What if the key to better decisions, stronger relationships, and real leadership… isn’t having the right answers, but asking better questions? In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Abigail Doust—coach, trainer, speaker, and lifelong student of communication—to unpack the underrated power of listening, how to navigate hard conversations, and why most people are asking the wrong questions in business and in life. From her background in theater and pastoral care to coaching high-performin...
Jul 02, 2025•56 min
What does a 500-mile trek through Spain, a rain-soaked trail in Scotland, and a solo summit in Colorado have to do with building a meaningful life or business? In this episode, we share the unexpected lessons learned from long-distance hikes, Ironman races, and conversations on the trail — and how they mirror the journey of entrepreneurship, leadership, and self-discovery. From the spiritual silence of the Camino de Santiago to the muddy mess of the West Highland Way, this isn’t just a story abo...
Jun 23, 2025•42 min
Are your business decisions driven by instinct, or by strategy? How often do you actually stop to tell the difference? Matthew Confer, the mind behind decision-making simulations used by leading companies, reveals why your gut might betray you, what most leaders get wrong under pressure, and how to sharpen your instincts for critical decisions. KEY TOPICS The bold move leaders can make to avoid catastrophic mistakes before they happen. Why seeking consensus isn’t the best leadership strategy—and...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr
What if the real reason your team can’t get along... is you? In this mind-shifting episode, international best-selling author and human behavior expert Thomas Erikson (yes, the guy behind Surrounded by Idiots ) joins Decidedly to decode how understanding personality types can transform your business, relationships, and leadership style. Using the DISC model—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—Thomas explains why some people drive you crazy, how to stop sabotaging your own leadership, and what it really...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 4 min
What if the most important medical information was hiding in plain sight? In this eye-opening replay of Ep. 166, we sit down with Alexandra, the powerhouse behind @justtheinserts, to uncover what pharmaceutical companies and government agencies actually disclose—if you know where to look. From vaccine inserts and adverse reaction data to the legal loopholes that protect drug manufacturers, this conversation digs deep into the fine print most patients never read. Whether you’re a parent making de...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, stuck in the same place despite your efforts? In this episode, hosts Shawn and Sanger delve into the practical strategies to help you break free from life's ruts and reignite your momentum. Drawing from their extensive experience in decision-making and personal development, they introduce the "5 Levers of Change": Systems, Goals, Habits, Relationships, and Beliefs. Through insightful discussions and real-life examples, you'll discover how to identify w...
May 29, 2025•50 min
What’s the real point of your business — and your life? In this mind-opening conversation, scholar and cultural commentator Spencer Klavan joins host Sanger Smith to explore one of the most overlooked foundations in entrepreneurship: God . Spencer, associate editor of the Claremont Review of Books and host of Young Heretics , draws from ancient philosophy, Western civilization, and his own theological lens to examine what happens when faith, science, and leadership intersect . Whether you’re lea...
May 21, 2025•1 hr
What makes a customer feel like they matter? In this powerhouse conversation, bestselling author and world-renowned customer experience consultant Dr. Joseph Michelli joins us to unpack the magic behind some of the most beloved brands in the world — from Ritz Carlton and Starbucks to Zappos, Mercedes-Benz, and more. Whether you're a business owner, team leader, or someone obsessed with elevating your client journey — this episode is your blueprint. This conversation isn’t just about customer ser...
May 14, 2025•58 min
In this episode of the Decidedly podcast, hosts Sanger Smith and Shawn Smith engage in a lively discussion with guest Whitney Uland, a multifaceted entrepreneur, filmmaker, and expert in intentional living. Whitney shares her insights on harnessing 'celebrity energy' to empower entrepreneurs to build successful personal brands. Through her unique perspective, Whitney explores the psychological barriers holding people back from achieving fame and how to overcome them. The conversation dives deep ...
May 07, 2025•56 min
What would happen if you did a gratitude practice before opening each meeting? Are mindfulness practices a fluffy waste of time? Michael O’Brien suffered a personal tragedy that caused him to reset how he thinks about his beliefs, and how he utilizes his energy in daily life. Today, he shares the power of recognizing that everything in life is neutral until we label it…and how the labels we choose shape our perceptions. KEY TOPICS - Why leaders struggle to celebrate their wins (and what to do ab...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 8 min
What happens when you stop playing by the rules and start asking better questions? Where’s the line between healthy dissent and chaos — and why do the best leaders welcome a little pushback? Psychologist and researcher Dr. Todd Kashdan joins us to make the case for principled insubordination — and why compliance culture kills innovation. We’re breaking down how to lead curious teams, challenge bad ideas without blowing things up, and create the kind of environment where the smartest voices aren’...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Have you wondered if the education system is actually preparing the next generation to lead? Do you question whether *real* learning happens within the confines of a classroom? What if the very foundation of how we’ve been taught to think is broken? Matt Beaudreau is on a mission to rebuild the way we raise young people into impactful adults. Through his educational program, Apogee Strong, he’s empowering young people to break free from the limits of the traditional school system and become true...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 161
What do you do with fear that isn’t going away? Akshay Nanavati has walked ahead of Humvees looking for bombs in Iraq, dragged a 400-pound sled across Antarctica, and spent ten days in complete darkness—all in pursuit of one thing: a better relationship with fear. In this episode, heand Sanger talk about the difference between fear and danger, how most of us distract ourselves to avoid stillness, and why “good vibes only” is bad advice. They get into survivors’ guilt, the psychology of endurance...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 184
Is it possible to become the man you never had as a role model? Ryan Michler didn’t grow up with a blueprint for manhood—but that didn’t stop him from building one. He and Sanger talk about why so many men feel aimless and how stepping up—not faking it—is the way out. They talk about the appeal of distractions like sports and alcohol, the discomfort of starting from zero, and the kind of fulfillment that comes from actually doing hard things. KEY TOPICS Why men substitute purpose with stats, scr...
Apr 02, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 183
How much of your time is actually yours? Jamie Hopkins is back, and we’re breaking down what it takes to run a company without letting it run your life. He cuthis travel by 90%, began coaching his kids’ sports teams, and took on a bigger leadership role in business—all by making one critical decision. We’re also talking about the kind of curiosity that makes or breaks leaders, how most CEOs sabotage themselves, andhow the best ones build teams that don’t fall apart without them. KEY TOPICS What ...
Mar 19, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 181
Building a brand is about more than having a great product—it’s about getting people to believe in it. Brian Smith, founder of UGG, knows this firsthand. What started as a niche surf product exploded into a globalphenomenon, but the real challenges came with scaling, staying ahead of competitors, and making the tough call to sell. In this episode, Brian shares the behind-the-scenes realities of growing a brand, navigating financial hurdles, and adapting to industry shifts. He unpacks the unexpec...
Mar 12, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 180
Everyone preaches discipline as the key to getting more done—but what if it’s actually slowing you down? Craig Ballantyne coaches top entrepreneurs,and he argues that discipline alone won’t make you or your business productive. In this episode, we’re breaking down why most business owners waste time on the wrong things, and how to structure your day for real progress. If you’re working all day but still feel behind, this conversation will shift the way you think about productivity and discipline...
Mar 05, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 179
Confidence is essential in business, but unchecked overconfidence? That’s where things fall apart. Don Moore, a leading expert on decision science, breaks down why most people—especially successful ones—tend to be too sure of themselves in areas they know little about. We dig into why business owners struggle to evaluate risk, why past wins can make you blind to future mistakes, and how probabilistic thinking can keep you from making overconfident (and expensive) decisions. KEY TOPICS How the su...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 178
How do you know if you’re being persistent or simply wasting your time? Dr. Art Markman joins us to break down how our brains process disappointment, why we misjudge sunk costs, and how different personality types handle setbacks. Whether it’s a business decision, a personal goal, or even a high school football career you should’ve walked away from sooner, this conversation will help you fine-tune your ability to know when to keep going—and when to move on. KEY TOPICS Why the “never quit” mindse...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 177
Why do we justify bad decisions—even when we know better? From business to parenting to the worst excuses people use to defend bad habits, this episode breaks down why we rationalize dumb decisions. They get into why work-from-home isn’t always the dream people claim, the myth of “Fed is Best” among new parents, and why bad customer service is usually due to bad leadership. KEY TOPICS Work-from-home reality check: is it better, or have we convinced ourselves? Why McDonald’s salads were a terribl...
Feb 12, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 176
What makes something worth remembering? Sanger and Shawn break down why grit and a little discomfort create the most memorable experiences, whether it's backpacking or making even the most boring sports fun. If you’ve ever wondered why some moments stick with you and others fade away, this episode will change how you approach decision-making, adventures, and how you play. KEY TOPICS How over-planning ruins adventure (and why Sanger hates your itinerary.) The first podcast idea that never made it...
Feb 05, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 175
What happens when poor training leads to high-stakes mistakes? Adam Haidary went from patrolling the streets to reshaping law enforcement—training officers to perform at their peak, saving lives with groundbreaking programs, and exposing the raw realities of life on the frontlines. In this episode, he dives into why poor training in high-stress environments can lead to catastrophic decisions. Whether it's law enforcement or business, the principles of preparation, clear communication, and solid ...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 174
What all goes into a 7-year, 28,000-mile walk around the world? Why would someone take on such a huge adventure in the first place? What about when you get lost, lonely, or lack the drive to keep going? Tom Turcich, the 10th person to walk around the world, shares his experience of being immersed in unknown places, forced into adventure, and coming to better understand the world and himself. KEY TOPICS How to decide what to do when you want to do it all. What to do when your resiliency tank runs...
Jan 22, 2025•54 min•Ep. 146
What if the real health hacks aren’t from the latest influencer or supplement, but from our ancestors? Could the answers lie in the simple habits we’ve forgotten? In this replay of Ep.131, Hilda Labrada Gore, host of The Wise Traditions Podcast, shares six ancestral health practices that go beyond the noise of modern wellness trends. From sunlight to sleep to cold exposure, Hilda shares simple, effective tips that tap into ancient wisdom—no gimmicks or fads involved. KEY TOPICS The truth about c...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Think body language is just about crossed arms and forced smiles? Think again. After years spent catching spies and decoding body language, Joe Navarro reveals how the smallest cues can uncover the biggest truths. From subtle tells that exposed Soviet operatives to pinpointing the hidden leader in any room, Joe offers a masterclass in seeing what others miss. If you’ve ever underestimated the power of nonverbal cues—or the cost of ignoring them—this episode will make you rethink everything you s...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 173
Why do New Year’s resolutions fail so often? Maybe it’s because they’re designed to. In this episode, Sanger and Shawn tear into the traditional approach to resolutions and explain why they’re usually a waste of time. Instead, they break down a no-nonsense way to set goals that actually reflect what matters most. If you’re tired of empty promises and quick fixes, this conversation is a fresh take on starting the year with real purpose. KEY TOPICS Why traditional New Year’s resolutions are a setu...
Jan 01, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 172
What happens when family dynamics intersect with business strategy? David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, shares the highs and hurdles of taking the reins in a family business. With roots in his grandfather’s Wonderlic Test and his mother’s Kolbe Index, David explains how understanding instincts and strengths has shaped his leadership, his family relationships, and the way he keeps fresh ideas flowing. KEY TOPICS What happens when your boss is also your parent (or you’re the parent). The real impact o...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 171
Are your business decisions driven by instinct, or by strategy? How often do you actually stop to tell the difference? Matthew Confer, the mind behind decision-making simulations used by leading companies, reveals why your gut might betray you, what most leaders get wrong under pressure, and how to sharpen your instincts for critical decisions. KEY TOPICS The bold move leaders can make to avoid catastrophic mistakes before they happen. Why seeking consensus isn’t the best leadership strategy—and...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 170
What drives someone to leave behind a career in the UFC to serve the world's most forgotten people? In this episode, we sit down with Justin Wren, a former professional MMA fighter who traded his career in the cage for a mission with real impact. Justin shares his journey from a bullied child to UFC fighter, and eventually to his work with the Pygmy people of Africa through Fight for the Forgotten. We talk about the challenges he's faced—both in and out of the ring—and the decisions that led him...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 169
Have you ever felt like life’s become a little too predictable? Maybe you’re wondering if there’s more to see, more to learn—if you could just get a fresh perspective. Eric Weiner has explored the world as a Peabody-winning journalist, lived in the chaos and beauty of New Delhi, and uncovered the secrets of happiness in the most fascinating places on Earth. In this episode, he shares what he’s learned from decades of travel, curiosity, and meaningful exploration. KEY TOPICS Why routine can blind...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 168
