CEO and Founder of Dream University , Marcia Wieder , explains the difference between dreams, fantasies, and goals, the value of realism in dreaming, how intention and integrity work together, breaking down big dreams into small projects, separating dreams from doubts, the 3 little words that breed self-sabotage, and why you should want to be PIE (passionate, interested, excited, not the baked good).
Sep 30, 2025•20 min•Ep. 134
Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent , explain why offshoring isn't really what it used to be anymore, it's present-day benefits, and how the South African people are creating a world-class talent pool. Hear Hattingh and Werner's full interview in Episode 493 of The Action Catalyst.
Sep 25, 2025•6 min
Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard , the tech entrepreneur known as the “ father of the cable modem ", explains the two experiences he brought together to create the revolutionary device, what things like broadband and cable modems REALLY are, why he gave it all away free of royalties, and the role of homemade Persian food in making it all possible. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard and his legacy from "The Accidental Network", a business history book recounting the invention of...
Sep 23, 2025•26 min
Author, executive coach, and culture consultant Chester Elton breaks down the idea of "the noble cause" in business, and how Texas Roadhouse restaurants are a shining and enduring example of the idea in action. Hear Chester's full interview in Episode 35 of The Action Catalyst.
Sep 18, 2025•2 min
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 493, with Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent .
Sep 17, 2025•3 min
Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent , explain the unique career history that spawned the business, the professional services gap that they are filling and why it exists, why offshoring isn't really offshoring anymore, how the South African people create a world-class talent pool, overcoming start-up pain points, and why sometimes the low-tech solution is the winning one. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more at SouthwesternTalent.com Southwestern Talent Lea...
Sep 16, 2025•34 min•Ep. 493
Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives , as well as an alum of The Action Catalyst's parent company, Southwestern , explains why his participation in the Southwestern Advantage program was "the best thing he ever did". Hear Speaker Johnson's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
Sep 11, 2025•3 min
Author, executive coach, and culture consultant Chester Elton walks us through how to create an all-in culture in our business, including managing culture during crisis, and why the customer experience will never exceed the employee experience.
Sep 09, 2025•9 min•Ep. 35
Speaker, author, and coach Bruce Van Horn explains the best ways to be "other-focused" on social media, and provide more value to, and thereby get more loyalty from, your audience. Hear Bruce's full interview in Episode 11 of The Action Catalyst.
Sep 04, 2025•2 min
Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives , as well as an alum of The Action Catalyst's parent company, Southwestern , breaks down his unique path to the speakership and the big role Southwestern played in getting him there, recounts danger in Tucson and getting a little help from Brett Favre, delivers an absolutely killer Trent Lott impression, outlines the importance of speaking with clarity, conviction, and consistency, and explains why "duty is ours, but re...
Sep 02, 2025•16 min
Dr. Angela Jackson , the founder/CEO of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explains the REAL cost of turnover in organizations, and the numbers may surprise you. Hear Dr. Jackson's full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
Aug 28, 2025•3 min
Speaker, author, and coach Bruce Van Horn shares Twitter/X tips for movers and shakers, including the critical importance of authenticity, putting connection over saturation, and the most common-sense advice that you probably overlook all of the time.
Aug 26, 2025•8 min•Ep. 11
Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares why it’s important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, and how developing the awareness to do both can be a challenge. Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 128 of The Action Catalyst.
Aug 21, 2025•4 min
Dr. Angela Jackson , the founder/CEO of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reveals the lessons learned from studying Fortune 500 companies, the REAL cost of turnover, why top-down decision making is dead, and the two main takeaways for small business owners.
Aug 19, 2025•22 min
Greg DeVore , CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps , lays out his “Find & Follow” philosophy to reduce supervisor burnout and improve employee performance, including concepts like actual vs. foundational knowledge, the value it can provide in the event of a sale, and the knowledge operations maturity model. Hear Greg's full interview in Episode 492 of The Action Catalyst....
Aug 14, 2025•4 min
Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares “The Grand Commandment” and how it pertains to leadership, why it’s important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, the value of creating a safe space for honest feedback, the delicate balance of being bold but respectful, the role of faith, and why leadership is sacred work.
Aug 12, 2025•18 min•Ep. 128
Author, entrepreneur, and “overwhelmologist” Ari Meisel reveals how to optimize, automate, and outsource, the shockingly straightforward system for keeping work, and anxiety, from piling up. Hear Ari's full interview in Episode 122 of The Action Catalyst.
Aug 07, 2025•3 min
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 492, with Greg DeVore , CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps .
Aug 06, 2025•3 min
Greg DeVore , CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps , lays out his “Find & Follow” philosophy to reduce supervisor burnout and improve employee performance, breaking down concepts like actual vs. foundational knowledge and knowledge spenders vs. knowledge investors, the knowledge operations maturity model, the dead simple exercise that’ll change how your team gets work done, how just good people with the right tools can be world-class people, and why he’s a bit of a rockstar on Animal Planet....
Aug 05, 2025•30 min•Ep. 492
Founder & CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group , Liana Zavo, reveals THE biggest PR mistake people make, and what they SHOULD be doing instead when a crisis hits. Hear Liana's full interview in Episode 491 of The Action Catalyst.
Jul 31, 2025•3 min
Author, entrepreneur, and “overwhelmologist” Ari Meisel reveals how to optimize, automate, and outsource, gives a masterclass in Virtual Assistants 101, explains what delegation REALLY means, and breaks down the "3D" inbox zero plan.
Jul 29, 2025•16 min•Ep. 122
Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron takes a hard look at comparison vs. jealousy, what the differences are, and how fear lies at the bottom of both. Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 26 of The Action Catalyst.
Jul 24, 2025•3 min
Founder & CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group , Liana Zavo, recounts how a college dropout and single mom made the jump from Russia to the US and from the style world to PR, gives a bit of advice for Blake Lively, reveals THE biggest PR mistake people make, how to come down from the ledge of panic in the moment, why authenticity and accountability equals authority, the difference between brand vs. reputation, and what it means to “B.E.P.I.C.”
Jul 22, 2025•25 min•Ep. 491
Best-selling author, professor, and leadership expert Ryan Gottfredson distinguishes the doing side vs. the being side of ourselves, what each of those means, and how they contribute to who we are. And be sure to check out Ryan's original appearance in Episode 317 of The Action Catalyst.
Jul 17, 2025•3 min
Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron takes a hard look at “clout killers”, and talks about exchanging fear for truth, comparison vs jealousy, combating a scarcity mentality, the duality of insecurity and pride, and how control means putting power over influence.
Jul 15, 2025•16 min•Ep. 26
Klaus Kleinfeld , the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa and the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents, explains why we should be talking about energy instead of productivity, and what it means to staying in your desired "performance zone". Hear the full interview with Klaus in Episode 490 of The Action Catalyst.
Jul 10, 2025•5 min
Best-selling author, professor, and leadership expert Ryan Gottfredson explains how mindsets aren't just attitudes, distinguishes the doing side vs. the being side of ourselves, and talks about gauging your "window of tolerance", the 3 levels of adult development, reaction vs. response, and healing to grow. And be sure to check out Ryan's original appearance in Episode 317 of The Action Catalyst.
Jul 08, 2025•25 min
Author, podcast/radio host, and Certified Financial Coach Rachel Cruze explains why comparison isn't just the thief of joy...it's the thief of your paycheck as well. Hear Rachel's full interview in Episode 161 of The Action Catalyst.
Jul 03, 2025•4 min
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 490, with Klaus Kleinfeld , the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa and the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents.
Jul 02, 2025•3 min
Klaus Kleinfeld , the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa and the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents, recalls going to work at age 12, and covers the perils of sign language in the business world, getting close to the source of an issue, why we should be talking about energy instead of productivity, the "rule of feedback", the 5 critical components of a high performance team, why purpose is a laser, and being a "hypothesis generating m...
Jul 01, 2025•32 min•Ep. 490
