Executive business and life coach and Partner with Southwestern Consulting , Steve Reiner breaks down the key steps towards identifying and living into your purpose. Hear Steve and Tom's full interview in Episode 187 of The Action Catalyst.
Nov 20, 2025•2 min
The Action Catalyst unites several of its esteemed alumni; Anya Cheng, founder and CEO of Taelor , Dave Brown , Founding Partner at Southwestern Consulting , Dr. Amy D'Aprix, President and Founder of Lifebridge Strategies , and newcomer Gayathri Krishnamurthy, Head of Product Marketing at Level AI , for it's first ever "live" episode, from City Winery in Nashville, and a panel discussion on harnessing the growing power of AI without using the human touch. Each guest shares their unique perspecti...
Nov 18, 2025•59 min
Dr. Tom Frieden , former CDC Director, NYC Health Commissioner, and current President and CEO of the global health organization Resolve to Save Lives, shares the 6, shockingly straight-forward keys to a longer, healthier life, that you can begin to implement right away. Hear Dr. Frieden's full interview in Episode 495 of The Action Catalyst.
Nov 13, 2025•8 min
Executive business and life coach and Partner with Southwestern Consulting , Steve Reiner , and Tom Merritt, a Branch Manager with Summit Funding , explore the healthy way to start to put yourself first, how to find your purpose, setting aside the things you can't control, and being of service to others. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching. Southwestern Coaching...
Nov 11, 2025•22 min•Ep. 187
Speaker, coach, and CEO / Co-Founder of Disruption Advisors, Whitney Johnson , shares when you need to make it scarier NOT to change...in order to change. Hear Whitney's full interview in Episode 242 of The Action Catalyst.
Nov 06, 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 495, with Dr. Tom Frieden , former CDC Director, NYC Health Commissioner, and current President and CEO of the global health organization Resolve to Save Lives.
Nov 05, 2025•3 min
Dr. Tom Frieden , former CDC Director, NYC Health Commissioner, and current President and CEO of the global health organization Resolve to Save Lives, shares the influence of his father, the single question that changed his life, the 3 step formula for impactful healthcare, how to assess levels of certainty, the 6 keys to a longer, healthier life, the low-tech device he uses every day, and the mindset that keeps him moving forward. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting....
Nov 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 495
Mickie Kennedy , PR expert and the founder of eReleases , a leading press release distribution service, dives into how to create the perfect press release for maximum attention for your business. Hear Mickie's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
Oct 30, 2025•5 min
Speaker, coach, and CEO / Co-Founder of Disruption Advisors, Whitney Johnson , talks about disruptive innovation and the levers of disruption, making it scarier NOT to change, providing “proof points”, the “learn, leap, repeat” method, disrupting a MARRIAGE, when feeling scared and lonely is a positive sign, and silly little things that take over the world.
Oct 28, 2025•16 min•Ep. 242
Speaker, author, and President & CEO of OCLC, Skip Prichard , shares the insightful way that people can often be like nickels....but you shouldn't want to be. Hear Skip's full interview in Episode 230 of The Action Catalyst.
Oct 23, 2025•3 min
Mickie Kennedy , PR expert and the founder of eReleases , a leading press release distribution service, dives into why press releases aren’t just for the big boys, how to create the best one for maximum attention, and what to do in a damage-control setting, plus shares his “3% rule”, and explains how even local press can net BIG wins for your business. Mentioned in this episode: The Puppet Masters Playbook is available now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXB4VKBH Puppet Masters Playbook / Jonatha...
Oct 21, 2025•26 min
Today on the podcast, we’re excited to feature a conversation from Think Big, Buy Small , produced by our friends at Harvard Business School. Hosted by HBS professors (and former Action Catalyst guests) Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, Think Big, Buy Small explores the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), highlighting how ambitious leaders build lasting wealth and careers by acquiring and growing small businesses. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, investors, and...
Oct 20, 2025•59 min
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founders of Beekman 1802 skincare, partners in both business as well as life, explain the "51% rule" for decision making, both professionally, and personally. Hear Brent and Josh's full interview in Episode 494 of The Action Catalyst.
Oct 16, 2025•4 min
Speaker, author, and President & CEO of OCLC, Skip Prichard , shares his unusual childhood background, the research on near death experiences, why to fail faster, how people are often like nickels, and the philosophy of working harder on yourself than you do on your job.
Oct 14, 2025•12 min•Ep. 230
CEO and Founder of Dream University , Marcia Wieder , explains the value of realism, self-confidence, and risk taking in dreaming, how to break down big dreams into small projects, and why you should want to be PIE (but not the baked good). Hear Marcia's full interview in Episode 134 of The Action Catalyst.
Oct 09, 2025•4 min
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, a.k.a. the “Fabulous Beekman Boys”, co-founders of Beekman 1802 skincare, recount settling in with Farmer John and his goats and packing 52,000 bars of soap, and chat about making neighbors, not customers, making hay while the sun shines, NOT Shark Tank-ing every business, making kindness part of the business model, working with your partner, reframing work-life balance, and finding contentment without sacrificing ambition....
Oct 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 494
Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard , the tech entrepreneur known as the “ father of the cable modem ", explains what things like broadband and cable modems REALLY are, and how their invention quickly impacted producers, consumers, and the broader economy. Hear Rouzbeh's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
Oct 02, 2025•5 min
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