In this episode of Powerful and Unpolished , host Tim Salmans is joined by returning guest Nanette Levin for a deep dive into the power of philosophical thinking, creativity, and the patterns that shape our lives. Together, they explore how “realism” can limit potential, why breaking from old routines can unlock new energy, and how leadership, empathy, and self-awareness are evolving in today’s world. From ancient mindsets to modern challenges, Tim and Nanette reflect on the spectrum between pos...
Jul 10, 2025•38 min•Ep. 60
Why do so many nonprofits struggle to survive — and how can we change that? In this powerful episode of "Powerful and Unpolished," host Tim Salmans sits down with Tanja Horan, founder of Tacosa 360, to explore the intersection of business acumen and nonprofit sustainability. Tanja shares her remarkable journey from tech product leader to nonprofit capacity-builder, revealing the unexpected catalyst that shifted her career and ignited her passion for empowering organizations to thrive. Discover t...
Jul 02, 2025•50 min•Ep. 59
In this solo episode of Powerful and Unpolished , Tim Salmans reflects on the highs and lows of the past month — from personal loss to unexpected opportunities to make a difference. Through heartfelt stories, including the recent passing of a beloved pet and a spontaneous duck rescue, Tim explores how our expectations and assumptions quietly shape our daily experiences. He opens up about navigating grief, growth, and the small moments that remind us of life’s deeper purpose. It’s a raw, honest r...
Jun 26, 2025•20 min•Ep. 58
In this episode of Powerful and Unpolished , Tim explores the deeper meaning of play—not just as recreation, but as a way of living, learning, and growing. Joined by returning guest Nanette Levin, they dive into how play influences creativity, intuition, and human connection. From balancing facts with gut instinct, to observing social behavior and how modern technology shapes our interactions, their conversation touches on personal experiences, grief, and the importance of staying open to life’s...
Jun 12, 2025•29 min•Ep. 57
In this episode of Powerful and Unpolished , Tim Salmans talks with Nanette Levin, editor of his book Inner Wisdom, Outer Impact: Leading Your Life from the Inside Out . They discuss why Tim resisted writing the book, what finally pushed him to do it, and the themes that came out of the process. Topics include how people unknowingly create or perpetuate their own struggles, how habits and conditioning drive behavior, and why personal responsibility matters. They also talk about the influence of ...
May 20, 2025•46 min•Ep. 56
In this solo episode, Tim Salmans reflects on the idea of programming and conditioning—how the habits, beliefs, and responses we carry often come from the environments we’ve grown up in or the systems we’re part of. He shares personal thoughts on decision-making, marketing tactics, and how people often react automatically, especially in charged topics like politics or religion. Tim also draws an interesting comparison between human behavior and algorithms, encouraging listeners to notice the pat...
May 06, 2025•17 min•Ep. 55
In this solo episode of Powerful and Unpolished, Tim Salmans takes a closer look at how we engage with the world around us, especially when it comes to sharing our opinions, taking a stand, or reacting to what we see online. He invites listeners to consider the difference between judgment and assessment—not just as a concept, but as a personal practice that reveals a lot about our internal landscape. Throughout the episode, Tim reflects on the ways we can fall into judgment as a means of control...
Apr 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 54
Tim Salmans is back on the mic with a solo episode to relaunch Powerful and Unpolished. In this episode, he shares the inspiration behind his new book "Inner Wisdom, Outer Impact: Leading Your Life from the Inside Out", introduces his transformational company "Insights for Choice", and unveils plans for a dynamic new community centered around personal evolution. Whether you're seeking deeper insight, craving real talk, or ready to elevate your life experience, this episode invites you to reconne...
Apr 23, 2025•13 min•Ep. 53
Are you truly living a life of fulfillment, or just ticking off the boxes of success? In Episode 52 of Powerful and Unpolished, I invite you to dive deep into the final section of my newly released book. We explore how to break free from limiting patterns and rediscover your authentic power. Together, we'll revisit the book's core sections: Dimensions, Discovery, and Deliverance, focusing on intentional growth and evolution. In this episode, I discuss the art of authentic creation versus conditi...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 52
Have you ever wondered how energy dynamics shape your interactions and relationships? In this milestone episode of Powerful And Unpolished, I delve into the second section of my book, "Inner Wisdom Outer Impact," to unravel the mysteries of "Discovery." Join me as we explore how recognizing energy exchanges can transform your life and lead to deeper fulfillment. We'll discuss the crucial balance between intellectual and emotional intelligence, and why relying solely on IQ might be holding you ba...
Feb 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 50
Are you ready to redefine success and fulfillment from the inside out? In Episode 49 of "Powerful and Unpolished," I, Tim Salmans, invite you to explore the profound insights from my book "Inner Wisdom, Outer Impact." What if the stories we tell ourselves are holding us back more than we realize? Join me as I unravel the layers of listening with a prism metaphor, illustrating how diverse perspectives can illuminate the path to true understanding. Discover the transformative power of self-awarene...
Feb 05, 2025•30 min•Ep. 49
Are you ready to challenge your perceptions and dive deep into the layers of life? In episode 48 of "Powerful And Unpolished," I take you on a journey through the initial chapters of my new book, "Inner Wisdom, Outer Impact: Leading Your Life from the Inside Out." Ever wondered how power dynamics shape our world or how social media influences our inner peace? We’ll tackle these questions head-on, exploring the dimensions of life and the critical thinking needed to navigate them. Discover how hab...
Jan 29, 2025•25 min•Ep. 48
Ever feel like life is happening to you rather than you living it? Join me, in episode 47 of the Powerful and Unpolished podcast as we explore the journey towards success, fulfillment, and self-awareness. In this special episode, I unveil my first book, "Inner Wisdom, Outer Impact: Leading Your Life from the Inside Out." We'll break down its three transformative sections: Dimensions, Discovery, and Deliverance. Discover how everyday habits and social conditioning shape our lives, often leaving u...
Jan 22, 2025•12 min•Ep. 47
What happens when you align your personal values with your business growth? In episode 46 of "Powerful and Unpolished," I sit down with the incredible Michelle Zink, founder of Lifeaholic LLC and a seasoned business growth advisor. With over 25 years of leadership experience, Michelle shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, revealing her secrets to sustainable business success. Discover Michelle's "Freedom Framework," a game-changer for women entrepreneurs stri...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 46
What if your New Year's resolution wasn't about what you do, but who you are? In this introspective solo episode of Powerful And Unpolished, I, Tim Salmans, dive into the heart of personal transformation as we kick off 2025. Are we too focused on doing rather than being? I challenge you to shift gears and consider the essence of who you want to become this year. Join me as I share my aspirations for embodying generosity, peace, and safety, and explore how these qualities can transform not just o...
Jan 08, 2025•11 min•Ep. 45
How can the darkest time of the year illuminate our path to personal empowerment? In this solo episode of "Powerful and Unpolished," I dive deep into the metaphorical magic of the winter solstice. Join me as I explore how this time of year symbolizes the death and rebirth of the sun—and how it mirrors our own journeys through sadness and loneliness, often misunderstood as unexpressed love and joy. Through a heartfelt story from my days as an EMT, where a simple act of decorating my home unexpect...
Dec 18, 2024•17 min•Ep. 44
Are you ready to challenge your beliefs and embrace self-trust? In episode 43 of "Powerful And Unpolished," I take you on a solo journey into the realm of faith—faith in oneself and the power of intuition. Have you ever questioned your reliance on external validation? Or wondered about the unseen forces that guide your instincts? In this episode, I explore our human tendency to seek evidence before embracing new ideas, using analogies like a painless cavity and historical skepticism about electr...
Dec 11, 2024•16 min•Ep. 43
Ever wonder why most conflicts stem from miscommunication? Or how six perspectives can exist in a two-person chat? In this episode of Powerful And Unpolished, I unravel the complexities of "The Art of Listening." Discover how the darker days can illuminate our introspective side, enhancing our listening skills. Are you truly engaging or just waiting for your turn to speak? We dive into how environmental factors, personal filters, and the need for validation shape our listening habits. Learn how ...
Dec 04, 2024•24 min•Ep. 42
What if gratitude could transform your life? Join me as we delve into the rich history of Thanksgiving and uncover how gratitude, once a symbol of harvest appreciation between pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, became a national tradition. Discover how Abraham Lincoln and FDR shaped this holiday, and why it's more than just turkey and stuffing. This episode is all about embracing gratitude beyond the holiday table. I introduce a "gratitude challenge" that could change your perspective: spend five...
Nov 27, 2024•12 min•Ep. 41
Join me for a solo journey through hope, possibility, and the magic of human connection on this special holiday episode of Powerful and Unpolished. Ever wondered if success truly equals fulfillment? Or how a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert can illuminate life's deeper meanings? Tune in as I share a personal story about attending a TSO concert with my wife, where the fusion of Christmas tunes and heavy metal sparks a conversation on breaking free from limiting patterns. Dive into the poetic narr...
Nov 20, 2024•20 min•Ep. 40
Have you ever felt the emotional whirlwind after an election, regardless of the outcome? In this episode of Powerful and Unpolished, I dive deep into the emotional aftermath of elections, exploring the "post-election hangover" that grips us all. But don't worry, we're not talking politics—this is all about you and your feelings! Join me as we navigate the spectrum of emotions, from excitement to fear, and discover how they might be holding onto us more than we realize. We'll discuss the power of...
Nov 13, 2024•22 min•Ep. 39
How much of our behavior is truly our own, and how much is molded by external forces? In this riveting episode of Powerful And Unpolished, I peel back the layers of conditioning that influence our lives, especially in the politically charged atmosphere of a U.S. election day. Ever wondered how political campaigns tap into our deepest fears to sway our votes? Or why we might feel an illusion of control over public service professionals like firefighters and police officers? Join me as I challenge...
Nov 06, 2024•19 min•Ep. 38
What scares you more: ghosts or election season? In Episode 37 of "Powerful And Unpolished," I unravel the intricate web of fear, just in time for Halloween and the looming U.S. general election. Join me as I dive into how fear, often fueled by political climates and media, can become a self-imposed barrier. Discover the different types of fears—extinction, mutilation, loss of autonomy—and how they relate to societal issues like human trafficking and political polarization. Are we letting "false...
Oct 31, 2024•25 min•Ep. 37
Are you ready to dive into the mysteries that lie just beneath the surface? In this episode of Powerful And Unpolished, I take you on a journey where the hidden becomes illuminated. Ever wondered what secrets the ordinary world holds? Or how the unseen influences our everyday lives? Join me as we unravel these enigmas and explore the profound impacts they have on us. From the subtle energies we overlook to the whispers of intuition we often dismiss, this episode promises to challenge your perspe...
Oct 23, 2024•18 min•Ep. 36
What happens when you let go of societal expectations and embrace a life of authenticity? In Episode 35 of Powerful And Unpolished, I'm joined by the inspiring Laura Rubin, founder of Wild Awake Woman. Laura, a "reformed hustle bunny," shares her transformative journey from chasing external achievements to living intentionally and authentically. We dive deep into self-discovery, the courage to step away from the hustle culture, and the power of aligning with your true desires. Laura's unique app...
Oct 16, 2024•57 min•Ep. 35
Ever wondered if your beliefs are truly serving you or just holding you back? Join me on a solo adventure in Episode 34 of "Powerful And Unpolished," where we dive deep into the art of self-auditing for personal growth. Fresh from my Florida escapades—balancing theme park thrills with serene meditation—I’m here to challenge you to ask, "How full of it am I?" We'll explore the power of self-reflection to uncover outdated notions and break free from societal pressures that make us feel inherently ...
Oct 09, 2024•20 min•Ep. 34
Ever wondered if you're truly getting the best health insurance coverage? Or how to avoid those pesky sales calls when browsing online for plans? In this episode, I sit down with my wife, Debra Salmans, a seasoned healthcare advisor, to unravel the complexities of health insurance just in time for the open enrollment period. From the pitfalls of short-term plans to the nuances of dental and vision insurance for older adults, we cover it all. Plus, we share a fun story about our recent spooky adv...
Oct 02, 2024•43 min•Ep. 33
Ever wondered why adults often forget how to play? Or how embracing your inner child can actually make you a better leader? In Episode 32 of "Powerful And Unpolished," we dive into the fascinating world of play and its vital role in adult life. This episode was a bit of a surprise—our guest canceled, so I decided to explore the theme of play, inspired by my upcoming trip to Universal Studios in Florida with my wife. We'll be diving into haunted houses and rediscovering the joy of playful experie...
Sep 25, 2024•19 min•Ep. 32
Have you ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others struggle despite having great products or services? What if the secret lies in the often-overlooked internal operations? Join me as I sit down with the remarkable Jessica Millhiser, owner of J Mills Consulting, to uncover the hidden traps that drain energy and hinder fulfillment in business. In this episode, Jessica shares her inspiring journey from a diverse career in hospitality, recreation, and nonprofits to launching her own cons...
Sep 18, 2024•51 min•Ep. 31
Hey, listeners! Ever wondered what it takes to pivot from engineering to real estate? Or how to align your career with your core values for long-term success? This episode is for you! Join me as I sit down with the incredible Carrie Qualters, a real estate powerhouse from Atlanta, Georgia. Carrie shares her journey from Georgia Tech to becoming a real estate expert, spurred by a life-changing health scare that redefined her career path. She opens up about the importance of treating real estate a...
Sep 11, 2024•53 min•Ep. 30
