The Art Of Coaching
Brett Bartholomew, a best-selling author and performance coach, hosts this weekly podcast focused on the principles of coaching and leadership. The show explores how to effectively change attitudes and behaviors in athletic, professional, and personal settings. Each episode features practical insights and conversations aimed at helping coaches and leaders improve their craft.
Episodes
E439 | You Don't Have to Be Liked | Part 2
In this follow-up episode, Brett doubles down on why being liked isn’t a prerequisite for effective leadership, while also exploring where the limits of that advice begin to show.
Using a real-world case study of a high-performing professional who believes they were fired due to not being liked, and another client who thinks they were passed over for a promotion because they weren’t perceived as l
E438 | Nathalia Melo | You Don't Have to Be Liked: The Power of Not Being for Everyone
My guest this episode is Nathalia Melo, a globally recognized fitness and performance coach, former Olympia champion, and Harvard Medical School Certified Wellness Coach.
Nathalia is a globally recognized fitness and performance coach with over 17 years of experience helping high-performing women build bodies that support the level at which they operate in their careers and lives. A former Olympia
E437 | Why We Make a Bigger Deal About Things in Our Head (and What to Do About It)
We’ve all done it.
There’s a conversation we need to have—whether it’s making a request, delivering difficult news, sharing information, repairing a relationship, or even giving a speech or presentation. Yet before we ever say a word, we convince ourselves it’s going to go far worse than it probably will. We think we’re going to annoy somebody, bother somebody, ruin a relationship, lose an opportu
E436 | How to Stop Overthinking and Just START!
In this episode, Brett talks about the importance of taking a first step — and not in some kind of cheesy way, but in a way that applies regardless of whether you're trying to write a book, whether you want to start a new job, whether you're beginning a new relationship. Whatever road you're taking, and no matter how daunting it seems before you, you've got to take that first step. This dives into
E435 | The Antihero Advantage: Why I Wrote It, What It's About, and Who It's For
After years of research, writing, rewriting, and countless conversations with leaders, coaches, entrepreneurs, and professionals across industries, The Antihero Advantage is finally here.
In this special episode, I share why I felt compelled to write this book, the ideas that shaped it, and what you can expect if you decide to read it. We talk about the limitations of the traditional “hero” narrat
E434 | The 10 Career Commandments: Tips to Ensure You're Making the Impact You Intend & Don't Get Derailed in the Process
We're all going to navigate a great deal throughout our careers, and it can be really hard to know whether you’re on the right track or doing the right things.
Nobody is going to have a surefire guide that will guarantee you're gonna succeed, but there are certain principles that can make your road a lot less turbulent and potentially a lot more fruitful.
This is why I laid out the 10 Career Comma
E433 | When Wanting Something Safe and Stable Feels Wrong
Many of us have had moments where we feel like we should want more, when really we want something simple and straightforward. It creates a kind of cognitive dissonance. We want to make an impact. We want to do something people remember us for. And at the same time, the idea of a steady paycheck and not a lot to worry about sounds really nice.
We don't want to lose sleep staring at the fan all nig
E432 | Steven Pressfield on "The Arcadian," Resistance, Writing and More
Steven Pressfield is the bestselling author of titles such as Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and The Legend of Bagger Vance. He's also written numerous nonfiction books, such as The War of Art and Turning Pro. Collectively, his books have sold millions of copies and been translated into countless languages; Gates of Fire, in particular, is required reading at West Point and Annapolis and has been
E431 | How to Make a Difference in an Organization that Resists Change
Every organization claims it wants initiative, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
So why do so many talented people feel like they’re constantly running into the same walls?
In this episode, Brett explores why some organizations unintentionally create conditions that reward avoidance rather than action—and what leaders can do about it.
Drawing on a recent conversation with a client,
E430 | How to Stand Out from the Competition & Get Your Work Noticed
In this episode, Brett talks about what it means to build a genuine, authentic, no-BS brand.
Every single one of us, whether we're gainfully employed or not, has to deal with the fundamental problems:
• How do I stand out?
• How do I get my work noticed or the value that I provide noticed?
• How do I do that with integrity and in a non-scammy or salesy way?
Brett provides tips for this an
E429 | Most Listened to E296 | Lisa Feldman Barrett: Rethinking Emotions in Leadership and Life
The job of scientists is a tough one - to take complex, multifaceted, messy concepts, and do their best to simplify them in a way that is understandable and digestible to the general public.
However, today’s guest, Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, warns that if something is too simple, we probably shouldn’t believe it. Especially when it comes to human behavior and emotions, there’s nothing simple abou
E428 | A Simple Way to Know If You Have the Right Staff On Board
In this episode, Brett Bartholomew shares actionable insights on how leaders can foster a high-performing, engaged team by emphasizing authenticity, understanding individual motivations, and recognizing behavioral patterns. Whether you're managing staff in healthcare, sports, or business, this discussion offers practical heuristics for long-term leadership success.
Key Topics Covered:
-Why staf
E427 | How to Make Your Ideas Stick Without Dumbing Them Down
In this episode, Brett Bartholomew explores the importance of authenticity in leadership, the psychology of human behavior, and practical strategies for communicating more effectively. Whether you're a coach, leader, or communicator, these insights can help you build trust, influence others, and stay true to yourself.
Main Topics Covered:
The power of authenticity over seeking validation
Unders
E426 | The Hidden Pattern That Sabotages Your Relationships
In this episode, we explore the importance of maintaining meaningful connections and breaking the cycle of neglecting relationships during the busy middle months of the year. We dive into practical strategies and mindset shifts to stay connected, productive, and intentional in both personal and professional life.
We discuss the significance of midyear reflection and recalibration, and how busy se
E425 | The Unseen Forces Screwing You Over (and What to Do About It)
We've all been in situations in our lives where it seems like there are unwritten rules we didn't know about, or unseen forces that are kind of screwing us over. We did our part, but we didn't get the outcome we wanted.
This show talks about some of the most common scenarios where that happens, and some of the lessons and learnings that can help better prepare you so you get taken advantage of les
E424 | My Best Tips for When You Feel Behind, Overwhelmed, or Like You're Not Doing Enough
In this episode, Brett breaks down why so many driven people feel behind, overwhelmed, or like they’re never doing enough — even when they’re already working hard, carrying responsibility, and trying to do things the right way.
He talks about how easy it is to get pulled into the performative bullshit people post online, start comparing your real life to someone else’s curated season, and let your
E423 | Common Mistakes Presenters Make and How to Avoid Them
In this episode, Brett breaks down some of the most common mistakes speakers and presenters make—and why those mistakes usually have nothing to do with intelligence or expertise.
Most people don’t struggle because they’re unprepared or because they don’t know their material. They struggle because communication is more nuanced than that. Human attention is limited. Interpretation is messy. And if
E422 | How to Stop Over-Explaining
It’s one of the most common ways that intelligent, thoughtful people can end up sending mixed signals and unintentionally cause misunderstandings.
And the irony is that the people who do it most often are usually the ones who care a great deal about being thorough, guiding others, teaching, and not being misunderstood.
In this episode, Brett breaks down the root causes of over-explaining and off
E421 | Rules to Live By: Some of My All-Time Favorite Tips and Key Principles
In this episode, Brett fulfills the request of a listener who asked him to go through some of his biggest gold nuggets — some of the one-liners, some of the distilled raw material that has mattered and inspired him the most over the years.
Whether that had to do with communication, power dynamics, self-awareness — all the things he’s learned in those kinds of contexts — that’s what you’re going t
E420 | How to Reach Someone Who Seems Shutdown, Unmotivated or in a Dark Place
We’ve all had somebody in our life we genuinely wanted to help — but couldn’t seem to get through to. Maybe they’re going through a rough season. Maybe they seem shut down.
Maybe they’re stuck in a pattern they can’t see. Sometimes that person’s been us.
This episode digs into what’s actually happening when someone won’t let you in, why logic almost never changes behavior, and what to do instead
E419 | The One Question that Lowers Defensiveness Before Giving Feedback
Most people have spent years studying feedback — the frameworks, the techniques, the dos and don'ts. But almost nobody has ever been asked one simple question before receiving it: How do you want feedback?
That's the focus of today's episode. Brett breaks down why this single question might be the most underrated communication tool in your arsenal — and why it works on a level most people never
E418 | How to Get Better at Having Hard Conversations
For myself and a lot of other people, it seems like folks are getting more and more unprofessional. Not just individuals — organizations too.
People hide behind screens. They don’t want to have real conversations, and it chews up time and wastes energy.
You’ve got to find a way to get past that in today’s world.
So today we do a broad ranging Q&A on how to be assertive when you need to
E417 | The Dark Side of Leadership Nobody Talks About
In this episode, Brett breaks down many of the themes that rarely get addressed in modern leadership conversations.
He talks about power dynamics, internal and external conflict, and what it actually looks like to lead when the situation isn’t clean or clear.
That includes navigating manipulative behavior, managing seemingly no-win situations, and making decisions that can carry real personal an
E416 | What Actually Makes an Elite Coach or Leader
Most people can name a great coach or leader. Far fewer can explain what actually makes one. In this episode, Brett breaks down what separates truly elite coaches and leaders from everyone else—and it's not what most people expect.
From the role of self-awareness to the uncomfortable truth about dark triad personalities who win, Brett challenges the romanticized version of coaching and replaces
E415 | The #1 Thing You Need to Know to Be a Better Presenter
In this episode, I break down the legitimate number one tip you need to understand if you want to present your ideas more effectively — in a way that actually connects with people.
There are a lot of folks out there who’ll tell you how to be a better speaker, then hand you something obvious you probably already knew. And to be clear, I’m not here to demean that kind of advice — some of it is hel
E414 | How to Get Someone to Open Up When Something Seems Off
Ever notice someone’s withdrawn, quiet, or clearly bothered—but when you ask “what’s wrong?” they shut down even more? You’re not alone. Most people approach these moments with good intentions but terrible execution, and it backfires every time.
In this episode, Brett breaks down why the classic “what’s wrong?” or “are you okay?” almost never works—and what to do instead. You’ll learn how to fr
E413 | Battling the Bullshit, Update On My New Book and Quick Business Tips
In this episode, I give a real-time update on a few things I’ve been working on and thinking through lately — including the Non-Superficial Bullshit Conference, progress on my next book, and some hard-earned reminders for anyone building something of their own.
I get a bit passionate in this one so be ready! More than anything, it’s a grounded conversation for people who are in the middle of it —
E412 | Ways to Get Over the Fear of Saying the Wrong Thing
Let’s just say it: some of you are losing time, sleep, and opportunities because you’re afraid to speak up.
Not because you don’t know what you want to say — but because you’re scared of saying it wrong.
So you sit on it. You rehearse the conversation 20 times in your head. You rework the email draft. You “wait for the right time.” But the truth is, you’re not waiting for the right time — you’re
E411 | The Best Way to Get Ideas Out of Your Head So They Can Impact More People
Most people have a bunch of notes, voice memos, and half-baked thoughts scattered across their phone, laptop, or random legal pads. They tell themselves, “One day I’ll organize this…” but that day rarely comes.
In this episode, I break down a skill that’s helped me think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and actually build the stuff I kept talking about.
The tips in this episode will hel
E410 | A Few Things I'm Doing More of in 2026 to Be Happier & Challenge Myself
This is a short, personal episode about a few things I’m intentionally doing more of in 2025—not because they sound impressive or productive, but because they’ve genuinely made my life calmer, healthier, and more grounded.
Rather than focusing on goals or systems, I talk through a handful of changes that have come from experience, reflection, and paying attention to what actually drains me versu
E409 | Some of My Favorite Books of 2025 (And What Helped Me Learn the Most)
I get asked about books constantly—what I’m reading, what actually stuck, and what shaped the way I think about leadership, communication, and the world over the past year.
In this episode, I walk through some of my favorite books of 2025—a mix of fiction and nonfiction—and talk about why they mattered to me, not just what they were about.
Some influenced how I think about people and power.
So
E408 | Communication Tips for Surviving Holiday Interactions
The holidays are supposed to be relaxing.
Instead, they tend to throw you into rooms full of tired people, loaded topics, and conversations that go sideways fast.
Everyone’s heard the advice to “just avoid certain people.”
That works until you can’t.
In this episode, I break down real conversational situations people actually run into during the holidays—family dinners, extended relatives, friends
E407 | When Different Leadership Styles and Generations Clash
One thing we work with a lot of organizations on is communication issues related to different generations, conflict resolution, and mismatched communication styles.
In this episode, we dive into what actually sits underneath those blowups: the human nature piece most people never address.
We get into why certain leaders lean on directness, why others interpret that same directness as an attac
E406 | Re/Set Expectations So Your Team Doesn't Drop the Ball
Expectations are the backbone of any team that wants to function without drama, drift, or constant hand-holding.
Clear expectations create alignment. Maintaining them creates culture. But what happens when standards start slipping, people get complacent, and the gap between “what we said” and “what’s happening” widens?
This episode digs into a simple, practical framework leaders in any industry ca
E405 | Tips for Filtering and Making Sense of Information in a World That Wants to Confuse You
Listen, we all have a lot of information coming at us and limited time to process it. Most days it feels like the world is set up to keep you confused, reactive, and chasing your tail. Between research, social media, “thought leaders,” news, and whatever’s happening at work and home, it’s easy to either shut down or grab at the loudest voice in the room.
This episode is about pushing back on t
E404 | The Hardest Conversation I've Ever Had with My Son - On Loneliness, Conviction and Doing Hard Things
This episode dives into one of the most personal and difficult conversations Brett’s ever had — not with a client, colleague, or friend, but with his son.
It started when Bronson said he felt lonely — that the kids around him didn’t like to do hard things, didn’t stick with commitments, and quit when things got tough. What followed was a raw conversation about what it really means to live with c
E403 | How to Stop Going in Circles with People Who Twist Conversations
Ever had a discussion that felt like quicksand? You’re trying to solve one thing, but somehow you end up defending three other things that weren’t even part of the original issue. The topic shifts, the tone changes, and before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop.
In this episode, Brett breaks down why some people constantly derail conversations—whether by changing the subject, twisting words, or
E402 | The Benefits of Being the Bad Guy: Boundaries, Expectations, and Protecting Your Time
At some point, every one of us becomes “the bad guy” — the person who says no, sets a line in the sand, or disappoints someone who wanted a little too much. And truthfully? That’s a good thing.
In this episode, Brett breaks down why being willing to let people down is essential if you want to keep your sanity, your focus, and your self-respect. Because saying yes to everything doesn’t make you a b
E401 | Most Listened To E299 | How to Quit Being a People Pleaser
People pleasing - we’ve all seen it before (whether we recognized it or not) - constantly being agreeable, always saying yes, never setting any boundaries - all to the point of self-destruction. If you haven’t experienced it yourself, it’s likely you’ve witnessed someone else demonstrate these behaviors.
And although it may have short-term benefits, we know that these self-destructive tendenci
E400 | The Lost Art of Reaching Out and Rebuilding Genuine Connections
We all get busy. Work piles up, routines take over, and before you know it, years have gone by since you last checked in with people who actually mattered to you. This episode is a reminder — and a bit of a kick in the ass — that it doesn’t take much to change that.
You don’t need a reason, a holiday, or the “right time.” Just reach out. Call someone you haven’t talked to in five or ten years.
E399 | How to Ethically Persuade People Without Pressure, Tricks or Gimmicks
Logic rarely wins people over — emotion does.
In this episode, Brett breaks down the timeless principles of persuasion through the lens of a real NIL recruiting scenario, showing why even great offers fall flat when they don’t connect to what truly drives human decision-making.
You’ll learn how to see through the surface — beyond talking points, incentives, or facts — and understand the emotio
E398 | Holding Yourself Accountable & Auditing Your Comfort Zone
Everyone talks about “stepping out of your comfort zone,” but few actually do it.
In this episode, Brett breaks down one of the biggest lies in modern leadership and personal development — the illusion that we’re pushing ourselves when in reality, we’re just circling around what we already know.
We love to say we’re doing “hard things” — grinding through workouts, taking on new projects, loggi
E397 | David Clancy | Pivoting in Your Career, Filtering Your Passions & Building Relationships
David Clancy is a world-class sports physio and author who’s taken more than a few sharp turns in his career. He’s had to face the same questions many of us wrestle with: Do I stay in the safe lane or risk starting over? How do I manage different passions without spreading myself too thin? What do I do with that voice in my head telling me I don’t belong?
In this episode, David and I dig into
E396 | How to Stand Out in a World Addicted to Superficial Content and Noise
Most of what you see online right now isn’t designed to help you grow. It’s designed to keep you nodding, scrolling, and agreeing.
Viral soundbites, 30-second reels, celebrities chasing trends—it’s all part of a system that rewards superficiality over substance. And if you’re someone putting real effort into your work, it can feel like you’re shouting into the void while the BS racks up likes
E395 | Keith Ferrazzi | Building Better Teams, Generosity and Adapting to an AI World
In this episode, I sit down with Keith Ferrazzi — author, speaker, and one of the most recognized voices on leadership and collaboration.
We dig into the future of “teamship,” the traps of popular leadership clichés, and why generosity isn’t just a feel-good concept but a competitive advantage.
We also talk about the new era of AI, how leaders can navigate it with strategy and authenticity, an
E394 | Dr. Nick Holton & Dr. Adam Wright | Anti-Fragility: Thriving Amidst Unpleasantness
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Adam Wright and Dr. Nick Holton for a wide-ranging conversation on anti-fragility—the ability not just to endure difficulty, but to grow stronger because of it.
We go beyond the philosophical jargon and buzzwords and get into what anti-fragility actually looks like in real life, whether you’re leading athletes, running an organization, or just trying to manag
E393 | Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and How to Stop Playing Small
We’ve all met somebody—and been there ourselves—where no matter how much success you’ve had, you still feel like you’re about to get found out. Like it’s not enough. Like eventually the mask slips.
This episode gets to the core of that feeling, builds off our previous episode on imposter phenomenon, and most importantly gives you tools to get out of your own head so you can quit playing small. T
E392 | B-Side: How to Survive Conversations with People Who Don't Shut Up
We’ve all been stuck in conversations that feel like hostage situations. This isn’t about passionate people with good stories — it’s about the chronic monologuers, the one-uppers, and the human foghorns who think “conversation” means “your turn to listen to me, and now your soul is mine.”
In this episode, you’ll get five tactical ways to keep your sanity, stay engaged enough to be polite, and may
E391 | Why Sometimes Feeling Like Shit Means You're Perfectly Fine
There’s a lot of noise out there telling you that if you’re not jumping out of bed every morning with boundless energy, something’s wrong with you.
That’s false. Low-energy days aren’t proof you’re broken — they’re part of being human.
In this episode, we’ll talk about why those days happen, how to stop shaming yourself for them, and simple, low-effort ways to make the day suck less without pret
E390 | Subtle Strategies that Make You More Persuasive
When most people think about persuasion, they go straight to education (“if they just understood, they’d agree”), inspiration (“let me tell you an inspiring story”), or force (“do this now”).
But there’s a big difference between persuasion, influence, power, and warmth — and understanding that difference can change how you get things done.
This episode, inspired by a fable I read to my son, brea
E389 | The Truth About Narcissism: 4 Types You Need to Know (and How to Navigate Them)
These days, it feels like everyone is calling someone a narcissist.
Ex-partner? Narcissist. Difficult boss? Narcissist. Confident stranger on Instagram? Must be a narcissist.
The term has been thrown around so loosely that it’s lost its meaning—and worse, it’s become a lazy way to avoid reflection or real understanding.
In this episode, we cut through the noise and get to the core of what narcissi
E388 | How to Deal with Haters
Have you ever gotten a negative review on something you've made or your business?
Received a one-star rating?
Dared to venture into the comment section—or worse—overheard someone trashing your work?
It’s a law of the universe: haters are inevitable the moment you take a stance, make yourself visible, or grow in ways that challenge others' comfort or self image.
In reality, most hate isn’t really a
E387 | How to Deal with Defensive People Who Project
Wait... when did this become my fault?
Why do I feel like I’m being indicted?
That’s not at all what I meant when I said that.
I have no idea how we got to the point where I’m the one feeling guilty.
We’ve all been in this situation before. You thought you were having an honest conversation—but somehow, things flipped. Now it’s uncomfortable.
You must have said something that offended them… righ
E386 | What to Do If You Want to Change Careers But Feel Stuck, Unsure, or Scared
It can be one of the most frustrating things in the world.
That discontent and confusion about your professional life and where it’s headed.
The feeling that keeps you up at night, scrolling job postings, revisiting all the “what if’s” from your past, and daydreaming about a complete 180 you’ve always thought about, but never acted on.
Staying in this mental space doesn’t just drain your energy, i
E385 | Tips for Saying What Matters Before It's Too Late
Nothing will haunt you like the things you leave unsaid.
It’s a bold statement, and a chilling one—but unfortunately, most of us know exactly how true it is.
You owe it to them and to yourself to speak the truth about what they mean to you. No matter the regrettable things you’ve said or done to each other... the failures, the absences, the apologies never given, or the love you didn’t express—it
E384 | 21 Questions I've Never Answered Before on Training, Dating, Leadership and Life
E383 | B-Side: When a Good Old-Fashioned Ass-Chewing is the Right Call
Think about the last time you dealt with someone you were trying really hard to be professional with.
Despite multiple miscommunications on their part — and what was clearly laziness, apathy, and them mailing it in — you kept trying to be the adult.
You kept overcompensating for their lack of effort.
You kept telling yourself, “Hold yourself to a higher standard.”
But it’s still getting you nowh
E382 | Why "How Can I Help?" Isn't Always Helpful and What to Do Instead
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
It’s interesting and unique how we’ve all been asked this question by a spouse, friend, co-worker, or boss—but it never feels like that question leads to you getting actual help. It often feels like answering that question will cause you even more issues.
But, people are asking it with good intentions, so how can we actually seize this moment and get some rel
E381 | An Unapologetic Call-Out to Those Who Claim to Want to Be the Best at What They Do
This isn’t personal, but it’s been a long time coming.
This episode is aimed directly at the legacy industries of Art of Coaching, Strength and Conditioning, and let’s throw overall fitness in there too. If you work in high performance, physical therapy included, you’re included.
We know everyone deals with some version of this, but we’re speaking to the world we know best. The message?
Most of y
E380 | What to Do When Clients Get Too Dependent
Ever feel like you're coaching on repeat?
You've handed a client every tool they need, yet they keep circling back with the same issue.
Or maybe you're working with an athlete who hears everything you say, but nothing seems to land. It’s as if they’re outsourcing ownership of the entire process.
It can start to feel like a rehearsed dance. You say your part, they nod along, and both of you move
E379 | Dealing with Checked-Out Youth Coaches
Coaching youth sports can be one of the most rewarding things you can do, whether you're a parent, a former athlete, or someone who just wants to make a difference. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect with people in a way that can genuinely shape who they become.
Youth sports span the full range—from high-priced, high-stakes travel leagues to your local rec department. From paid coaches with
E378 | How to Silence Your Inner Critic and Give Yourself More Credit
This episode is for a very specific type of person.
Those of you who are hard on yourself, and if you're being honest, it's to an unhealthy degree. The perfectionist who struggles to recognize their own accomplishments, who tears themselves apart over minor slip-ups, and maybe even finds it hard to fully celebrate the wins of others. Not because of jealousy, but because the voice in your head has
E377 | Why You're Drained as a Leader (and What to Do About It)
Why can't someone else step up and do this?
How come I'm always the one who has to do everything?
What more do I have to do before someone finally takes some initiative?
If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions—or just quietly felt them—you’re not alone. That heavy sense of responsibility, the emotional and cultural weight of having to carry your team day after day, will wear you down. And if
E376 | Tips If You Feel Stuck at Your Job and Need a Way Forward
Everything is okay at work, but… yeah, work is fine—I just don’t know what I’m going to do.
We’ve all felt like that at some point in our careers. Maybe you’re in that place right now. Call it a rut, stagnation, or just a funk. You’re motivated. You’re grateful. But you also want more. More fulfillment, more autonomy, maybe even a title change and a bigger office. You want to feel like your streng
E375 | Uneven Effort in Relationships & Why Dating is a Gong Show
We’ve all felt it. That awkward disconnect when the vibe is off and you're wondering how you ended up across the table from someone who just isn’t where you are. Maybe you’re in different stages of life, chasing different things, or just not clear on what the other actually wants. Whatever the reason, the moment hits: this isn’t it.
It’s not easy to find someone emotionally mature enough to show u
E374 | How to Get Through to Incredibly Stubborn People
We’ve all been hit by it.
It seemingly comes out of nowhere—a misunderstanding or argument we never saw coming. One moment you’re having a discussion, the next you're blindsided by resistance, vitriol, or passive-aggressive blowback. Where did it come from? Why did something small suddenly feel so personal?
Here’s the truth: it’s rarely about the thing—it’s about what the thing represents. Control
E373 | Hiring Tips Part 3: Compensation & Pay Structures
Why is talking about money so hard?
An even better question might be: why do so many job postings treat compensation like a state secret—vague, unclear, or completely absent?
The truth is, people want to know they’ll be respected and valued. If you leave them guessing, they’ll start looking elsewhere.
In Part 1 of this hiring series, we covered how to attract the right candidates. In Part 2, we
E372 | Hiring Tips Part 2: Asking the Right Interview Questions
Most interviews miss the mark.
Predictable questions. Rehearsed answers. And when it’s over, you still haven’t figured out who the person really is.
In Part 1 of this series, we covered what matters most when it comes to attracting the right candidates. Today is about what happens next. How do you actually assess whether someone can solve the real problems you are hiring them to tackle or if they’
Hiring Tips Part 1: How to Attract the Right People
Hiring the right people doesn’t start with the interview — it starts with the job posting.
In this first episode of our hiring series, we tackle a question we hear all the time from mentoring clients: How do I find better candidates?
Whether you’re a business owner, a team leader involved in hiring, or even someone applying for jobs, this one’s for you.
We break down a simple but effective framew
E370 | How to Hash It Out and Get Rid of Drama
You feel it, right? That tension thick enough to slice, the elephant in the room no one dares mention. But sooner or later, it has to be dealt with.
Most people think resolving conflict demands complex processes. In reality, the solution usually boils down to simply hashing it out. Yet, when friction arises, we often overcomplicate things or avoid them altogether, escalating drama.
It's time to st
E369 | How to Change the Culture of an Organization Pt. 1
You hear about it all the time. A team goes from the bottom of the league to championship contenders. A failing company suddenly becomes the industry gold standard.
The media calls it a “culture shift,” but let’s be real, culture doesn’t change overnight. It erodes over time when bad habits go unchecked, just like it improves through intentional action. The problem? Most people don’t have the sto
E368 | How to Stand Out as a Speaker: The Details Everyone Misses
Most people focus on the big moments when preparing for a speech, but true professionals know it’s the small, overlooked details that make all the difference.
In this episode, Brett answers one of the most common questions he gets: “What’s your process for preparing to give a keynote or in-service?”
Pulling from hard-earned experience over the past decade, he walks through the non-negotiables an
E367 | How Busy People Can Best Use AI to Enhance Their Thinking, Not Replace It
In a world where AI is becoming part of everything we do, the big question isn’t if you should use it—it’s how you should use it. Are you using AI to sharpen your thinking and free up mental bandwidth? Or is it slowly making you more dependent, less strategic, and mentally lazy without you realizing it?
In this episode, I break down:
✅ How high performers and busy people use AI to enhance their th
E366 | How to Be Better at Code Switching
We all wear different hats throughout the day. One minute, you’re locked in at work, making quick decisions under pressure. Next, you’re at home, where that same intensity doesn’t fly. Maybe you’re presenting to a boardroom in the morning and coaching your kid’s team in the evening. Each situation demands a different approach. If you don’t adjust, you misfire.
The ability to shift gears seamlessly
E365 | How to Get Things Done When Progress Feels Impossible
You can’t make this stuff up.
Every time you finally sit down to tackle the project you know needs to get done, something gets in the way. You get sick. A family member needs help. You lose your job or suffer a major professional setback. And let’s be honest, sometimes the biggest obstacle…is you. The crazier or more unpredictable the distraction, the more likely it seems to happen.
So how do we
E364 | In Case You Missed It E259: Understanding and Overcoming Perfectionism
DONE. You’ve finally finished the big project you’ve been agonizing over.
But as you prepare to hit send, print, submit - whatever - all you feel is doubt. Despite the preparation and time you’ve put in, you can’t help but think about all the ways this “finished product” isn’t good enough.
This is just one example of how perfectionism can manifest in our day-to-day lives; how it can hold us back,
E363 | How to Guide Someone Who's Stuck Or Languishing
We’ve all been there. Stuck, unmotivated, and unsure of what to do or where to go next. And just as we’ve struggled, we’ve also had to help others who can’t seem to move forward. Whether you’re a leader, manager, mentor, or just someone who wants to be more effective in tough conversations, knowing how to cut through resistance is a critical skill.
People don’t just fear failure, they fear success
E362 | MOST SHARED E299: How to Quit Being a People Pleaser
This week, we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes, and a topic people continue to ask us about.
People pleasing. We’ve all seen it before (whether we recognized it or not) - constantly being agreeable, always saying yes, never setting any boundaries - all to the point of self-destruction. If you haven’t experienced it yourself, it’s likely you’ve witnessed someone else demonstrate the
E361 | Tips for De-Escalating a Heated Conflict
We’ve all been there, and watched it happen from afar.
Something happens, and the temperature starts to rise. Tempers flare, and the situation becomes heated. These moments can reveal sides of us we’re not particularly proud of.
How should we respond when life gets tense and others lack empathy or communicate in passive-aggressive ways? What actions can we take to navigate these difficult interac
E360 | The Key to Making Progress and Staying Consistent When Life is Hectic
Have you ever heard the phrase, "no plan survives first contact," or, "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"?
These sayings might sound dramatic, but let’s be honest, they ring true. Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us, especially when we’re chasing our biggest, scariest goals.
When that happens, we’re often quick to rationalize, intellectualize, or make excuses for why
Recommended
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Stand In The Circle
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
English Vocabulary Help
Bad Friends
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Deadline: White House
این نقطه
Solved Murders - True Crime Stories
