Exploring and settling outer space may seem like the ultimate form of entrepreneurship – but is it a realistic ambition? Drawing from her latest book "A City on Mars", Kelly Weinersmith sits down with Jonathan to discuss the hurdles we face in our journey to space, from human physiology to resource governance. So human life on Mars is still far-fet…

"Being your own boss" isn't just about getting rich and being independent. In his latest book “One Day I’ll Work for Myself", author and historian Benjamin Waterhouse separates the allure from the illusions of self-employment. He takes a hard look at the mythology of entrepreneurship, from colonial America and the digital revolution of the 1980s to…

Sean Perryman is the Head of Algorithmic Fairness Policy at Uber. He sits down with Jonathan Aberman to discuss the major questions about privacy and bias raised by artificial intelligence, and how policymakers need to respond. From facial recognition technology to Google's Gemini, Perryman calls for greater tech literacy among lawmakers. He lays o…

Martin Bauman Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Martin peddled 7,000km across Canada in a remarkable 84-day journey spanning from June to August. His expedition became a lesson in humility and the value of community. Amidst stormy weather, a selfless man named Dave emerged as a guiding light. Dave's acts of kindness, serving as what came to be a trip ad…

Merely desiring to accomplish tasks isn't sufficient, especially if greatness is your aim. Discover the flame within you, that burning desire to conquer challenges and achieve mastery and competence. Cultivate a sense of empowerment and competence, igniting a relentless drive to pursue even the seemingly mundane tasks with passion.…

Ben Foster is co-founder & executive chairman at Prodify. In an increasingly service-based economy, Foster makes the case for enhancing product-driven innovation and entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.. He discusses his vision for scaleable, efficient product companies to compete with Silicon Valley’s recent interest in national security technolog…

Jon Orr Virginia, United States Jon Orr, a sports parent of three shares a powerful reflection for all parents. It is difficult to give up control and allow a child to embrace and pursue their sporting career in the way they want to. It is amazing the impact a sense of agency can have on passion, enjoyment and even performance in one's journey. Che…

The concept of accountability, while often used to motivate, can sometimes evoke feelings of obligation and inferiority. Instead, focusing on being accountable to oneself and the potential for personal growth can be a more powerful motivator.

Ryan Drury Arthur, Ontario, Canada Ryan lost his dad to suicide when he was 19. In this episode, he reflects on what he learned through this journey: the importance of taking a moment to give yourself credit. Now, he's leveraging this concept in his pursuit of NHL broadcasting. ___ Whether you have a story of your own or a story of someone else you…

Since its launch in 2007, Bethesda Green has been on a mission to foster innovation and community for sustainable small businesses. Today, Jonathan sits down with executive director Dave Feldman to discuss environmental entrepreneurship in Bethesda, Maryland and beyond. From start-up incubation to environmental awareness efforts, Feldman and Bethes…

In this video, we delve into the deeper layers of empowerment beyond simple affirmations. When someone is hurting, mere words might not suffice. Discover three transformative phrases that can profoundly motivate and uplift your teammates, friends, or family members. Learn how to go beyond mere affirmations by connecting them to actions and behaviou…

So often we let the opportunities of others or opportunities we have received to influence how capable we are. Let go of the resources coming in and focus on the resources going out. The mission to beautify the world and be the best you can be with what you have been given remains the same! It is no different than playing a game of cards. I hope yo…

Marty Hogan Chicago, Illinois A story of perseverance. Marty shares his journey of being diagnosed with cancer while awaiting the arrival of his first child. This story exudes what it means to persevere with purpose and love which allows him to maintain an endless supply of willpower. ___ Whether you have a story of your own or a story of someone e…

This week, Jonathan sits down with Justin Fanelli, Acting Chief Technology Officer for the United States Department of the Navy and Technical Director of PEO Digital. Together, they unpack his strategies for adopting innovation, from iterative improvements to a collaborative, motivated workplace environment. In building stronger tech infrastructure…

Leadership goes beyond simply delegating tasks or responding to mistakes/errors. True leadership requires effective communication and the ability to validate individuals. By communicating openly and validating the actions of team members beyond moments of failure or difficulty, leaders foster an environment of trust and understanding. This acknowle…

Mistakes are not roadblocks but rather essential markers on our journey of growth. Embracing them with courage and accountability is key. By confronting our mistakes head-on, we acknowledge their potential as valuable learning experiences. They propel us forward, shaping us into more resilient and adaptable individuals. Taking ownership of our mist…

In life, opportunities often present themselves when we least expect them. However, all too often, our fears can sabotage these chances for growth and success. Whether it's fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown, allowing these fears to dictate our actions can hold us back from reaching our full potential. To overcome this, it's essential to ac…

Adam Green is a professor at Georgetown University and director of the Lab for Relational Cognition. This week, he sits down with Jonathan to discuss imagination, brain function, and his research in creative neuroscience. As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful and more popular, Green explores human creativity as a source of hope and empow…

There is a difference between proving to others and ourselves we are good enough and discovering how great we can be. I have shared this with clients and the response has been incredible. The shift in attention from what we have to prove to what is possible creates a fundamental shift in focus, belief and psychological freedom.…

How long term goals slow so many people down and how short term goals awaken endless energy and focus. Don't get distracted by long term goals. Short term goals give immediate feedback that unleash your potential.

A client story of finding motivation to keep up with academics while they chase an NCAA scholarship.

My two cents on fostering a healthy space after sport on the drive home! Keep it simple. There is no script. Empower them to discuss, share, process.

Lance Collins is the is the inaugural vice president and executive director of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. Set to open in Spring 2025, the new state-of-the-art campus was announced by the university as part of the state’s successful effort to attract Amazon’s HQ2 to Northern Virginia, and aims to produce talented computer scientists and so…

A recent success story with a client I have been working with! Challenging a few stereotypes when it comes to mindset in athletics.

Harry Klaff, Principal and U.S President of Avison Young, joins Jonathan to delve into the fundamental shift in D.C.'s commercial real estate sector. With over two decades of expertise, Harry explores the critical role that commercial real estate plays in a region's economic health, addresses the profound implications of underutilized office spaces…

Tonio DeSorrento is the CEO of GovPort, a technology platform developed specifically for government contractors that offers tools for subcontractor management, compliance, organization, and operational efficiency. On today's episode, Tonio describes the moment he saw an opportunity to create a dedicated software for GovCons, and how his product str…

Clark Mercer is the Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and former Chief of Staff for Governor Ralph Northam. With over twenty years of senior management experience at the state, federal, and local levels, and passionate about driving transformative change across public safety, affordable housing, clean and water, c…

Jason Stanford is the President of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for the region's transportation infrastructure for over 30 years. An expert on transportation policy analysis, Jason explains how public transportation is vital to the economic health of a region and shares his thought…

Terry Clower is the Director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, where his research produces valuable insights that help the private, nonprofit, and public sectors understand the region's growth and shortfalls. On today's episode, Terry provides an update on the overall state of the region; comments on the importance of …

A casual discussion with Sport Psychologist Dr. Cassidy Preston. We discuss identity in sport and the challenges of living in reality vs the stories we tell ourselves. Check out Cassidy's new book Mindset First on Amazon. Cassidy's Website

"Enjoy your awful basketball team, Virginia," reads the title of independent journalist Matt Connolly's recent op-ed in The Atlantic. On today's episode, Connolly, who currently works for a labor union, joins Jonathan Aberman for a deep-dive on his compelling piece, detailing the economic factors driving the team's move across the Potomac to Alexan…

It's a new year, and What's Working in Washington is back with a new host, Jonathan Aberman! Mark Walsh has passed the torch back to Aberman, who is eager to bring his perspective as an investor and entrepreneur to address the region's issues during this critical election year. Aberman's inaugural guest is Congressman Don Beyer, an American busines…

Steve Balistreri is the Managing Director and National Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Industry Leader at MorganFranklin Consulting. He is also on the Executive Committee of Mindshare, a 501C6 not-for-profit organization established to support first time CEO's of high-potential emerging technology companies in the Greater Washington …

Tien Wong is the CEO of Opus8, a private investment, advisory, and conference management firm located in the Washington, D.C. area. He is also the Chairman and CEO of the Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Forum, a global community of 25,000+ founders, investors, venture capitalists, and CXOs. In this wide-ranging discussion, Tien and Mark examine capital inf…