Reality TV is everywhere, and whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny it’s addictive. Millions of people tune in daily to binge-watch strangers argue, compete, or fall in love on camera. But reality TV isn’t “real” at all—it’s carefully crafted chaos, designed to keep you hooked. Producers manipulate stories, stir up conflict, and edit scenes to make the drama irresistible. But beyond the entertainment, what’s it actually doing to our brains? In this episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle ...
Mar 10, 2025•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Michelin Star is a restaurant rating system so powerful that a single star can launch careers, change cities, and even break chefs. So what makes one restaurant just “good” and another Michelin-worthy? The path to earning a Michelin Star isn’t just about making great food—it’s about precision, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. But why do these stars hold so much weight? Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of Michelin Stars. Hosts Don and Kyle ex...
Mar 03, 2025•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amazon didn’t just change how the world shops—it rewired our brains. Suddenly, driving to a store for light bulbs feels like a huge chore. Need cat food? Click. New coffee maker? Click. A hat with antlers for your Halloween costume? It’ll be at your door by 5 p.m. Love it or hate it, Amazon’s success lies in its relentless focus on the customer. It turned convenience into an art form. The real question is: how did they pull it off, and what can we learn from them? In today's episode, Donald Mill...
Feb 24, 2025•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Making people laugh looks effortless, but behind every joke is an incredible amount of work and strategy. Great comedians deliver far more than entertainment—they offer a masterclass in human connection. They say the things we’re afraid to say, challenge cultural norms, and turn life’s absurdities into something we can laugh at. The best comedians have the power to shape culture and influence how we see the world. So, what makes them so effective? In this episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed div...
Feb 17, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Every February 14th, millions of people rush out to buy heart-shaped chocolates, overpriced roses, and mass-produced cards, turning Valentine’s Day into a global cash grab. But how did a once obscure tradition become a billion-dollar industry? Whether you adore the holiday or roll your eyes at its commercialism, one thing is certain—it works. So, what makes this day so powerful, and why do we keep celebrating it year after year? In this week’s episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed explore t...
Feb 10, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Every day, we’re surrounded by stories—on social media, in conversations, and even in our own heads. But have you ever stopped to wonder why stories are so powerful? They connect us, help us make sense of the world, and have been humanity’s most effective tool for survival. But how do they work their magic, and what happens when they’re used to manipulate rather than inspire? In this episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down why stories are more than just entertainment—they’re a surv...
Feb 03, 2025•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Football has a powerful grip on its fans, but have you ever stopped to think about why it works so well? Football has a remarkable history of uniting friends and families across generations. From the build-up to game day and the epic rivalries to the emotional highs-and-lows of every play, football delivers both the thrill of competition and the comfort of community. But what actually makes it so captivating? In this week’s episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed are joined by Will Guidara, b...
Jan 27, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thought leaders influence the way we see the world, solve problems, and make decisions. But what makes someone a true thought leader? Are they original thinkers with unique worldviews, or can they be curators sharing their opinions and amplifying others’ ideas? With the rise of social media, it’s harder than ever to tell the difference. So how can we separate the trailblazers from those simply echoing the ideas of others? In this week’s episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed unpack the art o...
Jan 20, 2025•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some movies capture lightning in a bottle, but few soar as high as Top Gun: Maverick. With $1.4 billion in global earnings and record-breaking attendance post-pandemic, this film didn’t just work—it dominated. But why? Was it the nostalgia, the perfectly executed hero’s journey, or the relentless determination of its star, Tom Cruise? At a time when theaters struggled, Maverick reminded us why blockbuster films exist. It delivered spectacle, heart, and a story that resonated across generations. ...
Jan 13, 2025•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whether you realize it or not, frameworks structure the world around us. They help us make decisions faster, simplify complex processes, and are the reason so many bestselling books and billion-dollar businesses succeed. Without clear frameworks, progress can feel chaotic and goals seem unattainable. So, why are frameworks so effective, and how can you create one to make life and business simpler? In this debut episode of Why That Worked , hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed dive into the art and ...
Jan 06, 2025•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Starting January 6, 2025, the Business Made Simple Podcast feed will become home to an exciting new show: Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai , hosted by Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand framework. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, or products become massive successes while others fade into obscurity? That’s exactly what this podcast will explore. Each week, Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand framework, and co-host Kyle Reed uncover the strategies behind the ...
Dec 30, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast AI is revolutionizing the way businesses operate—but how do you harness it effectively without getting lost in the noise? In this final episode of the Business Made Simple Podcast, Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, to unpack the practical ways small business owners can leverage AI as a strategic thought partner. Geoff shares the essential mindset shifts needed to embrace AI, from reframing limiting beliefs to asking the right questions t...
Dec 30, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Life’s curveballs can leave you feeling out of control, burned out, and off your game. And when your mornings feel chaotic, the rest of your day never seems to recover. Most people start their day hitting snooze, reacting to problems, and dragging themselves to work. But what if you could take back your mornings and start every day with clarity, purpose, and motivation? Imagine how much more you could accomplish if you were already firing on all cylinders before 9 a.m. In this week’s episode, Bo...
Dec 23, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Countless business owners unknowingly build a “prison” around themselves — a business that only works if they’re doing all the work. Every problem is their problem. Every fire is their fire. They’re working 60, 70, 80 hours a week — and for what? This is the hidden trap that swallows countless business owners whole. Here’s the truth: if you don’t break out of this cycle, you’ll end up resenting the very thing you created. So how can you effectively hand off critical tasks without your business f...
Dec 16, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Running a business is hard enough without feeling like your own brain is working against you. If ADHD has you stuck in cycles of procrastination, perfectionism, or overwhelm, you might wonder if you’ll ever get a handle on your own productivity. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance their creative bursts with the structure and discipline needed for success. So how do you work with your brain instead of against it? And what if the quirks of ADHD are actually your greatest asset? In this episode,...
Dec 09, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready for an all-new podcast experience! Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI launches January 6th. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, and campaigns succeed while others fall flat? Host Donald Miller dives deep into the strategies behind today’s biggest successes, breaking them down into actionable insights you can use. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or just someone fascinated by the "why" behind success, this show is for you. The first episode drops Monday, ...
Dec 03, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast What if the secret to abundance isn’t found in chasing external success but in reframing how you see and approach your life and business? For so many of us, achieving more doesn’t always equate to feeling fulfilled. How can you shift your mindset and embrace the abundance already around you? In this week’s episode, Cathy Heller, author of Abundant Ever After , talks with hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting and shares how reframing your relationship with abundance can transform your life and ...
Dec 02, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show: Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI , hosted by Donald Miller. It’s been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and this new podcast will continue giving incredible value with actionable insights you can immediately apply. Stay subscribed to this feed so you don’t ...
Nov 25, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Delivering exceptional customer service can feel taxing, especially when you’re juggling multiple roles in your business. It’s easy to think that “good enough” is sufficient, but the truth is, it’s the small, thoughtful actions that leave the biggest impact on your customers. If you’ve ever struggled with handling tough customer interactions or wondered how to wow your clients without breaking the bank, you’re not alone. What if elevating your customer experience could be simpler (and more affor...
Nov 18, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast When your business starts to scale, growth brings new opportunities—and new complexities. As they say, “New level, new devil.” While rapid growth is exciting, it can also lead to misalignment, confusion, and burnout without the right checks in place. To keep your team focused, your mission clear, and your growth sustainable, you need a proactive approach. In this episode, host Bobby Richards talks with Tyler Ginn, President of CoachBuilder and Business Made Simple, who reveals a 4-part health ch...
Nov 11, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re in the coaching business, you know it’s not enough to just find clients. You’ve got to help them get real results that make a difference. But without a proven system, that’s easier said than done. A lot of coaches end up frustrated, watching their clients stall out. So, what if you could skip the trial and error and go straight to what works? In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Michael Hyatt, founder of Full Focus, and Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, about their...
Nov 04, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a business coach, you might have all the passion and wisdom in the world, but if you don’t have a clear, step-by-step framework, things can get messy—fast. Without a reliable system, helping your clients get consistent, meaningful results is essentially a gamble. You end up reinventing the wheel for each client which creates an exhausting grind for you and an unpredictable experience for your clients. So, how do you move from just giving good advice to offering a proven, repeatable system tha...
Oct 28, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download The Small Business Owner’s Quickstart Checklist for free at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you. -- If you think more followers or a bigger ad budget will fix your business, think again. Too often, business owners mistake tactics for strategy. They focus on short-term wins—like growing a social media following or driving quick sales—but forget...
Oct 21, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do you start charging for your advice without feeling weird about it? A lot of business owners have the expertise to coach others, but turning that knowledge into a successful coaching business can feel daunting and awkward. How do you know if what you’re offering is worth the price? The real challenge isn’t what you know—it’s learning how to package that knowledge into something people are willing to pay for. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to get stuck in “free advice” mode and miss the op...
Oct 14, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download The Small Business Owner’s Quickstart Checklist for free at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you. -- Video marketing can do wonders for your business—if you're comfortable getting on camera. For many, though, creating videos feels awkward and overwhelming. We freeze up, obsess over tiny details, or just have no idea where to start, leaving us f...
Oct 07, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast You’ve got the vision and the drive to grow your business, but there’s a massive obstacle holding you back: chaos. Tasks pile up, deadlines blur, and you find yourself juggling too many things at once. How many times have you wished you had more time to focus on the bigger picture? Without someone to manage the daily grind, it can feel like you’re constantly putting out fires instead of strategizing for growth. What if the answer isn’t more hours in the day, but a single, essential hire? In this...
Sep 30, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast You’ve built a business you're proud of, but are you spending too much time in the weeds? When small tasks pile up, you might feel like you’re doing everything except what actually grows your business. With every email and customer support issue you handle, you're losing time that should be dedicated to sales and marketing—the lifeblood of your revenue. So, how do you know when it’s time to delegate and finally scale? In this episode of Business Made Simple, hosts James Sweeting and Bobby Richar...
Sep 23, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast What’s the real cost of being too nice? It’s more than you might think. Many leaders, especially small business owners, fall into the trap of “ruinous empathy”, which is the failure to provide essential feedback due to the fear of hurting someone's feelings. Avoiding difficult confrontations might feel like the right thing to do—but it’s actually a fast track to mediocrity. Join hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting as they sit down with Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor , to dive into the d...
Sep 16, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many people believe that financial freedom—accumulating enough money to never work again—is the ultimate goal. But for most entrepreneurs, this dream feels out of reach, which leads to frustration and financial stress. The constant pressure to build wealth and achieve financial freedom can leave you feeling like a failure if you don’t hit that big number. So what if financial freedom isn’t the answer? What if there’s a more realistic and sustainable way to manage your money and build security? I...
Sep 09, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you leaving money on the table by not offering an online course? A lot of business owners feel overwhelmed by the idea of turning their knowledge into a digital product, worried it might be too complex or could cannibalize their bread-and-butter services. The doubts—about your teaching ability or the sheer effort involved—can make you question if creating an online course is the right move. In today’s episode of the Become a Better Business Owner series, host Bobby Richards brings in digital...
Sep 02, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
