We’re continuing our series of one-on-one talks with this year’s Social Geek Franchise Thought Leadership Award winners.

Sean Falk, President and COO of Careertopia, is here to share what he sees happening right now in Franchising.

We dive deep into:

• What has happened to the Fran Dev Sales role over the past 2 years
• How Private Equity’s move into Franchising has affected hiring
• Talent not “of Franchising” coming into Franchising
• Being purpose-driven

Thanks to today’s sponsors: Thunderly, AnswerConnect, Pilot, and The IFA World Franchise Show with The International Franchise Association.

Shout outs: Kim Falk, Gary Gardner, Tom Portesy, Scott Lehrer, Scenthound, Tim Vogel, Jessica Vogel, VetFran, Doug Dwyer, FranFaith, Todd Recknagel, Kristi Mailloux

Special Guest: Sean Falk.

Recorded Live in New York – host Jack Monson is at The International Franchise Expo 2026 interviewing some of the top executives in Franchising!

They will share the latest about their brands, their goals for ’26 & ’27, and the opportunities for franchise owners.

In part 3, we’ll chat with:

• John Hayes of Hayes Worldwide and The Titus Center for Franchising

• Dave Lamere of Almera Tech Services

• Robyn Bovino of Rebel XL

• Kim Coe of Small Town Play Café

• AJ Titus of Signarama / United Franchise Group

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and more.

Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and Pilot.com.

The next Franchise Expo is in DALLAS Sept 18 & 19 from MFV Expositions!

🎧 Recorded Live in New York City – Social Geek host Jack Monson is continuing our series of interviews at The International Franchise Expo 2026 with some of the top executives in Franchising.

They are sharing the latest about their brands, their goals for ’26 & ’27, and the opportunities for franchise owners.

Today, it’s part 2 featuring:

Agnes Mauro

One River School of Art + Design

Chuck Buttiglieri, Pizzeria Uno

Mark Levis, Denny’s

Sean Oatney, Planet Fitness

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and more.

Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and Pilot.com.

The next Franchise Expo is in DALLAS Sept 18 & 19 from MFV Expositions!

Recorded Live in New York – host Jack Monson is at The International Franchise Expo 2026 interviewing some of the top executives in Franchising!

They will share the latest about their brands, their goals for ’26 & ’27, and the opportunities for franchise owners.

In part 1, we’ll chat with:
Cheri Mullen, GNC
Craig Sherwood, The Joint Chiropractic
Stephanie Benze, AC Inc
Greg Salzano, Philly Pretzel Factory

Thanks to our sponsors: Pilot, AnswerConnect, and Thunderly.

Social Geek presents a mini-episode today getting ready for World Franchise Day!

Join Sherry McNeil, CEO of the Canadian Franchise Association and the creative mind behind World Franchise Day, along with host Jack Monson.

They'll chat about the background for WFD and what franchise pros across the globe can do to celebrate and spread the word about Franchising!

Thanks to The Canadian Franchise Association, World Franchise Council, and Thunderly.

Special Guest: Sherry McNeil.

AI-generated slop versus Premium content created by talented humans. You know what side I’m on ... where do you land??

But, maybe there’s a third leg of this stool. We’re talking to John Jantsch, founder of Duct Tape Marketing.

Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and Pilot.

Special Guest: John Jantsch.

Social Geek, the most popular franchise podcast, presents another One-on-One conversation with a 2026 Franchise Thought Leadership Award winner.

James Stapleton, Vice President of Franchise Development at Caring Transitions, joins host Jack Monson to discuss:

• The difference between coaching & helping versus managing & bossing in franchise leadership

• The changes James has seen in the franchise development in just the few years

• How working together makes everyone become more successful (and make more money!)

Thanks to today’s sponsors Thunderly, AnswerConnect, and Pilot.

Special Guest: James Stapleton.

On our kind-of-weekly chat on the franchise restaurant space, Lauren Fernandez of Full Course and Jack Monson of Thunderly are discussing updates like franchisee buyouts, IPOs, and AI blowback.

AND we have a preview of Lauren and Jack's workshop at The Franchise Growth and Marketing Conference.

Join us at FGMC in Atlanta June 2 - 4.

To register for FGMC, please visit: https://www.franchisegrowthmarketingconference.com/

See the video version of So, Here’s The Thing on Lauren’s LinkedIn feed!

Special Guest: Lauren Fernandez.