Black Hills Influence

Intro for our new series - Homeless, not Hopeless. A series of conversations surrounding the homeless population of Rapid City and the Black Hills. If you have a guest suggestion please reach out and pass along their information. We'd love to have a conversation around the dynamic situation that is homelessness. 

"You don't have to apologize to us. We win or lose together."A little humanity from all sides brings the tribes together around a common occurrence - failure. 

What is the yellow team doing?! Let's talk about the cliques and teams on how they're working together, working against each other, and literally changing team dynamics by the minute. How often do the team dynamics in your life change? 

Join hosts Brian Maruska and Chris Larson as they chat with Peter Kottwitz of Sentinel FCU. We explore a wide range of topics from COVID-19 to crypto to business lending. Check out the website and leave us a voicemail on questions you'd like us to ask Peter when he joins us again! www.BlackHillsInfluence.com 

Let's talk about Survivor! Not so much about the show itself but the lessons we can learn from it as we challenge ourselves in our daily life. Throughout the drama of daily challenges of working on a team of perfect strangers, being physically and mentally drained and trying to do your best, and how to get the most out of your team when the chips are down before they turn on each other. 

We explore a section of Chapter 2 from "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. What motivates you? We break down the 8 things that motivate people in their every day life from the book. What makes you feel important? Where do you get your value? 

The official start of season 2 of Black Hills Influence. Changes coming soon to the podcast - we're going mobile! Chris and Brian talk about updates coming to the podcast, guests, and new tech! 

Brian Maruska and Chris Larson discuss the not so simple topic of "struggle". We all have struggles in your family, professional and normal daily lives. Let's talk about how we can get through it today! 

A fun episode of rapid fire questions between Brian and Chris. 

What legacy are you planning to leave after you move on? Brian Maruska and Chris Larson discuss legacies, comparisons between common athletes, Olympians, business leaders, etc. and the legacies they have already left or are currently writing. 

Brian and Chris talk about habits in your personal and professional life and how to audit your current habits, work on new ones, and work towards the better you! 

It's an interesting vibe to live in a place that is most known for tourism. You eventually get burnt out on the large and well known attractions after family and friends come to visit every summer - so then what?

We brought our wives in for this one! Wide ranging conversation with lots of laughs, smacks on the table, and FIERCE glares from wives to husbands.Happy Mother's Day to all of you great women out there! 

We're all human. We all have STUFF going on in your life. It's okay to not be okay. 

Hell yeah brother! Let's talk about your passion and how you can use it to influence others. 

Chris and Brian discuss the challenges that some people might be facing trying to find new employees as well as the other side of the coin of employees wanting to go back to work. Also, special announcement for a mother's day episode! 

Brian and Chris discuss our Friday thoughts to end April. Check out the website - www.BlackHillsInfluence.com

On this bonus episode, Brian and Chris talk about the act of movement. 'Lotion is Motion' and momentum is a real thing in your daily life as you pursue your goals. 

Join hosts Brian Maruska and Chris Larson as they chat with Tom Johnson, President and CEO of Elevate Rapid City in a wide ranging conversation around Rapid City and the Black Hills as no topics are off limits. Check out the website and leave us a voicemail on questions you'd like us to ask Tom when he joins us again! www.BlackHillsInfluence.com 

It comes up in everyone's life where you are faced with somewhat of an impossible decision that is surely crazy and you'd say no to yourself for having that crazy idea. But, what if you said yes? 

On this special fireside chat with Chris and Brian, we grill each other with random questions from a deck of cards full of random interview questions. Not 100% sure who your favorite podcast guests are? Take a listen and we'll see you on the other side. 

Take a minute and check in with those that are reaching out for help. We're never always aware of what's going on in other people's lives around us but every once in a while we'll see something that makes us wonder. We're all busy - I get it. But take a moment and reach out to that person and check in with them. You never know when you'll be able to potentially save a life or turn someone's day around. We love you guys. Have a good weekend. 

Brian and Chris discuss 5 key things successful leaders do in their every day patterns. Follow along and share with us how you have been a key actor in one of these examples through your career. Leave us a voicemail on the website - www.blackhillsinfluence.com 

We have a challenge for you this weekend. Take the time to work on yourself, reach out to a loved one.. Do something you've been putting off for months or even years. We're all busy - we know this. Report back on Monday. 

Brian and Chris sit down this week with Katy Kinnan, Outreach Director with Fountain Springs Church here in Rapid City, SD. She is a dedicated mother, wife, and all around rockstar in the community.  In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about finding your own passion and how you can build others up to find their own passion. "It takes a village!"

Your current level of success is a direct reflection of your actions and effort. If you're not where you want to be, increase your actions and increase your effort. YOU do have the power to get yourself where you want to be. Be sure to follow Black Hills Influence on your favorite podcast app! Check out www.BlackHillsInfluence.com and leave us a voicemail or a message. 

When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Do you see yourself and who you think you are or do you see someone you hardly recognize anymore? Brian and Chris chat about self-awareness on this introspective episode all about self-awareness. When we talk about self-awareness there are actually a few different ways to look at your own self-awareness as well as tips on how to improve your own self-awareness. Make sure you check out the new website - www.blackhillsinfluence.com . Leave us a voicemail! 

On this episode Brian and Chris interview Jessica Fulkerson and Shonna McBride, owners of Oak & Key Realty here in Rapid City, SD. In this wide ranging chat full of laughs we talk about a down to earth approach to starting and growing a business, the ever changing real estate landscape of the Black Hills, and their best tips on following through with your own dreams. 

Having the skills you have and knowing what you know right now would you do the exact same thing over again? If your business closed tomorrow, would you build the same exact business again? If you got fired tomorrow, would you go into the same exact position with another company? Website is live! Check it out and leave us a voicemail! We can't wait to hear from you. 

"Follow Through". This short phrase can be one of your best friends or your worst enemies. The lack of follow through can hurt you, your employees, loved ones and friends around you. Follow through can also be an admirable trait you'll find in yourself or others around you with influence. With anything you do be sure to follow through with your goals, promises and ambitions. 

What chapter would you say you're in inside of your Book of Life? You might be in a hard chapter but are you willing to keep turning the page to move the story along to perseverance, wealth and happiness? 

Brian and Chris discuss the issue we have of "saying  no" to those we love, respect and work for. While it's not the easiest thing to do, we go through seven great tips on saying no without losing your job, loved one, or respect. Article referenced here - https://www.fastcompany.com/3044750/7-ways-to-say-no-to-your-boss-and-keep-your-job

Friday short episode. Quick reminder that if those around you are not building you up you need to take a moment and audit your circle. Not building you up = dragging you down. 

Chris and Brian discuss an article from Entrepreneur. The discussion revolves around why or why not some leaders need to be great followers as well as why some of the best leaders in our lives started out as followers. Article can be found here -> https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/361176

A short episode looking back at a Facebook memory Brian shares from 7+ years ago. What kind of legacy do you strive to leave when you're no longer here? What are you doing on a daily, weekly, yearly basis towards that legacy? 

Today we have the privilege to be joined by Alyssa Crawford with Alyssa Crawford Photography. Based out of Rapid City, SD, Alyssa is a beacon of humor while staying down to earth with the ebbs and flows that come along with being a mom of three young kids while managing a business, sports, etc. For more information or to contact Alyssa check out her website here. www.alyssacrawfordphotography.com

Brian and Chris sit down with Michael Bumann, a South Dakota native. Living in China for the previous 14+ years, he brings unique insights to international leadership when dealing with potential language and distance barriers and how to overcome those obstacles in your daily life. Link to book referenced in conversation here. 

You deserve better in your daily life than to work in a toxic work environment. Brian and Chris discuss characteristics of toxic work cultures that we've seen in our own experiences. Remember, as a human, you deserve SO MUCH better than to hate where you work. Click here to check out the article referenced. 

Chris and Brian  reflect on 2020 and what we're looking forward to in 2021. Discussing optimism in business, the adaptions needed to survive and thrive, and changed the way they operated. What are some of your goals for 2021 in your life, career and the influence you have on others? 

You don't need a title to be a leader.Chris and Brian chat leadership in their own lives as well as previous experiences with great and terrible bosses alike. Are you a leader? Do you want to be a leader? What exactly is stopping you from stepping up and being a leader in your own life, career, or relationship? 

What is the world's happiest country? Chatting about happiness, personal growth and hacking your own life for the better. Articles noted inside podcast:https://worldhappiness.report/https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2017/02/14/ten-habits-of-incredibly-happy-people/?sh=ba7e6c711ba7

We discuss our first jobs and how those jobs shaped us into who we are today. From stocking shelves to selling shoes, there are lessons learned that still influence us to this day. 

Welcome to Black Hills Influence! Join as we fumble through adult life trying to become better people, husbands, employees, bosses, etc. We'll go over current events and specific topics on growing your influence with leadership, patience, appreciation, and growth.