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The Virtual Campfire

When you see someone on stage: Sharing a powerful message, "owning the room" and, having a huge impact in the world, you might ask yourself, how did they get that way? Were they born that way? Could I be like that person? What makes them different? From the outside looking in, it seems like they are meant to do what they're doing. I am here to share what you don't often see - their tales of transformation. That's what we will uncover here. The tiny steps that led to the big leaps.

Welcome to The Virtual Campfire, I am Tony Martignetti, the Inspired Coach. Here I will share powerful lessons learned from leaders in their transformation journey. Why the campfire? The campfire was the earliest form of community. For generations, it was used to build trust, share knowledge, and inspire others. That is why it is time for us to sit by the virtual fire and have a powerful conversation.

Check out the latest episodes here:

THE VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE

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Episode Blogs

Nurturing Your Luxury Mindset With Neen James

The Virtual Campfire | Neen James | Luxury Mindset


Luxury may be associated with high-end lifestyle and possessions, but there is far deeper wisdom to it than meets the eye. Leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author Neen James joins Tony Martignetti to explore how a luxury mindset can help elevate your business and capture people's attention with your message. She breaks down how customization, personalization, and fascination can profoundly transform how you convey your message to the world, leading to lasting connections and excepti…

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Executive Coaching At The Crossroads Of Creativity And Leadership With Jessica Wan

The Virtual Campfire | Jessica Wan | Executive Coaching


Executive coaching takes on a new dimension as Jessica Wan — executive coach, classically trained soprano, and former marketing leader at Apple, Smule, Magoosh, and the San Francisco Opera — shares how she’s built a career at the intersection of business and creativity. In this conversation she reveals her formative “flashpoints,” from growing up in immigrant communities to earning her MBA at Berkeley Haas, and how those experiences shaped her Ampersand Manifesto podcast and upcoming Ampersand…

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The Science Of Beauty: Understanding Neuroaesthetics And The Human Experience With Dr. Anjan Chatterjee

The Virtual Campfire | Dr. Anjan Chatterjee | Neuroaesthetics


Neuroaesthetics unlocks the science behind why beauty, art, and design move us, shaping our emotions and everyday experiences. Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, founding director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, takes us through the pivotal moments that shaped his career and the birth of this groundbreaking field, from the rise of fMRI to the leap of faith that led to creating a center dedicated to aesthetics and the brain. He breaks down how people, places, and things influence our sense of joy, w…

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Embracing A Heart-Based Leadership With Mark Crowley

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If you want your team to achieve optimal performance, you need to go beyond logic and speak to their hearts. Tony Martignetti is joined by bestselling author and global speaker Mark Crowley, who talks about the invaluable impact of heart-based leadership. He explains how he explored science-based data to emphasize how leaders should take care of their team’s well-being to unlock better productivity and dynamics. Mark also discusses why it is essential to include real-life experiences when writ…

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Why Human Connection At Work Matters With Moe Carrick

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Human connection isn’t just nice to have at work—it’s essential for thriving organizations and healthier communities. Moe Carrick, work futurist, cultural architect, and best-selling author, unpacks why fostering genuine relationships in the workplace activates talent, boosts engagement, and radiates beyond office walls. Drawing from her diverse experiences—from guiding leaders through crises to balancing career demands with personal life—Moe reveals how empathy, meaningful dialogue, and a rei…

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Beyond The War Zone: Growing Through Uncertainty With Melanie Marshall

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Uncertainty is not a barrier, but a profound catalyst for growth and self-discovery. This episode features Melanie Marshall, an accomplished speaker, coach, and filmmaker, who brings over two decades of experience reporting from war zones and natural disasters for BBC News. Melanie shares her extraordinary journey, from chasing childhood dreams of travel to navigating intense, high-stakes environments. She candidly reveals how she consistently found hope and optimism amidst chaos, developing a…

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Creating An Unforgettable Presence With Lorraine Lee

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Stand out anywhere you go and let others see you by setting an unforgettable presence at all times. Corporate keynote speaker Lorraine Lee is here to share how you can do this and create a lasting impact to the people around you. Joining Tony Martignetti, she looks back on her inspiring journey from traditional journalism to corporate to explain what it takes to make yourself unforgettable through genuine interactions and authenticity. Lorraine also talks about the power of creating your very …

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Becoming A Corporate Changemaker With Mita Mallick

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Real change can only happen in workplaces if people speak up and intervene whenever something bad is going on. This is the core attitude embraced by Mita Mallick, best-selling author and corporate changemaker. In this conversation with Tony Martignetti, she shares how growing up with racial hate and stereotypes shaped her into a courageous and resilient woman who stands up to all forms of wrongdoings, inequality, and disrespect. Mita also talks about her journey to becoming an author who write…

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Sustainable Ambition: How To Grow Without Burning Out With Kathy Oneto

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What does it take to stay ambitious without burning out? In this warm and insightful conversation, Kathy Oneto—author of Sustainable Ambition and host of the podcast of the same name—joins Tony Martignetti to explore the flashpoints that shaped her journey and her philosophy. From swimming the length of a pool as a kid to working in high-powered roles in New York, Kathy shares how her curiosity, courage, and conscious risk-taking led her to redefine success on her own terms. Together, they div…

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Leading Through Authenticity And Relatability With Rachel DeAlto

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Although making friends is not necessarily one of the top priorities in leadership, everyone within the team must be able to genuinely relate and connect with their leaders. Author and keynote speaker Rachel DeAlto joins Tony Martignetti to discuss how to lead effectively through relatability. She explains how teams work better when authenticity, common understanding, and constant learning are at the center of the entire dynamic. Rachel also shares valuable leadership and career lessons from h…

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Finding Purpose And Joy In Innovation With Rich Sheridan

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Rich Sheridan discovered his purpose and passion in the software industry by combining his genuine desire to serve others and his expertise in technology. In this conversation with Tony Martignetti, he looks back at the story of building Menlo Innovations and how their custom software development helps solve not just people’s tech issues but their everyday challenges as well. Rich also shares valuable insights about what it takes to end the “ship it” mentality, the importance of fostering prid…

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Seeing Differently: Visual Thinking Strategies And Human-Centered Dialogue With Dabney Hailey

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What if slowing down and looking carefully could transform how we lead, connect, and collaborate? In this deep and reflective episode, museum educator and Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) expert Dabney Hailey shares how structured observation and shared dialogue can spark insight across fields—from classrooms and galleries to corporate teams and healthcare settings. Drawing from her years facilitating art-based inquiry, Dabney explores how listening, uncertainty, and slowing down can deepen ou…

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