Technology is advancing faster than ever—but are we leaving people behind?  

In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Anne Dougherty, founder of ILLUME and expert in the human dimensions of energy and innovation.  

From building a niche consulting firm from 2 to 50 people and successfully exiting, to tackling the intersection of AI, energy, and human behavior, Anne shares a powerful perspective: technology alone doesn’t solve problems—people do.  

This conversation dives deep into leadership, scaling challenges, workforce disruption, and why the future of business depends on aligning human systems with technological progress.  If you want to build something meaningful—and sustainable—this episode is essential.  



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The POWER is in the Human

AI is transforming everything—but it’s not your edge anymore.  In this episode, Manny Teran breaks down what truly separates those who win in the age of AI from those who get left behind. The answer isn’t more tools, more automation, or more speed—it’s alignment.  Through a powerful framework of 10 human qualities, this episode explores how integrity, discipline, courage, and presence create a competitive advantage that no machine can replicate.  If you want to stand out, build meaningful success, and create real momentum in your life and business—this is where it starts.

Be Human!

Arizona is no longer a hidden tech hub—it’s becoming a global force in semiconductors, AI, energy, and space.  

In this episode of the Voice of Growth Podcast, Manny Teran sits down with Steve Zylstra, CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, to break down what’s really driving Arizona’s rise—and what could stop it.  From the arrival of TSMC and the expansion of companies like Intel and Nvidia, to the deeper infrastructure challenges around energy, water, workforce, and housing, this conversation reveals the truth behind exponential regional growth.  

Steve shares why Arizona’s success is the result of decades of intentional policy and leadership, why the next wave of opportunity will belong to entrepreneurs who solve constraint-driven problems, and what it will take for Arizona to compete with Silicon Valley, Austin, and beyond.  

If you want to understand where the next major opportunities are forming—and how to position yourself ahead of them—this episode is essential.

The Rise of the Silicon Desert

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran explores the powerful Stoic concept of Amor Fati — love your fate.  

Rather than resisting adversity or wishing life had unfolded differently, the Stoics believed that every event — success, failure, hardship, or loss — is part of the path that shapes who we become.  

Through personal stories of business challenges, personal loss, and life’s unexpected twists, Manny explains how adopting this mindset can transform the way we make decisions, build businesses, and navigate uncertainty.  

If you want to develop resilience, clarity, and strength in both life and leadership, this episode offers a powerful framework.

The Step that will Transform your life: LOVE Your Fate

Most entrepreneurs spend years talking about starting a business.  

Carley didn’t.  

She saved her money from waitressing and babysitting, sourced manufacturers herself, organized her first photoshoot in her sorority house, and launched a swimwear brand before most people her age were even thinking about business.  

Today her brand, BootinBikinis, is growing rapidly — and her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best way to start a business is simply to start. 

Dream Big. Start NOW!

Boots, Bikinis, and Bold Moves

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran explores the Goal Declaration Effect — a psychological phenomenon where publicly announcing goals can actually reduce the motivation needed to accomplish them.  

Drawing from personal experience, Stoic philosophy, and insights from Atomic Habits, this episode explains why lasting success comes not from goals alone, but from systems, habits, and identity transformation.  

If you want to understand how to build real momentum in your personal and professional life, this episode is for you.

The Goal Declaration Trap

Success rarely begins with a perfect plan.  

When Terry Lundgren was a student at the University of Arizona, becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company was the farthest thing from his mind. But one pivotal moment — a tough phone call from his father — forced him to take responsibility for his future. 

That moment changed everything.  From working full time while finishing school to rising through the ranks of retail, Lundgren built a career defined by discipline, curiosity, and a relentless commitment to doing every job better than anyone else.  E

ventually, that mindset carried him all the way to the top — leading Macy’s as Chairman and CEO and overseeing more than 140,000 employees during one of the most transformative periods in retail history.  In this episode of Voice of Growth, we explore leadership, responsibility, innovation, and the mindset required to navigate massive change. 

From launching macys.com before the internet boom to managing culture across thousands of stores, Lundgren shares lessons that apply far beyond retail.  At the heart of his philosophy is one simple idea:  Bloom where you are planted.  

Master the opportunity in front of you. Do it better than anyone else. And over time, the path forward will reveal itself.

Bloom Where You're Planted: Terry Lundgren's story to build Macy's as Retail Powerhouse

Connecting the Dots Backwards | The Butterfly Effect of Success  

Why do our lives only make sense looking backward?  

In this episode of Voice of Growth, Manny Teran explores one of the most misunderstood realities of success, entrepreneurship, and life itself:  

 *  You cannot connect the dots forward.
 *  You can only connect them backward.  

We are taught to plan our futures with precision — careers, businesses, relationships, outcomes. But real success rarely follows a straight line. Instead, it behaves more like the butterfly effect, where small decisions, chance encounters, and seemingly insignificant moments create massive downstream consequences.  

From unexpected opportunities to career-defining pivots, this episode explores why high performers don’t predict the future — they position themselves to adapt to it.  

You’ll learn:  Why long-term planning often fails entrepreneurs  How tiny decisions reshape entire life trajectories  The hidden danger of waiting for certainty  Why action creates clarity  How to operate strategically in an unpredictable world  

The Stoic mindset behind resilience and adaptability  Success is not about controlling outcomes. It’s about creating possibilities.

Connecting the Dots Backwards: Why the Future Cannot Be Planned

What happens when a Fortune 500 digital marketing leader decides to leave the corporate track and build something deeply personal?  

In this episode of The Voice of Growth, Manny Teran sits down with Jess Jensen, founder of Copilot Communications and former marketing leader at companies like Microsoft, Adidas, Nestlé, and Qualcomm.  Jess shares how working closely with C-suite executives revealed a powerful insight: leaders reach audiences more effectively than brands. 

From that realization, she built a practice helping executives and founders find their authentic voice online — especially on LinkedIn.  The conversation explores: 

 * Why executives struggle with visibility
 * The tension between vulnerability and professionalism
 * Why trust is the true currency of influence 
 * How AI is both a gift and a risk in content creation 
 * And why being “wildly capable” starts with self-belief  

This episode is about human leadership in a digital world — and why mastering your voice is now a strategic advantage.

Trust Is the Currency: How Leaders Build Real Authority

For 101 years, the Tucson Rodeo has endured wars, recessions, cultural shifts, and technological revolutions — and every February, it rides again.In this episode of The Voice of Growth, Manny Teran breaks down what this century-old tradition can teach us about business, Stoicism, and life. 

From the chaos of the arena to the discipline of preparation, from falling off the bull to getting back on the horse, the rodeo becomes a powerful metaphor for leadership in volatile times.

Using core Stoic principles like the dichotomy of control, memento mori, and amor fati, Manny explores:

 * Why volatility is the default
 * Why failure is part of the ride
 * Why culture must evolve to survive
 * Why courage without wisdom is recklessness
 * And why the crowd’s applause (or criticism) is just noise

This episode is about grit, adaptability, identity, and celebrating the ride — even when you get thrown.If you’re building something that matters, this one is for you.

Mastering Life's Arena: Leadership Lessons from the Rodeo

Hosted by Manny Teran, The Voice of Growth Podcast, brought to you by Profectory, is where entrepreneurs and business leaders gain the insights they need to navigate both the external and internal forces shaping their success. Through insightful monologues and deep-dive interviews with visionary entrepreneurs and business leaders, we explore trends, strategy, and operations while uncovering the mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and wisdom.

Success isn’t just about mastering the market—it’s about mastering yourself. The Voice of Growth Podcast helps you do both.

Manny Teran

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