Are you building a job for yourself or are you building a platform that can scale without you?

In this episode, Eric Mulvin sits down with his long-time coach and Vistage Master Chair, Fred Carpenter. Fred shares his journey from an accidental start at Bechtel to managing 2 billion dollars in real estate acquisitions and eventually building his own successful development firm. The conversation centers on the leadership shifts required to move from a small business owner to a global leader, highlighted by a firsthand account of the early days of Panda Express. We also dive into how industry leaders like Service Titan use structured systems to maintain growth. Whether you are struggling with being the bottleneck in your company or looking for the right peer group to fuel your growth, Fred provides the roadmap to breaking through your current ceiling and focusing on the high-level decisions that actually move the needle.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Host’s Introduction and Setup

02:12 Who is Fred Carpenter? An introduction to his role as a Vistage Master Chair and Executive Coach.

11:05 The Bechtel Story. How Fred accidentally sat in the CEO's chair and ended up in a new division managing 2 billion dollars in acquisitions.

22:45 Moving from Corporate to Entrepreneurship. Fred’s transition into real estate development and building a top 15 off-campus housing provider.

35:07 The Panda Express Origin. A firsthand account of the Vistage meeting where Andrew and Peggy Cherng pitched the idea of quick-service Chinese food.

45:10 Stopping the Bottleneck. Why leaders must stop giving answers and start asking "What do you think?"

52:30 Service Titan and Systems. How massive companies use frameworks to ensure the founder is not the single point of failure.

58:30 The Power of Peer Groups. How a group of 10 to 18 CEOs provides the accountability you cannot get from friends or family.

01:12:15 Fred’s Unfinished Business. Why his mission is now focused on helping other leaders achieve their own "Aha moments."

Connect with Fred Carpenter

Email: fred.carpenter@pharosluz.com

Phone: 818-468-0987

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

Website: Vistage.com

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What if AI could help you have better conversations instead of replacing them?

Most AI tools promise to automate, but this episode reveals a different approach. One that uses voice AI to actually improve how people communicate. If you're a leader, entrepreneur, or someone working to get better at difficult conversations, this is worth paying attention to.

Ajitesh, CEO of Tough Tongue AI, shares how he built this starting from a personal need, not a pitch, not a market gap but a real conversation he needed help with. From there, it evolved into something bigger. A tool designed to help people rehearse and improve the conversations that actually matter.

If you're thinking about how AI fits into your business or leadership, this is a practical conversation.

Episode Highlights

00:00 - Introduction to Unfinished Business Podcast

01:49 - The Journey of Building a Customer-Centric Product

09:55 - Navigating Business Challenges and Pivots

13:46 - Insights from Google: Shaping Product Management

17:38 - Balancing Speed and Thoughtfulness in AI Development

22:28 - Future Trends in AI and Development

26:14 - Advice for Aspiring Developers and Entrepreneurs

30:06 - The Skills Gap in Education and Employment

32:38 - Exploring the Positive Potential of AI

36:57 - The Role of AI in Personalized Learning

41:01 - Balancing Work and Personal Life

47:49 - Insights from Google's AI Journey

54:32 - Unfinished Business: The Future of Learning with AI

About Ajitesh Abhishek

Ajitesh Abhishek is the CEO of Tough Tongue AI, a voice AI platform designed to help people practice and improve difficult conversations. Before founding Tough Tongue, he worked at Google as part of the Gemini application team in Google Cloud, was part of the founding team at Fitso, a consumer fitness startup recognized by both Apple and Google, earlier in his career, studied engineering at IIT Delhi and later earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. His work focuses on building products that are both technically strong and deeply customer-centric.

Connect with Ajitesh Abhishek

Email: ajabhish@gmail.com

Website: www.toughtongueai.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ajiteshnandan/

Blog: www.xupler.com

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Most businesses are focused on what’s right in front of them.

But what if the biggest opportunities aren’t local… but global?

In this episode of Unfinished Business with Eric Mulvin, Eric sits down with Doug Bruhnke, Founder and CEO of Global Chamber, to explore why thinking beyond your city, or even your country, is no longer optional.

With over 40 years of global business experience, including his time at DuPont and building a network that now spans 65 countries, Doug shares how global connections unlock opportunities most people never even see.

From Arizona’s semiconductor boom and conversations with leaders like Senator Mark Kelly, to lessons inspired by Nelson Mandela, this episode challenges the way we think about growth, business, and the world around us.

And toward the end, Doug shares a powerful vision, one that goes beyond business and into how we connect as people.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome to Unfinished Business
01:27 – Meet Doug Bruhnke and Global Chamber
03:38 – From DuPont to building a global network
05:02 – A bad meeting that sparked a global movement
07:16 – The Taiwan semiconductor investment in Arizona
11:47 – Senator Mark Kelly and the global supply chain opportunity
14:02 – The idea of bringing a Taiwan night market to Phoenix
16:52 – What is “proximity bias” and why it matters
17:49 – Why 99% of opportunities are outside your city
23:17 – AI is evolving faster than most people realize
25:30 – Lessons from DuPont and being around top inventors
34:58 – Nelson Mandela and the idea of a global tribe
39:38 – Doug’s unfinished business and long-term vision

About Doug Bruhnke

Doug Bruhnke is the Founder and CEO of Global Chamber, a worldwide network helping businesses connect and grow across borders. With over four decades of experience in global trade, including leadership roles at DuPont where he earned five patents, Doug has worked across industries including aerospace, healthcare, and technology. He is passionate about helping companies expand globally and building connections that drive meaningful growth.

Connect with Doug Bruhnke

🌐 Global Chamber: https://globalchamber.org
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbruhnke

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AI is changing the way we work faster than most people are prepared for. But what happens to the people behind the work?

In this episode of Unfinished Business with Eric Mulvin, Eric sits down with Athena Kan, CEO and co-founder of Dreambound, to talk about one of the biggest challenges no one is really solving, how people stay relevant as AI reshapes entire industries.

Athena shares how her team is helping hundreds of thousands of people transition into new careers across healthcare, trades, and AI-enabled roles. From her time working on Uber’s self-driving car team to building Dreambound, her focus has always been the same: not just advancing technology, but making sure people can keep up with it.

This conversation goes beyond AI tools. It’s about the growing gap between adopting technology and actually training people to use it, and what that means for businesses, leaders, and individuals trying to navigate what’s coming next.

And toward the end, Athena shares a story that brings everything into perspective… reminding us that behind every number is a real person trying to change their life.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why AI disruption is happening faster than companies can adapt
• What “AI-proof” and AI-enabled careers really look like
• The gap between AI adoption and employee training
• How Dreambound is helping people transition into new careers at scale
• Why focus, not speed alone, is the key to growth in an AI world
• The role of human intelligence alongside AI

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome to Unfinished Business
01:27 – Meet Athena Kan and Dreambound
03:49 – What “AI-proof” careers actually mean
05:39 – Training for the AI era and closing the skills gap
08:40 – Why companies struggle to train employees on AI
12:17 – How Dreambound is modernizing career pathways
15:00 – A powerful story of real-world impact
17:25 – Inspiration for Asian entrepreneurs
18:30 – Athena’s background and immigrant roots
21:06 – The Harvard experience and exposure to startups
23:19 – What it really takes to build a business
26:18 – Lessons from Uber’s self-driving car team
29:07 – Building company culture and moving fast
30:32 – Navigating change in today’s business environment
31:28 – Why focus compounds growth
34:46 – AI + Human Intelligence: working together
35:52 – The future of work in an AI-driven economy
39:17 – Learning from customers on the front lines
41:44 – Athena’s unfinished business

Connect with Athena Kan

🌐 Dreambound: https://dreambound.com
🤖 MadeThat: https://madethat.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/athenakan

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Pressure is something every leader faces. But what if the way we think about pressure is completely backwards?

In this episode of Unfinished Business with Eric Mulvin, Eric sits down with former UFC fighter turned leadership coach Clifford Starks Jr. to talk about what stepping into the cage taught him about leadership, entrepreneurship, and navigating high-pressure decisions.

Clifford’s journey from professional fighting to coaching executives offers a powerful perspective on resilience, mindset, and what it really takes to perform when the stakes are high. Throughout the conversation, he shares stories from inside the arena and how those same lessons apply to the challenges leaders face in business and life.

But the conversation doesn’t stop there.

Toward the end of every episode, Eric asks one question that always reveals something deeper about the person behind the success. It’s the question that gets to the heart of why they keep pushing forward, even after everything they’ve already accomplished.

Clifford’s answer is one you won’t want to miss.

Because for him, the journey is far from finished.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Unfinished Business Podcast

02:28 Meet Clifford Starks: From Fighter to Coach

03:12 Transitioning from Fighting to Entrepreneurship

08:08 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

12:40 Leadership in Challenging Times

13:53 Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

19:14 The Importance of Coaching

23:34 Parenting Lessons in Leadership

29:36 Embracing Change and Growth

35:55 Unfinished Business: Future Aspirations

Connect with Clifford Starks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clifford-starks/

Website: https://cliffordstarks.com

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Unfinished Business with Eric Mulvin

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What does it take for one person to feed millions and turn a simple act of service into a global mission?

In this episode of Unfinished Business with Eric Mulvin, Eric sits down with Andre Roberson, founder and executive director of the Power of One Foundation. Over the past 17+ years, Andre has led initiatives focused on food insecurity, education, and community empowerment, impacting millions of lives across the United States and internationally.

But Andre’s journey didn’t start in the nonprofit world. Before launching the Power of One Foundation, he was pursuing a career in entertainment, acting in projects like Notorious, appearing in commercials alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Chris Rock, and even appearing in more than 150 episodes of Days of Our Lives.

What started as a calling to serve during the pandemic turned into a massive effort that helped feed millions of people. Andre shares the incredible story of the moment a 10-mile line of cars showed up for food distribution during COVID and how that experience helped shape the mission behind Power of One.

Eric and Andre also talk about saying yes to unexpected opportunities, how faith and risk-taking opened doors around the world, and how Andre’s work has expanded from local food drives to international partnerships in places like Mexico and Africa.

And if you think his entertainment career is behind him… think again. Andre also shares a teaser about a new film project he’s involved with and you won't believe the major actor that Andre is releasing a film with!

If you're a business owner, leader, or someone looking to make a difference in your community, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about what one person can do.

Because sometimes the biggest impact starts with a single act of service.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Unfinished Business Podcast

00:56 The Power of One Foundation and Its Impact

03:48 The Journey of Giving Back

07:02 Community Engagement and Leadership Development

10:00 Global Perspectives on Poverty and Happiness

13:12 Expanding Horizons: From Local to Global Initiatives

16:09 Connecting with African Delegates and New Opportunities

22:39 The Urgency of Clean Water in Africa

24:33 The Power of Saying Yes

27:10 Resilience Through Adversity

31:23 Embracing Fear and Taking Action

33:46 From Entertainment to Nonprofit

37:35 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

39:11 Innovations in Nonprofit and AI

46:05 Unfinished Business and Future Dreams

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In this episode of Unfinished Business, Eric Mulvin sits down with Robert Farthing — creative producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Peace Pi.

After a 30-year career in television, advertising, and running his own theme manufacturing business, Robert found himself unexpectedly reinventing his life. What started as a dream about hosting a pie fight for his 50th birthday evolved into the World’s Largest Pie Fight for Peace and ultimately the Peace Pi Broadcasting Network. This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, reinvention after failure, collective consciousness, leadership, legacy, and what it truly means to follow your bliss without attachment to expectations. If you're a business owner, creative, or leader navigating change and searching for deeper purpose, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights

00:00 - Navigating Career Changes and Ageism

04:28 - The Journey of Entrepreneurship

10:36 - Building Lasting Relationships in Business

13:08 - The Power of Relationships in Production

17:06 - The Birth of Peace Pie: A Creative Journey

22:41 - The Evolution of Peace Pie: From Idea to Movement

27:54 - Legacy and the Impact of Peace Pie

31:11 - Full Circle: The Peace Pie Broadcasting Network

35:13 - Embracing Opportunities and Peace-Centric Initiatives

36:21 - The Impact of COVID-19 on Collective Experiences

38:09 - Global Connectivity and the Butterfly Effect

40:52 - Navigating Reactions in a Connected World

44:40 - The Three Rs: React, Respond, Reflect

47:55 - Empowering Leadership and Team Dynamics

49:59 - Following Your Passion and Letting Go of Expectations

About Peace Pi

Peace Pi is a global movement dedicated to inspiring collective intention for peace each year on March 14 (Pi Day).

Learn more or attend the upcoming event:

Event: March 14, 2026, First Studio, Downtown Phoenix

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/yd7fns7d

Livestream: Peace Pi Broadcasting Network (YouTube)

Website: https://peacepi.com

Instagram: @peacepitravelingmedicineshow

Facebook: /peacepitravellingmedicineshow

YouTube:@peacepitravelingmedicinesh6630

TikTok:

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In this episode of Unfinished Business, Eric Mulvin sits down with Elizabeth Gallagher, CEO of Gallagher Group International and longtime champion for minority-owned businesses and community impact.

From launching an airline with 47 offices worldwide to working with global leaders to building City Impact Center in Las Vegas, Elizabeth shares how bold leadership, education, and technology can transform entire communities.

This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, chambers of commerce, AI and technology access, nonprofit leadership, and what it really means to make an impact and change lives.

If you're a business owner, leader, or someone who wants to grow your company while lifting others up, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Opening remarks & welcome to Unfinished Business
01:49 – Eric shares his excitement for this long-awaited interview

02:03 – Introduction of Elizabeth Gallagher, President & CEO of Gallagher Group International

02:38 – Overview of Elizabeth’s career leading major organizations and working with high-profile clients like MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Richard Branson

03:05 – Welcome to Elizabeth Gallagher & transition into the conversation

03:30 – City Impact Center: education, technology, and community initiatives

06:55 – Expanding higher education access & technology programs

09:00 – Addressing real community needs: food, transportation, education

10:55 – “Make an Impact” initiative & community engagement

14:30 – Elizabeth’s entrepreneurial journey: launching Air Nevada

16:25 – Leadership mindset: courage & refusing to take “no”

19:30 – The power of Chambers of Commerce for business growth

23:10 – Starting from scratch & building opportunity

24:40 – Pac Biz Outsourcing’s commitment to giving back

31:00 – The Las Vegas blimp story & Richard Branson

33:15 – Technology, AI & closing the opportunity gap

36:00 – How Chambers accelerate business relationships

43:30 – Volunteer opportunities at City Impact Center

45:15 – Final thoughts: why being in a room of givers changes everything

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