Finding The Upside

In business and in life there is always an upside…finding it is often the challenge. Having a mindset that looks for it and embraces problems as opportunities is the key to thriving. Successful business owners LOVE disruption. But the MOST successful look for it. It's what keeps their business on the cutting edge and able to adapt to any circumstance. This podcast will feature discussions with business owners, leaders and everyday inspiring people sharing how they have grown their companies and changed their lives by approaching changing conditions with optimism, opportunity and innovation.

Finding The Upside is a business podcast hosted by Maria DeLorenzis Reyes, with 195 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Maria DeLorenzis Reyes hosts Finding The Upside, a business show with 195 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #194

  #194: Hospitality in Leadership: The Leadership Skill No One Talks About

  Aug 11, 202616 minS5

  People remember how you made them feel. That is the foundation in everything. When we think of hospitality, most of us picture hotels, restaurants, or great customer service. But I’m proposing that hospitality is actually one of the most powerful—and overlooked—leadership skills we have. In this episode of Finding the Upside , and as part of the series “The Connection Revolution” , I discuss why leadership isn't just about strategy, decision-making, or driving results. It's about creating environments where people feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong. From the workplace to our everyday relationships, the way we make people feel shapes trust, culture, and ultimately the impact we have on others. As technology transforms the way we work and connect, genuine human connection has never been more valuable. Join me as we look at how small, intentional moments of hospitality can become one of the greatest leadership advantages we have—and why helping people feel welcome may be the key to helping them thrive. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:18] Why Hospitality Is One of Leadership's Most Overlooked Skills [4:25] Culture Begins with How People Feel [7:48] The Leadership Question Everyone Is Quietly Asking: Do I Matter Here? [12:25] Why Human Connection Matters More in the Age of AI [15:25] What's the Upside? Creating Places Where People Thrive Episode Show Notes Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠ Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub ! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE . Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE . What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment ! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE! Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE . Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now ! Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #193

  #193: Ideas Worth Doing: Leading with Curiosity with Waleed Khalid

  Aug 4, 20261h 12mS5

  One of my favorite parts of hosting Finding the Upside is introducing you to people who are creating meaningful impact in the world. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Waleed Khalid , Founder and CEO of Oxford Talks, to explore what it really means to lead with purpose, curiosity and service. I've had the privilege of working alongside Waleed at Oxford University, Harvard University, and soon at the World Economic Forum in Davos. What I've always admired about him is that he doesn't just create stages for great speakers—he creates opportunities for ideas to grow into something much bigger. Our conversation goes far beyond public speaking. We talk about leadership, storytelling, innovation, kindness in business, and why the most meaningful success comes from investing in people rather than chasing transactions. Throughout our conversation, we reflect on the importance of staying curious, building genuine relationships, and leading from a place of service instead of status. Waleed shares the lessons he learned from building Oxford Talks, the unexpected setbacks that ultimately became turning points, and why every great idea begins with understanding the people you're trying to serve. This episode is a reminder that the most powerful ideas don't simply inspire us in the moment—they create lasting connections, open unexpected doors, and challenge us to think differently about the way we lead, communicate, and live. I hope our conversation encourages you to stay curious, embrace the unexpected, and remember that sometimes the greatest upside comes from the opportunities you never saw coming. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [1:20] From TED to Oxford Talks: Building a Platform for Ideas That Matter [8:31] Why Kindness Is a Competitive Advantage in Business [20:36] What Makes a Great Speaker Truly Memorable [28:34] Why Stories Connect More Than Information [35:10] Leadership Is Service, Not Status [42:55] Curiosity: The Leadership Skill We Need Most [1:07:20] Finding the Upside in Unexpected Setbacks Episode Show Notes Waleed Khalid | Instagram Waleed Khalid | LinkedIn Waleed Khalid | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠ Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub ! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE . Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE . What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment ! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE! Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE . Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now ! Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #192

  #192: Outrage Is Not Leadership: Why Real Leaders Build Instead of React

  Jul 28, 202616 minS5

  It seems like everywhere I turn, someone is angry. Social media rewards it. News cycles amplify it. And before we know it, we're reacting instead of responding. But is outrage actually creating the change we hope for—or is it keeping us stuck? In this episode of Finding the Upside , and as part of the series “Leading Through The Noise”, I explore why outrage and leadership are not the same thing. Drawing on what I'm seeing in today's culture, and what I've learned through years of working with leaders and organizations—I share why emotional intensity has become the norm and why the leaders who make the greatest impact choose steadiness over spectacle. This isn't about staying silent or avoiding difficult conversations. It's about leading with intention, creating solutions instead of simply criticizing problems, and recognizing that lasting change requires more than emotion, it requires purpose, courage, and action. Whether you're leading an organization, a team, your family, or simply yourself, I hope this conversation challenges you to think differently about the energy you bring into the world. Because the future won't be built by those who react the loudest. It will be built by those who stay committed to creating something better. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:31] Why Everybody Is Angry [5:01] WHY Leadership is Becoming Harder [7:52] How Do We Move Forward? [12:33] Every Day We’re Deciding THIS [13:28] Leadership Helps Build What’s Next Episode Show Notes Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠ Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub ! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE . Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE . What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment ! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE! Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE . Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now ! Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #191

  #191: The Emotional Cost of Survival Mode

  Jul 21, 202610 minS5

  We're living in a time when many people are carrying more than they realize. The pressure to keep going, stay productive, and push through has become so normalized that exhaustion often feels like a way of life. In this shorty episode of Finding the Upside , I explore the hidden impact of living in survival mode and why so many people are feeling depleted, even when they're doing all the "right" things. I share my thoughts on how this is a warning sign for us and leaders - we are not ok…and your people are not ok. Uncertainty, resilience, and the emotional weight that often goes unseen in our workplaces, our relationships, and our daily lives -- those are real issues that need to be considered not just by us, but by the people leading teams as well. This conversation is a reminder that what you're feeling may not be a personal failing—it is likely a reflection of the environment you're navigating. And recognizing that can change everything. The upside? Awareness creates choice, and sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is give ourselves—and others—the grace to breathe. Take a moment to listen to this one… Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [1:23 ] People are WORRIED [2:58]Operating in Survival Mode Changes How People Show Up [4:26] Resilience Without Recovery Becomes THIS [6:35] We Need To Stop Treating Ourselves Like Machines Episode Show Notes Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠ Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub ! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE . Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE . What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment ! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE! Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE . Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now ! Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #190

  #190: The Empty Chairs Told the Story: No Country for Mothers Screening

  Jul 14, 20265 minS5

  A few weeks ago, I hosted a screening of the documentary No Country for Mothers . Twenty people signed up. Three showed up. At first, I was disappointed. But as I sat with it, I realized the empty chairs told a story of their own. Mothers are expected to show up for everyone else, yet when it's time to show up for mothers, too often the room is left empty. In this episode of Finding the Upside , I share why this issue continues to pull me back into the conversation and why I signed on as an associate producer for this important film. From the lack of paid family leave and affordable childcare to the impossible expectations placed on working families, we're asking mothers to solve problems that were never theirs to solve alone. This isn't about blaming women or debating which generation had it harder. It's about taking an honest look at the systems, policies, and cultural narratives that have shaped the motherhood experience in America—and asking what needs to change. The upside? Once we see the problem clearly, we can stop carrying the shame that was never ours to carry. We can start having different conversations, creating different workplaces, supporting different policies, and showing up for one another in ways that move us forward together. Because even a small room can start a conversation that matters. And this conversation is far from over. VIDEO CREDIT: No Country for Mothers Trailer Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode… [0:26] The Empty Chairs Were Part of the Story Too. [1:29] The Current Culture War: Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife [2:14] The System is Failing Mothers [4:48] WHY This Film Matters Episode Show Notes Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠ Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | LinkedIn Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Youtube If you’re ready to dive deeper and level up your learning beyond the Finding the Upside episodes, sign up for the Business Leaders Hub ! Get access to exclusive content, resources and tools, and a community built to help you accelerate to the next level. It’s all waiting for you HERE . Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE . What kind of leader are you? Unlock your leadership potential with The Rebel Leader Assessment ! Take the Leadership Skills Quiz HERE! Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE . Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now ! Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox! CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

  ListenShow Notes

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