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The Story in Your Head

The Story in Your Head

MacklinConnection 142 Episodes Oct 7, 2026

The Story in Your Head is a podcast hosted by Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy that explores the power of narratives in shaping our lives and organizational cultures. Through conversations with guests, the show delves into self-talk and collective storytelling, offering insights for authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplaces. Each episode provides strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and foster inclusive company cultures. The podcast aims to help listeners rewrite the stories that define them individually and collectively.

Episodes

Is AI Thinking for You? The Hidden Danger of Cognitive Surrender
Is AI Thinking for You? The Hidden Danger of Cognitive Surrender Oct 7, 2026 0:23:49 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore cognitive surrender: what happens when we accept an AI-generated answer without questioning it. They consider why handing over our thinking is not a new problem, and how AI makes it especially tempting to trust a convincing response.From invented sources to the comfort of letting someone else be responsible, Ron and Deb discuss criti
AI Theater vs. Real AI Strategy: What Leaders Need to Know Before They Waste Money
AI Theater vs. Real AI Strategy: What Leaders Need to Know Before They Waste Money Sep 23, 2026 0:27:25 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb welcome Jason Tanaka for a conversation about AI, leadership, and the difference between real strategy and what Jason calls “AI theater.” Jason brings a background in software, technology, financial services, and AI advisory work, helping leaders make consequential technology decisions and turn them into reality.Together, they explore a ques
The Real Reason You Don’t Talk to the People Who Could Change Your Life
The Real Reason You Don’t Talk to the People Who Could Change Your Life Sep 9, 2026 0:18:05 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the idea of social agency: the story that you can choose to talk to anyone. From the person sitting next to you on an airplane to the speaker at a conference to the leader in your organization, every interaction carries the possibility of learning, connection, and transformation. But most people give up their social agency before the
What Is Personal Agency? Why Leaders Give It Away Without Realizing
What Is Personal Agency? Why Leaders Give It Away Without Realizing Aug 26, 2026 0:22:44 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the idea of philosophical agency: the ability to notice, choose, and change the stand we take in life. Agency is not just about making decisions. It is about recognizing that many of the beliefs, assumptions, and “truths” we live by are stories we picked up along the way. Some came from family. Some came from culture. Some came from
AI Can Outthink You – But It Can't Do One Thing 5-Year-Olds Do Every Day
AI Can Outthink You – But It Can't Do One Thing 5-Year-Olds Do Every Day Aug 12, 2026 0:25:06 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb continue their conversation on the difference between thinking and imagination – and why that distinction matters more than ever in the age of artificial intelligence. In the previous episode, Ron and Deb explored how children naturally begin life with imagination, curiosity, and creativity, only to enter systems that often reward right answ
Why the Right Answer Is Killing Your Company’s Creativity
Why the Right Answer Is Killing Your Company’s Creativity Jul 29, 2026 0:23:40 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the difference between imagination and thinking – and why that distinction matters more than ever for leaders, teams, and organizations. Beginning with a simple observation: young children are naturally imaginative. But somewhere along the way, that imagination begins to fade. Ron and Deb ask a powerful question for anyone invested i
AI Won’t Replace You – But People Who Know How to Use It Might
AI Won’t Replace You – But People Who Know How to Use It Might Jul 15, 2026 0:29:23 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Joey Cardella, a police officer who discovered AI while exploring what could come next beyond law enforcement. Joey describes AI as a tool that amplifies the user, sharing how he has used it to research career transitions, support real estate investing, improve business operations, build training systems, and solve everyday pro
The Leadership Skill No One Taught You – But Everyone Needs
The Leadership Skill No One Taught You – But Everyone Needs Jul 1, 2026 0:27:02 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore “agency” as a person’s capacity to act independently and make free choices, contrasting living as the author of your life versus being acted on by outside forces. They discuss how people throughout history have been led to believe they have no agency, and connect agency to everyday situations like feeling trapped in a job, unemployme
Students Booed AI at Graduation. Here's the Speech They Needed to Hear.
Students Booed AI at Graduation. Here's the Speech They Needed to Hear. Jun 17, 2026 0:27:11 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb ask, “What would you tell a room full of graduates entering the workforce at a time when AI seems to be changing everything?” Inspired by recent graduation ceremonies where mentions of AI were met with boos from students concerned about their futures, Ron and Deb imagine the advice they would give to graduates stepping into an uncertain worl
Why Most Companies Are Struggling with AI Adoption
Why Most Companies Are Struggling with AI Adoption Jun 3, 2026 0:26:22 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the biggest conversations happening in business today: why are so many organizations investing heavily in AI – and still struggling to see results? The conversation moves beyond technology into the heart of leadership development, company culture, and the communication problems organizations face when transformation collides w
The Workforce Crisis That Will Reshape Company Culture Forever
The Workforce Crisis That Will Reshape Company Culture Forever May 20, 2026 0:24:45 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the least discussed forces shaping the future of business: the collision between demographic decline and artificial intelligence. As developed nations face shrinking populations and aging workforces, organizations are being forced to rethink everything from labor strategy to company culture, workforce sustainability, and long-
How One Roofing Company Is Using AI to Outperform the Competition
How One Roofing Company Is Using AI to Outperform the Competition May 7, 2026 0:38:04 In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by Julian Caldwell, Chief Information Officer at JR & Co., explore how artificial intelligence is transforming even the most traditional industries. Together they discuss how leaders in his company are shaping company culture, accelerating leadership development, and addressing communication problems that often hold organizati

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