On Your Mic

On Your Mic is a conversation-driven podcast about ideas, perspectives, and real-world thinking across tech, business, culture, and personal growth.

On Your Mic is a society podcast hosted by Collins Victory Odabi, with 78 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Collins Victory Odabi hosts On Your Mic, a society show with 78 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 #93

  Why So Many New Podcasts Quietly Fail Before the First Episode Gets Recorded | Alesia Galati

  Oct 1, 202635 min

  More podcasts exist today than at any point in history, and most are failing quietly — not from bad content or inconsistent publishing, but because the show was never built to produce anything specific. It was built to exist, without a clear answer to what it was actually supposed to achieve. Alesia Galati is a podcast strategist and founder of Gelati Media, an agency that has strategized, launched, and managed over 50 podcasts for value-driven businesses, thought leaders, and nonprofits. She came to podcasting from manufacturing and supply chain, and hosts Podcasting Unlocked. In this episode, Collins Victory Odabi sits down with Alesia Galati to explore the most common strategic mistake new podcasters make, the four distinct goals a show can pursue, and how to design conversion directly into an episode rather than bolting it on afterward. What You'll Learn Unrealistic expectations about speed and revenue are what kill most shows in the first 3 to 6 months. Alesia cites a client with 100,000 Instagram followers whose podcast still only pulled around 1,000 downloads per episode — proof that an existing audience doesn't automatically translate into fast podcast revenue or growth. Capacity has to be defined honestly before a release schedule is chosen, not copied from someone else's show. Alesia warns against matching a weekly cadence just because another host does it — picking a realistic frequency, even biweekly, and staying consistent with it matters more than matching anyone else's pace. Every podcast should be built around exactly one of four goals: conversion, impact, growth, or engagement. Alesia has found that trying to chase all four at once dilutes every one of them — a conversion-focused show skips guests entirely in favor of solo thought leadership, while a growth-focused show is built around strategic guest selection instead. Conversion should be designed into an episode's structure, not added as an afterthought. One of Alesia's clients ends every solo episode with a low-pressure invite to a 15-minute call; another runs a $7-a-month private podcast tier for listeners wanting more personalized content — both engineered directly into the content itself. A full podcast operation includes far more than recording and editing. Alesia's team edits for content rather than just removing filler words, then produces show notes, blog posts for SEO, a subscriber email, and ten tailored social captions per episode — treating podcast guesting on other shows as the single most effective growth lever available. About Alesia Galati Alesia Galati is a podcast strategist and founder of Gelati Media, an agency that has strategized, launched, and managed over 50 podcasts for value-driven businesses, thought leaders, and nonprofits. She hosts Podcasting Unlocked and brings a manufacturing and supply chain background to podcast strategy. helpmicpod.com Timestamps [0:04] Introduction and episode framing [03:26] The most common strategic mistake new podcasters make [07:59] The non-negotiable decisions: capacity and choosing one of four goals [16:17] Designing conversion directly into a podcast's structure [22:23] What a sustainable podcast operation looks like behind the scenes [27:19] Rebranding, sunsetting, or course-correcting a podcast that isn't working Connect with Collins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collins-odabi-266620380/ Guest enquiries: podmatch.com/member/onyourmic Until next time, stay sharp, and keep showing up.

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  Episode #92

  Why Political Tribalism Is Rising and How to Disagree Well in the Social Media Age | Elias Martin

  Sep 30, 202643 min

  Disagreement is not new, but the speed at which it collapses into hostility is. Technology has built an infrastructure that rewards outrage over nuance and confirmation over curiosity, leaving a public conversation that is louder and less useful, and many people who are not extremists but have withdrawn because honest engagement stopped being rewarded. Elias Martin is a native New Yorker, history buff and host of the Politically High-Tech podcast. Having changed political affiliation several times before settling as an independent, he built his work around restoring the kind of difficult conversation that modern public discourse has made rare, one where someone enters uncertain and leaves with something new. In this episode, Collins Victory Odabi sits down with Elias to explore what is driving American tribalism, how media and technology shape the way people form beliefs, and what it practically takes to disagree well. What You'll Learn Today's divide is serious, but not unprecedented. Elias points to the Civil War as a far deeper split, and says his podcast grew from a wish to help prevent anything like it again. He argues that tribalism is pushed by media and made worse by short-form social media that leaves no room for nuance. Attention, not truth, drives what spreads. Elias says moderate voices get drowned out, and that moderates need to package their messages simply, without sounding condescending. He admits he was once one of the arrogant moderates himself. Build trust before delivering the message. Even a message grounded in facts, Elias says, needs an audience that trusts you first. He advises being authentic, accepting that you will lose some followers, and engaging critics with the emotion removed, since some may become supporters. Neither party fully represents the middle. Elias describes parties that play to their bases rather than expanding them, with fights inside both. As someone who has moved across party lines, he wants independents able to vote in primaries, a reform he says he has fought for. Disagreeing well is a practical skill. Listen without judging, build rapport first, and remember that a different perspective does not make someone the enemy. Elias offers no magic bullet, does not aim to change minds, and points to Ground News, AllSides and USAFacts for shared facts. About Elias Martin Elias Martin is a native New Yorker, history buff and host of the Politically High-Tech podcast, which explores political dysfunction, technology, social impact and hidden chapters of history. His work aims to get people talking to each other again across political differences. ️ Politically High-Tech: politicallyhightech.buzzsprout.com Timestamps [0:06] Introduction and episode framing [5:15] Where America's current tribalism comes from [10:19] How technology has changed the way people form beliefs [14:43] Whether genuine political reasoning is still possible [19:19] What the political landscape looks like from outside the parties [26:27] How to restore productive conversations across disagreement [33:58] Why these conversations matter, and what is at stake [40:48] Final thoughts Connect with Collins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collins-odabi-266620380/ Guest enquiries: podmatch.com/member/onyourmic Until next time, stay sharp, and keep showing up.

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  Episode #91

  Beyond Achievement: The Passion Test and the 6 C's of Purpose-Driven Business | Luann Buechier

  Sep 30, 202631 min

  There is a version of success that looks right from the outside and feels hollow from the inside. The career progresses, the reputation is solid and the metrics are met, yet something fundamental is missing, and admitting it costs more in the short term than closing the gap with yet more achievement. Luann Buechier spent more than 25 years in hospitality and corporate event planning, delivering large-scale conferences and building a strong reputation while feeling disconnected from who she was. She left a senior executive career for coaching, and has spent the years since helping entrepreneurs and professionals uncover what they actually want, using the Passion Test and her own 6 C's framework. In this episode, Collins Victory Odabi sits down with Luann to explore what the fulfilment gap looks like from the inside, what it takes to move from external achievement towards purpose-driven work, and why so many entrepreneurs burn out chasing growth without knowing what drives them. What You'll Learn The disconnection can be structural, not situational. Luann felt out of sorts at the top of her field, and says the strain showed up at home rather than at work. Some clients, like nurses she coached after the pandemic, rediscovered why they love their work, while an engineer became a chiropractor. Clarity comes before change. Luann uses the Passion Test, a process she is trained to facilitate, to help people state what they want to create in life. Her argument is that once you are clear about where you are going, the people, tools and circumstances already around you become visible. Changing course means giving something up and ignoring judgement. Luann left a senior corporate career and had to rebuild her success. Her engineer-turned-chiropractor client had to ignore comments about abandoning his training, and she says other people care far less about our shifts than we assume. The 6 C's turn passion into a sustainable business. They are clarity, connection through core values, community, collaboration, creativity and commitment. The most common failure, Luann says, is jumping in to live the dream without structure, then giving up before commitment has time to work. Systems and asking for help complete the picture. Luann defines a system as saving yourself time, energy and money, and urges creatives to embrace one. She also argues that asking for help is a gift to the person who gives it, because no one builds a life or business alone. About Luann Buechier Luann Buechier is a coach and Passion Test facilitator who left a career of more than 25 years in hospitality and corporate event planning to help entrepreneurs and professionals build purpose-driven work. She draws on over 40 years of leadership experience. luanneb.com ( free consultation) Timestamps [0:05] Introduction and episode framing [4:20] What the fulfilment gap feels like from the inside [9:47] The moment of clarity and what she gave up [12:27] Why coaching and community matter [14:26] The Passion Test [16:40] The 6 C's of purpose-driven business [22:19] What creatives miss: systems and asking for help [28:37] Final thoughts and how to work with Luann Connect with Collins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collins-odabi-266620380/ Guest enquiries: podmatch.com/member/onyourmic Until next time, stay sharp, and keep showing up.

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  Episode #90

  Executive Presence Is a Skill: How to Overcome Fear of Speaking and Get Seen at Work | Mike Acker

  Sep 30, 202626 min

  Some capable professionals stall. Their work is good and their judgement sound, yet they keep being passed over for promotions and for the rooms where decisions get made. The explanation, when one is given at all, is usually vague, such as presence or confidence, words that describe the symptom without naming the problem. Mike Acker grew up with a speech impediment, and fear of speaking was a daily reality. Today he is the best-selling author of Speak with No Fear , a TEDx speaker and an executive communication coach who has worked with professionals at organisations including Microsoft, Adobe and the IMF. In this episode, Collins Victory Odabi sits down with Mike to explore how fear of speaking operates as a structural barrier to visibility and career progression, what executive presence is actually made of, and how communication ability is built through practice rather than theory. What You'll Learn Execution and presence are two pillars of success. Mike explains that people who excel at their work but lack presence see their perceived performance pulled down, while those strong on presence but hollow on execution can still advance faster. The ideal is both, and many people are simply blind to how they are perceived. Capable people get passed over for three reasons. They hope their work will speak for itself, they are too nervous to step up, or they do not know how. Some are sent to Mike's coaching by leaders who tell them they will not advance without more presence. Executive presence rests on identity, structure and skill. Own your value and your place at the table, know your point before someone asks for it, and come across with clear articulation, vocal variety and pauses. Mike stresses that being seen requires movement, including gestures that match your words. Communication is a multiplier, and building it is like working out. Using martial arts and soccer analogies, Mike says your skill is the kick and communication is the strength that multiplies it. His pathway is to become aware of one to three areas to grow, understand what to change, and practise for about three months. Change starts with belief and an honest assessment. Mike's message from his own journey is that where you are is not where you have to stay. He urges professionals to record themselves and ask for candid critique, because blaming luck or circumstance avoids the real issue. About Mike Acker Mike Acker is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker and executive communication coach who grew up with a speech impediment and now helps professionals speak with clarity and presence. He has worked with people at organisations including Microsoft, Adobe and the IMF. uplevelcommunication.com (free communication resources and tools) Timestamps [0:04] Introduction and episode framing [4:04] How fear of speaking operates in professional environments [6:57] Why capable professionals get overlooked, and what executive presence is [12:45] How communication ability is actually built [17:07] What Mike's own journey teaches about change [19:59] Where to start, and what most people skip [24:00] Final thoughts Connect with Collins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collins-odabi-266620380/ Guest enquiries: podmatch.com/member/onyourmic Until next time, stay sharp, and keep showing up.

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  Episode #89

  Building Across Multiple Domains Without Spreading Thin: Leadership and Mentorship | Patrick Rayes

  Sep 29, 202632 min

  Most people build careers by going deep into one domain, developing expertise and authority while everything outside it stays peripheral. A different kind of professional moves across disciplines, not from a lack of commitment, but because the connections between technology, investing, company building and mentorship are where their most interesting thinking happens. Patrick Rayes is founder and CEO of Marahorn Labs, a technology professional, author, coach, mentor and philanthropist. A Lebanese-American based in Switzerland, he has lived in Lebanon, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, and works across technology, financial markets, AI and personal development. In this episode, Collins Victory Odabi sits down with Patrick to explore how to build competence across several domains without spreading thin, what living across cultures teaches about leadership and decisions, and why mentoring keeps you honest. What You'll Learn Depth comes first, and time makes breadth possible. Patrick spent his first 15 to 20 years focused on technology, building a strong foundation and financial freedom. Once his career was stable, he used early mornings, evenings and weekends, all scheduled, to explore entrepreneurship, coaching and philanthropy. Learn from how other cultures do things. Moving between countries was exhausting, but it showed Patrick how differently people think, and he treats those differences as a self-improvement method. He points to ikigai, a Japanese approach to balancing family, friends, career and giving back. Good decisions under pressure come down to three habits. After regular conversations with a CEO and time with senior leaders at multinationals, Patrick distilled three lessons: stay calm and leave your emotions at the door, communicate clearly, and hold a vision that excites people to follow you. Mentoring works best as a two-way street. Patrick developed the Polaris Framework after realising he could not explain how he had succeeded, and now uses it to coach on careers, Forex and entrepreneurship. He listens before guiding, and asks whether his mentees' challenges are ones he faces himself. Focus on your winners and park the rest. Across multiple domains, Patrick advises putting most of your energy where the greatest reward is coming from, and leaving half-working ideas in the parking lot until time, energy and stability return. About Patrick Rayes Patrick Rayes is founder and CEO of Marahorn Labs and a technology professional, author, coach, mentor and philanthropist. He coaches through his Polaris Framework and has worked at multinational organisations including Nestlé, UBS, Syngenta, eBay and PayPal. patrickrayes.com Timestamps [0:05] Introduction and episode framing [3:59] The thread connecting technology, investing and mentorship [8:34] What living across cultures teaches about leadership [13:06] How leaders make decisions under pressure [18:43] What Patrick has had to unlearn [23:32] What mentoring teaches the mentor [27:57] Sustaining a multi-domain life, and the first step [29:05] Final thoughts Connect with Collins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collins-odabi-266620380/ Guest enquiries: podmatch.com/member/onyourmic Until next time, stay sharp, and keep showing up.

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