Podcast appearances and mentions of Seth Godin

"Of Miles Davis' 50 records, 30 of them were pretty bad." Seth Godin - marketer, creative, and author of 19 bestsellers - explains why your work needs a practice and why that means accepting that not everything you create will be your best. Plus, get a rare peek into the personal writing practice behind his 20-year streak of daily blog posts.  Thanks for listening! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.

Welcome to another short and empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week... Today, we explore Seth Godin's powerful reminder to create a life you do not need to escape from: "Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don't need to escape from." Three key takeaways: Why constantly counting down to a holiday can be a sign that your everyday life needs more attention. How getting clear on what you truly want is the first step to creating your dream life. Why small, intentional changes to your routine can completely shift how your life feels. Listen in and take a step toward living your dream life with more intention, joy and courage. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonated most with you - so please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Have a wonderful week …and remember, it all starts with a dream

Today's episode is going to change the way you think about your life.  If you keep telling yourself you want to: -go after something bigger  -start something new  -speak up  -take a chance  -or finally do the thing you know you're meant to do in life…  but you “just can't seem to find the time,” or “make it happen,” this is the conversation you need to hear right now.  Seth Godin is going to call you out in the kindest, clearest, most liberating way.  Seth is one of Mel's most beloved business mentors. He's written more than 20 bestselling books, his ideas have influenced millions of people around the world, and he's widely considered the godfather of modern marketing.  But this episode is not about marketing.  It's about the life you want to live, and why you keep putting it off with busyness, scrolling, excuses like, “I'll do it when…”  Seth is going to teach you how to stop procrastinating and start moving forward, even if you're scared, even if you're tired, even if you don't feel ready.  Once you hear what Seth says about resistance, you're going to feel a fire in your belly to make you take action.  You'll learn: -The one word that is keeping you stuck and the one word that will help you move forward -How to stop waiting for permission and pick yourself -The small, simple way to start that actually works, even when you're overwhelmed -How to stop getting trapped by fear and what other people think -How perfectionism keeps you safe, but also keeps you stuck By the end of this conversation, you're going to feel capable, and you're going to want to take action immediately.  For more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page.   If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Reinvent Yourself: How to Let Go of Past Mistakes and Create a New Version of You Connect with Mel:     Order Mel's new product, Pure Genius Protein Get Mel's newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration. Get Mel's #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram  The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok  Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're often great at making money, terrible at managing it. Multi-exit entrepreneur David McKeegan joins us to discuss personal finance built specifically for founders: The "refrigerator number" — what it is and how to find yours The 4% rule — is it still relevant, and what rate would you actually bet on? Concentration vs. diversification: when to double down and when to spread out Portfolio construction for 7-8 figure entrepreneurs (ETFs, TIPS, bonds — the real breakdown)

This week, Jen shares with Pete a new phrase she's coined, in order to turn dreams into aspirational prototypes. Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about: How might we move inch by inch towards our goal? In what ways might defining the perfect day or week or schedule or calendar be useful to us? What are some different ways to think about the relationships in our lives, our goals for the next ten years, and our overarching dreams of what our reality could be? To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/. You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on.  To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com. Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Send a textMy guest today is Matthew Hoffman, the artist and creative force behind the global “You Are Beautiful” campaign. If you've ever seen those three simple words on a sticker, a mural, or an installation somewhere in the world and felt even a small lift in your day, there's a good chance Matthew's work has already touched your life.Matthew started this project in a very humble way: with 100 paper stickers he printed as a kind of “public intervention” in Chicago. He didn't set out to build a brand or become known. In fact, he stayed anonymous for almost a decade, because he wanted the focus to be on the message rather than the person behind it. Over time, though, this quiet act of kindness grew into a global movement.Today, more than 10 million “You Are Beautiful” stickers have been shared around the world, translated into over 100 languages, and expanded into public installations, murals, and sculptures across the United States and beyond. His work has been featured by Oprah, mentioned by Seth Godin, and sustained by a worldwide community of people who take these words and pass them forward.What I love about this discussion is that we don't just talk about the project—we talk about the person and the philosophy behind it.In this conversation, Matthew and I explore:Purpose and calling – Using an Oprah quote as our starting point, we talk about how Matthew found his way from a high school graphic arts class to a life devoted to spreading a simple but profound message.Perspective and empathy – How constantly moving as a kid, feeling like a chameleon and an outsider, gave him deep empathy and shaped his desire to create work that is open and accessible to everyone.Creative courage – The importance of getting ideas out of your head and into the world quickly, even when they're imperfect, and how to move through the fear of other people's opinions.Anonymity, humility, and identity – Why he called himself a “custodian” rather than the creator, what it was like to be “outed” by Seth Godin and later invited by Oprah to reveal himself publicly, and how that became a kind of returning home to his true self.Mental health and impact – Including a powerful story about a sticker placed on a bridge where someone had died by suicide, and how that moment shifted Matthew's understanding of the weight and responsibility of his work.Sustaining motivation – How he navigates the highs and lows of creativity, deals with self-doubt, and anchors himself in his values so he can keep doing work that matters—while also being a dad and modeling purpose for his son.This is a conversation about art, yes—but more than that, it's about belonging, worthiness, and essence. It's about the quiet, consistent ways we can remind ourselves and others that there is nothing we need to do and no one we need to become to be “enough.”If you've ever struggled with perfectionism, fear of judgment, creative blocks, or just feeling like you're not quite enough, this episode is for you.Connect With Matthew:You Are Beautiful Campaign WebsiteMatthew's Personal Website (last part of this show features Matthew's work)Order Matthew's Stickers Here

Dan talks with Taylor Pearson about a new wave of “agentic AI” tools like Claude Code — and how founders are using them to tackle projects that used to take days or weeks. From analyzing financials to running workflows and speeding up big internal projects, these tools can act more like a business collaborator than a chatbot. They also walk through how to take the first step if you want to start experimenting. Find Taylor Get started with Claude Code Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Bento - Email marketing for bootstrapped founders CHAPTERS (00:00:00) AI “Superpowers” for Founders (00:00:43) A New Wave of AI Tools (00:00:57) Sponsor: Bento (00:02:32) The First Time Taylor Tried Claude Code (00:04:21) The $10K Projects Sitting on Your To-Do List (00:05:13) Real Ways Founders Are Using AI Agents (00:05:32) AI as the Operating System for Your Business (00:13:07) The Breakthrough: AI That Reads and Writes Your Files (00:20:44) The New AI Arbitrage (00:25:16) What AI Is Weirdly Good (and Bad) At (00:27:36) Why It's an Exciting Time to Be a Founder Again CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Can Your Business Beat the S&P 500? How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

In episode 165 Veronica and Laurie share book marketing tips from K.M. Allan, Seth Godin, Bryan Cohen and Joanna Penn. We have news, quotes, book spotlights and lots more. Laurie has a lively chat with the fabulous middle grade and children's author George Ivanoff.Book spotlights:1. The Boyfriend Clause by Bridie Blake - romance2. Forever and Ever by Allanah Hunt - contemporary3. The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archbold – middle grade4. Birthing with Trauma and Fear: A Guide to an Empowering Birth Experience by Moran Liviani – non-fiction5. Tree Pose by Susan Rogers & John Roosen - thriller6. Warrior Pose by Susan Rogers & John Roosen - thriller7. One suitcase, two pets and a breakdown – Athena Martinez – memoirIntro - 00:57Marketing tips - 4:32Industry news - 21:55Book spotlights - 25:54Author interview - 43:08Post interview chat - 1:33:30Quotes - 1:35:52Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Most physical therapy clinics market the wrong thing.They promote visits, treatments, and techniques — but patients don't actually want those things. What they want is the outcome: getting back to running, lifting, sports, or living pain-free.In this episode, Jimmy McKay and Dave Kittle explore how PT clinic owners can shift from transactional care to transformation-based care.Drawing insights from thinkers like Seth Godin, Gary Vee, Rory Sutherland, Chris Voss, and Chris Do, they explain how better positioning, marketing, and communication can turn a one-time patient into a long-term relationship.They also discuss why selling programs beats selling packages, why vanity metrics like social media views don't build clinics, and how the first phone call with a patient may determine whether they ever become a client.If you're a clinic owner trying to grow revenue, improve patient engagement, and create a stronger brand, this episode will change how you think about your business.What You'll Learn• Why patients buy outcomes — not treatments• How to position your clinic as a transformation machine• Why social media views don't equal patients• How to turn a $10K client into a $70K lifetime relationship• The difference between selling programs vs packages• Why the first phone call determines patient conversions• The importance of asking better intake questionsGuests & ResourcesDave KittleWebsite: https://conciergepainrelief.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedavekittleshow/featuredTony MaritatoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MedicareBillingSponsorsSaRA Health — https://sarahealth.comEMPOWER EMR — https://empoweremr.comU.S. Physical Therapy — https://usph.com

Inspired by another learning from his triathlon, Pete shares with Jen a training technique, and both of them noodle on what it might look like to work within Zone 2 (and not constantly overexerting in Zone 5). Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about: What are the five zones of energy and effort? Why is it important to take periods of rest? How might a more continuous method of training be more efficient and impactful than a high intensity one? To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/. You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on.  To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 430 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast. There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in. Today's episode is a look back at an interview I did with Seth Godin who needs no introduction, but it would be a complete disservice to not share all of his accolades.  He's an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher.  In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 22 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and This is Marketing, which was an instant bestseller in countries around the world.  His latest book, This is Strategy: Make Better Plans offers readers a practical framework for what an effective strategy looks like and feels like in today's fast-moving chaotic, and diverse world. This strategy allows readers to zoom out and see the bigger picture and understand the systems that are shaping their lives at work, in business, and day-to-day challenges.  Seth contends that by recognizing and mastering these systems and prioritizing long-term thinking over instant gratification, we can make smart, purposeful choices today that will lead to long-term growth. In my conversation with Seth, he shares his motivation for writing this book, the four elements that are critical for an effective strategy, and the importance of identifying and connecting with our smallest viable audience. On a personal note, when I started my product business in 2008, Seth's work was a major catalyst in helping me gain marketing momentum. He has a no-nonsense approach. He's concise and clear with his thoughts, and that resonates and gets your wheels turning, which you will hear in today's episode. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/367  This episode contains affiliate links. You can view our affiliate disclaimer here. Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Rebecca Hinds: Your Best Meeting Ever Rebecca Hinds is a leading expert on organizational behavior and the future of work. She founded and led the Work Innovation Lab at Asana and the Work AI Institute at Glean, where she partners with leading experts to help organizations transform their work with AI. She is the author of Your Best Meeting Ever: 7 Principles for Designing Meetings That Get Things Done (Amazon, Bookshop)*. Considering the amount of time we all spend in meetings, it's odd that most organizations do so little to measure meeting results. If that's sounding familiar, this conversation between Rebecca and me will show you exactly how to get started. Key Points Metrics that only measure the costs of meetings (dollars and time) can be useful, but rarely capture the full picture. Use Return on Time Invested (ROTI) anonymously to survey attendees to determine if a meeting was a good use of time. Also ask, “What would it take for you to improve your rating by one point?” Survey sparingly to avoid survey fatigue. Bringing in a survey 10% of the time is a benchmark to start from. If the amount of time in meetings vastly exceeds 10 hours a week, there's likely an opportunity to scale back or redefine the work before or after meetings to use time better. Equal speaking time in meetings is a key indicator of team performance. Be transparent with employees about any technology you use to capture data. Punctuality and attendance rate are indicators of how valued meetings are for people. Resources Mentioned Your Best Meeting Ever: 7 Principles for Designing Meetings That Get Things Done by Rebecca Hinds (Amazon, Bookshop)* Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Lead Meetings That Get Results, with Mamie Kanfer Stewart (episode 358) Moving Towards Meetings of Significance, with Seth Godin (episode 632) How to Lead Engaging Meetings, with Jess Britt (episode 721) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

This one is a grounding exhale.Today, we're bringing you a powerful conversation from the We Are For Good Summit with our friend Seth Godin — it's for anyone carrying the weight of leadership in uncertain times.Because here's the truth: uncertainty isn't a season anymore. It's the environment. And if you're feeling the pressure, the risk, the emotional toll of caring deeply about work that matters… you are not alone.Seth challenges us to rethink what risk really is (hint: it's the feeling of risk that trips us up), why attachment fuels burnout, and how trust is built — and burned — through small, consistent actions. We talk about belonging and leadership, and about the courage it takes to stay in the arena when the outcomes aren't guaranteed.We also dig into:How to innovate when nothing feels stableRebuilding trust through behavior, not brandingUsing AI as a tool (without losing our humanity)Communicating experimentation and risk to donorsLetting go of entanglements that keep us stuckAnd why agency — not compliance — is the futureSeth reminds us that we didn't sign up for perfect — we signed up to keep moving toward better. To feel the fear and move forward anyway, tell the truth, bring people together, and stay responsible to the work we care about. If you're tired but still called, questioning but still committed, this conversation is for you.

Buon Venerdí da “RESPIRO”, l'appuntamento quotidiano del podcast “Il Mondo Invisibile” dedicato ad artisti, creativi e non solo. Oggi respiriamo con Seth Godin ed il suo libro “La pratica”, ROI edizioni.Se ti piace questo podcast, aiutami a farlo arrivare da chi può trovarlo interessante.Ti auguro una buona giornata e un buon fine settimanaA presto!Alessandro#ilmondoinvisibilepodcast #respiropodcast #arte #creatività #ispirazione #podcastitaliani #respiro 

A semi-retired 6-time CEO accidentally went viral on YouTube, and turned it into a real business case study. Dynamite Circle member and DC BLACK facilitator, Richard “RJ” Jalichandra, joins us this week to talk about how a small channel can still transform your company. Plus, the hidden struggles of 7+ figure founders, defining your “enough number,” and why a little retirement planning today can actually improve your decisions right now. LINKS RJ's YouTube Channel Meet RJ and other lifestyle founders doing YouTube Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits CHAPTERS (00:04:18) How RJ Got Into YouTube (00:07:04) The Algorithm vs What You Want to Create (00:10:44) How to Build an Audience in 2026 (00:16:19) RJ's Creative Process for YouTube (00:19:16) Economic Opportunities for Mid-Cap Channels (00:23:17) The #1 Struggle of 7-8 Fig Founders (00:30:16) Scale for Wealth or Optimize For Lifestyle? (00:33:10) The Importance of Retirement Planning CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Can Your Business Beat the S&P 500? How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026

Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me!If you feel completely misunderstood by the internet, friends, or family, this episode is for you.A few weeks ago, I was asked a simple question: How do you deal with being misunderstood? Ironically, days later I found myself living the answer in real time after a video of mine went viral for something completely unexpected.You can listen to the Seth Godin episode referenced here!Support the showRemember, you're worth having and building rich friendships! The connection you've been looking for is on the way, and it all starts by being Accidentally Intentional.Are you ready to tackle loneliness once and for all? Download the FREE '5 Steps To Build RICH Friendships' E-Book!Want to work with Zoe 1-on-1 for personalized friendship coaching for that extra push and source of accountability? Zoe has limited slots available on a rolling basis, so please email contact@accidentallyintentionalpod.com (subject line: COACH ME) and the team will be in touch with next steps! Subscribe to the Accidentally Intentional YouTube channel!

This week, Jen and Pete noodle on a mental framework in which they revisit and recommit, or revise, or replace, or remove the goals they've set for themselves this year (which leaves them feeling re-invigorated, re-energized, and re-inspired).  Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about: How might we add and consider the context surrounding our goals? How might we reframe a pivot away from a certain goal as not a failure but a learning? What are some tactics to give ourselves more grace in the journey towards our goals? To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/. You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on.  To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com. Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Dan and Ian hop on the mic to talk about spending money to make more money in your business, getting financial assistance with AI, how to decide where you should live and work in 2026, and agentic AI use cases. Meet lifestyle founders in Mexico this May Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits Live Well on Less Than You Think by Fred Brock “The End of the Office” by Andrew Yang “How to replace your bookkeeper with AI” by Dan Norris CHAPTERS (00:00:00) What Founders Are Talking About in Mexico This May (00:03:45) How to Spend Money to Make Money in Your Business (00:08:12) Using AI to Help You With Financials (00:19:16) How to Decide Where to Live and Work Remotely in 2026 (00:30:42) What's New With Agentic AI CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: How to Build a 6-Figure Digital Business with Claude Code 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026 Financial Traps & Profit Truths

What does it truly take to launch a phenomenon? Most authors dream of hitting the bestseller list, but today's guest, Tim Grahl, flips that goal on its head. He's revealing the counterintuitive truth about enduring book success, explaining why chasing a fleeting "bestseller" title might actually hinder your book's long-term impact. If your vision for your book extends beyond a single week of sales to creating a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with essential strategies. Learn why "readers" trump "sales" and how to engineer word-of-mouth that propels your book for years, not just days. Prepare to redefine what a successful book launch truly means.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:00:51 Book launch definitions and timelines00:03:34 Redefining "bestselling" beyond the lists00:08:33 The one thing and Atomic Habits approaches00:11:35 Tim's three categories for launching a book00:14:05 Leveraging influencer networks as the biggest lever00:19:07 Influencer promotion strategies00:21:09 Getting fans to buy: creating scarcity00:24:28 The most impactful book bonuses00:28:55 Getting fans to share (the least impactful strategy)00:31:11 Why direct advertising isn't profitable for books00:34:40 The 10,000 reader rule for long-term success00:42:41 Engineering word of mouth00:46:28 Getting free copies into the hands of readers00:50:55 Identifying and reaching relevant tribes00:52:26 Tim's resources for authorsIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Tim:Story Grid: https://www.storygrid.comBook Launch: https://booklaunch.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryGridX: https://x.com/storygridTim's latest book: https://www.storygrid.com/product/the-shitheadFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comThe Perennial Bestseller by Ryan Holiday: https://ryanholiday.net/the-perennial-bestsellerThe One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan: https://www.the1thing.com/the-bookAtomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsThe War of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-artGreat Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Gatsby-F-Scott-Fitzgerald/dp/0743273567Tribes by Seth Godin: https://www.sethgodin.com/books/tribesHighlights:01:38 – Why a book launch should last two years05:34 – Selling a high volume doesn't always mean long-term success13:11 – The 95/5 principle of book marketing23:06 – The most effective and least effective bonuses34:40 – The 10,000 reader rule explained43:19 – Give away as many copies as possible48:56 – Creative ways to get your book into readers' hands

Neste episódio falamos sobre se Openclaw é para Marketers, a armadilha em marketing, segundo Seth Godin, e a autenticidade das marcas com Mariana Cerca Miguel.

Aaron Werner, Brianna Rhue, and first-time Book Nerds guest Dr. Ben Thayil unpack Seth Godin's Tribes through the lens of real-world practice leadership. They explore what separates leaders from managers, why tribes thrive on member-to-member communication, and how fear is often less about failure and more about blame. The conversation digs into innovation timing (and the penalty for being late), practical ways to evaluate risk, and how to empower teams through delegation, alignment, and freedom to make mistakes—plus tactical takeaways like daily KPI texts, the “rope theory,” and a simple question to spark ownership: What change do you want to lead, and why? Join BookNerds WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kg7fQNNyEQq2HWUEwOX9GP?mode=gi_t

In this episode, I'm joined by Rebecca Hinds — organizational behavior expert and founder of the Work AI Institute at Glean — for a practical conversation about why meetings deteriorate over time and how to redesign them. Rebecca argues that bad meetings aren't a people problem — they're a systems problem. Without intentional design, meetings default to ego, status signaling, conflict avoidance, and performative participation. Over time, low-value meetings become normalized instead of fixed. Drawing on her research at Stanford University and her leadership of the Work Innovation Lab at Asana, she shares frameworks from her new book, Your Best Meeting Ever, including: The four legitimate purposes of a meeting: decide, discuss, debate, or develop The CEO test for when synchronous time is truly required How to codify shared meeting standards Why leaders must explicitly give permission to leave low-value meetings We also explore leadership, motivation, and the myth that kindness and high standards are opposites. Rebecca explains why effective leaders diagnose what drives each individual — encouragement for some, direct challenge for others — and design environments that support both performance and belonging. Finally, we talk about AI and the future of work. Tools amplify existing culture: strong systems improve, broken systems break faster. Organizations that redesign how work happens — not just what tools they use — will have the advantage. If you want to run better meetings, lead with more clarity, and rethink how collaboration actually happens, this episode is for you. You can find Your Best Meeting Ever at major bookstores and learn more at rebeccahinds.com.  00:00 Start 00:27 Why Meetings Get Worse Over Time Robin references Good Omens and the character Crowley, who designs the M25 freeway to intentionally create frustration and misery. They use this metaphor to illustrate how systems can be designed in ways that amplify dysfunction, whether intentionally or accidentally. The idea is that once dysfunctional systems become normalized, people stop questioning them. They also discuss Cory Doctorow's concept of enshittification, where platforms and systems gradually decline as organizational priorities override user experience. Rebecca connects this pattern directly to meetings, arguing that without intentional design, meetings default to chaos and energy drain. Over time, poorly designed meetings become accepted as inevitable rather than treated as solvable design problems. Rebecca references the Simple Sabotage Field Manual created by the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. The manual advised citizens in occupied territories on how to subtly undermine organizations from within. Many of the suggested tactics involved meetings, including encouraging long speeches, focusing on irrelevant details, and sending decisions to unnecessary committees. The irony is that these sabotage techniques closely resemble common behaviors in modern corporate meetings. Rebecca argues that if meetings were designed from scratch today, without legacy habits and inherited norms, they would likely look radically different. She explains that meetings persist in their dysfunctional form because they amplify deeply human tendencies like ego, status signaling, and conflict avoidance. Rebecca traces her interest in teamwork back to her experience as a competitive swimmer in Toronto. Although swimming appears to be an individual sport, she explains that success is heavily dependent on team structure and shared preparation. Being recruited to swim at Stanford exposed her to an elite, team-first environment that reshaped how she thought about performance. She became fascinated by how a group can become greater than the sum of its parts when the right cultural conditions are present. This experience sparked her long-term curiosity about why organizations struggle to replicate the kind of cohesion often seen in sports. At Stanford, Coach Lee Mauer emphasized that emotional wellbeing and performance were deeply connected. The team included world record holders and Olympians, and the performance standards were extremely high. Despite the intensity, the culture prioritized connection and belonging. Rituals like informal story time around the hot tub helped teammates build relationships beyond performance metrics. Rebecca internalized the lesson that elite performance and strong culture are not opposing forces. She saw firsthand that intensity and warmth can coexist, and that psychological safety can actually reinforce high standards rather than weaken them. Later in her career at Asana, Rebecca encountered the company value of rejecting false trade-offs. This reinforced a lesson she had first learned in swimming, which is that many perceived either-or tensions are not actually unavoidable. She argues that organizations often assume they must choose between performance and happiness, or between kindness and accountability. In her experience, these are false binaries that can be resolved through better design and clearer expectations. She emphasizes that motivated and engaged employees tend to produce higher quality work, making culture a strategic advantage rather than a distraction. Kindness versus ruthlessness in leadership Robin raises the contrast between harsh, fear-based leadership styles and more relational, positive leadership approaches. Both styles have produced winning teams, which raises the question of whether success comes because of the leadership style or despite it. Rebecca argues that resilience and accountability are essential, regardless of tone. She stresses that kindness alone is not sufficient for high performance, but neither is harshness inherently superior. Effective leadership requires understanding what motivates each individual, since some people thrive on encouragement while others crave direct challenge. Rebecca personally identifies with wanting to be pushed and appreciates clarity when her work falls short of expectations. She concludes that the most effective leaders diagnose motivation carefully and design environments that maximize both growth and performance. 08:51 Building the Book-Launch Team: Mentors, Agents, and Choosing the Right Publisher Robin asks Rebecca about the size and structure of the team she assembled to execute the launch successfully. He is especially curious about what the team actually looked like in practice and how coordinated the effort needed to be. He also asks about the meeting cadence and work cadence required to bring a book launch to life at that level. The framing highlights that writing the book is only one phase, while launching it is an entirely different operational challenge. Rebecca explains that the process felt much more organic than it might appear from the outside. She admits that at the beginning, she underestimated the full scope of what a book launch entails. Her original motivation was simple: she believed she had a valuable perspective, wanted to help people, and loved writing. As she progressed deeper into the publishing process, she realized that writing the manuscript was only one piece of a much larger system. The operational and promotional dimensions gradually revealed themselves as a second job layered on top of authorship. Robin emphasizes that writing a book and publishing a book are fundamentally different jobs. Rebecca agrees and acknowledges that the publishing side requires a completely different skill set and infrastructure. The conversation underscores that authorship is creative work, while publishing and launching require strategy, coordination, and business acumen. Rebecca credits her Stanford mentor, Bob Sutton, as a life changing influence throughout the process. He guided her step by step, including decisions around selecting a publisher and choosing an agent. She initially did not plan to work with an agent, but through guidance and reflection, she shifted her perspective. His mentorship helped her ask better questions and approach the process more strategically rather than reactively. Rebecca reflects on an important mindset shift in her career. Earlier in life, she was comfortable being the big fish in a small pond. Over time, she came to believe that she performs better when surrounded by people who are smarter and more experienced than she is. She describes her superpower as working extremely hard and having confidence in that effort. Because of that, she prefers environments where others elevate her thinking and push her further. This philosophy became central to how she built her book launch team. As Rebecca learned more about the moving pieces required for a successful campaign, she became more intentional about who she wanted involved. She sought the best not in terms of prestige alone, but in terms of belief and commitment. She wanted people who would go to bat for her and advocate for the book with genuine enthusiasm. She noticed that some organizations that looked impressive on paper were not necessarily the right fit for her specific campaign. This led her to have extensive conversations with potential editors and publicists before making decisions. Rebecca developed a personal benchmark for evaluating partners. She paid attention to whether they were willing to apply the book's ideas within their own organizations. For her, that signaled authentic belief rather than surface level marketing support. When Simon and Schuster demonstrated early interest in implementing the book's learnings internally, it stood out as meaningful alignment. That commitment suggested they cared about the substance of the work, not just the promotional campaign. As the process unfolded, Rebecca realized that part of her job was learning what questions to ask. Each conversation with potential partners refined her understanding of what she needed. She became more deliberate about building the right bench of people around her. The team was not assembled all at once, but rather shaped through iterative learning and discernment. The launch ultimately reflected both her evolving standards and her commitment to surrounding herself with people who elevated the work. 12:12 Asking Better Questions & Going Asynchronous Robin highlights the tension between the voice of the book and the posture of a first time author entering a major publishing house. He notes that Best Meeting Ever encourages people to assert authority in meetings by asking about agendas, ownership, and structure. At the same time, Rebecca was entering conversations with an established publisher as a new author seeking partnership. The question becomes how to balance clarity and conviction with humility and openness. Robin frames it as showing up with operational authority while still saying you publish books and I want to work with you. Rebecca calls the question insightful and explains that tactically she relied heavily on asking questions. She describes herself as intentionally curious and even nosy because she did not yet know what she did not know. Rather than pretending to have answers, she used inquiry as a way to build authority through understanding. She asked questions asynchronously almost daily, emailing her agent and editor with anything that came to mind. This allowed her to learn the system while also signaling engagement and seriousness. Rebecca explains that most of the heavy lifting happened outside of meetings. By asking questions over email, she clarified information before stepping into synchronous time. Meetings were then reserved for ambiguity, decision making, and issues that required real time collaboration. As a result, the campaign involved very few meetings overall. She had a biweekly meeting with her core team and roughly monthly conversations with her editor. The rest of the coordination happened asynchronously, which aligned with her philosophy about effective meeting design. Rebecca jokes that one hidden benefit of writing a book on meetings is that everyone shows up more prepared and on time. She also felt internal pressure to model the behaviors she was advocating. The campaign therefore became a real world test of her ideas. She emphasizes that she is glad the launch was not meeting heavy and that it reflected the principles in the book. Robin shares a story about their initial connection through David Shackleford. During a short introductory call, he casually offered to spend time discussing book marketing strategies. Rebecca followed up, scheduled time, and took extensive notes during their conversation. After thanking him, she did not continue unnecessary follow up or prolonged discussion. Instead, she quietly implemented many of the practical strategies discussed. Robin later observed bulk sales, bundled speaking engagements, and structured purchase incentives that reflected disciplined execution. Robin emphasizes that generating ideas is relatively easy compared to implementing them. He connects this to Seth Godin's praise that the book is for people willing to do the work. The real difficulty lies not in brainstorming strategies but in consistently executing them. He describes watching Rebecca implement the plan as evidence that she practices what she preaches. Her hard work and disciplined follow through reinforced his confidence in the book before even reading it. Rebecca responds with gratitude and acknowledges that she took his advice seriously. She affirms that several actions she implemented were directly inspired by their conversation. At the same time, the tone remains grounded and collaborative rather than performative. The exchange illustrates her pattern of seeking input, synthesizing it, and then executing independently. Robin transitions toward the theme of self knowledge and its role in leadership and meetings. He connects Rebecca's disciplined execution to her awareness of her own strengths. The earlier theme resurfaces that she sees hard work and follow through as her superpower. The implication is that effective meetings and effective leadership both begin with understanding how you operate best. 17:48 Self-Knowledge at Work Robin shares that he knows he is motivated by carrots rather than sticks. He explains that praise energizes him and improves his performance more than criticism ever could. As a performer and athlete, he appreciates detailed notes and feedback, but encouragement is what unlocks his best work. He contrasts that with experiences like old school ballet training, where harsh discipline did not bring out his strengths. His point is that understanding how you are wired takes experience and reflection. Rebecca agrees that self knowledge is essential and ties it directly to motivation. She argues that the better you understand yourself, the more clearly you can articulate what drives you. Many people, especially early in their careers, do not pause to examine what truly motivates them. She notes that motivation is often intangible and not primarily monetary. For some people it is praise, for others criticism, learning, mastery, collaboration, or autonomy. She also emphasizes that motivation changes over time and shifts depending on organizational context. One of Rebecca's biggest lessons as a manager and contributor is the importance of codifying self knowledge. Writing down what motivates you and how you work best makes it easier to communicate those needs to others. She believes this explicitness is especially critical during times of change. When work is evolving quickly, assumptions about motivation can lead to disengagement. Making preferences visible reduces friction and prevents misalignment. Rebecca references a recent presentation she gave on the dangers of automating the soul of work. She and her mentor Bob Sutton have discussed how organizations risk stripping meaning from roles if they automate without discernment. She points to research showing that many AI startups are automating tasks people would prefer to keep human. The warning is that just because something can be automated does not mean it should be. Without understanding what makes work meaningful for employees, leaders can unintentionally remove the very elements that motivate people. Rebecca believes managers should create explicit user manuals for their team members. These documents outline how individuals prefer to communicate, what motivates them, and what their career aspirations are. She sees this as a practical leadership tool rather than a symbolic exercise. Referring back to these documents helps leaders guide their teams through uncertainty and change. When asked directly, she confirms that she has implemented this practice in previous roles and intends to do so again. When asked about the future of AI, Rebecca avoids making long term predictions. She observes that the most confident forecasters are often those with something to sell. Her shorter term view is that AI amplifies whatever already exists inside an organization. Strong workflows and cultures may improve, while broken systems may become more efficiently broken. She sees organizations over investing in technology while under investing in people and change management. As a result, productivity gains are appearing at the individual level but not consistently at the team or organizational level. Rebecca acknowledges that there is a possible future where AI creates abundance and healthier work life balance. However, she does not believe current evidence strongly supports that outcome in the near term. She does see promising examples of organizations using AI to amplify collaboration and cross functional work. These examples remain rare but signal that a more human centered future is possible. She is cautiously hopeful but not convinced that the most optimistic scenario will unfold automatically. Robin notes that time horizons for prediction have shortened dramatically. Rebecca agrees and says that six months feels like a reasonable forecasting window in the current environment. She observes that the best leaders are setting thresholds for experimentation and failure. Pilots and proofs of concept should fail at a meaningful rate if organizations are truly exploring. Shorter feedback loops allow organizations to learn quickly rather than over commit to fragile long term assumptions. Robin shares a formative story from growing up in his father's small engineering firm, where he was exposed early to office systems and processes. Later, studying in a Quaker community in Costa Rica, he experienced full consensus decision making. He recalls sitting through extended debates, including one about single versus double ply toilet paper. As a fourteen year old who would rather have been climbing trees in the rainforest, the meeting felt painfully misaligned with his energy. That experience contributed to his lifelong desire to make work and collaboration feel less draining and more intentional. The story reinforces the broader theme that poorly designed meetings can disconnect people from purpose and engagement. 28:31 Leadership vs. Tribal Instincts Rebecca explains that much of dysfunctional meeting behavior is rooted in tribal human instincts. People feel loyalty to the group and show up to meetings simply to signal belonging, even when the meeting is not meaningful. This instinct to attend regardless of value reinforces bloated calendars and performative participation. She argues that effective meeting design must actively counteract these deeply human tendencies. Without intentional structure, meetings default to social signaling rather than productive collaboration. Rebecca emphasizes that leadership plays a critical role in changing meeting culture Leaders must explicitly give employees permission to leave meetings when they are not contributing. They must also normalize asynchronous work as a legitimate and often superior alternative. Without that top down permission, employees will continue attending out of fear or habit. Meeting reform requires visible endorsement from those with authority. Power dynamics and pushing back without positional authority Robin reflects on the power of writing a book on meetings while still operating within a hierarchy. He asks how individuals without formal authority can challenge broken systems. Rebecca responds that there is no universal solution because outcomes depend heavily on psychological safety. In organizations with high trust, there is often broad recognition that meetings are ineffective and a desire to fix them. In lower trust environments, change must be approached more strategically and indirectly. Rebecca advises employees to lead with curiosity rather than confrontation. Instead of calling out a bad meeting, one might ask whether their presence is truly necessary. Framing the question around contribution rather than judgment reduces defensiveness. This approach lowers the emotional temperature and keeps the conversation constructive. Curiosity shifts the tone from personal critique to shared problem solving. In psychologically unsafe environments, Rebecca suggests shifting enforcement to systems rather than individuals. Automated rules such as canceling meetings without agendas or without sufficient confirmations can reduce personal friction. When technology enforces standards, it feels less like a personal attack. Codified rules provide employees with shared language and objective criteria. This reduces the perception that opting out is a rejection of the person rather than a rejection of the structure. Rebecca argues that every organization should have a clear and shared definition of what deserves to be a meeting. If five employees are asked what qualifies as a meeting, they should give the same answer. Without explicit criteria, decisions default to habit and hierarchy. Clear rules give employees confidence to push back constructively. Shared standards transform meeting participation from a personal negotiation into a procedural one. Rebecca outlines a two part test to determine whether a meeting should exist. First, the meeting must serve one of four purposes which are to decide, discuss, debate, or develop people. If it does not satisfy one of those four categories, it likely should not be a meeting. Even if it passes that test, it must also satisfy one of the CEO criteria. C refers to complexity and whether the issue contains enough ambiguity to require synchronous dialogue. E refers to emotional intensity and whether reading emotions or managing reactions is important. O refers to one way door decisions, meaning choices that are difficult or costly to reverse. Many organizational decisions are reversible and therefore do not justify synchronous time. Robin asks how small teams without advanced tech stacks can automate meeting discipline. Rebecca explains that many safeguards can be implemented with existing tools such as Google Calendar or simple scripts. Basic rules like requiring an agenda or minimum confirmations can be enforced through standard workflows. Not all solutions require advanced AI tools. The key is introducing friction intentionally to prevent low value meetings from forming. Rebecca notes that more advanced AI tools can measure engagement, multitasking, or participation. Some platforms now provide indicators of attention or involvement during meetings. While these tools are promising, they are not required to implement foundational meeting discipline. She cautions against over investing in shiny tools without first clarifying principles. Metrics are useful when they reinforce intentional design rather than replace it. Rebecca highlights a subtle risk of automation, particularly in scheduling. Tools can be optimized for the sender while increasing friction for recipients. Leaders should consider the system level impact rather than only individual efficiency. Productivity gains at the individual level can create hidden coordination costs for the team. Meeting automation should be evaluated through a collective lens. Rebecca distinguishes between intrusive AI bots that join meetings and simple transcription tools. She is cautious about bots that visibly attend meetings and distract participants. However, she supports consensual transcription when it enhances asynchronous follow up. Effective transcription can reduce cognitive load and free participants to engage more deeply. Used thoughtfully, these tools can strengthen collaboration rather than dilute it. 41:35 Maker vs. Manager: Balancing a Day Job with a Book Launch Robin shares an example from a webinar where attendees were asked for feedback via a short Bitly link before the session closed. He contrasts this with the ineffectiveness of "smiley face/frowny face" buttons in hotel bathrooms—easy to ignore and lacking context. The key is embedding feedback into the process in a way that's natural, timely, and comfortable for participants. Feedback mechanisms should be integrated, low-friction, and provide enough context for meaningful responses. Rebecca recommends a method inspired by Elise Keith called Roti—rating meetings on a zero-to-five scale based on whether they were worth attendees' time. She suggests asking this for roughly 10% of meetings to gather actionable insight. Follow-up question: "What could the organizer do to increase the rating by one point?" This approach removes bias, focuses on attendee experience, and identifies meetings that need restructuring. Splits in ratings reveal misaligned agendas or attendee lists and guide optimization. Robin imagines automating feedback requests via email or tools like Superhuman for convenience. Rebecca agrees and adds that simple forms (Google Forms, paper, or other methods) are effective, especially when anonymous. The goal is simplicity and consistency—given how costly meetings are, there's no excuse to skip feedback. Robin references Paul Graham's essay on maker vs. manager schedules and asks about Rebecca's approach to balancing writing, team coordination, and book marketing. Rebecca shares that 95% of her effort on the book launch was "making"—writing and outreach—thanks to a strong team handling management. She devoted time to writing, scrappy outreach, and building relationships, emphasizing giving without expecting reciprocation. The main coordination challenge was balancing her book work with her full-time job at Asana, requiring careful prioritization. Rebecca created a strict writing schedule inspired by her swimming discipline: early mornings, evenings, and weekends dedicated to writing. She prioritized her book and full-time work while maintaining family commitments. Discipline and clear prioritization were essential to manage competing but synergistic priorities. Robin asks about written vs. spoken communication, referencing Amazon's six-page memos and Zandr Media's phone-friendly quick syncs. Rebecca emphasizes that the answer depends on context but a strong written communication culture is essential in all organizations. Written communication supports clarity, asynchronous work, and complements verbal communication. It's especially important for distributed teams or virtual work. With AI, clear documentation allows better insights, reduces unnecessary content generation, and reinforces disciplined communication. 48:29 AI and the Craft of Writing Rebecca highlights that employees have varying learning preferences—introverted vs. extroverted, verbal vs. written. Effective communication systems should support both verbal and written channels to accommodate these differences. Rebecca's philosophy: writing is a deeply human craft. AI was not used for drafting or creative writing. AI supported research, coordination, tracking trends, and other auxiliary tasks—areas where efficiency is key. Human-led drafting, revising, and word choice remained central to the book. Robin praises Rebecca's use of language, noting it feels human and vivid—something AI cannot replicate in nuance or delight. Rebecca emphasizes that crafting every word, experimenting with phrasing, and tinkering with language is uniquely human. This joy and precision in writing is not replicable by AI and is part of what makes written communication stand out. Rebecca hopes human creativity in writing and oral communication remains valued despite AI advances. Strong written communication is increasingly differentiating for executive communicators and storytellers in organizations. AI can polish or mass-produce text, but human insight, nuance, and storytelling remain essential and career-relevant. Robin emphasizes the importance of reading, writing, and physical activities (like swimming) to reclaim attention from screens. These practices support deep human thinking and creativity, which are harder to replace with AI. Rebecca uses standard tools strategically: email (chunked and batched), Google Docs, Asana, Doodle, and Zoom. Writing is enhanced by switching platforms, fonts, colors, and physical locations—stimulating creativity and perspective. Physical context (plane, café, city) is strongly linked to breakthroughs and memory during writing. Emphasis is on how tools are enacted rather than which tools are used—behavior and discipline matter more than tech. Rebecca primarily recommends business books with personal relevance: Adam Grant's Give and Take – for relational insights beyond work. Bob Sutton's books – for broader lessons on organizational and personal effectiveness. Robert Cialdini's Influence – for understanding human behavior in both professional and personal contexts. Her selections highlight that business literature often offers universal lessons applicable beyond work. 59:48 Where to Find Rebecca The book is available at all major bookstores. Website: rebeccahinds.com LinkedIn: Rebecca Hinds  

This week, Pete shares with Jen some wisdom from his physio, and together, they noodle on how their leadership may be more simple, practical, and elegant.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:When might it be best to give direction versus ask a question?What are some practical ways to simplify the learnings we are trying to give to our clients or colleagues?In what ways can we practice being more efficient and elegant?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

BRX Pro Tip: 2 Seth Godin Tips Worth Remembering Stone Payton: And we are back with Business RadioX Pro Tips. Stone Payton and Lee Kantor here with you. Lee, you and I really do enjoy following all of Seth Godin’s work. We read his books. I know you participated in the Seth Godin MBA program. […]

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1963: Tim Paige shares practical, honest strategies for reigniting motivation when passion feels out of reach, even in work you deeply care about. From taking mindful breaks to reevaluating your path, his insights help entrepreneurs stay aligned, energized, and purpose-driven when burnout creeps in. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.eofire.com/getting-motivated-when-youre-feeling-anything-but/ Quotes to ponder: "Envision the results that we're trying to achieve. Draw out the finished product. Imagine yourself skinny or muscular. Hear yourself talking to your happy customers." "The old saying is wrong – winners do quit, and quitters do win." "It's incredibly easy to lose sight of the RESULTS of our activity when the activity itself isn't something we particularly love doing or one that suits our skillset." Episode references: The Dip by Seth Godin: https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Stick/dp/1591841666  

How long would it take to revamp your entire business? For Elliott Zelinskas: three weeks. Using Claude Code, he rebuilt his 4-year website, generated 100+ SEO pages, automated YouTube creation and publishing, and replaced parts of his tech stack. All without a dev team. Is agentic AI the next evolution of entrepreneurship? LINKS Follow Elliott on X Follow Elliott on Instagram Meet Elliott and other lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan Live Well on Less Than You Think by Fred Brock CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:39) Meet Elliott & His Business (00:07:05) How Elliott Started Using Claude Code (00:11:16) Upsides and Downsides of Agentic AI (00:15:13) Simple But Powerful Use Cases for Agentic AI (00:22:07) Six Tips for Non-Tech Founders (00:33:18) Security, Risk, and How to Decide What to Build (00:46:42) Digital Nomading and Personal Finance CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Bad Hiring Advice That Can Actually Work: 9 Tactics for Lifestyle Founders 4 Ways to Start a Business From Scratch in 2026 “Scaling on Steroids” with AI Automation ft. Juan Montero

Throwing back to an idea from Episode One, Jen reminds Pete of the question: Is your fear keeping you safe, or is it keeping you stuck?Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we notice and call out our own fears?Why might it be helpful to hear about other people's fears?What are some tactics we can use to confront and push through the fear that is keeping us stuck?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Host Mike Petrusky reflects on his decade-long journey of podcasting and the evolution of the facility management industry in this solo episode of the Workplace Innovator Podcast. He explores lessons learned about leadership, technology, and innovation in the workplace with a mix of personal anecdotes, inspirational quotes, and discussions on the future of work. Mike shares his excitement for the next ten years and the potential impact of AI on the built environment as he emphasizes the importance of empathetic leadership and understanding human behavior in the future workplace. With quotes from C.S. Lewis, Brene Brown, and Seth Godin, Mike encourages listeners to get out of their comfort zone and embark on their own hero's journey, as he offers the inspiration you will need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4H3pwnlU2AuqynuRDpvnh4J Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/  

Most people don't quit fat loss at the start, when motivation is high, or at the end, when results are obvious. They quit in the middle. In this Mini Micropedia episode, Mikki unpacks why the middle phase of fat loss feels so uncomfortable, confusing, and tempting to abandon—and why it's actually where success is decided. Drawing on Seth Godin's concept of The Dip, Mikki explains how slowing scale changes, rising hunger, reduced novelty, and fuzzy feedback loops can make perfectly normal progress feel like failure. She breaks down the physiological and psychological shifts that happen during sustained fat loss, the three common lies people tell themselves in the middle, and why chasing a “new plan” is usually the worst move. This episode reframes the middle not as a problem to fix, but as the work itself—and shows how staying the course builds habits, self-trust, and sustainable results.Highlights / Topics CoveredWhat “The Dip” is and why it shows up in fat lossWhy slow progress doesn't mean stalled progressThe three lies that derail people mid-journeyReframing success as adherence, not scale movement Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1955: Seth Godin challenges the traditional job interview process, arguing it's outdated and ineffective, especially for both routine and creative roles. He proposes a more immersive, performance-based approach that evaluates candidates through real work, not rehearsed conversations. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://seths.blog/2006/09/the_end_of_the_/ Quotes to ponder: "Yes, people change after you hire them. They always do. But do they change more after an unrealistic office interview or after you've actually watched them get in the cage and tame a lion?" "If someone can do the cog job, what other information are you looking for? Why?" "If you're hiring more than a few people a week, clearly it's worth having a full-time person to do this task and do it well."

Dan and Ian respond to a listener's email about strategies for going from a 9-5 to full-blown entrepreneurship, and why mindset is far more important long-term than ideas if you want to start a business. LINKS Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan Dynamite Jobs Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro and Listener Email (00:05:58) Path 1: “Hold Your Nose and Jump” (00:11:43) Path 2: The Coast Side Hustle (00:14:16) Path 3: Intrapreneurship/Apprenticeship (00:18:14) Path 4: Job Hopping (00:30:05) Product-Market Fit, Passion, and More (00:38:58) Overrated and Underrated Entrepreneurship Tips CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: Bad Hiring Advice That Can Actually Work: 9 Tactics for Lifestyle Founders What We Learned From Running a 7-Figure Remote Business in 2025 The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket

After listening to James Clear talk on the habit of writing, Pete talks with Jen about their writing practices, and how he might investigate new and old ways of writing and thinking.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might the act of writing help us change up our patterns of thinking?How might we give up the idea of having to be perfect on our first try?What is Pete's writing practice? And Jen's?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Strategy. It can sound abstract, intimidating, and vaguely corporate. So who better to help demystify it than Seth Godin? Seth returns to Simplify to talk about his book This Is Strategy, and to reframe strategy not as a rigid plan or a set of tactics, but as a philosophy of becoming. In this conversation, Caitlin Schiller and Seth Godin explore what strategy really is, why tension is not only inevitable but necessary, and how pricing, trust, and generosity fit into long-term thinking about work. If strategy has ever felt overwhelming, or if you've been told to “be more strategic” without anyone explaining what that means, this episode is for you. ______ Resources Seth's Blog (going strong for 30 years without missing a day!) and his new book, This is Strategy Caitlin's rec: Considered Chaos, Substack of Eugene Healey Ben's rec: Good to Great by Jim Collins Let us know what you thought of this episode! Find us on instagram at @simplifypod. Subscribe to our newsletter here. Email us at info@kollomedia.com This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, and Ody Constantinou in Berlin, Germany, for Kollo Media.

This week, we're going to the movies. Virginia Heffernan joins us to talk about Groundhog Day (the movie), surveillance, and why online systems reward repetition over reflection and connection with a special cameo by marketing maestro Seth Godin. Magic + Loss: https://virginiaheffernan.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan and Ian share 9 pieces of hiring advice that are typically considered “bad,” but can actually work pretty well for smaller bootstrapped teams - and especially lifestyle businesses. LINKS Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits “Who” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street Remote First Recruiting: Land your next hire in 21 days or less Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK CHAPTERS (00:03:42) Tip 1: Just Hire a Recruiter (00:07:11) Tip 2: Work With Friends and Family (00:10:34) Tip 3: Use AI For Onboarding (00:12:02) Tip 4: Go Easy on the W2s (00:14:52) Tip 5: You Don't Need a Mission-Based Culture (00:20:16) Tip 6: If You Hire the Wrong Person, Let Them Go (00:22:54) Tip 7: It Doesn't Have to Be More Than the Math (00:25:45) Tip 8: Not Hiring Can Work Out Great (00:30:30) Tip 9: Polarize Your Managing Style CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: What We Learned From Running a 7-Figure Remote Business in 2025 The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket “The World Is Ending.” These 5 Businesses Are Still Making Millions

“I'm Nick Westergaard, and this is On Brand — helping you tell your story.” Storytelling is everything—especially for leaders and marketers navigating today's digital world. On this show, we go behind the scenes with the minds at Microsoft, Spotify, and the Mayo Clinic to see how they lead with purpose and build lasting trust. Featuring insights from global experts like Seth Godin, Nancy Duarte, and Alan Alda, we unpack the human element of brand building. We also ask every guest: “What's a brand that's made you smile recently?” If you're ready to build a brand that stands out, join us each week on On Brand. Full episodes and resources: https://nickwestergaard.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Pete prepares to have his tonsils removed, he asks Jen for mental frameworks he can use during his two-week recovery.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we use our internal google translator to switch negative language into positive action?How might we switch the words "have to" to "get to"?When life throws us a curveball, how might we embrace this unexpected path?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Cue the confetti - It's our 1000th episode! To celebrate this massive milestone, we're sharing some of the most meaningful, inspiring, and unforgettable moments from favorite guests like Seth Godin, Amy Purdy, Rabbi Aaron, Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Fischer, and many more. (Part two is coming soon!)- Get a $1 trial of This Abundant Life! cathyheller.com/gift

BRX Pro Tip: Honest, Useful Feedback Stone Payton: And we’re back with Business RadioX Pro Tips. Lee Kantor, Stone Payton here with you. Lee, feedback is so important. But let’s talk a little bit about honest and useful feedback. Lee Kantor: Yeah. When I did Seth Godin’s altMBA, this was an important component of it. […]

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Most agencies don't have a marketing problem. They have a sameness problem. Their websites, their services, their "award-winning team" language. It's all the same. They even have the same promises that sound impressive but mean absolutely nothing to a prospect who's heard it 50 times this week. Today's featured guest has a pretty good idea of why agencies are blending into the background and how the ones that win are doing the opposite. He'll get into differentiation, AI, pricing confidence, RFPs, and why playing it safe is the fastest way to disappear. David Brier is the the branding expert CEOs call when their marketing hits a wall. He calls himself "rehab for brands" to help get them profitable. He is the author of Brand Intervention and Rich Brand, Poor Brand, and he's built a career around one core idea most agencies completely miss: branding isn't about looking better but about being different. After realizing there were more than 25,000 branding books and no agreed-upon definition, David distilled branding down to four words: the art of differentiation. That idea alone reframes how agencies should think about positioning, pricing, and growth, especially right now. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why Differentiation Isn't Optional in the Age of Lazy Thinking. Get Rid of the Agency Speak Saying 'No' as a Strategic Advantage Different is Better Than Better Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Why Branding and Differentiation Are No Longer Optional for Agencies David's definition of branding cuts through the noise because it mirrors how humans actually behave. We notice what's different. We ignore what feels familiar. If your agency sounds like a remix of every other agency, your prospects' brains will quietly check out. That's why brands like Apple feel predictable in a good way. As Seth Godin once said, you know what an Apple sneaker would be like. You don't know what a Marriott sneaker would be like—and that's the problem. One owns a point of view. The other plays it safe. For agencies, differentiation means making a choice and being willing to lose people who aren't a fit. That's uncomfortable, especially if you're used to trying to appeal to everyone. But the agencies that scale aren't trying to be a choice. They're working to become the choice for the right clients. How "Agency Speak" Is Killing Your Sales Ask most agency owners what makes them different and you'll hear the same three things: our people, our process, our portfolio. That language doesn't differentiate you, it only anesthetizes the conversation. You wouldn't advise your clients to use the language of the competition, so why would you? Additionally, David also believes that brands that take a stand and aren't afraid to be bold will automatically stand out from the many many agencies that are too timid and too afraid to offend. This doesn't mean you have to be divisive. You can be bold in a way that actually brings people together. This fear of being truly different comes from the way we're all wired to believe that an amazing portfolio will be enough to draw people in. But the portfolio isn't the most important thing in the room, is the person sitting across from you. Stop leading with your work and start leading with questions. When you ask better questions and actually listen, prospects feel seen. By the time you show your portfolio, if you even need to, they've already decided whether they trust you. That kind of confidence signals maturity—and it instantly separates you from the agencies still performing their pitch deck like a talent show. Why AI Is Fueling a Sea of Sameness in Agency Marketing AI isn't the enemy… but lazy thinking is. David sees it as everyone is now outsourcing their ingenuity to the same tools, using the same prompts, producing the same safe output. The result is, of course, a sea of indistinguishable brands with no soul and no pulse. What he calls "The Great Wall of Beige." The mistake agencies make is thinking AI replaces brilliance. It doesn't. It amplifies whatever you bring to it. If you don't have a point of view, AI will happily help you sound like everyone else faster. The agencies that win in this era will use AI as a tool, not a crutch. They'll still ask, "Why the hell not?" They'll still challenge assumptions. And they'll still bring conviction, creativity, and human judgment to the table, because that's the part clients can't automate. The Power of Saying No: Reclaiming Pricing and Positioning When a buying process is run by a committee, the goal isn't excellence, it's consensus. And consensus is where great ideas go to die. This is why David stopped participating in RFPs. The most powerful move an agency can make isn't trying harder to win bad deals. It's being willing to walk away. The ability to say no signals strength. It reframes the relationship. When you stop chasing every opportunity and start choosing your clients, pricing objections lose their power. As David put it, when prospects ask why he's so expensive, he flips the script: "Why is everyone else so cheap?" That mindset shift alone changes how clients perceive your value. What's Next for Agencies to Stay Profitable in a Changing Market The landscape is changing even from week to week with new technologies, which makes it harder to predict how the industry will change in years to come. For David, it all boils down to knowing what you're selling. Agencies that sell themselves as commodities will basically go out of business. As he points out, AI is accelerating output but not judgment, taste, or leadership. When everyone has access to the same tools and prompts, the middle ground disappears fast. Agencies that sell "deliverables" instead of thinking will find themselves racing to the bottom on price, competing with software instead of strategy. In a market flooded with instant, AI-generated work, the real differentiator becomes the ability to think on your feet, challenge assumptions, and connect dots in real time. The greatest athletes, actors, comedians, and entrepreneurs in the world were able to think for themselves and could take something unexpected and work with it and improvise. Can you give people something unexpected? That's something no tool can replicate, and it's why experience is becoming more valuable, not less. Why Different Beats Better: Escaping the Race to the Bottom David strongly believes that in these times of sameness and an abundance of content that lacks pulse and personality, different is better than better. Agencies that have completely given up trying to create something unique and have instead relegated the thinking to AI will try to stand out by repeatedly stating they're better, faster, or bigger. David, however, prefers to offer something different. This gives him the confidence to face clients that come to a meeting with rehearsed questions they got from other creators to assess him and counter with "actually, you're asking the wrong question. What you should be asking is…" No framework replaces conviction. The best leaders don't answer scripted questions—they redirect them. That's how you elevate the conversation. That's how you escape commodity pricing. And that's how you build a brand people remember. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Dan and Ian take a candid look back at 2025, share highlights and lowlights from the year, and give a sneak peek into what's next for Dynamite Circle. LINKS Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits Ramit Sethi's Money for Couples Remote First Recruiting: Land your next hire in 21 days or less Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK CHAPTERS (00:01:56) Personal Finance: The First Step to Entrepreneurship (00:09:02) Why You Need an Annual Theme (00:13:03) Business Updates (00:19:45) Professional Empowerment for Your Team Leaders (00:25:53) Consistency in Delivering a Great Product (00:30:31) What We've Learned from Hosting Executive Coaching (00:34:36) Under the Hood at Dynamite Circle (00:41:02) Highlights and Lowlights of 2025 (00:49:03) Our Themes for 2026 CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: How to Actually Build Systems in Your Small Business ft. Layla Pomper The 9-5 is Dead, This is the Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket Your 2026 Business Plan in 36 Minutes [FREE Resource]

As Jen confronts an upcoming change, she asks Pete for advice and questions to help shift the framework of her status quo.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What does success look like?How might we reframe a problem as the best possible thing that could happen?Where might we be able to challenge our own assumptions and rules?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Most new habits fizzle quickly, what if they didn't have to? We blame a lack of willpower, but what if the way we approach habits that's the real problem? Why does true, lasting habit change feel so hard to sustain? And, how can we do it better?In this Best of episode, we explore a gentler and more honest reframe, drawing from the work of James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. We show that lasting change doesn't begin with force or fixing, but rather with identity. Discover how listening to who you already are, and letting small, faithful actions slowly reshape what you believe about yourself, is the most powerful, sustainable, and truly transformational path forward.In this episode, discover:Why habits are less about discipline and more about identityHow small, atomic actions quietly become evidence for who we're becomingThe difference between forcing change and aligning with who you areWhy environment often matters more than motivation for long-term habit formationHow belief and behavior shape each other over timeThis is a conversation for anyone who is ready to build consistent habits that actually stick. There's no rush, no prescription—just an invitation to soften, to notice, and to remember that true transformation begins the moment you stop trying so hard to become someone else.You can find James at: Website | The 3-2-1 Newsletter | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversations we had with Seth Godin about identity, creativity, and choosing how you show up.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new chapter of this podcast kicks off with my riffs about: 00:34: Doing the work I want in the way I want 06:07: My new "Completion Theory" approach to productivity11:58: Lessons from the old Seth Godin book "Small Is The New Big"16:17: The role of my "notebook" blog19:01: My experiment with boosting LinkedIn postsLinks Mentioned In The Episode:“Small Is The New Big” by Seth Godin: https://amzn.to/4bGUyNZJosh's "Notebook" Blog: https://notebook.joshspector.com/ Skill Sessions: https://joshspector.com/sessions/Interested in a Writing Partnership with Josh? Email josh@joshspector.com DO Lectures / Lazy Discipline: https://thedolectures.com/online-courses/lazy-discipline/ To connect with Josh Spector:Newsletter: https://fortheinterested.com/subscribe/ Skill Sessions: https://joshspector.com/sessions/Consulting: https://joshspector.com/consulting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjoshspector/ Intro Music Provided By Uppbeat

Are we actively watching the rise of the degenerate economy? What does it mean for our entrepreneurial behaviors? What does it mean for our portfolios? Does gambling your way to wealth make sense? And what types of trends will emerge and strengthen in 2026? Smart things look stupid for a while until they look smart. Dan and Jeff share their thoughts on the recent viral X article “The Prison of Financial Mediocrity” and their views on the “socially acceptable” risk of entrepreneurship as an escape from the 9-5. LINKS Bento will beat your current email bill — up to 70% off or $300 in credits (https://bentonow.com/tmba) “The Prison of Financial Mediocrity” Full Article (https://x.com/systematicls/status/2004900241745883205) The End of Jobs by Taylor Pearson (Dynamite Circle member!) (https://www.amazon.com/End-Jobs-Meaning-9-5-ebook/dp/B010L8SYRG) The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0857197681/) Same As Ever by Morgan Housel (https://www.amazon.com/Same-Ever-Guide-Never-Changes/dp/0593332709) The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi et al (https://www.amazon.com/The-Courage-to-Be-Disliked-audiobook/dp/B07BRPW98K/) Meet lifestyle founders inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) CHAPTERS (00:00:52) The Traditional Path is Closed (00:06:00) The Era of Long Degeneracy & Success Via Risk (00:10:49) Opportunity When the Game is Rigged Against You (00:20:27) The Socially Acceptable Lottery Ticket (00:25:47) Financial Nihilism and Betting on Change CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: How to Actually Build Systems in Your Small Business ft. Layla Pomper (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/how-to-build-systems) “The World Is Ending.” These 5 Businesses Are Still Making Millions (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/the-world-is-ending-9jp7t) Why $120K From Your Biz Beats $150K at a Job (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/balancing-wealth-freedom-mindset)

Looking at his reading list for the year ahead, Pete asks Jen about her processes for selecting and reading books.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we enable ourselves to quit reading a book that isn't exciting to us?Where might we look for the next book to read?How might we examine the list of books we've already read, and use that to guide the future of our reading selections?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

What if your systems feel broken because you're running big-company playbooks in a small, bootstrapped business? Layla Pomper, founder of ProcessDriven, joins us to share how small teams actually build systems that work. We cover what to prioritize before even thinking about SOPs, how to systemize without hiring an integrator, plus the AI & automation tools her audience is quietly using to move faster. LINKS Dive into more of Layla's systems content (https://www.youtube.com/@LaylaPomper) EOS Business System (https://www.eosworldwide.com/) Meet other location-independent founders like Layla inside Dynamite Circle (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Hang out exclusively with 7+ figure founders in DC BLACK (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) CHAPTERS (00:01:44) Today's Guest: Layla Pomper (00:06:18) Manage Your Mistakes (00:13:47) Radical Simplicity in Your Systems (00:17:53) People vs Roles (00:22:26) Defaulting to Delegation (00:26:59) Asking For Help & Meeting Cadences (00:31:40) Why EOS Breaks Down For Small Teams (00:39:31) Stop “Hiring” Software, Build the System First (00:42:58) New Tools Worth Paying Attention To (00:47:24) To YouTube, Or Not to YouTube? CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: [link to Doomsday Business Ideas episode] Numbers Gone Wild: The Hidden Cost of Being Data-Driven (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/numbers-gone-wild-hidden-cost) Financial Traps, Profit Truths, and What's Next at TMBA (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/financial-traps-profit-truths)

This week, Jen and Pete go through their intentions, phrases, and things they are thinking about in preparing for the year ahead.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How do Jen and Pete reflect on the past year, in order to look ahead?How is an unexpected unknown shaping Jen's year?What intention is Pete going to set for his upcoming year?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Molly Graham has worked for some of tech's most effective leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Chamath Palihapitiya, and Bret Taylor. Today she leads Glue Club, a community for leaders navigating rapid scale, growth, and change. She's best known for her “Give away your Legos” framework and her collection of practical mental models for leading through hypergrowth.We discuss:1. “Give away your Legos”: a framework for scaling yourself as a leader2. “J-curves vs. stairs”: the two paths of career growth, and why you should pick the scarier path3. “The waterline model” for diagnosing team problems (and why you should “snorkel before you scuba”)4. Six rules for creating effective goals (and aligning everyone around them)5. Rules of thumb for leading through rapid scale and change6. Her biggest leadership lessons from Mark Zuckerberg, Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Sheryl Sandberg, and Bret Taylor—Brought to you by:DX—The developer intelligence platform designed by leading researchersBrex—The banking solution for startupsGoFundMe Giving Funds—Make helping a habit—Transcript: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-high-growth-handbook-molly-graham—My biggest takeaways (for paid newsletter subscribers): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/i/182877855/my-biggest-takeaways-from-this-conversation—Where to find Molly Graham:• X: https://x.com/molly_g• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mograham• Substack: https://mollyg.substack.com• Website: https://glueclub.com—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Molly Graham(04:28) Molly's background at Google, Facebook, Quip, and CZI(11:29) The “Give away your Legos” framework(16:44) Managing your inner monster(19:49) When not to give away your Legos(21:28) Embracing a long career(23:25) The J-curve vs. stairs approach to career growth(32:00) The gift of knowing yourself(34:28) Learning to be a professional idiot(38:30) The waterline model: snorkel before you scuba(47:16) Six rules for creating strong alignment around goals(57:15) Rules of thumb for leading through rapid scale(01:07:49) Investing in high performers vs. low performers(01:10:54) Lessons from Zuckerberg, Sandberg, and Bret Taylor(1:21:15) Pivoting from ambition to purpose(1:26:32) Finding stability in instability(01:29:44) Final thoughts—Referenced:• Making an impact through authenticity and curiosity | Ami Vora (CPO at Faire, ex-WhatsApp, FB, IG): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/authenticity-and-curiosity-ami-vora• Sheryl Sandberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sandberg-5126652• Elliot Schrage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliotschrage• Quip: https://quip.com• He saved OpenAI, invented the “Like” button, and built Google Maps: Bret Taylor on the future of careers, coding, agents, and more: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/he-saved-openai-bret-taylor• Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: https://chanzuckerberg.com• 10 contrarian leadership truths every leader needs to hear | Matt MacInnis (Rippling): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/10-contrarian-leadership-truths• ‘Give Away Your Legos' and Other Commandments for Scaling Startups: https://review.firstround.com/give-away-your-legos-and-other-commandments-for-scaling-startups• The Muppets: https://muppets.disney.com• Sara Caldwell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramcaldwell• J-Curves vs. Stairs: Two Approaches to Career Growth: https://mollyg.substack.com/p/j-curve• Forget the corporate ladder—winners take risks: https://www.ted.com/talks/molly_graham_forget_the_corporate_ladder_winners_take_risks• Chamath Palihapitiya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamath• Lori Goler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-goler-6b96921• Joseph Campbell's quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/192665-the-cave-you-fear-to-enter-holds-the-treasure-you• Zevi Arnovitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zev-arnovitz• Peopling 101: The Waterline Model: https://christinehaskell.com/blog/peopling-101-the-waterline-model• Introduction to NVC: https://www.cnvc.org/learn/what-is-nvc• I hate OKRs... and other thoughts about goal setting: https://mollyg.substack.com/p/i-hate-okrs-and-other-thoughts-about• Lessons from scaling Stripe | Claire Hughes Johnson (former COO of Stripe): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/lessons-from-scaling-stripe-tactics• James Clear's quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9614600-problem-1-winners-and-losers-have-the-same-goals• Founder mode: https://paulgraham.com/foundermode.html• Stripe: https://stripe.com• Patrick Collison on X: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickcollison• John Collison on X: https://x.com/collision• Seth Godin's best tactics for building remarkable products, strategies, brands and more: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/seth-godins-tactics-for-building-remarkable-products• Eric Antonow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonow—Recommended books:• The Artist's Way: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252• Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building: https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-People-Tactics-Management-Building/dp/1953953212• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

Greg McKeown is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less and Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most. 200,000 people receive his weekly 1-Minute Wednesday newsletter, and he recently released The Essentialism Planner: A 90-Day Guide to Accomplishing More by Doing Less. Sponsors:Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive and muscular support: https://livemomentous.com/Tim (Code TIM for 35% off your first subscription.)Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail businessHelix Sleep premium mattresses: https://helixsleep.com/timCoyote the card game​, which I co-created with Exploding Kittens: https://coyotegame.com*Show notes: https://tim.blog/2025/01/09/personal-reboot-greg-mckeown/*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim's email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim's books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.