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The Action Catalyst

Southwestern Family of Podcasts - Southwestern Family of Companiestheactioncatalyst.com
The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond. Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.
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Episodes

CLIP: Uncovering the Root of Learning

Dominic Zijlstra, founder of Traverse.link , an app that helps professionals learn faster using science-backed learning methods, explains the steps to building a growth mindset, finding the root of learning, tips for improved and enhanced memorization, and the importance of making learning personal. Hear Dominic's full interview in Episode 405 of The Action Catalyst.

Dec 01, 20224 min

Rise and Grind, with Mike McFall (Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Career, Employment, Coffee)

Mike McFall, Co-CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE® , the US’s third largest coffee franchise, recalls sailing around the world as a teenager and expounds on conscious capitalism, working towards being the eventual owner of the Detroit Red Wings (any day now), doing due diligence on yourself as an entrepreneur, determining your “Grind Score”, gut-checking your ego, why reading is fundamental, combating the Great Resignation, being a heretic to other CEOs, creating a "moonshot" for yourself, and emotionally co...

Nov 29, 202225 minEp. 406

CLIP: Filtering Strength From Struggle

Joel Green, CEO of Pro Level Training , National Director of Nike Sports Camps, and a former professional basketball player, explains the concepts of “filtering” and “camouflage opportunities”, talks about extracting strength from struggle, and shares why obstacles are only a midpoint in your journey. Hear Joel's full interview in Episode 404 of The Action Catalyst.

Nov 25, 20223 min

Traversing the Mind, with Dominic Zijlstra (Learning, Science, Mindset, Psychology)

Dominic Zijlstra, founder of Traverse.link , an app that helps professionals learn faster using science-backed learning methods, explains how to adopt more effective learning habits, recounts his time as a rocket scientist (sort of), and details the steps to building a growth mindset, finding the root of learning, and creating a roadmap, plus the 4 steps to enhanced learning and recall, the value of making it personal, and letting your unconscious mind solve problems for you. And just for Action...

Nov 22, 202221 minEp. 405

CLIP: We're All Grown Up Babies

Adam Outland , Partner at Southwestern Consulting , Elite-Level Sales and Leadership Coach, and host of the "Inside Great Minds" Podcast, lays out the steps to developing a durable personal mission statement, and explains why feeling good about new undertakings is the most important factor towards building better habits. Hear Adam's Full interview in Episode 403 of The Action Catalyst....

Nov 17, 20224 min

Win Some, Learn Some, Never Lose, with Joel Green (Sports, Basketball, Improvement, Success)

Joel Green , CEO of Pro Level Training , National Director of Nike Sports Camps , and a former professional basketball player, talks about growing up in an abandoned home, explains the concepts of “filtering” and “camouflage opportunities”, striking deep and striking gold, why fun doesn’t come first and insecurity is the ground for improvement, recounts playing professional basketball in Europe, how to respond instead of react, and not being put here FOR ourselves, but to BE ourselves....

Nov 15, 202225 minEp. 404

CLIP: College Admissions, Moneyball Style

Jamie Beaton, co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education , the world’s leading US and UK university admissions support company, explains how his algorithm works, taking a full, holistic look at students and their entire background to calculate probability when guiding that student into the collegiate world, in a way not unlike the "Moneyball" system that revolutionized major league baseball. Hear Jamie's full interview in Episode 402 of The Action Catalyst....

Nov 10, 20222 min

Making Molehills Out of Mountains, with Adam Outland (Leadership, Coaching, Emotional Intelligence, Psychology)

Adam Outland , Partner at Southwestern Consulting , Elite-Level Sales and Leadership Coach, and host of the "Inside Great Minds" Podcast explains the importance of learning how NOT to be and how to let go graciously, the equation for creating a personal mission statement, nurturing youth leadership and teaching emotional intelligence, the virtue of deferred gratification, debunking antiquated psychology, and being a grown-up baby. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought to you by Sout...

Nov 08, 202219 minEp. 403

CLIP: Creating Your "Power Entourage"

Karen Arrington , author, global philanthropist, and Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, explains how to assemble your “power entourage”, a group of people providing resources and support for any situation life may throw at you, as well as who NOT to include in the group. Hear Karen’s full interview in Episode 401 of The Action Catalyst.

Nov 03, 20224 min

Accepted! With Jamie Beaton (Education, Entrepreneur, College, Technology)

Jamie Beaton , co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education , the world’s leading US and UK university admissions support company, talks about his new book, “Accepted”, increasing student admissions, helping exceptional students overcome self-doubt, the “Moneyball” approach to college acceptance, the role that parents should play in the process, tackling ageism and skepticism, and geeking out to Warhammer with host Dan Moore. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought to you by Southwestern A...

Nov 01, 202226 minEp. 402

CLIP: The Menace of Mechanical Music

Jason Feifer , editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine , author, and podcast host, talks about the misconceptions around career trends and new job creation, including historical examples of huge oversights and follies by the likes of Kodak, Blockbuster, and a particularly furious John Philip Sousa. Hear Jason’s full interview in Episode 400 of The Action Catalyst.

Oct 27, 20223 min

Your Next Level Life, with Karen Arrington (International, Philanthropy, Africa, Empowerment)

Karen Arrington , author, global philanthropist, and Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, shares some of the 7 rules of power, confidence, and opportunity for black women in America, the massive opportunity of small grants, how to find your tribe and eliminate or renegotiate exhausting relationships, explains how to see what you DON’T want to see what you DO want, and talks about working internationally and doing business 35,000 feet in the air. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought...

Oct 25, 202222 minEp. 401

CLIP: Breaking Archetypes and the Case of Elizabeth Holmes

Julia Boorstin , Senior Media & Tech Correspondent for CNBC, shares a few of the specific strengths that women bring to leadership roles, and explains why, although a high-profile example, Elizabeth Holmes is not particularly representative of successful female leadership attributes. Hear Julia’s full interview in Episode 399 of The Action Catalyst.

Oct 20, 20224 min

Build For Tomorrow, with Jason Feifer (Entrepreneurship, Media, Business, Author)

Jason Feifer , editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine , author, and podcast host, explains "wouldn’t go back" moments, thinking vertically instead of horizontally, the 4 phases of change, the lessons learned from a Baltimore wig shop, and how entrepreneurs are adapting in Ukraine, talks John Philip Sousa and “the menace of mechanical music”, and details the forward-thinking theory of work that lands you your next big opportunity, how time expands under pressure, and the importance of always as...

Oct 18, 202219 minEp. 400

CLIP: Giving Some "Crazy" to Washington Royalty

John and Mark X. Cronin, father and son co-founders of the largest sock store on the planet, John's Crazy Socks , share the story of how their fun socks sparked a friendship with former President Bush, and won them a big fan in Nancy Pelosi. Hear John and Mark’s full interview in Episode 398 of The Action Catalyst.

Oct 13, 20224 min

When Women Lead, with Julia Boorstin (Leadership, TV, Media, Gender, Communications)

Julia Boorstin , Senior Media & Tech Correspondent for CNBC, talks about what inspired her new book, “WHEN WOMEN LEAD - What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn from Them”, and touches on the changing face of leadership, contextual thinking and communal leadership, the unusual case of Elizabeth Holmes, the gender issue in tech and computer science, being camera-ready in 40 minutes or less, the great value of reaching out to your "outer circle", and why there’s no such thing ...

Oct 11, 202221 minEp. 399

CLIP: A Fitbit For Your Brain

Ariel Garten, neuroscientist and the co-founder of tech startup Muse , explains how her company’s revolutionary technology helps you become the coach and the guru inside your own brain, the broader mission of her work, and how if you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else. Hear Ariel’s full interview in Episode 397 of The Action Catalyst.

Oct 06, 20224 min

Going "Crazy", with John and Mark X. Cronin (Family, Business, Down Syndrome, Advocacy, Apparel, Fashion)

John and Mark X. Cronin, entrepreneurs, advocates for Down Syndrome, and co-founders of the largest sock store on the planet, John's Crazy Socks , explain the 5 essential pillars of business, the joys and the challenges of working as a father and son team, a small problem they ran into with opening a food truck, making friends with Washington elite, and the importance of uplifting differently-abled employees.

Oct 04, 202221 minEp. 398

CLIP: We're ALL Going to Pay For It; You're Going to Be OK

David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group , describes the current state of the insurance industry, and what sets his company apart from others in the ever-more-competitive insurance landscape. Hear David’s full interview in Episode 396 of The Action Catalyst.

Sep 29, 20222 min

Discovering the Muse, with Ariel Garten (Neuroscience, Technology, Meditation, Wellness)

Ariel Garten, neuroscientist, former psychotherapist, and the co-founder and visionary of tech startup Muse , explains the mission behind her company’s revolutionary technology, the way inspiration can translate from art to science, hitting the research lab at the age of 17, the power of naivety, her responsibility to society, calming the nervous system and relying on yourself, and how if you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else. *Listeners, use code POD10 at checkou...

Sep 27, 202221 minEp. 397

CLIP: A Wedding, An Earthquake, and the Kindness of Strangers

Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies , shares the story of the tragic natural disaster that nearly changed the course of her family’s history, and how the kindness demonstrated by strangers helped shape who she is today. Hear Patty’s full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought to you by ThinkingAhead. Thinking Ahead...

Sep 22, 20224 min

Making Insurance Fun Again, with David Stuart (Insurance, Team Building, Inspiration, Starting a Business)

David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group , shares successful philosophies on expanding your team, why hindsight is the best foresight, how your trials are someone else’s inspiration, and what it means to define “fun” in business, plus covers his adventures in water polo, getting hit in the face, and the similarity between himself and Mark Wahlberg. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Insurance Group. Southwestern Insurance Group...

Sep 20, 202222 minEp. 396

CLIP: Employee Innovation and Challenging the Boss

Gary Garfield, speaker, author, and former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, shares a few times when he empowered his workforce to speak truth to power, drive innovative ideas from within, and speak up for themselves, resulting in one of Bridgestone's most well-received initiatives. Hear Gary's full interview in Episode 395 of The Action Catalyst. Also be sure to check out Gary's first appearance on the podcast, in Episode 243 of the Action Catalyst.

Sep 15, 20224 min

Patty Hoppenstedt: Nicaragua, 9/11, and Serving Southwestern

Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies , shares her upbringing in Central America and the natural disaster that helped shape her early life, to her beginnings in security in the 9/11 era, stint in city management, and the influences and determination from her unique background that help her create the safest, most inviting work environment for employees of all types. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is brought to you by Thinking Ahead. ...

Sep 13, 202224 min

CLIP: Korean Mafia, CIA, and The Two Minds

Author and mental scientist Dr. Hank Seitz shares the unbelievable story of his time as a double agent for the Korean mafia and the CIA and explains how the conscious and the subconscious minds shape our beliefs. Hear Dr. Hank’s full interview in Episode 394 of The Action Catalyst.

Sep 08, 20224 min

Driving Results, with Gary Garfield (Leadership, Automotive, Trust, Innovation)

Gary Garfield , speaker, author, and former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, shares the "rules of the road" from his new book, "Driving Results", including why humility is freedom from arrogance, the advice from the best boss that HE ever had, the equation to creating a productive and trusting company culture, the discrepancy between professional auto testing and consumer driving, creating innovation & how one of Bridgestone's best ideas came from an employee submission, and answering the questi...

Sep 06, 202223 minEp. 395

CLIP: Minds Versus The Metaverse

Bill Ottman, CEO and co-founder of blockchain based, open source social network Minds , discusses the next frontier of social media, addressing matters of privacy, new capabilities brought by Web 3.0, and the Metaverse. Hear Bill’s full interview in Episode 393 of The Action Catalyst.

Sep 01, 20225 min

The Prize for All of Us Is Joy, with Dr. Hank Seitz (Mental Science, Psychology, Overcome, Disability)

Author and mental scientist Dr. Hank Seitz explains how he overcame what he was told was a permanent disability, talks quantum science and molecular biology, the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, the 3 steps that create experience, answers of the question of “What ARE beliefs?”, and shares the unbelievable story of his time as a double agent for the Korean mafia and the CIA.

Aug 30, 202219 minEp. 394

CLIP: Your Co-Workers Really ARE Warping Your Brain

Dr. Julia DiGangi , a neuropsychologist, author, and expert in the brain’s relationship with stress, resilience and relationships, explains the 2 drivers of the brain that create nearly all interpersonal problems, including how new studies suggest your co-workers really can have a lasting impact on your neurological makeup. Hear Dr. DiGangi’s full interview in Episode 392 of The Action Catalyst.

Aug 25, 20223 min
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