Épisodes

  • AI Can Do More Than You Think: How to Work Less & Get More Done
    Oct 2 2026
    AI isn't just changing how we search for information. It can change how we work, sell, build businesses, manage our lives and even create more time for the things that make us happy. In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the practical ways AI can make life easier and more productive, from ChatGPT and Claude to AI agents that can handle prospecting, sales outreach, fundraising, travel planning and everyday tasks. Brian shares some of the AI tools he's using himself, including how he created automated sales agents that identify prospects, personalize outreach and follow up without requiring him to manage every step. He also tells the remarkable story of how an AI-generated outreach campaign led him to an influential investor, a valuable new relationship and ultimately a new legal client. But the conversation goes beyond technology. Brian and Elizabeth discuss why having access to AI means more people than ever have access to the information and resources they need to start businesses, solve problems and pursue new opportunities. And Brian's experience with AI leads directly back to the central philosophy of Give & Receive: focus first on how you can help someone else, without expecting anything in return, and opportunities often have a way of finding their way back to you. Elizabeth closes the episode with a guided Give & Receive meditation focused on connection, community, gratitude and the relationship between giving and receiving. In this episode:• How AI can save you time and make everyday life easier• Why AI is much more powerful than simply being a better Google search• Using AI agents for sales and business development• Automating prospecting and personalized email outreach• How entrepreneurs can use AI to work less and accomplish more• AI tools for travel, reservations and everyday tasks• Teaching AI to write more like you• How an AI sales agent led Brian to a powerful new connection• Why helping people without asking for anything in return can create unexpected opportunities• A guided Give & Receive meditation with Elizabeth If you're wondering how to actually use AI in your business and daily life, rather than simply asking ChatGPT questions, this episode offers practical ideas you can start thinking about today. Give & Receive is hosted by Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov and explores happiness, relationships, success, mindfulness and what happens when we approach life by looking for ways to give as well as receive. #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ChatGPT #Productivity #AITools #Entrepreneurship #Happiness #GiveAndReceive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 min
  • How to Sell Without Selling: The Power of Giving First
    Sep 21 2026
    What if the best way to become better at sales is to stop trying to sell? On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov break down why so many founders and entrepreneurs struggle with sales and why the most effective approach starts with empathy, listening, relationships, and giving people something of value before asking for anything in return. Brian shares practical strategies from his own experience building businesses and developing clients, including why sales is ultimately a volume game, how to think about the sales funnel, why your existing customers can become your best source of new business, and how genuine relationships can lead to opportunities you never expected. They also explore how AI and automation are changing business development, allowing entrepreneurs and sales professionals to identify prospects, personalize outreach, test new strategies, and dramatically increase the volume of their prospecting. Brian and Elizabeth discuss: • Why great products don't simply sell themselves• Why sales is really an exercise in empathy• The importance of giving value before asking for business• How trust and relationships drive long-term sales• Why founders need to embrace volume and experimentation• Using AI and automation for prospecting and outreach• How to identify and fix problems in your sales funnel• Why referrals from happy customers are so powerful• How serving others can ultimately create opportunities for you The episode closes with a guided practice centered on a simple intention: “May I serve.” It connects successful selling with the larger Give & Receive philosophy of creating value, reducing suffering, and contributing something meaningful to the people around you. Give & Receive explores the intersection of success, happiness, generosity, business, and personal growth with Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • Madonna, Music Videos & a Life of Giving: Ed Steinberg on Money, Success & Happiness
    Sep 7 2026
    What happens when you spend a lifetime giving without expecting anything in return? On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with music industry pioneer Ed Steinberg for a fascinating conversation about success, money, generosity, relationships and what it really means to live a happy life. Ed shares stories from an extraordinary career that helped shape the modern music video era, including directing Madonna’s early music video for “Everybody,” working with artists including Prince and Queen Latifah, and building Rock America into a groundbreaking music video distribution and promotion company. But some of Ed’s most powerful stories have nothing to do with celebrity or the music business. After spending decades helping friends, artists and people around him, Ed now finds himself on the receiving end of that generosity. He explains why friends have repeatedly opened their homes to him, how relationships built over a lifetime can become more valuable than money, and why learning to receive can sometimes be harder than learning to give. Brian, Elizabeth and Ed also explore the complicated relationship between money and happiness, why trust can be one of the most valuable assets in business, the danger of transactional relationships, and whether people actually become more successful when money isn’t their primary motivation. It’s a funny, candid and unexpectedly moving conversation about the music industry, friendship, generosity, success and building a life you actually like living. In this episode:• How Ed Steinberg helped pioneer the modern music video business• Directing Madonna’s early “Everybody” music video• Working with Prince, Queen Latifah and other major artists• Why Ed never made money his primary motivation• How decades of generosity came back around later in life• Why receiving is just as important as giving• The importance of trust and reputation in business• Why money alone rarely creates happiness or fulfillment• Brian Potts’ philosophy on money, security and defining “enough”• Elizabeth Pyjov on compassion, purpose and choosing fulfilling work Subscribe to Give & Receive for more conversations about success, happiness, compassion and creating a more meaningful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • Why Aligning Incentives Is the Secret to Business, Relationships & Happiness
    Aug 23 2026
    What if one simple principle could improve your business deals, your relationships, and even your happiness? On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the power of aligning incentives and why understanding what people truly want can completely change the way you approach business and life. Brian explains why misaligned incentives can cause even promising business relationships to fall apart, sharing real-world examples involving investors, lenders, advisors, salespeople, marketing firms, and even his own experiences inside large law firms. He also explains why understanding someone else's incentives can be a powerful form of empathy and help you negotiate, communicate, and make better decisions. Elizabeth takes the idea beyond business, exploring what it means to surround yourself with people whose values and goals align with your own. They discuss negativity, personal responsibility, the "Eeyore" mindset, happiness, and why the people around us can have such a powerful influence on the direction of our lives. Brian also shares a personal "Give & Receive" story about how helping someone with no expectation of getting anything back eventually led to one of his favorite legal projects. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice centered on a powerful question: If there is something you haven't yet received, what is something you haven't yet given? In this episode: Why aligning incentives matters in business How misaligned incentives can destroy good partnerships Understanding what motivates the people you're dealing with Aligning your relationships with your values Negativity, happiness, and the "Eeyore" mindset Giving without expecting anything in return How giving can unexpectedly come back to you A mindfulness exercise for aligning with what you truly want If Give & Receive has helped you, share the podcast with someone who could benefit from it and help grow the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • How to Spot a Narcissist: Red Flags, Gaslighting & Recovery with Dian Oved
    Aug 4 2026
    How do you recognize a narcissist before it's too late? What are the warning signs of manipulation, gaslighting, and love bombing? And if you can't avoid a narcissist, how can you protect yourself? In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome entrepreneur, branding expert, and advisor Dian Oved for an honest conversation about narcissistic personalities, toxic relationships, and the journey back to confidence and self-worth after emotional abuse. Drawing from her own experiences surviving years of narcissistic abuse and litigation, Dian explains how narcissists operate, why they manipulate others, and the common patterns of love bombing, gaslighting, devaluation, and discard. She also shares practical strategies for recognizing narcissistic behavior early, setting healthy boundaries, and protecting yourself in both personal and professional relationships. Brian and Elizabeth add their own perspectives on building self-worth, developing self-compassion, and creating the confidence that makes manipulation far less effective. The discussion also explores how to navigate difficult workplace dynamics, deal with narcissistic bosses or business partners, and why trusting your instincts can be one of your greatest strengths. In this episode: How to identify the biggest red flags of narcissism What love bombing and gaslighting really look like Why narcissists often rely on manipulation and dishonesty How to protect yourself in business and personal relationships Setting healthy boundaries with difficult people Building self-worth so you're less vulnerable to manipulation Why believing your own pain is the first step toward healing If you've ever questioned whether someone in your life is manipulating you or wondered how to recover from a toxic relationship, this conversation offers practical insights, hope, and actionable advice. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from these insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 min
  • The Secret to Happiness and Success? Why Giving Without Expecting Anything Changes Everything
    Jul 15 2026
    What if the biggest key to success isn't networking, self-promotion, or chasing opportunities, but simply giving without expecting anything in return? In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome attorney Dave Marcus to explore how generosity, authentic relationships, and a willingness to help others can create extraordinary opportunities in both business and life. Dave shares the incredible story of traveling to Morocco to compete in a grueling 250-mile mountain bike race across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. What started as a personal adventure became a fundraising mission for Big City Mountaineers, helping underserved youth experience the outdoors while creating unexpected friendships and lifelong connections around the world. Brian explains why the world's most successful people consistently embrace a "give first" mindset, while Elizabeth highlights fascinating research showing how your own happiness can positively influence the people around you, even if you never speak to them. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you cultivate more joy and share it with those around you. In this episode: Why giving without expectations leads to greater success Dave Marcus' unforgettable Morocco cycling adventure How generosity creates powerful professional relationships The surprising science behind contagious happiness Why mentoring changes lives, often in ways you never see A guided meditation to increase joy and reduce stress Practical ways to create more meaning, purpose, and connection every day If you're looking to build stronger relationships, live with more intention, and discover how generosity can transform your career and personal life, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, mindfulness, leadership, happiness, generosity, and living a meaningful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 min
  • People-Pleasing vs. Authenticity: How to Stop Seeking Approval and Start Living Honestly
    Jun 28 2026
    Are you a people-pleaser, or are you simply a compassionate person? In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the critical difference between healthy compassion and unhealthy people-pleasing. Elizabeth explains why constantly seeking approval from others can leave you feeling drained, disconnected from your values, and stuck in fear, while authentic living creates greater peace, confidence, and stronger relationships. The conversation covers: The psychology behind people-pleasing and approval-seeking Why authenticity leads to greater happiness and emotional freedom How to stop letting other people's reactions control your decisions Why our minds fixate on negative experiences and how meditation can help Practical exercises for spring cleaning your emotional life through forgiveness and making amends Brian also shares an incredible real-life legal battle involving Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources that highlights the importance of standing by your principles, even when facing pressure from powerful institutions. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice designed to help listeners reconnect with their values, quiet their inner critic, and make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear. If you've ever struggled with saying "yes" too often, worried about disappointing others, or wondered how to live more authentically, this episode offers practical tools that can change the way you approach your relationships and your life. Subscribe to Give & Receive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations on mindfulness, resilience, gratitude, and personal growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 min
  • Feeling Overwhelmed by the News? How to Handle Anxiety & Uncertainty
    Jun 14 2026
    In Episode 17 of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov tackle a feeling so many people are struggling with right now: overwhelm. From nonstop headlines and uncertainty in the world to stress about work, politics, finances, and the future, how do we stay grounded when everything feels unpredictable? Brian and Elizabeth explore why today’s news cycle can leave us anxious, exhausted, and emotionally drained, while offering practical ways to respond without shutting down. Elizabeth shares a simple framework for processing difficult news, finding meaning in uncertainty, and turning anxiety into positive action. Together, they discuss how energy, compassion, relationships, and small acts of kindness can help us regain a sense of control in a chaotic world. Plus, Elizabeth leads a calming guided meditation to help you reconnect with your values and move through uncertainty with greater peace and clarity. If you’ve been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted by the state of the world, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 min