This week, we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes, and a topic people continue to ask us about. People pleasing. We’ve all seen it before (whether we recognized it or not) - constantly being agreeable, always saying yes, never setting any boundaries - all to the point of self-destruction. If you haven’t experienced it yourself, it’s likely you’ve witnessed someone else demonstrate these behaviors. And although it may have short-term benefits, we know that these self-destructive tenden...
Jan 27, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve all been there, and watched it happen from afar. Something happens, and the temperature starts to rise. Tempers flare, and the situation becomes heated. These moments can reveal sides of us we’re not particularly proud of. How should we respond when life gets tense and others lack empathy or communicate in passive-aggressive ways? What actions can we take to navigate these difficult interactions without making things worse? To move forward, we must find a way to counter our adrenaline, exu...
Jan 20, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever heard the phrase, "no plan survives first contact," or, "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"? These sayings might sound dramatic, but let’s be honest, they ring true. Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us, especially when we’re chasing our biggest, scariest goals. When that happens, we’re often quick to rationalize, intellectualize, or make excuses for why we didn’t follow through. It’s human nature, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the story. The real...
Jan 13, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast New year, new you, right? Many of us set resolutions and goals this time of year, which is a great way to start fresh. But let’s be honest: flipping the calendar doesn’t magically fix everything in our lives. If we want to truly step up as leaders, spouses, parents, or high achievers, we need to confront the uncomfortable “stuff” we’ve been avoiding. It’s about unpacking the baggage we’ve been dragging along, facing it head-on, and making the changes that not only improve our lives but also ripp...
Jan 06, 2025•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes, because the questions about this topic just keep coming! While giving feedback is a skill many want to master, the real secret lies in learning how to receive it. (’Tis the inverse of the season) Hearing where we can improve is tough, and the common advice about giving feedback—like the “sandwich technique”—often falls flat in real-world situations. Instead of sharing surface-level tactics, we’re diving into strategies that actually w...
Dec 30, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Regret. It’s a loaded word, especially around the holidays. But it doesn’t have to be as painful as it seems. Imagine the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve done everything in your power to let someone truly understand where you’re coming from and why. How can we hold ourselves accountable and ensure we’re not the problem in those critical moments? Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have heavy personal issues to navigate. Instead, you want to show up for your team, lead wit...
Dec 23, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast There’s nowhere lonelier in the world than rock bottom. It’s a place where overwhelm, anxiety, and uncertainty feel relentless, and the total weight of your burden makes moving forward seem impossible. Staying down is a choice, but it’s one that you really can’t afford to make. Before you pick yourself up, you need to know exactly where you are. When you recognize where the demons holding you down come from, you can see the path you need to take to fight back and regain control. It’s not about h...
Dec 16, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is not a “social media is bad” episode. That conversation has been talked to death. The truth is, very few things are inherently good or bad—it’s all in how you use them. But today’s episode is about how they use you. If “they” were writing this, they’d correct me and say, it’s how we allow them to use us. What makes the algorithm so effective at manipulating our sense of self worth and exploiting our deepest insecurities? Why do we fall into cycles of comparison, inadequacy, and pleasure s...
Dec 09, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lazy. It's one of the most shameful things you can be. And it's largely a title or accusation we make of ourselves. Why do we so frequently feel utterly drained, craving time to unwind and escape reality? Is there a way to not just reclaim that time, but to structure our days more intentionally to prevent fatigue from building and spiraling into a never-ending cycle? What can we do to finally experience relief and regain control? In today’s episode, Brett provides a framework to identify the war...
Dec 02, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever felt stuck or stagnant? That restless feeling like you’re spinning your wheels, going nowhere fast, yet knowing deep down that you need to break free. Stagnation isn’t just about a lack of progress; it’s a state of mind that can creep into any part of your life—your career, your relationships, or even your personal growth. But the good news? Feeling stuck is a signal, not a sentence. If you’re hard on yourself, hold high expectations, and tend to overthink, this episode is for you....
Nov 25, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast When they’re your best player or most productive employee, but ALSO the biggest thorn in your side. We’ve all been there and had to deal with the type. What do you do? This episode transcends the specific context of coaching a high school athlete to tackle a broader, universal challenge faced by leaders, managers, and professionals everywhere. Whether you’re navigating a workplace dynamic, coaching a team, or leading a group, this discussion will equip you with strategies to help difficult indiv...
Nov 18, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The knot in your stomach. That flush of unease when you know you’ve fallen short of your own standards. The only way to truly adapt and evolve is through real vulnerability—not the gentle, polished kind from TED talks, but the raw honesty that forces you to confront hard truths about yourself. This isn’t about stepping out of your comfort zone in a clichéd way; it’s about embracing the discomfort and going to war until you’re fully transformed. Today’s guest, Kyle Holland, knows a thing or two a...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Audit. It’s one of the most unsettling words in the English dictionary, carrying a connotation of fear and unease that makes people shy away from even the slightest hint of it But, like most intimidating things, an audit becomes far less daunting once you look at it more closely. One definition of an audit is simply “a systematic review or assessment of something.” Think of it as a straightforward check-in—a moment to take stock of where you stand and where you want to go. At the end of the day,...
Nov 04, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast “I’M DONE.” It’s one of the most frustrating feelings in the world. You’ve tried everything to fix things but just can’t get through to someone. You keep hitting the wall over and over. But what if there’s a way to revisit the problem, to approach it from a different angle, and open their minds (and ours) to new possibilities? In this compact episode, Brett gets straight to the point of navigating these messy situations, helping you zoom out to see the situation for what it truly is, and recogni...
Oct 28, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Empty Coaching. Words and phrases that lack teeth. “Good job! You’re getting there! I like that.” “We’ve got to get better. C’mon, step it up. That’s not what I’m looking for.” We’ve all been guilty of letting these clichés fly out of our mouths at one point or another. But do they actually help inspire change or simply fill the silence? In today’s episode, we cut through these hollow lines and explore how we, as leaders and coaches, can move beyond surface-level feedback to foster both immediat...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our lives are not the movies. When sudden, unpredictable events like family hardships or natural disasters strike, it can feel like we’re living in one. But more often, the changes in our stories are subtle. The turmoil is internal, and we’re left to wrestle with our challenges quietly, on our own. Today’s guest is no stranger to this real-life push and pull. She knows what it’s like to juggle the expectations of motherhood, navigate life transitions, and manage the chaos that comes with it all....
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve all heard the motivational phrase, “Failure isn’t an option.” It sounds inspiring, but is it really true? Failure, in reality, is an option—often chosen in the form of inaction, silence, or the unwillingness to engage. How many times have you held back an idea, avoided speaking up, or let a moment pass because of the fear of judgment? Playing it safe is extremely tragic. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the cost of silence and the hidden price we pay by not putting ourselves out there...
Oct 07, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Why would someone hold on to a false or inaccurate belief even when you’ve laid out all the facts and logic in front of them? You couldn’t have been more clear in presenting your argument! Your reasoning is solid, but maybe it’s not the absence of evidence that’s preventing them from changing their perspective—it might be the way the information was delivered... Today’s show is one of our keystone episodes, unlocking why constructive communication often fails to get off the ground. Brett is join...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the holy grail of mental health and wellness for many people. Almost all of us, at one point or another, have chased the elusive 'work-life balance,' hoping to find the perfect harmony between our careers and personal lives. But is 'balance' really the right word? Perhaps it’s a misnomer that oversimplifies the complexity of juggling work and family. Today’s topic arose from a conversation between Brett and several of our facilitators about the push and pull that occurs between career and f...
Sep 23, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast “They just won’t listen. No matter how clearly I explain it, they refuse to see my side of things. It’s like talking to a brick wall." Have you ever felt like this, like you're hitting a dead end with someone who just won’t budge? Influencing people is an art, one that often requires more than just logic and facts, especially in today’s world where information has been turned into a kind of religion willing to anoint whoever can wield it more skillfully. In today’s episode, we’ll revisit several...
Sep 16, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Am I a bad person? Nike’s latest ad asks this question, and the internet erupted in response. But is the real issue the ad, or what it reveals about our relationship with competition and ambition? In this episode, Brett Bartholomew delves into the controversy surrounding Nike's recent ad, featuring Willem Dafoe’s voice and a striking depiction of athletes at their most intense. While some argue the ad promotes toxic values in sports, Brett explores the nuance behind it, offering his insights as ...
Sep 09, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve all been there. Our significant other is struggling and we ask “how can I help?” While this is well-intentioned, is there anything we can do proactively to meet these challenges head on, before things completely unravel? Conversely, how can we express our own needs and clearly address what’s really bothering us, so we’re both on the same page? If you’ve been in this situation—and let’s face it, we all have—then you’ve come to the right place. Today’s episode is packed with practical advice...
Sep 02, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast “Before tackling this problem, let me figure out how to make this simple. It’s really not that complicated…” Have you ever taken this approach when dealing with a difficult issue with your family, friends, staff, or coworkers? While this tactic might work in some situations, most complex problems require solutions that reductive thinking simply can’t provide. Library and bookstore shelves are brimming with management and leadership books packed with "how-to" lists, buckets, quadrants, and countl...
Aug 26, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The quality of our relationships is the #1 determining factor in our overall happiness and well-being. Yet, how often do we hear real people having honest conversations about the challenges, complexities, and joys of solving the puzzle of truly connecting with those who are closest to us? This week, Scott and Jaime Livingston join us for a candid conversation about the messy realities of relationships. Whether you come from a harmonious family with a white picket fence or one marked by tension a...
Aug 19, 2024•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever thought, "I'd love to do that, but I just don't have the money," or do you have interests or passions outside of your professional life that you've suppressed in order to advance your career? Maybe you've pushed aside personal goals, believing the myth that true success requires unwavering focus on your career alone. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that anything outside of work is a distraction. But what if those very experiences—those that broaden our perspective, teac...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you think mentorship is a straightforward, progressive process? Think again. We envision that ideal student-teacher relationship or the picturesque blacksmith-apprentice image, but in reality, things just don't work that way. People are complex and being an effective mentor requires a playbook that goes far beyond a cookie-cutter list of ideal traits. In this episode we're turning back the clock and rediscovering the hard truths of what it takes to be a great mentor. We examine: Setting someo...
Jul 29, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast “How can I do this better?” Tackling large projects, like writing a book, can be incredibly daunting. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by your own ideas. How can we overcome this and get our thoughts onto paper? What tools or applications can help us stay organized and productive while assembling our project or book? In this episode we discuss: Why your workspace setup NEEDS to reflect your process Tools for capturing thoughts and ideas to convert into content Integrating word mapping into your cre...
Jul 22, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast “What can I do to help?” Have you ever been asked that question and felt like throwing your hands up in frustration? Maybe it's a question you ask your team at work or your family at home. Whether you have specific needs or genuinely want to help others, how can we express ourselves more clearly and get to the heart of the issue? How can we show up in a way that makes an impact? Some of the key topics covered in this episode are: Essential details for determining our suitability to help Principl...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve heard it all before. Whether in sports or business, high achievers think differently than we do. They’ve developed an internal flow chart for solving problems and regulating their emotions, creating a winning machine. Is this really how they do it? What tips can we pull from the ever-expanding mental performance world to improve our performance without falling into gimmicks and wasting time? Today’s guest has not only walked the walk, but has done it at the highest level. Her name is Prisc...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast That spun out of control. I don’t think they quite understand. Would things have turned out different if I had approached it another way? Have you ever felt like that after an interaction? None of us are perfect communicators, so chances are that you have. It is extremely frustrating when things go wrong, especially when we have the knowledge and think we are adequately prepared to handle it. In order to own the moment, you need to understand: Why not all practice is the same and what elements t...
Jul 01, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
