Mike Massaro CEO of Flywire: Successfully Setting the Narrative

Mike Massaro CEO of Flywire: Successfully Setting the Narrative

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola April 11, 2023 Duration: 35:14

This week, Mike Massaro shares how important it is to set the narrative.  Mike’s quote was, “If you don’t set the narrative, the narrative is going to be set for you.”

In this episode you will learn:

  • How transitioning from a private company to a public company created an entirely new audience to communicate to and how to embrace the challenge.
  • Making sure that you communicate in various ways so that employees feel comfortable when they are listening to your message.
  • Understanding what motivates a team and what they ultimately want.
  • It isn’t how many times you say something, it’s how many times it resonates.

24 Hour Challenge: What makes you feel fulfilled?  Write down the top three things that make you feel fulfilled both professionally and personally.  If you are not fulfilled, figure out why.

The app that Mike mentions in the episode: https://bigvu.tv/

About Mike Massaro:

As CEO of Flywire (Nasdaq: FLYW), Mike Massaro has grown the business from a concept into a leading payments enablement and software company. He has overseen Flywire’s expansion into new regions while aligning Flywire’s global team with the company’s strategic direction, including the company's Initial Public Offering (IPO) in May of 2021.

His background spans global payments, mobile software and hardware, and e-billing at high-growth technology companies, including Carrier IQ and edocs, Inc. Mike has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs, and a CEO of the Year by Comparably, among other distinctions. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Babson College.

You can connect with Mike in the following ways:

 

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
  • LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
  • Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
  • Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
  • Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

 


Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Speaking to Influence
Podcast Episodes
Kurt Luidhardt, Co-Founder of the Prosper Group.  “Be Clear” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:36
This week Kurt Luidhardt shares how critical it is that you know who the decision makers are when you are working with a client. Kurt shared an example of when he and his team worked diligently on a pitch assuming that t…
Dave Scopinich of Audacy: Framing Your Pitch for Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
This week Dave Scopinich shares how radio reaches almost 90 percent of all Americans (he shared that the source was Nielsen) on a daily basis. That gives his team and clients the opportunity to create and deliver premium…
Yesi Morillo, Senior Vice President at Citibank: Stay Ready! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:01
This week, Yesi Morillo shares the importance of staying ready to take advantage of opportunities so that you are prepared for any moment to be able to discuss what you are working on. “The elevator is one of the most un…
Partnerships and Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
This week Christine Ostrowski shares how an almost two hundred year old school is continually adapting to improve the lives of their students and team. By treating employees like clients to understand what they need to g…
Giving Back and Making a Difference [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
In this week’s episode, Retired FDNY Battalion Chief John LaBarbera of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation board shares with Laura the important work that the foundation is doing and the obstacles that they face including wi…
Humor and Executive Presence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:35
This week, Laura discusses the importance of humor and executive presence. Laura shares her tips for adding “fun” to your presentation while keeping it professional and engaging your audience. Here are a few things that…
How to Inspire in Uncertain Times Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
This week in the second part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Pro…
How to Inspire in Uncertain Times Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
This week in the first part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Prod…