

- Why toxic but profitable client relationships often cost more than they give

- How short-term wins can sabotage long-term sustainable growth

- Why strong leaders don’t need to have all the answers

- The importance of creating conditions for collective intelligence within teams

- How embracing doubt and uncertainty can improve decision-making

Alain perspective is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about certainty, perfection, or having all the answers it’s about building resilience, making intentional decisions, empowering others, and continuing to grow through uncertainty.

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or executive navigating growth, transformation, operational challenges, or leadership development, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom, mindset shifts, and real-world business lessons.

Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon

Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast

Guest Details:

Guest: Alon Cohen

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/famla/

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Laurent Cohen Founder and CEO of Go OBL, a voice-first AI platform helping local businesses never miss customer calls, capture leads, and book appointments automatically.

With more than 20 years of entrepreneurial and technical leadership experience across Europe, the United States, and Israel, Laurent has built and scaled multiple businesses across industries including eCommerce, digital marketing, and AI. His journey has been shaped by high growth success, painful setbacks, and hard-earned lessons about resilience, accountability, and leadership.

In this conversation, Laurent shares the story of how an unexpected volcanic eruption in Iceland nearly destroyed his thriving eCommerce business by disrupting global shipping during peak holiday season. What initially felt like an “act of God” became one of the most transformative moments of his career, forcing him to confront hard truths about risk, overconfidence, and the importance of personal accountability.

Laurent explains why business owners must stop seeing themselves as victims of circumstance and instead take ownership of their blind spots, decisions, and missed opportunities. He shares how rebuilding after crisis ultimately led him to create an even larger and more successful company.

Beyond business resilience, Laurent also reflects on how living and building businesses across France, the United States, and Israel shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the differences between craftsmanship, efficiency, and urgency and how each culture taught him a different dimension of entrepreneurship.

This episode explores:

- How a volcanic eruption nearly bankrupted Laurent’s business and changed his mindset forever

- Why accountability is one of the most underrated leadership skills

- The danger of success making entrepreneurs feel invincible

- How setbacks often become the foundation for future breakthroughs

- The differences between doing business in France, the U.S., and Israel

- Why entrepreneurs must trust their intuition while staying accountable for mistakes

- How imposter syndrome can show up even in highly experienced founders

- The role meditation played in helping Laurent manage stress, anxiety, and internal pressure

- Why AI is widening the gap between those who actively learn and those who get left behind

Laurent’s perspective is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t built when everything is going well it’s built in the moments when things fall apart and you decide what story you’re going to tell yourself next.

If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or business owner navigating uncertainty, setbacks, growth, or AI transformation, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, mindset shifts, and real world lessons.

Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon

Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast

Guest Details:

Company: Go OBL

Website: https://getoblic.com

Founder: Laurent Cohen

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Kate Pletcher Founder and CEO of Treehouse Partners, a boutique executive search firm specializing in placing executive talent and helping organizations build stronger leadership teams.

Before launching Treehouse Partners 15 years ago, Kate led a successful franchised staffing firm in Los Angeles and served as Director of Global Brand Licensing for Skechers. Her unconventional path into executive recruiting shaped a business model that challenges traditional hiring norms and focuses less on rigid résumés and more on understanding people, culture, and long-term fit.

In this conversation, Kate shares how one failed early hire taught her one of the most important lessons in business: sometimes expertise isn’t what makes someone the right fit. Instead, she explains why skills like adaptability, calm under pressure, customer service, and curiosity often outperform technical experience alone.

Kate also opens up about entrepreneurship, leadership, and the reality of running and scaling a business while raising a family, volunteering, traveling, and managing the everyday chaos of life. She shares her perspective on letting go of perfection, deciding what truly matters, and giving yourself permission to stop trying to “do it all.”

This episode explores:

Why hiring for industry expertise alone can backfire

How unconventional backgrounds can create stronger businesses

What makes Treehouse Partners different from traditional recruiting firms

Why cultural fit matters more than checking every box on a job description

The myth of “doing it all” and how successful leaders actually prioritize

Why leaders shouldn’t follow the outdated rule of “never let them see you sweat”

The challenge of growing from founder to CEO and learning to let go

Why businesses benefit from broad expertise rather than overly narrow specialization

How imposter syndrome still shows up, even for highly accomplished leaders

Practical ways to manage self-doubt and build confidence through evidence

Kate’s perspective is a refreshing reminder that leadership isn’t about perfection, control, or having all the answers. Often, it’s about self-awareness, trusting your instincts, building the right team, and being willing to rewrite the rules that no longer serve you.

If you’re building a business, leading a team, hiring talent, or navigating the messy reality of growth and leadership, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and grounded insights.

Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon

Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast

Guest Details:

Company: Treehouse Partners

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katepletcher/

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If your business is growing, but somehow everything still lands back on your desk, it may not be a time management issue — it may be the decisions shaping your leadership.

Join my FREE live webinar where I’ll walk you through 3 key decisions that help leaders increase revenue without adding more hours to their schedule.

👉 Save your spot here: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Stop being the bottleneck. Start leading with more clarity, focus, and freedom.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If your business is growing, but somehow everything still lands back on your desk, it may not be a time management issue — it may be the decisions shaping your leadership.

Join my FREE live webinar where I’ll walk you through 3 key decisions that help leaders increase revenue without adding more hours to their schedule.

👉 Save your spot here: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Stop being the bottleneck. Start leading with more clarity, focus, and freedom.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leadership doesn’t have to mean carrying everything alone.

If your business is growing, but somehow everything still lands back on your desk, it may not be a time management issue — it may be the decisions shaping your leadership.

Join my FREE live webinar where I’ll walk you through 3 key decisions that help leaders increase revenue without adding more hours to their schedule.

👉 Save your spot here: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Stop being the bottleneck. Start leading with more clarity, focus, and freedom.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.