The Culture Matters Podcast

"It becomes more doable if you accept the path."Founder of Duffin Media and Duffin Coaching, host of the "Your Message Received" podcast, and one of our favorite frequent guests on the show John Duffin is back for another lively discussion on The Culture Matters Podcast.  Today's conversation is all about collaboration and the different forms and shapes and sizes that it can come in.  John and Jay are drilling down on what it takes to avoid the temptation to just talk to people you already know at collaboration events and actually go and meet new people, the benefits of hyper-authenticity and being the catalyst for those valuable interactions with others, and the checklist you should run down after attending networking events i.e. who you met, what relationships you garnered, and the value you not only received, but also gave to others.  It's always a pleasure to have John on the show and today is no exception on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The tree that would grow to heaven must first send its roots down to hell." - Friedrich NietzscheExecutive performance coach as well as a fitness and nutrition expert, Fraser Bayley, is making his inaugural appearance on our show and we couldn't be happier to have him here to share his thoughts, experience, and expertise with our listeners.  Fraser and Jay are digging into the influx of men in 2025 who are looking to improve their health and wellness beyond simply getting washboard abs, Fraser's personal journey and the circumstances that made him take risks and make the changes he needed to to become the man he is today, what it takes to go from making day-to-day decisions and simply existing to looking at the big picture, and having the obligation to help those you can with the knowledge and experience you have.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.https://bayleybuilt.mykajabi.com/labs

"The individual has always had to struggle from being overwhelmed by the crowd. If you try it, you will be lonely often and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Friedrich NietzscheManaging partner of Lion Oakes Healthcare Consulting Dr. David Yerkes is back on the show to continue this series of discussions revolving around the life and contributions of Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, after his life was cut short at a speaking engagement in Utah on September 10, 2025.  As we continue to gather more and more unique perspectives and insights on this terrible event, Dr. Yerkes is able to provide some information on the medical side of things that leads to a better understanding of what actually occurred and why the injury was so devastating.  Dr. Yerkes and Jay are also discussing some of the reasons why Charlie Kirk's passing has affected people so deeply, understanding that no one would come out looking flawless if every moment and debate was recorded and chopped up into convenient sound bites, and a call to continue to argue and debate our different points and perspectives with one another, but to stop fighting.  We should listen to one another, we should debate our perspectives with respect for the people we are debating, but we should stop fighting and reverting to our baser instincts.  Dr. Yerkes has a distinctive outlook on what took place and we're grateful he chose to share it on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world. Violence can only be concealed by a lie and a lie can only be maintained by violence. Any man who has once proclaimed violence as his method is inevitably forced to take the lie as his principle. At its birth, violence acts openly; even proudly, but no sooner does it become strong firmly established, then it senses the rare faction of the air around it and it cannot continue to rule without descending into a fog of lies, clothing them in sweet words. Violence does not live alone and is not capable of living alone. It is necessarily interwoven with falsehood and the lie can only persist by covering up violence. Any man who has once acclaimed violence as his method must inexorably choose falsehood as his principle. The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie, not to support deceit. Let the lie come in to the world, let it even triumph, but not through me." - Aleksandr SolzhenitsynOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are continuing with our series of guests who are paying their respects to conservative activist and co-founder of Turing Point USA, Charlie Kirk, who lost his life at a speaking engagement in Utah on September 10, 2025.  To continue these discussions on the life an contributions of Charlie Kirk, we have a regular back on the show in the form of Brian Hess, founder of The Pavement Group and Top Contractor School and the host of "The Brian Hess Show".  As we've stated before, the murder of Charlie Kirk was met with a myriad of different emotions and responses and this conversation brings in to focus just how sad an event this was.  Brian and Jay discuss the tragedy of Charlie's kids growing up without him, how not getting the full scope of someone's words is both dangerous and irresponsible, the inspiration Charlie provided for the next generation, and how, eventually, there will be someone who is going to pick up the mantle and continue on.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"When you have something to say, silence is a lie." - Dr. Jordan B. PetersonHost of "The Relief Podcast", author of How to Get Your Life Back, and founder of Real Estate Relief Demetri Stakias has made his way back to The Culture Matters Podcast under unfortunate circumstances for this conversation.  We are continuing our discussions on the life and contributions made by Charlie Kirk, who was shot down at a speaking engagement on a university campus in Utah on September 10, 2025.  As the events of that day still stand fresh in our minds, Demetri and Jay are discussing the impact this event has had and will continue to have in the coming weeks, months, and even years.  Demetri and Jay are touching on Charlie's ability to mobilize like-minded people and encourage them to speak up, the fact that programming people to think a certain way or believe a certain thing has become a part of life, and how grieving explicitly manifests itself in one way while grieving implicitly manifests itself in a completely different form.  These continued conversations are bringing new thoughts and ways of looking at the events of the past weeks in different lights and we are grateful to have Demetri Stakias share his views on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Economics must not be relegated to classrooms and statistical offices and must not be left to esoteric circles. It is the philosophy of human life and action and concerns everybody and everything. It is the pith of civilization and a man's human existence." - Ludwig von MisesSales expert, speaker, and founder of Sales Connection Kayvon Kay is re-joining the program today as we continue our discussions on the life and contributions of conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk who whose life was taken on September 10, 2025.  Many emotions have been on display since the event took place and have manifested themselves in many ways.  During this conversation, Kayvon gives voice to his frustration and the state of affairs in the world that led to a man's life being taken for exercising his right to free speech.  Kayvon and Jay dig into the senselessness of violence when people disagree with one another's positions on certain topics, whether or not society is too far gone to be able to rectify these violent and unnecessary actions, the hand both sides of the aisle play in disavowing any responsibility for the removal of free speech, and how a lack of respect has helped forge this unfortunate path.  We appreciate this impassioned call for a return to respect and decency from the one and only Kayvon Kay.

"When the tyrant dies, his rule ends. When the martyr dies, his reign begins."COO of the Hubert Vester Auto Group, creator of the "Faith. Family. Fulfillment." podcast, and the author of the book Answers From the Stairs Chris Vester has returned to The Culture Matters Podcast to continue our discussions on the life and contributions of the late Charlie Kirk.  An ardent follower of the Christian faith, Chris is approaching the subject from a faith-based perspective and focusing on the ways that Charlie Kirk used his own belief as a platform from which he spoke his truth and spread the message of his faith.  Chris and Jay are also looking at how Charlie Kirk was able to give give voice to a younger generation brought up with traditional values, how that same generation was given someone to look up to, the culture battle in our society between having faith and not, and asking the question of who will take up the mantle.  The loss of Charlie Kirk was felt by a multitude of communities and perhaps none as deeply as that of the Christian faith.  An inside perspective on how the loss was truly felt in that community awaits during this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Prove me wrong." - Charlie KirkMarvin Joles is the owner of Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance and the creator of the "Blacktop Banter" podcast and he has made his return to the show as we continue to discuss the life and contributions made by conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, after he was murdered at a speaking engagement in Utah on September 10, 2025.  As we have been examining the fallout of this event over the last couple of days, there has been a theme of courage and standing up for what you believe in.  Those themes are carried over into today's conversation as Marvin and Jay are discussing whether it is a lack of culture that has led to this chaos we are experiencing today or if our culture as a society as merely shifted in that direction, the never-ending quest for knowledge and self-improvement, how a breakdown of mutual respect has enflamed people on both sides of the aisle, and a desire for a more peaceful and fruitful future in the wake of tragedy.  As we continue to navigate these waters, we continue to hope for a better tomorrow where a person is free to say what is on their mind free of fear and with the hope of open ears to receive those words.  

"We must teach goodness to our infants." - Charlie KirkAdvisor, consultant, and business and financial guru Matt McHale is joining us on the program once again, though for a different reason than usual.  Today, we are taking the time to discuss the life and influence of conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, who lost his life at a speaking engagement in Utah on September 10, 2025.  During his time in the public eye, Charlie Kirk acted as a vessel for free speech and for open discussion amongst people who disagreed with one another, and the right for everyone to have a voice.  His loss was felt very deeply by many and today's discussion touches on that loss and the impact it is having on those that followed Charlie Kirk.  Matt and Jay are discussing many aspects of Charlie's message based in his incredibly strong belief in Christianity, the legacy that Charlie left behind and the hope to see his work continued, and why it is important for those who feel compelled to speak up and speak out in their truths to start where they are and make impacts locally.  We hope you enjoy this discussion on the work of the late Charlie Kirk.

"If you believe in something you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas not run away from them or try to silence them." - Charlie KirkOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, the founder of BBD Solutions, Tom Bove, is joining the show for a discussion and a look back at the life and influence of conservative activist and co-founder of Turing Point USA, Charlie Kirk, who was killed at a speaking engagement in Utah on September 10, 2025.  As an outspoken advocate for free speech and open dialogue among opponents, Charlie Kirk was someone who many looked up to as voice for change and traditional values and his loss was felt very deeply by many people.  In today's discussion, Tom and Jay are digging into the influence that Charlie's words and actions had on both of their lives personally, the need for people in the media to understand the weight of their words, the courage it takes to stand by your convictions even in the face of overwhelming scrutiny, and how this loss should encourage others to live in their truth.  Charlie Kirk meant a lot to a lot of people and, in his honor, we are glad we are able to discuss his life and legacy on The Culture Matters Podcast.

On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is taking some time to talk sales and storytelling.  One thing that all great salespeople have in common is their ability to tell a story.  That doesn't mean to spin a yarn or say what you have to to make the sale.  Instead, great salespeople are able to put themselves in the shoes of their potential customers armed with all of the information that they can to speak to that customer on their terms and in their language to make sure both sides of benefiting.  The story doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out epic with subplots and twists.  All it needs to be is straight-forward, compelling, honest, and true to make it great.  We're digging into the art of storytelling on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham LincolnAdvisor, consultant, and business and financial guru Matt McHale is back again to finish up a conversation we started yesterday about being a Chief Revenue Officer and digging down a little deeper to explore what this role means for a company.  For today's conversation, Matt and Jay are digging into the importance of having people back in the workplace in a post-pandemic world, the reality of living in a time where we've never been more connected as a society via our technology and yet still so isolated, and how the ever-advancing tidal wave of technology will never be able to fully replace the work of a human person, specifically when it comes to the role of CRO.  If you liked yesterday's episode and learning about Chief Revenue Officers, then you are going to love today's conversation with the one and only Matt McHale.

"A great CRO builds a system where revenue is not the outcome of heroics, but the result of a repeatable process." - Ben HorowitzAdvisor, consultant, and business and financial guru Matt McHale is making his triumphant return to the show after far too long of an absence and we intend to make good on the time that we have.  During today's discussion, Matt and Jay are taking a look at what a Chief Revenue Officer is, what that position does, and what it means for their company.  Through the lens of that topic, the discussion also moves into how a CRO can benefit the sales staff so that they have as much time as possible to be out making sales, understanding the dynamics of relationships and being able to look back and see that relationship dynamic with clarity, and the future of business technology with a particular emphasis on AI.  We're going around and around with Matt McHale today and we hope you'll be excited for Part 2 after listening to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I like to say experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." - Howard S. MarksBack again like we never left, we have the founder of Arena Securities and co-host of our ongoing Value Investor Series, Aleck Arena, here today to talk a little shop like only he can.  With the current state of the financial world seemingly changing at a faster pace than ever before, what better time than now to drill down on some of Aleck's thoughts on stocks, the market, and investing.  Jay and Aleck are discussing some specific moves that Aleck has made recently and why he made some of those moves, why it is so important in this world to know when to cut bait and look for better opportunities, and the benefits of patience and and paying attention to put yourself in the best position possible.  If you're looking for a deep dive into investing and finance, then you have come to the right place.  We hope you enjoy this conversation with Aleck Arena.Disclaimer: The information contained in this episode is not personal financial product advice and has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. Culture Matters does not hold an Australian Financial Services License and is not authorised to provide general or personal financial product advice. Before making any investment decision, you should consult a licensed financial adviser. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran, a voracious reader in his own right, is taking a minute to talk about just that - reading.  There is power in the written word.  There is knowledge to be gained, new ways of thinking to be uncovered, and a virtually endless library of stories, tales, and windows into other times that only books can provide.  Jay is discussing his personal tie to reading and what makes it such a passion for him, the overwhelming advantages there are to reading as much as you can, and what you can learn about not only whatever subject you want, but perhaps more importantly, yourself in the process of reading.  After you've listened to this episode, take some time, find a book, and get reading.

"Every person takes the limits of their own field of vision for the limits of the world." - Arthur SchopenhauerHost of "The Relief Podcast", author of How to Get Your Life Back, and founder of Real Estate Relief Demetri Stakias is back on the program for the first time in far too long and we are going to be taking full advantage of his presence.  After figuring out that Jay now holds the record for the longest episode ever recorded of Demetri's podcast, we get down to the nitty gritty.  Demetri and Jay are discussing the differences between de-escalating conflict and winning an argument and aiming for resolution over victory, the freedom that comes with taking some time away from social media, and while it may not always be easy, if you stay kind, patient, and diligent, you'll always be able to find your way to work.  We've got a lot to unpack on this episode, so listen closely and enjoy!

"My super power is that I love people more than I care about looking stupid."Advisor, executive coach, former pastor, and author of a series of books under the Rethink Everything title Kyle Draper is our guest on the show today and we are making the most of this one.  During today's discussion, Kyle and Jay are getting into Kyle's experiences with leaders both good and bad inside and outside of the church world, why it is a mistake to think that good leadership is building a team of people to work FOR you instead of WITH you, the importance of face time with the people working under you as a leader, and some of their thoughts on content creation and the reach that it has.  We've got the energy up from the jump today, so please enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The best way to get started is to quit and begin doing." - Walt DisneyIt has been a little while, but we are back with another Thirty Days of Thought with friends and what better friends could we ask to do this with than the two we have assembled for today?  Our guests today need no introduction but we're going to give them one anyway...the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media, Andrew Berman, and the Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Paul Lucido, are here to discuss the idea of quitting every day that you are an entrepreneur.  It is hard to dispute that going into business for yourself is one of the most difficult and stressful things one can do, but that just means the ones that succeed are the ones who really wanted it.  Quitting doesn't have to mean you're taking your ball and going home.  In today's episode, Andrew, Paul, and Jay are taking a crack at unpacking all there is to unpack those statements and we hope you enjoy this discussion on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"It's not supposed to be easy. Anyone who finds it easy is stupid." - Charlie MungerIf you've been following along with this show for any length of time, then you are very familiar with today's guest.  He is the founder and owner and Arena Securities and the co-host of The Investor Series right here on The Culture Matters Podcast and his name is Aleck Arena.  Aleck is pulling double-duty here over the last couple of days by co-hosting yesterday and appearing as a guest today as we're taking a deeper look into what we can expect from The Investor Series in the future.  More than that, Aleck and Jay are taking a deep dive into value investing and giving our listeners more of an inside track on why this series is being done and what value there is to be gained from it.  This conversation runs the gamut from what national debt looks like to The Wolf of Wall Street to the ins and outs of value creation within investing.  It's a long and winding road today and that road is filled with insider information that you're only going to get from the one and only Aleck Arena.Disclaimer: The information contained in this episode is not personal financial product advice and has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. Culture Matters does not hold an Australian Financial Services License and is not authorised to provide general or personal financial product advice. Before making any investment decision, you should consult a licensed financial adviser. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

"We lean heavily on common sense on how we approach things."It has been a little while but on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are bringing back The Investor Series and we are welcoming back the founder of Arena Securities, Aleck Arena, to co-host the show with our very own Jay Doran and they are sitting down with Jordan Cvetanovski who is the Chairman, CIO, and Portfolio Manager with Pella Funds Management.  Back in April, we had Jordan on the show and barely began scratching the surface of his investment knowledge and today we are taking a deeper dive.  From current market trends and the reasons behind them to the cyclical nature of the banking industry and some very high-minded material in between, this is one of the deepest dives we have ever taken in this series.  There is a lot to absorb during this conversation and we couldn't be happier to be getting this information from the one and only Jordan Cventanovski.Disclaimer: The information contained in this episode is not personal financial product advice and has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular person. Culture Matters does not hold an Australian Financial Services License and is not authorised to provide general or personal financial product advice. Before making any investment decision, you should consult a licensed financial adviser. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we're continuing to steer the culture train down the tracks with our very own Jay Doran takes another deeper look into what actually makes up culture.  In yesterday's episode, Jay discussed the essence of what culture is and what makes culture in a business environment.  Now, we're taking a look at how one can define culture.  Anyone can pick up a dictionary and find the definition, but what we're talking about is on a more intangible level.  What does culture look like?  What does it feel like?  Is it something you can see from the outside looking in or is it something that you need to immerse yourself in to understand?  If you've ever asked yourself any of those questions or find your curiosity piqued, we have got the episode for you.

If you've been following along on the show, then you know that for the past few weeks, our very own Jay Doran has been taking deeper dives into the specifics of various elements of culture.  Whether taking a peek behind the curtain into the core values of Culture Matters as a company or even why culture itself matters at all, we've been taking a closer look at the culture that drives us on a daily basis.  With that being said, there is one element of culture we haven't taken a look at yet and that is exactly what culture is.  On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, Jay is taking a stab at answering that exact question.  Between being what drives the day-to-day at a company and how people treat one another as well as the clients, culture is all around at all times, so let's take a closer look at exactly what it is.

"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns. He who doesn't, pays it." - Albert EinsteinCulture matters now more than ever.  It may be hard to believe, but this is the 1000th episode of The Culture Matters Podcast!  In today's very special episode, our very own Jay Doran is taking some time to reflect on the last six years and what it has meant to continually bring this show to our listeners.  We've had a myriad of guests who have so generously given of their time to share their expertise along with their successes and failures and advice to burgeoning entrepreneurs and business professionals.  We've had a cavalcade of monologues and observations on culture and business and the continually changing world around us.  We've talked about everything from market trends and core values to faith, family, and pushing through the grind.  The Culture Matters Podcast has served as a platform for like-minded individuals to come together to discuss the relevant topics of the day and given a voice to people who truly have something to say and want to share it with the world.  Jay discusses the humble beginnings of the show, why he started doing it in the first place, and how the future of the show is starting to take shape.Everyone here at Culture Matters would like to thank each and every person who has taken the time to come on the show and share their experiences with our listeners.  We would also like to thank every single person who has listened to this show at one time or another and proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that culture really does matter.Thank you to everyone who has made 1000 episodes of The Culture Matters Podcast possible and we couldn't be more excited for the next chapter of the show.

"The moist enduring traditions are those which have been forgotten." - Friedrich NietzscheGlobal business and family advisor, mentor, teacher, author of the book A Road to Triumph in Family Business, and founder of Exaudi Family Business Consulting Guillermo Salazar is joining us on the program today and we are taking full advantage of his expertise.  If you are involved in a family business or considering becoming involved, you have come to the right place.  Guillermo and Jay are digging into what family business consulting is and what some of the unique challenges are that come from working with family, the complications that can arise in generational family succession but also some of the advantages, understanding your history, and even why going outside of your area of business can be helpful in your area of expertise.  There are some out there that may have never considered the challenges that can a family business can face, but you'll be very well-versed after listening to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I have made conflict masked as passion my mate and in that I am my own soul mate. I am in love with myself. How damned am I?"Welcome back to the program and welcome back to another edition of Thirty Days of Thought featuring our very own Jay Doran as he discusses excerpts from his book, Thirty Days of Thought.  For today's discussion, Jay is investigating the concept of the "soul mate".  Whether that is linked to a romantic relationship or one created and crafted through business ties or however else that relationship might form, the idea of tying one's soul or essence or being to another is an altogether intimidating and possibly foreign concept to some.  But the value that can be created and the need to respond to and react with another is what helps to create culture.  Whether that culture is familial or business-related is based on the dynamic and purpose of the relationship, but it creates culture nonetheless.  This is a topic that could be discussed a million different ways and given a million different meanings and we're glad to be bringing just one on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The successful warrior is the average man with laser focus." - Bruce LeeOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is back to continue his discussion on focus which is one of the core values driving Culture Matters' mission.  In yesterday's episode, Jay looked into focus as a concept and why it should be at the top of mind of anyone in the business space, regardless of what that business is.  Today, Jay is diving a little deeper and looking at what the results of good focus can be.  Where have we seen focus create success through history?  Who has thrived from being as focused as one can possibly be on the task at hand?  Where can focus get you?  We're taking a look at all of that and a whole lot more on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"He who chases two rabbits catches none." - ConfuciusOur very own Jay Doran is back again with another look into the core values that drive Culture Matters as a company and today's focus is on just that: focus.  In order to be successful in any business venture, the entrepreneur or CEO or founder or whatever title one might bring to the table, it takes a certain level of ability to hone one's attention in on the task at hand.  Whether that task is building a company from the ground up, taking one's company or organization to the next tier of success, or providing your clients with the best possible service you can, your focus and your attention is going to have to be absolute in completing that task.  That can tend to be much easier said than done.  In this episode, Jay is taking a deeper look at the concept of focus and how being focused on the client is at the very heart of what Culture Matters is all about.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

If you have spent any time listening to this podcast, or even taken a look at the title, then it should come as no surprise to you know that culture is very important to us here at The Culture Matters Podcast.  The question you may be asking yourself is why?  Why does culture matter so much?  Why does culture matter to the point that we have spent nearly 1000 episodes talking about that very subject?  Well, our very own Jay Doran would like to shed a little light on that question and dip a metaphorical toe into that very subject.  What is it about culture that matters so much and where does it belong in your business?  Why do we spend so much time emphasizing its importance to others?  You're going to get all of that and more on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Invisible threads are the strongest ties." - Friedrich NietzscheSpecialist leadership consultant and researcher, mentor, high-performance coach, world, national, and Oceania champion athlete, Board Director and Head of Programs with Progressive Coaches, and founder of Golden Mean Leadership Dr. Damien Taylor has joined the program once again and we are diving deep today so take a deep breath and let's get after it.  Dr. Taylor and Jay are discussing the value of coaching and what it takes to truly help people who are legitimately trying to improve themselves, how being comfortable in who you are and in your own values can lead you to accepting more challenges in your professional life, and why believing in your core values and taking the time to understand them and investing in them will give you every advantage you need.  As always, we want to extend a giant thank you to Dr. Taylor for sharing his time and expertise with us and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"CrossFit needs to invest in the means of production, not just the production and if they can control the means of production, they will own the entire ecosystem."Personal trainer, author of the book Nutrition Finances, and founder of STRONGSIDE Fitness Mitchel Black is back on the show today and we are picking up right where we left off.  On his last appearance on The Culture Matters Podcast, Mitchel and Jay began discussing the global phenomenon known as CrossFit and they are continuing that conversation for today's program.  In this discussion, Mitchel and Jay are digging into the consistent decrease that CrossFit has been experiencing over the past few years and some of the reasons behind it, the changes that CrossFit made to their affiliate gym models and what some of the consequences of those actions have been, and what the future may hold for one of the world's most popular and intense forms of physical fitness training.  Mitchel really knows his stuff and we hope you find this as interesting as we did on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." - Jim RomeDirector of Growth and Strategy with The Pavement Group Brian Ferris is joining us on the program today and this is a man who has truly enjoyed success in every venture he has tried his hand at.  Whether in economics, stock trading, entrepreneurship, or construction, this man has been around the block a time or two and he has done it the right way.  Brian and Jay are digging into why discipline can mean the difference between achieving your goals and constantly finding yourself falling short, why the establishment of core values takes a certain level of maturity and sticking to them takes even more, how discipline and core values tie directly into the type of leader you want to be and the type of leader those in your company deserve, and why being prepared not only shows respect to those around you, but ensures that you are at the top of your game.  Brian is a wonderful example of where hard work and discipline can get you and we're very happy that he decided to share with all of our listeners on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are taking a bit of a different approach than we normally do and we are taking a look inward with our very own Jay Doran talking about the origin story of Culture Matters.  Sometimes when we feel at our most lost and unsure of what to do, an answer will present itself in the most unlikely of places.  Who would have thought that a book about The Container Store would lead to a decade and change long journey into business, culture, and the relation the two have to one another?  Today's episode is a deeply personal look at what led to Culture Matters as an entity and how a trip to Barnes and Noble would lead to a lifelong study of culture and service to others.  We hope you enjoy this look inside Culture Matters on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"A website without SEO is like a billboard in the woods; no one sees it." - Tyler StrattonCreative specialist with 1Team Media and custom shoe and clothing designer Jesse Woods is joining The Culture Matters Podcast for the first time and we are incredibly excited to learn more about this true work horse of a human being.  Jesse has made a name for himself by taking sneakers or cleats, cleaning them up, and adding custom artwork to footwear that needed new life breathed into them.  What started off as a side hustle has blossomed into so much more that has given Jesse the opportunity to work with professional athletes, people in the entertainment industry, and beyond.  Jesse and Jay are unpacking the journey from cleaning up and painting sneakers from Goodwill to working with some very high profile individuals, harnessing your intention and attention to create something new, and how a good product or service will basically write its own branding and marketing.  We've got so much good coming out of this episode and we really hope you enjoy this conversation with the one and only Jesse Woods.

"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly." - Friedrich NietzscheWelcome back to the program and welcome back to another edition of Thirty Days of Thought featuring our very own Jay Doran as he discusses excerpts from his book, Thirty Days of Thought.  Today, our excerpt is bringing up the topic of being different.  For much of our early lives, whether subconsciously or not, we don't want to be different.  We want to blend in or be like everyone else.  As we grow older, we learn that being different is a good thing and something that should be encouraged.  Today, Jay is taking a closer look at what being different means from a psychological aspect, from a business aspect, and from the point of view that being different is what sets you apart from others and gives you a leg up that you might not have known you had.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Champions keep playing until they get it right." - Billie Jean KingFormer NFL punter, Super Bowl champion, host of The Fan morning show, and Director of National Sales with 1Team Media Josh Miller is on the program today and we are excited to have a true champion bring his championship mentality to The Culture Matters Podcast.  Josh and Jay are digging into the common threads that exist between people who are succeeding at the highest levels of athletics and business, the evolution of marketing within media, some of the differences that exist in how people are brought up and how they learn within the media and marketing space today compared to just a few years ago, and why people podcast and what they are looking to gain from it on an individual level.  Josh is a guy that knows what it takes to win at the top and whether we're talking about sports or business or media or anything in between, there aren't too many better to learn from than the one and only Josh Miller.

"Champions keep playing until they get it right." - Billie Jean KingThe founder of 20/20 Vision for Success and author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth, Christine Beckwith, is back on the show today after far too long of an absence.  Christine is here talking about her new book, High - Selling is a Drug, and putting a nice bow on this series that we started way back in October of 2024.  On this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, Christine and Jay are taking a look back the why, how, and what of this book and what inspired Christine to put so much of her knowledge around high performance sales onto paper.  We're going over some of what drove the chapters of this book, what it means to truly be a high performer, and the value that finding the right coach for the right reasons will bring.  We hope you enjoy this recap with the one and only Christine Beckwith.

"Consistency is what transforms average into excellence."Today on The Culture Matters Podcast, we are continuing our series on the core values that drive Culture Matters as a company with our very own Jay Doran giving  our listeners a peek behind the curtain.  Our topic for this episode is consistency and how being consistent is something in life and in business that will either drive you to success or keep your business on a particular plateau.  To be consistent is to provide comfort to your clients that when you say you are going to do something that they can take it to the bank that it will be done.  Consistency is not just something to strive for, but something that you can and should be from the onset of any relationship.  There are very few qualities that will instill trust, a willingness to take chances, and a desire to continue to work together like good, honest, consistent results.  We strive for consistency every day and, as always, we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Continuity is not the absence of change, but the ability to adapt without losing your essence."Family business dynamic expert, coach, advisor, and the CEO and founder of Positively People Consulting Dr. Jean Meeks-Koch is making her very first appearance on the show and we are taking this dive really deep into a field that many of our listeners may not be very familiar with.  In a nutshell, Dr. Jean deals in organizational systems, restructuring, conflict resolution, and continuity planning among a plethora of other areas as it pertains to businesses that are run by families.  Those dynamics can be tricky because as the old saying goes, "You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family."  No matter what happens in the business, those folks are always going to be your family and the challenges that can arise are unique to that dynamic.  Dr. Jean is here to discuss a little about what her work is all about, navigating familial relationships in business, and how to come out strong on the other side.  We are very fortunate to have Dr. Jean on the show today and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The strongest of all warriors are these two: time and patience." - Leo TolstoyChief Strategy Officer for Pine Valley Investments, author of The Morning Core, and a long-standing leader in the financial and investing world Nick Lampone is joining us on the program today and if you are interested in a wealth of information on finance then you have come to the right place.  Nick is putting on a clinic today and we are happy to be along for the ride.  Nick and Jay are unpacking the far greater emotional toll losses take than gains, the importance of trustworthiness in this industry, how the advancement of technology and in particular AI has impacted the world of financing and investing, and how much more educated the younger generation coming up now is compared to those that came up before them.  We have a true legend in the business on the show today and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

I am not afraid. I was born to do this." - Joan of ArcFounder of Capano Speaking and Training, host of the "Claraty and Action" podcast, leader, sales trainer, and an all-around culture boss Clara Capano is joining us on the show today and we are taking our culture chat to the next level.  Clara and Jay are taking a deep dive into leadership on today's episode including how a leader can't be afraid to set the tone and the standard for their company, how if the leader isn't getting what they need or doing what they need to do then the rest of the organization isn't going to get what they need, and how an organization will always be stronger moving together as a unit then as a group of individuals.  There is a lot to unpack in today's episode and we hope you enjoy hearing from the one and only Clara Capano.

"Every great philosophy is the personal confession of the author." - Friedrich NietzscheWelcome back to the program and welcome back to another edition of Thirty Days of Thought featuring our very own Jay Doran as he discusses excerpts from his book, Thirty Days of Thought.  Today's discussion focuses on the thought that knowledge is potential energy and how in the end, like many of the topics discussed on this show, a lot of how you use that knowledge and that energy comes down to your values.  Knowledge isn't just about memorizing facts and figures.  Knowledge is about having the wisdom to do the right things for your business and your employees, the wisdom to know what not to do, and the wisdom to discern to know when to act and when to learn more.  More knowledge creates more opportunity and having the wisdom to act on that opportunity can be the difference between success and less than success.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Solving the same problem over and over again is fine. The really great people find interest and excitement in solving different types of problems, applying different skill sets, constantly learning and figuring out how to solve a problem. The second thing is: they ask really great questions. The best consultants that I've worked with are really keen to define the problem they're to solve and understand it before they try to solve it. The lesser consultants give you an answer before they fully understand the question."Senior Partner with Kinavic Leadership Acceleration and a consultant to the consultants Juan Pablo Gonzalez has made his triumphant return to our show and if you listened to his first appearance in episode 826 then you already know you're in for something special.  In today's disucssion, Juan Pablo and Jay are taking a hard look at the consulting profession and putting some of the finer points of what it takes to be a consultant on display.  These two culture conquerors are getting into how sometimes a question is asked for the implications the answer will give instead of the answer itself, understanding that different organizations run in different ways and are better fits for some than others, and how strategy can be broken down into simply making choices.  It's always a treat to have Juan Pablo on the show and we're already looking forward to having him back on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert EinsteinOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is back again to discuss what makes curiosity such an important quality or value to possess.  It is curiosity that launches exploration; whether in the physical world around us or in the exploring new concepts or ideas or trends that could help your business or your family or both.  It is curiosity that causes people to ask "what if" instead of accepting the world around them as it is.  Curiosity causes empathy and makes us want to know the people around us and what their stories are.  In other words, it is curiosity that drives us to understand the things around us and make us want to know what we already don't.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The system is the solution." - Michael GerberManaging partner and co-founder of Reagan Beecher, executive search expert, consultant, and advisor Clark Beech has made his way onto The Culture Matters Podcast and we are unpacking an awful lot in a relatively short amount of time, so we are wasting no time getting right into it.  Clark and Jay are unpacking how Clark began his career not even knowing what executive recruiting was and how he has now become an expert on the subject with an outright unbelievable completion success rate, how the use of data analytic tools can help predict how good a fit someone will be within a particular company or system, and why the biggest opportunities in consulting are coming from mid-market businesses and why that trend is continuing to go up.  We're incredibly happy that Clark was able to spend some time with us today on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, then to rank with those timid souls who never enjoy much nor suffer much." - Theodore RooseveltFormer NFL player, best-selling author, business and executive coach, and the host of the massively successful "Get Authentic with Marques Ogden" podcast Marques Ogden is joining us on the show today and we are ready to do some hard hitting with this gridiron gladiator.  Marques and Jay are digging into some of the obstacles and challenges that Marques had to overcome in his journey to becoming the man he is today, what goes into making a successful podcast and the need for the audience to connect with the brand of the show as well as the host and subject matter, and what bringing real leadership to everything you do is the only way to actually being a leader.  Marques is a larger-than-life individual with a larger-than-life story and we're so excited he decided to share it with us on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The discipline of suffering, of great suffering - do you not know that only this discipline has created all enhancements of man so far? That tension of the soul in unhappiness which cultivates its strength, its shudders face to face with great ruin, its inventiveness and courage in enduring, preserving, interpreting, and exploiting suffering, and whatever has been granted to it of profundity, secret, mask, spirit, cunning, greatness - was it not granted to it through suffering, through the discipline of great suffering?" - Friedrich NietzscheOn this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is taking another look at some of the things that drive Culture Matters as an organization behind the scenes.  The core value that Jay is discussing today is urgency.  Urgency is a driving force that requires us to be on our toes and to keep pushing even when we think we've given the task all we've got.  Urgency is what is going to get you across the finish line of your goals when you're feeling like you've gone past the point of exhaustion.  Working with a sense of urgency is what is going to set you apart from your competitors in your field.  We work with a sense of urgency because that is what keeps the blood flowing and the work at the highest level.  We hope that you feel a sense of urgency to listen to this episode and then go out there and get the work done.

"When culture is treated as a core business function, you start to see real traction." - Brian SmithOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is taking some time to discuss a very intriguing article that was sent to him by someone he considers a mentor.  The article in questions was put out there by a publication called Executive Search Review and is entitled "The Critical Role of Executive Search in Driving Culture Change".  This article runs the gambit of cultural information from statistics breaking down employee retention by companies with strong cultural experiences versus those with weaker ones, what you need to do in order to see significant culture transformation within your business, and ways in which you can create a strong company culture that will attract top performers.  Jay is taking a deep dive into this culture playbook and giving his insight into some of the very in-depth and well researched points this article has to make.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly."On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is here with a very different take on our normal "Thirty Days of Thought" episode.  For this edition of the series, Jay is reading the excerpt from "Attention Deficit" chapter and letting it stand on its own.  The words from this section are going to stand on their own without any explanation or analysis.  Instead, we're letting the words breathe and leaving them open for you, the listener, to interpret as you will.  We hope that when you walk away from this, you're thinking, reflecting, and using these words as a catalyst to come to your own conclusions and definitions.

"Confidence comes from preparation." - John WoodenOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is sitting down to discuss preparation as a concept, as a mindset, and as a tool for success.  Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes into making sure Jay is as prepared as possible for every guest that comes on the show to make sure that we are doing right by the people that take the time to come on to speak with Jay.  Preparation shows respect, a willingness to learn, and that whatever it is you are preparing for has inherent value.  Whether you are prepping for an interview, a speech, a presentation, or anything else, the amount of work you put in beforehand is going to be reflected by what you produce.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"He who has a strong enough why, can bear almost any how." - Friedrich NietzscheDaniel Wright is the founder of Proline Paving, the host of the "Paving the Way" podcast, and a member in good standing of the Top Contractor School and we're extremely excited to have him back for his second appearance on the show.  In today's discussion, Daniel and Jay are taking a deeper look into the core values that drive Proline Paving everyday.  Daniel preaches doing the right thing always and while it sounds like such a simple thing to do, it may prove more difficult to put into practice.  With that said, it's the difficult things that normally prove to be the most valuable.  We're also getting into rewarding good work, recognizing good work and making sure others do too, and what it actually means to continually try and do things the right way.  There's a lot of uplifting talk in today's discussion and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Invisible threads are the strongest ties." - Friedrich NietzscheReal estate professional, businessman, co-owner of R.K. Reiman, and host of "The Real Build" podcast Bill Reiman is back again for another round of culture conversation on The Culture Matters Podcast and today we're taking a look at core values and sacrifice.  It's been said that there is no success without sacrifice and in discussing the sacrifices parents make for their children and entrepreneurs make for their businesses, that statement is proven very true during today's talk.  Bill and Jay also dive into what it means to have core values and how those who are operating without them simply aren't doing things the right way.  You're in for a treat on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast with the one and only Bill Reiman.