My Newest Book and a Surprise OpportunityOn this week’s episode, I talk about the release of The Seven Decisions and how you can win a Kamado Joe grill.We did an episode a few weeks ago on the Kamado Joe, and ended with saying that we wanted to have a Kamado Joe giveaway. Well, we have done it. Anyone who pre-orders The Seven Decisions and sends us their receipt will be entered in a drawing for their very own Joe in either black or brick red. • You can be entered in the contest as many times as ...
Apr 05, 2014•22 min
On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question: "What should a new writer focus on the most?" The one most important thing to focus on is writing. You would not believe how many people I talk to who are “waiting to be inspired.” Their short answer is, “No, I am not writing.” Only the process of doing it gets it done. I hear terribly incomplete advice given to writers. Write what you’re interested in, but keep seeking more information. It will get you excited when you find what you don’t kn...
Mar 29, 2014•31 min
The Toughest Mental Obstacle I’ve Faced On this week’s episode, I answer a listener question about the toughest mental obstacle I had to cross after overcoming homelessness. Has there been any point when I felt like hiding under the pier again? I occasionally feel like crawling back under the pier. I say that jokingly, but I really am very aware of where I am when I walk on that pier. Living under the pier was undoubtedly the worst time in my life, but without that perspective I don’t think I wo...
Mar 22, 2014•22 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about my passion for cooking outdoors, reveal my secret recipe for the best grilled vegetables ever, and discuss why I like to put things that I actually use into the stories in my books. I am kind of a foodie. I enjoy making and eating great food. I don’t know if it’s just a southern thing, but we seem to devise events around food. I really like cooking outside. I’m a grill guy, and I love the charcoal taste. I come from a long line of “grill people.” My dad thoug...
Mar 15, 2014•27 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about how you can win tickets to see me (along with many other awesome speakers) speak at Dave Ramsey’s SMART Conference! This is going to be an amazing event at the Verizon Theatre in Dallas, TX—with speakers: Dave Ramsey Rachel Cruze Dr. Henry Cloud Dr. Emerson Eggerichs Joy Eggerichs Dr. Meg Meeker Andy Andrews People forget that Dave had to learn his financial stance as an adult after battling bankruptcy. His daughter, Rachel, grew up watching the changes happe...
Mar 08, 2014•24 min
On this week’s episode, I talk about the new “anger management”—conflict resolution. When I hear the term still used, I always think, “Anger management? Why would you want to manage something like that and not get rid of it?” You can defuse a conflict, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. If the underlying causes of a conflict are not dealt with, there really is no resolution. Society believes two things about change. You must have a deep desire to change. You have to be at rock bottom. However, I b...
Mar 01, 2014•21 min
A Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Writing Process On this week’s episode, I discuss my creative process for writing even in the midst of rejection. The greatest book ever written is in somebody’s drawer somewhere. They put it out there, it got turned down a few times, and they decided to put it away. Gone With the Wind was rejected 34 times. Part of my creative process is to do battle with myself quickly. I try not to let wondering if something is working drag me downhill. Publishers told me The T...
Feb 22, 2014•23 min
On this week’s episode, I answer listener questions about time-travel and my switch from comedy to whatever it is that I do now. Would you rather go into the future to meet your great grandchildren, or travel backward and meet your great grandparents? If I went into the future to meet my great grandchildren, I wouldn’t learn anything from them that will change my life and in turn allow me to change their lives. The best I could do is try to convince them to do something or not do something. If I...
Feb 15, 2014•26 min
On this week’s episode, I give my two cents on some of my favorite responses to our previous listener question: “If you could have a five-minute phone call with your 18-year-old self, what would you tell yourself to be aware of?” From our listener… "Just pick up the phone and make the needed phone call. Just do it. Returning needed phone calls, or calling to confirm, cancel or postpone appointments is part of the process of becoming a responsible, dependable person. Don't shut the door on yourse...
Feb 08, 2014•31 min
On this week’s episode, we have comedian and good friend Jeff Allen on the show to have some laughs and answer a few questions. Jeff is one of my great buddies and, to me, is one of the funniest working stand-up comedians today. One of my favorite bits of his is the Three-Word Vocabulary It’s the signature piece of trying to argue with a 16-year-old. Pfffff, Khhhhk, and Whatever. “Whatever” comes in different frequencies, but one of them affects my nerves. My son Austin is getting close to getti...
Feb 01, 2014•27 min
On this week’s episode, we answer a fun question from a listener: Would you rather win the lottery or live twice as long? As history has shown us, winning the lottery can be life changing…but not always in a great way. • This is something I think we all have fantasized about. • I think we all have a purpose and I’ve asked myself the question… • Would I continue to write if I didn’t have the pressure? How many times in my life am I not aware of what is going to happen next week? • You can sometim...
Jan 25, 2014•20 min
On this week’s episode, Andy discusses a listener question: I’m making an effort in positive personal development, but my spouse is not ready to do the same. What do you do until they’re ready, or how do I continue to nudge them in the right direction without being “pushy” or making them feel inferior? This is a huge source of confusion is marriages. We all grow at different… • Rates • Times • Areas Confidence or Arrogance? • Don’t brag about the improvements that you are making. • It is hard fo...
Jan 18, 2014•30 min
What is it about you that other people would change if they could? I’m not saying we should live our lives according to other people. What I am saying is if you look at your life, business, family, and want people to believe what you believe, it really helps if they like you a little bit. What if 25% of people were not comfortable with swearing? If you’re a business person, would you be okay with having 25% less business just because of the way you talk? I had a friend who wanted to quit cursing...
Jan 11, 2014•24 min
On this week's episode, I talk about the surprising benefits of spending time alone. Why is it important to spend time alone? • Spending time alone is the best way to concentrate my thoughts. • It’s a good way to stimulate creativity. • If I can wake up before my family and refrain from checking email, my phone, or turning on the news, I can have amazing results. This isn’t so much about being alone as it is about spending time with my boys, but while driving the boys to school, I reach my hand ...
Jan 04, 2014•20 min
On this week’s episode, I address the difference between being decisive and impulsive. More people fail at what they attempt because of an undecided heart than any other reason. They’ll talk to their friends. Then talk to their family. Finally, they’ll make a decision. Then they’ll ask if they should have waited longer to make a decision. Then they’ll take the decision back. Life then becomes an ongoing analysis. The question you need to ask yourself before making a decision is…Is this a wise th...
Dec 21, 2013•27 min
On this week’s episode, I give the inside scoop on my short story Socks for Christmas and also do a live reading of the entire book. In this reading of Socks for Christmas, you will hear a childhood story about how the gift of socks is one of the greatest reminders I have for being grateful. I love talking about the inside scoop on some of these books, and to see the way that people use these stories to help others. In the picture below, Jan Burch in Key West, FL, organized a Sock Drive with her...
Dec 14, 2013•23 min
On this week’s episode, I explain what a personal board of directors is, and how you can create one for your life and/or business without spending a dime. I realized that most major companies and great speakers had a group of people that keeps them on track. I thought to myself, why can’t I have a board of directors? • My first answer was because I didn’t have any money • However, you don’t have to pay someone to be on your board of directors…if they don’t know they’re on it! I want to find peop...
Dec 07, 2013•30 min
On this week's episode, Andy announces a new host for In The Loop , and the events leading to the publishing of The Butterfly Effect . Be sure to visit check out Andy Traub's latest eBook The Early to Rise Experience and visit AndyTraub.com for more information. In the middle of the night during a hurricane, Andy received a phone call from General Foglesong in Afghanistan. He wanted Andy to find proof that every life matters and could make a difference to the world. The Air Force's suicide rate ...
Jun 15, 2013•22 min
On this week's episode, Andy discusses his passion for cooking and the steps to make his most famous dish. When did Andy start cooking? He started with breakfast foods at an early age, moving from toast to eggs and bacon. Was Polly skeptical about Andy being a good cook? She was delighted because chicken and rice was the only thing she knew how to make. Since then, Andy and Polly have worked together, and they both help prepare dishes. Why does Andy like cooking so much? He loves to eat! What do...
Jun 07, 2013•23 min
On this week’s episode, Andy answers a listener question about the best way to communicate with teenagers. Listener question: • When my daughter was 12, her three best friends moved away. Around that same time, another friend decided to tell her everything people didn’t like about her. We’ve been trying for the past three years to empower her again. She is now at a new school, but can’t seem to break out of the “new girl” frame of mind. What do we do as parents to break her out of this rut? The ...
Jun 01, 2013•28 min
On this week’s episode, Andy answers listener questions on transitioning out of a corporate job, gaining wisdom, and overcoming fears about things you can’t control. Listener Question #1: Which stories and biographies have had the greatest impact on you, and how do you read these stories in a way that allows you to gather wisdom from them? If you want to know what books have had a huge effect on Andy, look at what he has written. For example, the historical figures in The Traveler’s Gift were al...
May 25, 2013•26 min
On this week’s episode, Andy explains why you must change your beliefs about yourself (and how to do so) if you want to achieve better results in your life. Opportunities are drawn to people in motion. One of the first things Suzanne did was to seek counsel. She sought it from sources that she trusted instead of just asking everyone. She determined the steps that needed to be taken, and then she took those steps. When seeking counsel, it’s important not to ask everyone. You must seek wisdom from...
May 11, 2013•17 min
On this week’s episode, Andy discusses why he feels that he has finally “arrived” in the field of professional coaching. Andy is now the official Mental Coach of…the Orange Beach Sharks. • This is his son’s 13-14-year-old baseball team. • He talks to the team before every practice and game. At the beginning of the season, he talked about umpires with the team. • The first thing they needed to know about umpires is that they’re kind of like TSA at the airport. You will not win an argument with th...
May 04, 2013•17 min
On this week’s episode, Andy tackles the listener question…is college necessary? Casey wants to become a speaker and asked if it’s possible to do so without going to college. You have to figure out what value you bring to other people. What can you bring to the table that will change someone’s life? You have to go beyond simple “You Can Do It” speaking. Encouragement is good, but it takes more than that to create lasting value. There is a huge resistance in corporate America to motivational spea...
Apr 27, 2013•21 min
On this week’s episode, Andy answers two listener questions about preparing for life transitions. Donna celebrated her 70th birthday shortly after hearing Andy speak about how to prepare for the next crisis in our lives. The next day, she went zip lining and got caught in the middle of one of the zip lines. Now in a crisis, she did not panic and calmly waited for the crew to come get her. Life can be lived like a second baseman. You don’t know what’s going to happen from one play to the next. Bu...
Apr 20, 2013•17 min
On this week’s episode, Andy talks about how to make your family your number one priority…and keep it that way. If you want to maintain a good balance between work and your life that enables you to spend more time with your family, you must start with priorities. If you say your family is your number one priority, you have to step back, observe your actions, and then determine if your actions match your words. It’s easy to “think past” certain aspects of your life that you think are certain and ...
Apr 13, 2013•25 min
On this week’s episode, Andy talks about his family’s favorite show on TV, and why it could be a great thing for YOUR family to watch. Duck Dynasty has become the Andrews family’s new favorite TV show. It’s like a modern-day version of The Waltons . They end every show with the entire family around the dinner table saying a prayer together. It’s a great show about family and business values. The people on the show offer great examples for mothers and fathers. They are also a great example of cre...
Apr 06, 2013•13 min
On this week’s episode, Andy answers a listener question: What are some different, tangible ways that we can help others take action? One of the most important things we can do to help others take action is to tell the truth that is the truth. · The truth stands alone, and the truth is the truth. · Yet someone can tell the truth while not telling the truth. · You must tell the truth that IS the truth. You only know what you know, so you only do what you know to do. · To know something different ...
Mar 30, 2013•24 min
Andy uses a listener question to illustrate how to move your life to the next level by changing the way you think. John, a listener who grew up with an alcoholic father and rough childhood but has turned things around and created a great life for his family, wrote in with a question. · He feels as though he could inspire people to reach their potential and succeed, but he doesn’t want his ability to provide for his family to suffer in order to chase after his dream of helping others. · How can h...
Mar 23, 2013•37 min
On this episode, Andy tackles the question—how do you find and keep truly great friends? There are three things you need to do in order to have great friendships: · You have to make an increasing effort to be a great friend. · God’s grace—they have to be able to forgive you when you mess up, and you have to be able to forgive them. · The biggest factor of all is the ability to narrow your focus and become intentional about what a friend actually is. That will enable you to seek and nurture that ...
Mar 16, 2013•34 min
